BLUE SKIES ABODE

Serenity and sophistication in a lakefront retreat.

Driving to a party on Lake Beaulah in Wisconsin, two soon-to-be KED Interiors clients felt their stress melt away, and their breathing slow to peaceful rhythms as they took in the beautiful views. “That experience really made an impact on them,” says Katie Wozniak, principal at Barrington-based KED. “So much so, that they began searching for a lake home of their own.”

When they discovered a prime lakefront parcel, their original plan for a modest cottage evolved into an expansive, two-winged estate, with KED leading the interior design. Because the wife runs a demanding cosmetic dermatology practice, the three-story residence needed to serve as a calming retreat for intimate family time, as well as an elegant setting for sophisticated entertaining. With skin health a priority, the design also had to maximize lake views while protecting against UV exposure. KED accomplished this through a comprehensive lighting plan featuring Ketra by Lutron circadian rhythm lighting, along with discreet solar shades.

“The wife’s expertise as an oil painter and her affinity for blue served as the ideal creative spark. We leaned into that passion to curate a palette that reflects the lake’s ever-changing depths, from sky blues to quiet teals on to the deep, midday indigos,” says Yvette Bass, co-lead designer on this project.

To get there, Wozniak, Bass and team crafted interiors that evoke a serene lakefront ambiance throughout. “We made the most of natural light, layered in organic textures, and used a soft coastal palette to set the tone for connection and relaxation,” says Wozniak.

The home, built by Thelan Construction, was thoughtfully designed to accommodate multiple life stages. Upstairs, a charming bunk room for the couple’s daughter nestles alongside guest rooms. The lower lake level—with gaming areas, a bunk room, and a full walkout to the water—caters to their teenage son and friends. As the couple approaches retirement, the main level offers ease and accessibility, complete with a primary suite, gym, and in-law guest suite. Every space was designed to facilitate effortless gatherings.

Refining the color story, the designers presented a spectrum of blues before landing on the signature shade that would anchor the home. Called “Billow,” the soft blue graces the kitchen island and inspired a range of complementary hues carried throughout the house. Natural white oak was selected for flooring and for shiplap detailing on select walls and in the cathedral ceilings, reinforcing the relaxed lakeside sensibility.

Breezy and bright, the open kitchen is anchored by a suite of Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances. The blue island stands at the center, surrounded by chairs with woven natural-fiber backs that subtly echo the decorative wire-mesh insets of the warm white perimeter cabinetry. Ivory Zellige tile forms the backsplash, complemented by maple-stained open shelving and abundant greenery.

The kitchen flows seamlessly into the great room. Here, expansive, wall-to-wall windows frame every angle of the lake, fulfilling the client’s vision for an immersive view. Double transom windows draw the eye upward, mirroring the pitch of the wood-beamed cathedral ceiling. A tiered, abaca rope chandelier serves as a sculptural focal point, while a natural Halquist cut-stone fireplace anchors the seating area with warmth and texture.

Just beyond lies one of the homeowners’ favorite features: a screened-in porch and outdoor kitchen designed with seamless indoor-outdoor functionality. “The alignment of this room, the dining area, indoor kitchen and great room allows for exceptional year-round entertaining,” says Wozniak. “And since our client is committed to healthy sun protection, the screened-in porch functions as a fully protected outdoor space. Windows and doors can be opened for fresh air while shielding occupants from direct sun, and in winter, the space remains fully usable.”

Outfitted with collapsible doors to encourage easy flow during gatherings, the porch includes a full wall of windows, relaxed seating with sofas and woven chairs, and another Halquist cut-stone fireplace. For cooking, a Sub-Zero Wolf grill with a 48-inch ventilation hood ensures proper smoke exhaust, while Zellige tile from Ann Sacks adds texture behind the grill.

The primary suite on the main level continues the home’s serene narrative. Shiplap accents the cathedral ceiling, while applied molding enriches the ivory walls with subtle dimension. In the bath, a deep elongated soaking tub echoes the geometry of the mirrors above the vanity, set against patinaed hex tile flooring from Virginia Tile’s Wow collection.

Downstairs, the lake level—opening to an outdoor living room—offers the home’s most playful spaces. A gaming area with pool and ping-pong tables, a built-in bar with an oversized terrazzo backsplash, a golf simulator, a bunk room, and a full bath create a vibrant retreat for family and friends. Here, KED introduced a slightly moodier palette, incorporating taupes, teals, and warm driftwood tones in the media wall and adjacent bar. Soft taupe-painted ceiling beams subtly break up the long linear sightlines of the space.

“The entire project came together seamlessly,” says Bass. “The clients couldn’t be happier, and we were able to find unique design solutions that truly realized their dream.”