Colorful Character

 When she was asked to help create a glorious summer home in Boyne City on Walloon Lake, Cynthia Evans, owner of Cynthia Evans Interiors in Birmingham, already had a head start. Having worked with her clients on multiple projects, the designer was well aware of the woman of the home’s exuberant passion for color and pattern. “She wanted to have a home on a lake, not a lake home,” Evans says about her client’s sophisticated style, which invigorates each space.

Colorful art led the way for the lively palette of the 9,500-square-foot new-build situated on a scenic waterfront lot. An abstract graphic from Troy’s Michigan Design Center, displayed in the foyer, became the jumping-off point, with shades of yellow, blue, and pink that pop against the crisp white walls and dark wood floors. Further inspiration came from an oil painting in the great room made by the woman of the home’s college sorority sister; the piece features gorgeous hues of pink and aqua that echo the changing colors of the lake.

The sky-blue exterior of the three-story structure, with an architectural nod to New England, speaks to the lakefront setting and sends a cheerful message that extends inside. “Overall, the interiors are traditional in style, with unexpected pops of color and a nod to mod,” says Evans, referring to refreshing elements like the custom-sized raspberry shag rug in the great room that lends color and texture in spades. “It exudes a vibrant personality, (like the homeowner) — it’s happy, fresh, bright, and cheery. People love that rug, and everyone loves that it’s so soft.”

A pair of pink upholstered benches by the stone fireplace accommodates frequent guests, who can also congregate on the lower level and the spacious deck. “There’s plenty of seating and it’s a great place to entertain,” Evans says. Bursts of pink provide an element of surprise, while the dark wood ceiling highlights the coffered details. The textured fabric on the chairs shares the same aqua color with the sofas, which are upholstered in another fabric.

The woman of the house’s penchant for pink isn’t at all limiting; it plays well with other colors, like the green walls in a home office, which pay homage to Michigan State University. Green also appears on the stools in the kitchen, repeating one of the colors in the abstract graphic that got the visual ball rolling. White Shaker-style cabinets with beadboard details that continue on the ceiling provide contrast, along with the aqua-colored island and the glass subway-tile backsplash.

In the dining area, whitewashed wood furniture strikes a subtle note alongside animal print upholstery and a crystal light fixture above. A screened porch provides a bonus spot on one end of the expansive deck.

Blue wallpaper with a floral motif perks up the powder room, while a bold pattern makes a splash in the master bathroom against the white countertop, cabinets, and trim. Cozy as can be, the main-floor master bedroom gets a comfort boost from an upholstered bed and an acrylic bench topped with faux fur. Mirrored nightstands add symmetry to the soothing space, which features pale blue walls and overlooks the deck and the breathtaking lake.

On the lower-level walkout, a comfy sectional offers a place to chill. The lower level also includes a guest bedroom, as well as a colorful bathroom that sports green-and-pink floral wallpaper. Other convenient features of this quintessential vacation home include a three-car garage, a boat garage, and a fire pit near steps leading down to the lake.

Evans says she enjoyed working with the client on the distinctive details. “It’s a very collaborative relationship,” she says. For this project, the homeowner envisioned a more elegant aesthetic than the nautical or cottage décor often associated with a lakefront dwelling. She likes the bright, energetic feel the colors convey, and wanted to create that type of atmosphere in the home.

With three grown children, entertaining is a given come summertime. The response to the dynamic environment has been overwhelmingly positive. “The house is extremely well-designed, just the way it flows and the functionality,” the woman of the house  says. To make sure the space can accomodate many ages, the architect incorporated little nursery rooms inside the bedrooms.

While people drive by on boats and wave, those who enter the home know they can expect visual stimulation indoors as well as out by the lake. “I love how great it is for entertaining, and we can sleep so many people,” says the woman of the house, who loves entertaining — which is never a problem, with five spare bedrooms including a guest suite that can sleep six.  Finally, she says she treasures the location: “I just love it. Walloon Lake is so tranquil and the house feels that way, too.”

