Architect: CBI Design Professionals, Bloomfield Hills, cbidesign.net
Builder: Kelly Building & Development Co., Birmingham, kellybuildingcompany.com
Cabinetry: Cole Wagner Cabinetry, Rochester Hills, cwcabinetry.com; Aria Custom Cabinetry, Rochester Hills; Millennium Cabinetry, Farmington Hills, millenniumcabinetry.com
Countertops (material): Dwyer Marble & Stone, Farmington Hills, dwyermarble.com
Interior Design: Integrated Architectural Interiors (CBI Design Professionals’ interior division), Bloomfield Hills, cbidesign.net
Doors, Sliding (large): Centor, centor.com
Flooring, Hardwood: Everlast Floors, Troy, everlastfloors.com
Windows and Doors: Marvin Windows, marvin.com
Few windows and little natural light are how homeowner Carolyn Landolt describes the late-19th-century log cabin that once stood on the waterfront lot she owns with her husband, George. Located on Blain Island, near Waterford, it “was very dark and honestly didn’t feel like you were on a lake at all,” she says.
George had purchased the property and its original 1880s log cabin in 2007, three years before he and Carolyn were married. Additions and renovations made to the structure over the years caused the home to feel disjointed, with old and new sections pieced together and two separate, unconnected areas upstairs.
As the couple’s family grew, those separate areas weren’t practical. “When we were expecting our third child, we started to look around for architects that specialized in remodeling older houses,” Carolyn explains. “Our initial thoughts were to keep the original house but make it more conducive to our growing family.”
After considering both a renovation and moving the original structure, the Landolts ultimately decided to start fresh, says architect Robert Clarke, president of CBI Design Group in Bloomfield Hills, who was hired to work with the couple on the transformation. “(The cabin) was cool from a nostalgia standpoint, but not from a practical one,” he explains. “Once they made their decision, it opened up a lot of possibilities.”
Plenty of light and space to enjoy the lake and time with family and friends were the homeowners’ top priorities. “We didn’t grow up on a lake, but it was something we both always wanted. We became watersports people once we (started living) up here,” Carolyn says, sharing that the family enjoys wakeboarding, paddleboarding, and frequent pontoon rides.
Located on a point with 375 feet of frontage on Maceday Lake, the more than 5,000-square-foot house takes full advantage of the lot’s unusual shape, with a 270-degree design that maximizes water views. “You can see the lake from every primary living area,” Clarke says. “They’re essentially surrounded by the lake.”
“Every room has stunning lakefront views,” agrees George, who says that was a priority. “We also had some unique requests — like an indoor gymnasium, a wine cellar/cigar bar, and a large outdoor covered deck for entertaining.”
(above gallery) The mudroom helps keep the family organized. Everyone loves sitting at the cozy breakfast nook, adorned with snappy shades of blue that complement the great outdoors.Variations on a blue theme are found in many of the home’s spaces. Photos By James Haefner.
The team worked hard to satisfy both homeowners. “She likes brighter, lighter, and not quite as fussy,” explains CBI project manager Amanda Fox, who also worked with Clarke on the home. Fox is a part of CBI’s interior division, Integrated Architectural Interiors, whom the Landolts hired to be their interior architects and designers. “We used a lot of traditional forms, but with modern details.”
The shades of blue used throughout the home — in the double kitchen islands (one for socializing, one for prepping), the master vanity, furnishings, and accent pieces — tie the large rooms together and are nods to the nearby lake. “(Carolyn) was afraid of too much color, but blue really fit the surroundings,” Fox says. CBI’s Wendy Silverman and Emily Plattner also contributed to the interior spaces.
Challenges during the four-year process included COVID delays and the logistics of getting materials to the island across a narrow bridge. The team tweaked the design along the way, including reworking the terrace areas and designing plenty of room for entertaining friends and extended family. “With three active kids and the fact that we love to entertain, we use the inside and outside areas quite a bit,” George says. “Outside we have the beach, lounging patios, a fire pit, and a lakefront sun deck. Inside we have a large kitchen with multiple islands for entertaining. The wine cellar/cigar bar is a great spot to relax, and the kids are always playing sports in the gym with their friends. We love to use the lake, whether it’s family cruises on our pontoon boat or taking the kids and their friends tubing on the wakeboard boat.”
Carolyn says the patio off the great room is her favorite space. “During the warmer months, I drink coffee out there every morning watching the water-skiers, and every evening I enjoy the beautiful sunsets,” she raves. “The pandemic slowed down the construction process, but we also wanted to take our time and make sure everything was done correctly. We’re beyond happy with how everything turned out.” 
D E S I G N S A M P L E R
A few of Amanda Fox, Wendy Silverman,
and Emily Plattner’s favorite things
Polished nickel kitchen faucet, Adams by Newport Brass, Advance Plumbing, advanceplumbing.com. The faucets and pot filler in this kitchen feature a modernized take on traditional style. Clean lines and a polished nickel finish create a timeless look.
Albany three-tier 51 light chandelier, Eurofase, Michigan Chandelier, michand.com. This was one of the first lights the homeowners chose. The size fills the vaulted ceiling while remaining airy enough to see through to the lake beyond. The black finish repeats throughout the home, but the gold touches add another layer to the design aesthetic.
Swivel chair, Jamestown Swivel (in room photo, it’s in a Wesley Hall fabric), CAI Designs, caidesigns.net. Michigan Design Center, michigandesign.com.
This chair’s timeless silhouette is the perfect canvas for bold fabric choices. Outfitted in a high-performance material, the swivel chair and ottoman offer comfortable, versatile seating that easily pivots between lakefront views and conversation areas.
Sherwin-Williams Windy Blue, SW 6240, sherwin-williams.com, cwcabinetry.com. We chose this color to nudge the homeowners out of their comfort zone — in the best way! The gray undertones keep it grounded, but there’s a playful edge that gives the primary bath some personality. Cole Wagner made and painted the vanities.
Wall covering in Moss, Bustle, Rozmallin, Michigan Design Center, michigandesign.com. We wanted to add a texture to the ceiling that wouldn’t compete with the wood walls. This delicate, pleated textile adds subtle dimension without overpowering the space. Its soft yet moody green hue is a complementary accent to the stain color.
