Trading a traditional Tudor-style home for an expansive Wisconsin lakefront property she intends as her forever home, a longtime client of Amy Erb, founder and principal of Divvy House, wanted low-maintenance living and practical furnishings without sacrificing style.
Her dream? “A place where everyone can be the best version of themselves surrounded by the beauty of nature,” says Erb. The house needed to be well-suited to host her large extended family, and to fulfill a wish list of amenities that the client had been mentally assembling for decades.
The five-bedroom home is full of purpose and intention. Because the client loves the idea of true indoor-outdoor living, floor-to-ceiling glass throughout the house allows light to travel through the rooms throughout the day, while the many terraces and courtyards provide ample opportunities to enjoy the views and fresh air.
The great room features an enormous limestone fireplace surrounded by A. Rudin sofas and swivel chairs in neutral tones, plus a deAurora coffee table with four ottomans tucked underneath that can be pulled out for added seating. In the dining room, a seven-foot table flanked by Holly Hunt chairs has plenty of space for hosting a large dinner party, while a nearby custom stainless cabinet displays some of the homeowner’s treasures collected from years of travel.
Erb chose a unified palette throughout, based on natural wood, cream, and soft blues. The library, however, commands a bolder palette, with navy-painted bookshelves blending seamlessly into the indigo ROMO wallcovering, reclaimed Exquisite Surfaces flooring, and a custom sectional large enough for everyone to grab a seat to watch sports or a movie.
Family get-togethers now often center around the impressive saltwater pool, which can be enjoyed year-round, thanks to retractable doors that open it to the outdoors when it’s warm, and skylights that flood the pool with natural light in any season. The adjacent changing room and bath is reminiscent of a luxurious spa, with dark walnut walls, pebble tile, and a steam shower.
Says Erb of the home, “It really is an opportunity for her to celebrate her family, her heritage, and her history.” And, of course, the chance to make memories that generations to come will cherish.
(Photography By Angelika Piatek)
Dig deeper into this Divvy House project in our partner publication, Design Chicago.
