Here is my current house/style.

Looks fabulous but I would paint 90% of the wood in a heartbeat and strip and clear coat the rest. The orange is terrible. The iron handrails are fine.

Here is the beachfront/dock and the weird bonus room over the garage, the master bedroom, and the basement bar area.

Amelia, you can absolutely make this a home you will love….it may just take a bit of time and/or $$. I’d remove that hot tub immediately!

Right? Like I said—lots of weird features. I was concerned about water damage/humidity. The walls are some thick plaster-like finish that is like buttercream frosting.

Here’s a thought: Go on YouTube and watch videos by Sarah Richardson, the Canadian decorator, on her Contemporary Chalet. She used a LOT of white paint, and it all looks stunning. I think you would be inspired to paint and combine her ideas with your preference for a farmhouse style in a beachfront setting. When you can imagine the end result, I think you’ll be determined to go for that property. There are so many pluses!

Painting the wood and removing the hot tub.
Please post pics when done! It’s amazing what paint can do

I am not a fan of spiral stairways. Do you have the room and inclination to remodel for more traditional stairway? Otherwise, painting, stripping will bring the home to your liking.

If you don’t like the wood - there’s a lot of it! - and the floor plan, I would keep looking.

I second NancyD… Sarah R is great!

Time and money can change any house to whatever you want. Besides the orange wood, do you like the layout? There are many features that need to be removed, updated, or renovated (especially those deadly spiral stairs). Do you have the money and patience? If yes, then go for it. The soaring ceilings, natural light and location are fabulous. But it will take time to make it what you want.

Let us know your final decision.

BEAUTIFUL 1/2 acre prime lake properties cannot be built.
There is a reason that the first three rules of real estate are location.
Only you can answer if a house built to your specs is more important than location.

Below are a few ideas of what you might be able to do with the lakehouse if you end up buying it. Please take note of the first home we designed.

Mt. Washington Ski House · More Info

Mt. Washington Ski House · More Info

Alpine Ski Home · More Info

Alpine Ski Home · More Info

You can always change the home, but not the property. We had the same dilemma. Bought a weird uncared for house on an acre of ocean waterfront. I always said bought the property and the house came with it. 10 years later we are still working on the house, but love what we have done with it. I say go for it, it’s all about the property.

@Ruth, so nice to hear you say "10 years later we are still working on the house" !

I thought we were the ONLY ones! Bought a house built in 1965, on a small, quiet lake, on a near perfect lot. Close, but not done yet!

I see a lot of pluses with that house. The stonework is beautiful and in great condition. The home itself has some modern flair and I’m guessing is a 1980s “Cedar Contemporary” home. These were often architect-designed and are still pretty desirable to people that like modernism & view this brand of 1980s architecture as a spin-off or later generation of midcentury modern roots. And that lot does look pretty amazing. So, there’s a lot of orange wood and outdated finishes to deal with. If it were me, I could see Scandinavian vibe working well in this house— maybe try white-washing the wood paneling, painting the trim white, installing light wood floors and going from there. I agree with others to ditch the hot tub and spiral staircase. Good luck with your decision!

Also: here’s a renovation of a quirky 1980s lake home (also decked out in wood paneling, spiral staircase, and a room with a tub) that might provide some good inspiration re: what can be done to modernize: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/buckminster-fuller-inspired-geodesic-dome-shows-its-bright-side-stsetivw-vs~134346320

Beautiful— congrats on your new home!

Gorgeous property! Would love to see your updates over time.

Pass, and leave it for someone who will love it as is.

Or consider location is more important. Find the best lot on the lake and buy whatever house is on it and change that house.

Or list all the changes you would make, determine how much it might cost, and see if you think changing this house is worth the money. Or if it would be better spent on a different home or new build if available.

Or flip a coin and see how you feel about the result. What does your gut tell you?

Your patience paid off! Love that wall of windows. Congratulations on the new house!

Those incredible windows!!! They’ve inspired me to post one of my favorite photos.

Looks I Like · More Info

That’s gorgeous!! We just had a contractor come out because although the windows are beautiful—it’s the view, not the windows. They are in pretty bad shape. But luckily we have someone local who can save the sashes, replace the glass and figured out that the previous owners had put film on them causing them to bake and break.

Anolther approach to a lake house