The chance to build a lakeside weekend home in rural NC provided this Chapel Hill family with an opportunity to ditch convention and think outside the box. For instance, we traded the traditional boat dock with what's become known as the "party dock"… a floating lounge of sorts, complete with wet bar, TV, swimmer's platform, and plenty of spots for watching the water fun. Inside, we turned one bedroom into a gym with climbing wall - and dropped the idea of a dining room, in favor of a deep upholstered niche and shuffleboard table. Outdoor drapery helped blur the lines between indoor spaces and exterior porches filled with upholstery, swings, and places for lazy napping. And after the sun goes down....smores, anyone? John Bessler

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Asher Associates Architects; D.L. Miner, Builders; Summer House Design, Interiors; Euro Line Designe (Kitchen); John Dimaio, Photography
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Barry Grossman Photography
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To eliminate an inconsistent layout, we removed the wall dividing the dining room from the living room and added a polished brass and ebonized wood handrail to create a sweeping view into the living room. To highlight the family’s passion for reading, we created a beautiful library with custom shelves flanking a niche wallpapered with Flavor Paper’s bold Glow print with color-coded book spines to add pops of color. Tom Dixon pendant lights, acrylic chairs, and a geometric hide rug complete the look.

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Dean Riedel of 360Vip Photography
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Photo: Aaron Leitz
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Open living room with neutral beige background, custom sofa and chairs, coffee table by Susan Hersker, custom entry door and windows by Slater Sculpture, reflecting pond entry, Photo: Mark Boisclair Contractor: Manship Builder Architect: Bing Hu Interior Design: Susan Hersker and Elaine Ryckman Project designed by Susie Hersker’s Scottsdale interior design firm Design Directives. Design Directives is active in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, Sedona, and beyond. For more about Design Directives, click here: https://susanherskerasid.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://susanherskerasid.com/desert-contemporary/

Mark Boisclair Photography architect: Kilbane Architecture Builder: Detar Construction. Sculpture: Slater Sculpture. Project designed by Susie Hersker’s Scottsdale interior design firm Design Directives. Design Directives is active in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, Sedona, and beyond. For more about Design Directives, click here: https://susanherskerasid.com/

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