Light, airy and relaxed is exactly what one Minnesota couple envisioned for their new home on White Bear Lake, a place built for multigenerational gatherings with architecture inspired by the salt-swept, shingled homes of the East Coast. “We lived in Boston for a few years, and we fell in love with the coastal look of Cape Cod and Nantucket,” says the homeowner.
Designer Amy Leferink of Interior Impressions helped them achieve that vision with a lakeside retreat where time with their adult children and grandchildren feels effortless. Their previous cabin, a 100-year-old farmhouse, required constant upkeep, so weekends often meant cleaning and repairing rather than relaxing. “We didn’t want to care for two homes,” she says. “We wanted it to feel like we were getting away but did not have to go anywhere.”
Photography by Nicole Cullinan/Spacecrafting
Kootenia Homes and TEA2 Architects conceived the 4,500-square-foot residence on a .75-acre lot that blends the comfort of the owners’ former cabin with an entertainment-focused layout ideal for swimming, barbecuing, sitting by the fire and enjoying the lake. Although Leferink had worked with the couple before, this home represents a shift. Expansive windows feel inviting rather than stark, using materials that feel timeless — natural stone, painted shakes and circular windows. “She loves how it has longevity,” says the designer. “It feels fresh but gives the sense it could have been built 100 years ago.”
The home has a distinct presence in its neighborhood as well — its East Coast–Meets-Midwest aesthetic sitting comfortably among modest older homes and more modern new construction. “There’s a wide range of styles on the lake, which is fun,” says Leferink.
Inside, the aesthetic also moves away from their previous suburban home, which had smaller rooms and less natural light. With the openness of this home, the couple chose mostly new furnishings and kept only a few meaningful pieces, including an antique drop-leaf table behind the sectional that brings warmth and patina.
From the beginning, Leferink guided the couple on interior selections, furnishings, and art and decor while consulting on functional layout decisions. The laundry room sits beside the kitchen to prevent nighttime noise from reaching the bedrooms, while the primary bathroom was designed with a wellness-oriented, spa-like plan that feels calm and restorative.
The coastal inflection carries in with a casual yet polished first floor laid out for daily living. An open kitchen, dining area, living room, office and sunroom create an easy flow with direct views of the lake. The sunroom — one of the designer’s favorite spaces — features a stone fireplace and full-height windows that frame the water, making it a peaceful retreat from season to season. “We love watching the wildlife and all of the activity on the lake,” the homeowner adds.
Upstairs, there is an expansive balcony, three guest rooms and a recreation room that often serves as the central hub for visiting family and friends. “In Minnesota, it’s very common for people to have a lower level for entertaining,” she says. “In this home, instead of the basement, the second level has become the best place to spend time.” The viewpoint from this level is one of the house’s most striking, with arched windows that capture the shimmer of light off the lake.
Outdoors, a stone wall separates the lawn from the sandy shoreline. A built-in grilling deck with a stone surround and durable Dekton counters is designed to withstand harsh weather and high heat, which was important for the couple’s frequent hosting.
Throughout the home, they gravitated toward materials with natural warmth and depth. In the primary bathroom, Carrara marble imparts soft veining and texture. In another bathroom, stone pebbles add dimension, while in the kitchen and pantry, a Cambria quartz slab with subtle movement mimics natural stone while offering durability. “We didn’t incorporate reds or any other really bright colors in the house, because a softer palette ties in seamlessly with the outdoors,” Leferink says.
The spa bathroom is also designed for practicality. The compartmentalized footprint allows each area to function independently, so someone can use the bathroom without interrupting another person who is showering or using the sauna. Rope details on the fixtures nod to the couple’s former northern cabin while still feeling appropriate for a lakeside setting.
For the homeowners, the greatest joy comes from sharing their home. “We love that we see our kids and grandkids often and that this is their cabin that they can get away to,” says the homeowner. This place is more than a lakeside retreat; it’s the setting for the memories still to come.
Project Partners
Interior designer: Interior Impressions
Builder: Kootenia Homes
Architect: TEA2 Architects