BUYER’S GUIDE

INTERIOR DESIGN

Cynthia Evans, Cynthia Evans Interiors, Birmingham, cynthiaevansinteriors.com

BATHROOM

Cabinetry – Stillwater Custom Cabinetry, Petoskey

Mirror – Uttermost

Wall Treatment –Thibaut, Cochin, Pink, Rozmallin, Michigan Design Center, Troy

BEDROOM

Bedside Chests – Butler Specialty Co.

Headboard – Star International Furniture

Lamps – Port 68

Occasional Table – Duralee, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Rug – Couristan Inc., Ghiordes Knot, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Sofa and Bench – Decoroom, Michigan Design Center, Troy

DINING AREA

Chairs – Custom, by Cynthia Evans Interiors, Birmingham, Scalamandre, Stingray, Surf, Stark, Troy

Chandelier – Crystorama Lighting, Herald Wholesale, Troy

Flooring – Ginivito Flooring Gallery and Tile Design Center, Petoskey

Plates and Glasses – MacKenzie-Childs

Table – Custom, by Cynthia Evans Interiors, Birmingham

FAMILY ROOM, LOWER LEVEL

Art –  RJ Thomas Ltd., Michigan Design Center, Troy

Chair – RJ Thomas Ltd., Michigan Design Center, Troy

Chair, Patterned – Thibaut, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Pillow Fabric – Lee Jofa Racy Lacy, Sky Blue; Brunschwig & Fils Tropico Aqua, Kravet, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Sofa – Century RJ Thomas Ltd., Michigan Design Center, Troy

Table, Cocktail – Robert Allen/Duralee, Michigan Design Center, Troy

HALLWAY

Artwork – Girls On Beach Artwork: Decoroom, Michigan Design Center, Troy; Abstract: R.J. Thomas LTD, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Rug – Stark, Troy

Sconce – Visual Comfort, Herald Wholesale, Troy

Wall Paint– Benjamin Moore, Super White, OC-152

KITCHEN

Appliances – Wolf, Hawthorne Appliance, Birmingham

Bar Stools – Kravet Inc., Leo Kat, Picnic Green, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Backsplash – Ann Sacks, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Cabinetry – Stillwater Custom Cabinetry, Petoskey

Chandeliers – Crystorama Lighting, Herald Wholesale, Troy

Countertops – Quartz, TJ Marble and Granite, Petoskey

Floor Treatment – Ginivito Flooring Gallery and Tile Design Center, Petoskey

Flower Centerpiece – Monarch Garden & Floral Design, Petoskey

Hood – Stillwater Custom Cabinetry, Petoskey

Wall Paint – Benjamin Moore, Super White OC-152

LIVING ROOM

Armchairs – Sherrill Furniture Co., Pindler, Abrams, Aqua, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Artwork – Kristin Marco-McNeal, California

Bookshelf, Display– Conquest Builders, Charlevoix

Chairs, Patterned – Caracole Home Furniture, Lee Jofa, Big Wave, Beach Blue, Kravet Inc., Michigan Design Center, Troy

Flooring – Ginivito Flooring Gallery and Tile Design Center, Petoskey

Lamps – Port 68, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Occasional Tables – RJ Thomas Ltd., Michigan Design Center, Troy

Ottoman – Fairfield Chair Company, Pindler, White Hacienda, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Pillows, Sofa – Lee Jofa, Racy Lacy, Sky Blue, Kravet Inc., Michigan Design Center, Troy

Rug – Ghiordes Knot, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Sofa – Lee Furniture, Pindler, Ciari Turquoise, Michigan Design Center, Troy

Stools, Pink – Lee Furniture, Kravet Inc.,  Michigan Design Center, Troy

Television – Sony

EXTERIOR

Builder – Conquest builders, Charlevoix

Building Materials – Cedar

Landscaping – Common Ground Landscapes, Boyne City

Paint – Benjamin Moore, Highland Breeze