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When Lecy Bros. Homes & Remodeling was tapped to build a custom home on a lush lakefront lot in Waconia, the clients had two primary objectives: “They dreamed of a house that would not only meld into the unique topography but that was specifically designed so they could live there for many years to come,” explains Andy Johnsrud of Lecy Bros. To achieve that, the design-build firm had to get creative. 

Even maximizing scenic vistas of the surrounding wetland required ingenuity: “The lake is behind the house on most waterfront properties, but this one lies to the front,” he notes. “This landscape complicated our goal to provide extensive water views while maintaining privacy and subtly incorporating a six-car garage.”

Photography by Spacecrafting

Moreover, Lecy Bros. needed to create a home that would stand the test of time, both aesthetically and functionally. “In terms of layout, the empty-nester homeowners requested a one-level floor plan that would meet their desire for long-term accessibility,” Johnsrud says. His team created an open-floor concept with expansive windows and a level walkout to the lake. It’s ideal for both today and tomorrow, with wide, level spaces perfect for entertaining friends and family.

“One of the challenges with this home was the six-car garage,” he explains. “In order to avoid the first impression of ‘Welcome to my garage,’ we incorporated a drive-through archway.” This feature made it possible for the garage to be discreetly placed toward the rear of the house to provide capacious car storage without impacting curb appeal.

Tucked above the garage is what Johnsrud calls a bonus room, a space connected to the main residence but separated by a hallway. “Depending on stage of life, this room can function as anything from a home office to an exercise room to an in-law suite,” he says. As a home office, this together-but-apart setup creates a distinct workspace that still offers the opportunity to step away from work for family dinner. “With aging in place in mind, this multi-use space can be transformed to meet the homeowners’ evolving needs,” he adds.

The exterior proves that enduring high quality doesn’t need to be high-maintenance. “The homeowners envisioned a modern yet timeless farmhouse that could stand the test of time,” notes Johnsrud. To that end, the Lecy Bros. team curated every material, from the Andersen windows to the James Hardie siding to the composite decking, to create an abode that would not only look fantastic but would require only minimal care over the years.

And unlike most design-build firms, the family-owned business employs its own skilled artisans and craftsmen rather than utilizing independent contractors. “Employing our team allows us to offer our clients an extremely good value,” he says. “Our craftsmen provide ultra high-quality work, and the customer never has to pay the surprise labor cost markups that happen when contractors are in demand.” 

The final product is a stunning lake property with the design and quality to last a lifetime — exactly what the homeowners wanted. “At Lecy Bros., we specialize in custom projects that fit a client’s specifications while remaining conscious of budget,” Johnsrud explains. “We help you plan not only for what you need today, but what you’ll need tomorrow.” 

Read this article as it appears in the magazine.

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