Inside the Stillwater Lakehouse Addition: A Full Home Renovation Case Study
Main-Level Renovation + Four Season Porch | Stillwater, Minnesota Overview For this Stillwater family, the view was never the problem. Their lake-facing home offered breathtaking natural beauty, a location they loved, and a layout that had once worked well. But as their family grew and their needs evolved, it became clear that the space wasn’t keeping up. Rather than start over somewhere else, they chose to stay—and reimagine what home could look like with the help of Custom One Renovation. The result is The Stillwater Lakehouse Addition—a full main-level renovation and architectural expansion that feels both intentional and enduring. It’s a project that honors the original character of the home while introducing smarter flow, modern comforts, and natural light in all the right places. Project Objectives From the beginning, this renovation was about preserving what matters—the view—while improving how the home functioned for everyday life. The homeowners were clear about their goals: Add meaningful, usable space Increase access to natural light and lake views Improve main-level flow between the kitchen, dining, and living areas Create a flexible space for entertaining and relaxing Modernize finishes with a soft, timeless palette Maintain traditional architectural integrity Upgrade energy efficiency and comfort With these goals in mind, our design-build team created a renovation plan that touched nearly every part of the main floor. Scope of Renovation Four-Season Porch Addition At the center of this renovation—and at the heart of the home’s reimagined layout—is a brand-new four-season porch addition that embraces lake life in every season. With panoramic views of the Stillwater shoreline, this space was designed not just as a visual anchor, but as an intentional, livable extension of the main level. From the outside, the porch addition blends seamlessly with the home’s existing architecture. Gabled rooflines and symmetrical window placement preserve curb appeal while enhancing the rear elevation with fresh character. Inside, vaulted ceilings and expansive white Pella® Lifestyle Series windows flood the space with natural light, framing the landscape like art. The wood paneled ceiling adds texture overhead, while creamy walls and organic finishes keep the mood light and serene. The layout invites connection—perfect for morning coffee, an afternoon book, or evening wine with guests. It’s a space that shifts with the rhythm of the day, effortlessly merging form and function. A key part of the design was ensuring flow between the new porch, the kitchen, and the dining area. By removing barriers and aligning sightlines, the space now supports everyday living and easy entertaining. The four-season porch brings the outdoors in while offering the comfort of a year-round retreat. More than just square footage, this four-season porch adds lifestyle value. It reflects the homeowners’ decision to stay rooted in the place they love—elevating not only their home, but the way they experience it each and every day. Before | Dining Area + Future 4-Season Porch After | Dining Area + 4-Season Porch Kitchen Reconfiguration The kitchen was one of the most transformative elements of this Stillwater lake home renovation—and for good reason. Previously segmented and closed off, the original layout limited both functionality and flow, creating challenges for everyday routines and hosting gatherings. The homeowners knew they didn’t just want a cosmetic update—they wanted a space that worked harder and lived larger. To achieve that, the Custom One Renovation team fully reconfigured the kitchen’s footprint. Strategic wall removal opened up the space to the new four-season porch and adjacent dining area, creating a seamless connection between the home’s most-used spaces. What was once a series of compartmentalized rooms became an open, airy layout built for movement, conversation, and connection. At the core of the design: timeless finishes with a nod to classic comfort. Custom cabinetry in a soft white hue offers ample storage without overpowering the room. Quartz countertops add durability with refined appeal, while sleek hardware and elevated plumbing fixtures bring a layer of polish. A generous island anchors the space, offering room for food prep, casual dining, and effortless entertaining. Thoughtful lighting and material selections—subtle tilework, curated fixtures, and cohesive finishes—carry the home’s transitional style throughout, tying into the adjacent rooms while allowing the kitchen to shine on its own. The result is a hardworking yet beautiful space that supports everything from slow Sunday mornings to lively dinner parties with friends. By prioritizing both form and function, this kitchen renovation not only meets the family’s day-to-day needs, but enhances how they experience their home—proving that design, when done right, is deeply personal and profoundly practical. Before | Kitchen After | Kitchen Mudroom/Laundry Upgrade In a busy household, utility spaces like laundry rooms are often overlooked—but they’re where real life happens. In this Stillwater home, the laundry area doubles as the primary mudroom, serving as a transitional zone between the garage and the main level. While the layout worked, the space lacked countertop surface, enclosed storage, and visual cohesion with the rest of the home. The renovation focused on elevating this high-traffic space without altering its footprint. New lower cabinetry was installed to provide concealed storage and a durable surface for folding and organization. The existing upper cabinets were refreshed with updated hardware to match the new millwork below, creating a consistent look in both color and style. A matte black faucet, deep utility sink, and light cabinetry brought in both function and finish—tied together with a warm wood floor and a soft, neutral palette that echoes the adjacent kitchen. The result is a streamlined and intentional space—one that now feels as considered and complete as any other room in the home. Before | Laundry Room After | Laundry Room Foyer Refresh One of the most impactful changes to this Stillwater home’s layout came in the foyer. Previously, the entry opened directly into the kitchen, creating awkward circulation and little definition between spaces. By relocating the opening to connect with the great room instead, the renovation reoriented the home’s flow—offering a clearer, more intentional connection from the front door through the main level. The former kitchen opening is now
