A Lake Waramaug Renovation Put a Home in Touch with the Lake
By Zachary Schwartz
Photographers: Antoine Bootz and Mick Hales
Architects design waterfront homes with a singular directive in mind: take in the vista. For one home on Lake Waramaug, the house was on the lake’s edge, but not maximizing the lake views. Robert Dean Architects was called upon to renovate the home and convert every room into an unobstructed lake-facing room.
The objectives of the renovation included open floor plans, added guest accommodations, a landscaped backyard for entertaining, and additional lake-view windows. “We changed the character of the home quite dramatically, but did not change the footprint of the house,” explains Michele Van Steinburgh, Robert Dean Architects’ Studio Director.
Situated among tall forests and rolling hills, and just around the corner from the historic town of New Preston, this precious property sits on a peninsula that juts out into Lake Waramaug. “The homeowners got hold of this absolutely one-of-a-kind site, but the house was not exactly tailored to their needs. They wanted us to rework the house to accommodate their very active social lifestyle,” says Robert Dean, the Principal and President of Robert Dean Architects.
Robert Dean Architects, in collaboration with contractor John Dinneen, began the renovation in the nucleus of the home: the great room. “We reworked the great room to be bright, white, and light,” says Van Steinburgh. Upgrades included a modernized and crisp aesthetic, painted shiplap surfaces, and a reconfigured entrance. What was formerly a dark mahogany chamber is now the dramatic great room, a transformed oasis directly in dialogue with the lake outside. The space is decorated with a monochromatic palette, marvelous two-story curtains, a fireplace, and clandestine bar.
Another key aspect of the renovation entailed converting the garage into a kids wing, equipped with four bunk beds, dormitory-style bathroom, and game room. Every design detail is functional for a festive sleepover, ranging from beds with built-in electrical outlets to omnipresent towel hooks to custom cabinetry by A-Design by Artur.
For interiors, the homeowners enlisted Bettina Routh, who incorporated design elements of Americana lake lifestyle. The serene decor is light and airy, invoking a muted design scheme of grays, pale wood, cement, and rattan. Given the lack of color, the eye is drawn directly to the lake from all rooms. Decorative accents include a collection of vintage dust pans, a roost bamboo cloud chandelier in the breakfast room, and a Tucker Robbins basket chandelier in the sunroom.
The house is well-equipped for socializing and hosting. The kitchen’s exposed self-service shelves, labeled bulk bins full of lake essentials, towel-stocked mudroom, and four pristine guest bedrooms lend an unequivocal hospitable flare to the residence. The upstairs guest wing in particular evokes the impression of an ultra-luxurious bed and breakfast. “Everything you need to feel like you’re at home is here,” says Van Steinburgh.
As part of the renovation, entertaining spaces were added in the backyard along the banks of the lake. A heavy timber pergola was constructed to take in the views, perfect for midday reading on the couch swing or evening soirées by the fire. The backyard also features a dock for boating and water sports, a beach, hot tub, and outdoor shower. “Bringing the home in touch with the lake and making the lake the source of the architecture was something I really enjoyed,” says Dean.
Complimentary to the lake vistas is the home’s stunning landscaping, initially installed by Joan Rothenbucher and now maintained by Daybreak Estate Care. Gardens of colorful hydrangeas, roses, peonies, and herbs blossom proudly during spring and summer.
Seemingly every detail has been considered at this private Lake Waramaug enclave, a home that will only improve with age and mature alongside its socially active family.
