Photography by Scott Amundson
From the first crunch of the gravel drive to the sweeping lake views sheltered by soaring timber ceilings, every architectural detail of this wooded haven is rooted in nature. The expansive retreat is nestled on Leisure Lake, a pocket of northwestern Wisconsin more secluded than the typical lakeside community. A communal feel was always top of mind for clients Kristi and Jeff Wisdom. “We envisioned a place where people could gather and soak in the beauty of the Northwoods in a relaxed yet luxurious way,” says Kristi. When she came across TEA2 Architects, she was immediately confident the award-winning team would be able to realize her vision of a wellness-centered abode.
Leffert Tigelaar, associate principal at TEA2, and Project Manager Ann Carlson-Yunga took cues from the 100-acre site when conjuring the rustic, contemporary retreat. A palette of steel, wood and stone connects the structure to its surroundings, providing a space that’s as comfortable for grand gatherings as it is for cozy weekends for the couple. The linear, cedar-sided cabin is offset by two gables, each distinctive in their own right: one defined by a tall window grouping that frames a three-story staircase, allowing light to enter deeply into the lower level, and the other accented by a commanding limestone chimney. “It’s a critical way of looking at the architecture,” explains Tigelaar. “We had to ensure it’s balanced without being 100% symmetrical.”
The floor plan unfolds behind a statement wall in the foyer, revealing a living area that offers a balance of openness and refuge. Its nave-like space features vaulted ceilings with industrial steel trusses and is lined with windows on both ends. Partnering with Country View Log Homes, the team thickened transitional walls. It incorporated built-in window bench seating to make the central space feel more grounded, providing a cozy sanctuary where you can gaze at panoramic water views. “The [window] seating simply becomes part of the surrounding architecture,” Tigelaar says. This strategic solution also allows large groups to feel part of a singular gathering, alleviating the need for multiple seating areas within one space. On the other side of the nave is the hearth room. Its low ceilings and cascade of limestone masonry anchor the large expanse of glass on the opposite end. The space also features an inviting Rumford-style fireplace, nearly as tall as it is wide. As the flooring transitions from wood to stone, the intimate setting creates the sensation of being inside the hearth — a getaway within the home’s grandeur.
Connecting these two destinations is a live-edge extension dining table, which comfortably seats large groups for private retreats hosted by Wise & Well, a health and wellness company owned by the Wisdoms’ daughter, McKenzie. Guests gather underneath over three dozen hand-blown glass pendants, illuminating chef-crafted meals. For a quieter dining experience, guests can enjoy island seating or a built-in dinette booth in the kitchen. The intimate atmosphere is enhanced by a modest ceiling height and walnut-wrapped cabinetry reminiscent of a classic Northwoods cabin. “The kitchen is the heart of our home. It’s where connection happens most,” adds Wisdom. It flows out to a sprawling stone patio where you can take in the sunrise or its watercolor reflections off the lake in the evenings while enjoying a slice of wood-fired pizza made in the outdoor oven. Behind the kitchen is an office nook and primary suite, while the upper level boasts a trio of bedroom suites. The lower level offers a generous bunk room, a vibrant communal space and a bar perfect for entertaining. Above it, a second circular patio softens the exterior architecture, evoking a labyrinth-like feel.
In addition to a pre-existing spa and guest house, which includes a sauna, a full kitchen and a living area complete with a fireplace, the estate highlights the wonderment of nature through intentional design. The team celebrated the site’s natural beauty by incorporating an amphitheater, which features retaining-wall style seating built directly into the bowl-shaped topography. This unique amenity provides a beautiful setting for naturalists to host educational engagements about the region’s flora and fauna. A community garden and natural flower and bee garden are enhanced by a 30-by-15-foot potting shed designed by TEA2. “We achieved aesthetic cohesion not by making everything identical but by integrating complementary elements just as nature does,” says Tigelaar.
The Wisdoms also partnered with Tiffany Weber of Studio Vesta for interior design and finish selections, as well as with landscape architects at TEN x TEN to develop thoughtfully designed walking trails. Each pathway elevates the journey between structures and highlights the extraordinary experiences throughout the acreage. That invitation to connect — through environment and architecture — is a hallmark of the service-oriented firm. Seamlessly merging the two is second nature.
Builder: Country View Log Homes
Architect: TEA2 Architects
Landscape Architect: TEN x TEN
Interior Designer: Studio Vesta
