Morewood

Nestled in the woods on a quiet lakefront site, Morewood began as a modest house, likely a kit home, constructed by previous owners to enjoy the property with minimal investment. Years later, it now stands transformed into a refined and expressive retreat, shaped by a full renovation, a dramatic new addition, and a large lake-facing deck that connects interior life to the outdoors.

This project marked a continued collaboration with a returning client whose appreciation for clean lines, natural materials, and Asian art helped guide the spatial narrative and material palette. The original home’s fully vaulted ceiling inspired the dramatic cross-section of the addition; a sculptural volume with exposed structural elements with integrated, concealed lighting that softly uplights the space. Skylights invite ambient daylight and frame views of the surrounding tree canopy, reinforcing the sense of immersion in the wooded site.

The addition houses a new kitchen, mudroom, and primary entry, strategic interventions aimed at resolving the original home’s fragmented circulation and reinforcing spatial clarity. A central threshold between old and new is expressed through a maple “sleeve” that compresses the space and amplifies the transition between volumes. Beneath it, the flooring shifts to large-format porcelain tile edged in brass; a durable, elegant surface suited to muddy boots and dogs returning from the lake post-swim.

The kitchen is anchored by long spans of countertop-height windows, flooding the space with natural light and framing lake views beyond. The vaulting, structural exposure, and carefully proportioned openings make the modest footprint feel expansive and full of light.

Materially, the space balances contrast and cohesion. Painted white pantries anchor custom blackened oak cabinetry, while hard rock maple countertops in secondary zones offer both durability and warmth. In the cooking areas, slabs of Super White dolomite serve as work surface and full-height backsplash, selected as much for their performance as their artful, painterly veining; the effect recalling a modernist canvas, and offering a quiet nod to the client’s appreciation for fine art. A custom unlacquered brass sink with integral drainboard and faucet anchor the workspace, introducing a living finish that will patina over time alongside the maple, adding depth, character, and a tactile quality that celebrates age and use.

The island, rendered in blackened oak with reaching overhangs, was designed to function more like a furniture piece, permitting generous seating while remaining visually grounded in the space. Throughout, alignments and reveals are precisely tailored, allowing the overall design to feel effortless despite its complexity.

Outside, the main body of the house is painted in a deep purple-black; a bold yet elegant tone chosen in tribute to the client’s favorite color. Rather than blending into the wooded landscape, it offers a quiet contrast to the surrounding greens and browns, allowing the architecture to hold its own against the softness of the site. Select portions of the addition are wrapped in deeply wire-brushed yakisugi siding, a secondary cladding that introduces texture and warmth. The tactile surface evokes the bark of nearby trees, while the brushing process leaves behind subtle hints of purple in the grain, creating a layered material palette that bridges the client’s affinity for Asian art and the natural context of the lakefront setting.

Just beyond the kitchen, a light-filled mudroom offers a separate entrance off the back deck, durable surfaces for drying off wet dogs, and generous concealed storage. Windows here were carefully placed to align with major sightlines in the kitchen, creating layered visual depth that ties the spaces together.

Morewood is a quiet, intentional transformation; one that responds to its wooded lakefront context with calm clarity, while offering richly crafted spaces for gathering, reflection, and everyday living.