Home Away From Home

Author:Lindsey Shook

Kendall Wilkinson Design commands a cozy Tahoe escape for a young Bay Area family to make memories for many decades to come.

Nestled amid the crisp blue waters of Lake Tahoe sits this expansive vacation home that a young Bay Area family wanted for hosting memorable getaways for family and friends. The 7,000 square foot home was in need of a full gut renovation so the family turned to Brink Custom Homes to assist. Builder and owner, John Brink, recommended renowned Bay Area design firm Kendall Wilkinson Design to give the home their classic, cool touch.

Principal designer on the project Philip Silver worked with Brink Custom Homes to make the necessary structural changes while retaining select original elements. “The home itself was a challenge,” notes Silver. “It had a strange original layout that was not conducive for family gatherings. It had dated finishes, internal glass walls in the great room, and even a bullet proof elevator (which was removed and the space was converted into an extra powder room).”

The six bedroom home, one a children’s bunkroom with seven beds and other a family designed room with a queen and two lofted bunks above, met the family’s goal of being able to host extended family. A base of neutral hues complemented by pops of jewel tones were used throughout the common areas. This strategic palette allowed for the surrounding landscape to flow in from large windows found in almost every room.

Seating areas were curated throughout with the goal of entertaining large groups while still feeling intimate. “Under the main floor is another great room where, of course, no home would be complete without a fully stocked custom wet bar,” notes Silver. “The bar room is surrounded by deep wood and angled walls, feeling like a cruise ship quarter when the shades are up and showing the lake.”

The open kitchen is a cook’s dream, equipped with two large islands, loads of storage space and serene views. The main dining room features a beautiful, custom live edge wood table that required an entire team of installers, designers and contractors to install it into the space, but the final result could not have been more worth it.”

“The bedrooms were designed with pastel pallets, giving a unique colorful experience to each individual guest,” says the designer. “Each room is complete with its own on-suite bathroom, a valued bonus to add comfort and privacy for each of the hosted loved ones.”

The end result is a timeless, modern home suited for idyllic winter and summer vacations, ensuring decades of joyful family memories. “The clients had a very sweet reaction and had an adorable look of realization, exclaiming “OMG this is OUR home!”