Lake house inspiration colors

It is my experience that one's priority with a "lake house" is the lake side of the house and the interior of the house. If you are satisfied with those two areas, then there are a multitude of things that can be done to the road side of the house.

One complication that sometimes occurs is when the "family" that buys the lakehouse consists of more than one family. Is it safe to assume the "family" you are talking about is you and your spouse?

It is nice to get assistance from fellow Houzzers, but I hope you plan on engaging an architect to help finalize decisions and work out details.

Replace all the entry concrete, planters and driveway with a nice flagstone. Include a pergola to span the patio/garage area. Beef up the pencil posts - natural cedar ones would be good looking. Don't forget the fire pit! I manage vacation rental properties if you'd like the home to pay its way when you can't be there to enjoy it.

Some new concrete- maybe new garage doors, I would tear down the brick planter that is falling apart. Get some nice shrubs, flowers etc. and maybe update the exterior lighting. Honestly it does not look that neglected.....just needs some sprucing up and personal touches. Is there a patio or deck on the lakeside? How is the condition of the interior?

Do you have a budget? Some of these ideas look costly. We're you thinking more to change the paint?

Thanks everyone! This will be my parents' home, for those who asked. We are hoping to keep the curb appeal update reasonable because there is interior work to be done, but we are entertaining all ideas at this point. Here are photos of the lakeside. On this side of the house the one thing that has been considered is to add dormers to the top level (to the left of the peaked roof sunroom) for a bedroom area to gain a view of the lake.

what about some pretty grasses in the front? native plants too. low maintenance, relatively inexpensive and keeping with the look, imo, that goes with lake living. maybe a few evergreens to soften the corners of the home and/or add privacy to the porch, driveway. simple window boxes and planters could be added for seasonal color. good luck! :)

You should contact a local architect to assist you in planning out all the things that you want, and maybe should, do to the house; and possibly prioritize and phase the work.

Ya, it looks like you need to blow out the wall of the home and build a new one where the columns are now. Create a new entryway perhaps encompassing the entire area. Not sure what rooms are on the other side of the wall and how best to incorporate the extra space. A floor plan is needed to add more detail.