Medicine Lake Contemporary - The Start of the Build

As custom home builders, this project was a dream from start to finish. Every high-end build is a unique experience, but the juxtaposition between the clean, modern look and the warmly inviting feel makes this a truly one-of-a-kind home and a project our custom home team loved taking on!

Nearly Loosing this High-End Custom Home

Every build starts with the relationship between the client and our team. A face to face meeting revealed right away that this was going to be a perfect fit! However, scheduling was a conflict. Due to work, the client needed someone available on nights and weekends. As a family first business we block off our nights and weekends to prioritize those relationships. Thankfully our architect had availability at those times and we were able to begin the building process! Team work makes the dream work, but only if everyone is on the same page from the start!

The Vision

After living in the property next door for thirty-five years, the couple had several dreams they wanted to bring to life. Dramatic views were at the top of their list; so we strategized by building the floor plan up instead of out, capitalizing on those stunning lakeside views with floor-to-ceiling Marvin Modern windows. A modern architectural style was important to them as well so we made sure to incorporate cool, clean lines. Sunlight was also a key factor and Randall Buffie made some incredible architectural choices to bring in light at all points of the day with select position of glass boxes, truly a marvel!

The Contemporary Home Must Haves

Specifically Sourced Wood

This custom build had countless special features that the clients wanted to prioritize. They were particularly drawn to unique woods with nuanced, detailed variations which came with a few special considerations. We used Fiddleback Microre wood in the owner’s suite, Avadori wood in the kitchen, mudroom and main level, and Olive Wood in four of the bathrooms. All of the gorgeous wood was sourced from Africa. The owner of the cabinet company was very protective of the materials, making sure he was the only one to touch them as both time and money were huge considerations if some had become damaged and needed replacing. This, of course, considerably slowed our build time, but I think you'll agree the eye-catching finished result is more than worth it.

A Unique Siding

When it came to siding choices, the client really wanted to highlight the distinctively modern feel in their building journey. They ended up choosing Alucobond: a type of aluminum structural panel usually seen on commercial buildings. In fact, the company that specializes in it shared that only about three homes in a four state area had chosen this siding in the design process. It was another custom design choice that called for special care, but really helped come together to create the modern vision.

A Few Additional Features

Our unique touches weren't limited to visual design choices. The client is a dedicated musician so we chose to incorporate a layer of rubber acoustic matting between the first and second floor to help reduce sound. We chose to keep the guitar room visible by incorporating frosted glass to both reflect the light and draw attention from the outside.

Additionally, the couple wanted to "future proof" their custom home plan. They chose to incorporate an elevator: a perfect choice to allow them to enjoy their custom home building for many years to come.

The New Construction Beginnings

We began this special project in the Fall of 2020 with the client's vision and unique must-haves at the forefront of our minds. While the many considerations of Covid came into play, from safety measures to the backorder of limited supplies, we still couldn't wait to begin the custom home-building process. Looking back now, I think you'll agree that the client's unique design selections were expertly incorporated into this dreamy, Medicine Lake custom home.