Pleasant Lake Home Boasts Casual Elegance

A family lake home shores up endless opportunities for entertaining and kid-friendly fun on the water
Party Out Back: Not only does this Pleasant Lake backyard include countless entertainment areas that take advantage of summer fun, but it also boasts structural stucco poured walls that surround the swimming pool, Percheron Travertine from Orijin Stone that clads the pool deck and upper patio, and a limestone out-cropping retaining wall that supports the corner of the property. “The whole pool deck and vista area is pretty amazing,” says Danforth. “There isn’t a bad view from anywhere you’re sitting.”

Photo by Spacecrafting

When this homeowner sought a fun, family-focused environment that doubled as a high-style home, he turned to college friend and Twin Cities home-building mogul Rick Hendel, owner of Hendel Homes, to build this 10,000-square-foot dream estate on two private lots on Pleasant Lake. Right away, his team (spearheaded by Amy Hendel, principal, and rounded out by Joe Dzurik, senior project manager; Allan Voight, site superintendent; and Molly Zwettler, project manager) united with Eskuche Design Group, Vivid Home, and Yardscapes Inc. to bring the North Oaks residence to reality.

The project ultimately came down to three Fs: function, feeling and, most evidently, flair. The homeowners desired a five-bedroom, eight-bathroom home with large spaces in which the family of five could not only live comfortably but also entertain and host big gatherings—all while maintaining an approachable, down-to-earth vibe. The interior is described by Danielle Loven, owner of Minneapolis’ Vivid Home, as “casually elegant with a modern twist” and features “a mix of stone and metals melded into cleaner lines for a sophisticated, casual aesthetic,” Amy adds.

“We were simply trying to avoid it looking new,” Peter Eskuche, owner of Eskuche Design Group, says. “The architecture has the unexpected aesthetic [the clients] love and embraces an Old World home while being functionally modern.”

Old English Energy: “It’s a perfect blend of gold with the dark, moody tones, brass-inlay panels, and elegant light fixtures—but [it] maintains a cozy, comfortable feeling,” Zwettler says of the library. The client concurs, saying the space “reminds us of a hotel we stayed at in Ireland.”

Photo by Scott Amundson

Beyond the typical features within a luxury new build, the clients’ desires culminated in outdoor entertainment areas, top-of-the-line indoor amenities, and kid-friendly spaces and selections tailored to family life on the lake.

“[It’s] truly designed for a family to live in,” says Loven, who collaborated with Amber O’Brien, senior interior designer, on the project. “Everything isn’t delicate, nor does it have to be perfect. You can jump on the couch, but you can also have a high-end dinner party. Our rugs and fabrics—things that are touched on, walked on, lived on every day—they look beautiful, but they can also be spilled on and cleaned,” she continues. “Pillows and drapery fabrics really bring that refinement without the worry. … Then, we got into the details.”

All in the Details: A deep greenish-black shade adorns the scullery and plays effortlessly into the designers’ dark-and-light color palette. The geometric, gold-accented wallpaper and matching gold hardware add a lick of luxury to an already scrumptious space.

Photo by Scott Amundson

These details are reflected through a high-contrast color palette that leans modern, yet still echoes an air of timelessness. The designers selected their go-to neutral Benjamin Moore shade, Silver Satin, for the walls because of its versatility and “chameleon-like” quality. This simple base allowed the more dramatic color choices to shine while maintaining a cohesive, organic, and high-quality look throughout the home.

That impression continues to the exterior and landscaping. “We were trying to create more of a kept, timeless look around the house with the hydrangeas, upright junipers, and greenery,” says Lincoln Danforth, landscape designer at Yardscapes Inc. “On the perimeter, [the client] wanted to capture the old feel of North Oaks and create a wooded effect from the street, so we planted a wide variety of native trees to feel more closed off.”

First Impressions: Two separate four-door garages that flank the home are a unique feature for the car-loving homeowner, who also knew from day one he wanted the project’s exterior to include real copper elements—like the gutters—and large amounts of stone. The grout joints, color, texture, and wash were all considered when creating the custom blend. “Stone has a sense of history that they love,” Amy says of the client. “They were building this with the idea of forever.”

Photo by Spacecrafting

Whether the homeowner and his guests opt for margaritas at the pool or cups of coffee on the patio, his custom home embraces the power of connection—and a good time!—with both family and friends of the past. “It’s a cool story,” Amy says. “Who knew back then in college that this would happen and Rick would build his dream home?”

Sunny With a Chance of Luxury: The main-level family room toward the back of the house features a limestone fireplace surround with a traditional facade from Francois & Co., large wooden beams, and two-story windows (the space’s crowned jewel, according to Brogger) that look out onto the lake.

Photo by Scott Amundson

Wear & Tear: A Calacatta Lincoln marble backsplash extends to the ceiling behind a user-friendly, functional, and highly customizable Blue Star stove, while a trio of black-and-gold pendants hangs above a center island topped with a durable black quartz material. A simple, yet statement-making plaster hood complements the linear grain of the cabinetry. “[Rick] loves making sure details and proportions are correct,” Amy says. “He’s into the profiles, the depths, and the thicknesses.”

Photo by Scott Amundson

Bon Appétit: The dining area, which offers a peek into the nearby lounge off the kitchen, connects to one of several outdoor porches.

Photo by Scott Amundson

Cookin’ Up Class: “The outdoor kitchen was a really big thing for them,” says Loven, who adds its Dekton countertops allow it to withstand Minnesota’s harsh elements each season. A TV, overhead heaters, and fan make outdoor entertaining not only achievable but also comfortable and high class. “During the warmer months, [the clients] love the outside bar and lounge areas and how they relate to the inside spaces visually and functionally,” adds Eskuche.

Photo by Scott Amundson

Drenched in Tradition: Tradition takes the cake in the owners’ primary suite. Draperies hang elegantly from the A-frame architecture, while wood beams lead the eye to a stunning branch-reminiscent light fixture with dangling crystals.

Photo by Scott Amundson

A Powder That Pops: A punchy blue wallpaper with delicate white fronds is a fun switch-up when paired with a classic flush mount and gold-trimmed octagonal mirror.

Photo by Scott Amundson

Lower Level, Higher Style: The ground floor abounds with both contrast and can’t-beat amenities. Rift white oak floors juxtapose black-trim cabinetry, molding, and windows that act as a canvas for the more modern furnishings and fixtures that shine throughout. “The lower-level bar has a cool vibe and high design details,” Amy says of the bar’s tufted leather front and Urban Electric Co. light fixture.

Photo by Scott Amundson

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