A New Era of Lake LivingAs you make the scenic drive into quiet lake country of Waukesha County, you instantly understand why John and Dyhanne Neuens designed and built the ideal home for entertaining. Situated on an inlet of Okauchee Lake in a tiny hamlet nestled in the Town of Oconomowoc this exceptional home sits atop a parcel that gently slopes down toward the water's edge. With the open flow of the rooms coupled with windows at every turn this home is poised to provide generous views of the lush surroundings of land and water from just about any vantage point on the property. Over a century ago, some of the more prominent families in the area built stately summer homes that lined the shores of many small, inland lakes. Throughout the years, most of these homes were converted for yearround living and full enjoyment of the four seasons. Some smaller homes have been razed to make room for custom-built homes with more modern amenities. The Neuens did exactly that when they discovered the perfect place to build the home of their dreams. John and Dyhanne, spent many months planning how their dream home would look, but more importantly, they wanted to create a distinctive space in which to spend time withfamily and friends. The result is a stunning combination of contemporary design combined with old world influences and warmth throughout the uniquely appointed spaces. It is truly the 21st century version of a luxury lake home which conjures a bygone era. With more than 8,400 square feet of living space, the home is warm and welcoming from the minute you walk in the front door. A lofty expansive foyer with a Brazilian cherry wood floor features an inlaid medallion design as you enter the heart of this home, the great room. Here is where you have the best of everything from the large windows that look out onto the deck and beyond to the lake views to the cozy seating in front of the gas fireplace with inset television above. "We love the great room. It is the perfect place to snuggle and watch TV," Dyhanne explained. The full bar includes beautiful 1922 Art Deco lamps at either end and black window treatments with sparkles that catch the light and allow you to imagine the glamour of another era. Interesting architectural elements, such as arches, insets, wood columns and beams, are utilized throughout the home. John and Dyhanne were meticulous in selecting the decorative touches from an extensive palette of earth tone inspired paint colors to multi-tiered lighting and rich fabrics. "We had a lot of fun putting it together," added Dyhanne. The most stunning features incorporate the custom-designed woodwork. John estimates he used 20 different types of wood that draws the rustic beauty of the lake setting directly into each room. With no detail left unattended, John's vision included designing and building most of the furniture within the home as well. Quite simply, this home is a work of art and the result of John's talent and experience. Many of his clients appreciate the diversity of the pieces he designs and so much of this isshowcased in the variety and richness of all the wood in his home. "I wanted to show that you could do a warm contemporary and have it still look and feel like a home," John emphasized. The great room is the center of the home and opens into a large, beautiful kitchen with island bar, built-in desk, casual dining area, a lit built-in china cabinet and an abundance of storage. The room features a rich combination of sepele and sepele pommele wood throughout that blends well with granite countertops. A few steps away from the kitchen, the formal dining room features one wall of refrigerated wine racks of mahogany and madrona burl wood that can hold up to 950 bottles of wine. Directly opposite the kitchen is "the club room" which has the ambience of a sophisticated nightclub. Complete with a curved black bar, a casual lounge space and gas fireplace, this room is the star on the main level. The full bar includes beautiful 1922 Art Deco lamps at either end and black window treatments with sparkles that catch the light and allow you to imagine the glamour of another era. "You're at the lake, but it feels like you're downtown," John said, as he described the atmosphere in this space. This room is the most versatile in that it opens to both a pergola with casual outdoor seating at the front of the house and an enclosed section of the multitiered deck that wraps the back of the house. The club room is equipped with a television above the bar and control panel for the high tech Creston audio, video and security system that extends throughout the property. A spacious home office, powder room and laundry room completes the first level. John and Dyhanne planned the second level with their children and grandchildren in mind. Each of the bedrooms features custom woodwork and a private bathroom. The master bedroom is the perfect getaway for the busy homeowners. As you enter this large room, you immediately notice the beautiful views of the lake and convenient access to the deck made of Ipiea SouthAmerican wood that is the most durable for outdoor use. The room includes a king size bed frame and built-in dressers made by John using a combination of both cherry and madrona burl woods. A comfortable sitting area is complete with media center above another gas fireplace surrounded in mocha travertine marble. This suite features a luxurious spa bathroom, which includes a walk-in shower, double sinks, a large Jacuzzi tub, ample counter space, storage, and an additional sitting area. This breathtaking room also includes windows that face the lake for the ultimate retreat. Light-colored ceramic tile complements the warm walnut wood tone. "It is my wife's Zen bathroom," said John, as he smiled. A walk-in closet of birch includes builtin wardrobes for each of them, as well as a secure jewelry display case. John used a mixture of media to make each room interesting. The infusion of many textures and looks of the woodwork in the home include finishes that are dull, glossy, leather, wood and metal. With a variety of entertainment and living spaces, all vantage points focus on the lake. The lower level walk-out is the ultimate entertainment space that features a deluxe home theatre that comfortably accommodates up to 16 people. Just outside the theater is a built-in bar complete with a traditional movie candy counter. A large gathering space with a variety of seating options is at lake level and provides great outdoor viewing. This level includes a gas fireplace. A fourth bedroom with a private bath, a whimsically decorated game room and large exercise room, where Dyhanne teaches yoga classes, completes this space. The outdoor amenities are many and include a hot tub, two fire pits, a boathouse with rooftop party deck and ample docking spaces. And nothing beats the spectacular evening view of this masterpiece from the lake. Eternal flame torches across the main deck level alight this home that exudes warmth every season of the year. |
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- Publisher - Ed Liermann 414-625-0715