Unveiling Our Lake House Outdoors

Welcome to our comprehensive before-and-after tour of the lake house exterior! Today, I’m thrilled to join fellow blogging friends in showcasing our outdoor spaces, and what better opportunity to share the incredible journey our lake house has taken. From its initial state to the stunning transformation you see today, we’ll delve into all the DIY projects that shaped its current look, assess how these efforts have held up over time, and even peek into future aspirations. Living on the picturesque shores of Lake Superior presents unique challenges, particularly with a shorter summer season, which often puts me a bit behind my friends in outdoor decorating.

This year, the primary focus was on diligently re-staining the deck. If you followed our previous posts, you’ll remember the condition it was in—a project that demanded weeks of patient waiting for a sustained stretch of sunny days. I literally just completed the staining process and cautiously arranged the patio furniture for these photos! As you might notice, many surfaces still bear the glistening marks of recent rain, a common occurrence that often drove me indoors during my photoshoot. Consequently, I haven’t had the chance to fully decorate beyond setting out the essential outdoor furniture and planting some seasonal greenery. My ongoing quest includes finding the perfect outdoor rug and a selection of inviting pillows to complete our lakeside oasis.

For too long, our lake house exterior decor was a collection of mismatched items—sad, budget-friendly loungers from a big-box store and a clearance patio table inherited from our townhouse days, with absolutely nothing adorning the front of the house. However, a significant exterior overhaul shifted our design trajectory entirely. This grand transformation included a breathtaking new copper metal roof, sophisticated dark grey metal siding, sleek new black soffit and fascia, and striking black windows. These substantial upgrades not only enhanced curb appeal but also inspired us to invest in new, modern outdoor furniture for both the deck and the concrete patio. Our design philosophy for the deck emphasizes low-profile, minimalist furniture to ensure our breathtaking lake view remains unobstructed and fully appreciated.

The unobstructed view from our wall of windows is truly a highlight of the lake house. We designed the outdoor spaces to complement this natural beauty, selecting furniture that enhances, rather than detracts from, the expansive vista. This deliberate choice allows the serene waters of Lake Superior to take center stage, creating a peaceful and immersive environment.

Another practical consideration for our furniture choices is the long, harsh Lake Superior winters. We simply don’t have abundant space to store bulky outdoor items, so compact and durable pieces are essential for maintaining functionality and ease of living throughout the seasons.

The Lakeside Exterior: A Dramatic Before & After

Before the Transformation: The Lakeside Exterior

Before our extensive renovation, the lakeside façade of the house presented a somewhat disjointed appearance. While not entirely unappealing, the original cedar siding adorned only this side, creating a stark contrast with the beige vinyl that clad the other three sides of the house. This lack of architectural cohesion was a constant visual frustration, hinting at the potential for a more unified and modern aesthetic.

After the Transformation: The Lakeside Exterior’s Modern Revival

What began as a plan for a simple roof replacement quickly blossomed into a full-scale exterior metamorphosis. Our lakeside home now boasts a breathtaking new copper metal roof, whose metallic sheen subtly changes with the light, providing a dynamic visual appeal. This is beautifully complemented by the sleek dark grey metal siding, which offers a contemporary aesthetic and exceptional durability. The transformation continued with the installation of striking new black windows, along with matching black soffit and fascia, creating a cohesive and sophisticated architectural statement. We also upgraded to a new black sliding patio door, enhancing both functionality and modern appeal.

Our commitment to detail extended to the deck itself. We meticulously stained the entire deck a rich black, creating a dramatic contrast with the shimmering copper roof and providing a bold foundation for our outdoor living space. To add both charm and illumination, we integrated copper solar lights into the deck design, replacing standard caps with these delightful accents that we absolutely adore. Further enhancing the deck’s appearance and privacy, we built new slatted deck skirting, offering a clean, modern finish. We also streamlined the garden beds flanking the deck, transplanting existing flowers to other areas and simplifying the design with a single, elegant cedar on each side. The wood framing these beds, initially left natural, was also stained black this year to harmonize with the newly refreshed deck. To complete the modern update, we replaced the old sconces with stylish new copper ferry lights, which perfectly complement the roof and add a warm glow. And, of course, we couldn’t forget the chimney, which received a fresh coat of paint to match the new exterior palette, ensuring every detail contributed to the cohesive design.

With the exterior radiating such sophistication, our focus naturally shifted to elevating the outdoor furnishings and decorative elements. We acquired stylish new black patio loungers, perfect for soaking in the lakeside ambiance. A standout DIY project was the creation of our new live edge patio table, featuring a unique welded chain detail that was a personal design dream brought to life. While I splurged on new chairs for the patio table, I found a charming side table at a thrift store, which I then transformed with copper and black spray paint to match our evolving aesthetic. We also custom-welded a new step, recently stained black to seamlessly integrate with the deck. To frame our patio doors elegantly, we added two modern planters, though this year presented an unusual challenge in finding the lush, full plants I typically prefer. Despite the plant selection, the overall effect is one of refined outdoor living.

The new step, which once featured a unique charred wood finish, has recently been repainted a dark grey and stained black to better integrate with the sleek aesthetic of the deck. This subtle change creates a more harmonious and refined look. Embracing our passion for wildlife and extending our copper motif, I also invested in a second hummingbird feeder and a stylish seed bird feeder, both featuring a modern copper design. I am absolutely obsessed with how perfectly they complement our new copper roof and sconces, adding a touch of whimsy and nature to our sophisticated outdoor space.

Essential DIY Projects for Our Lakeside Exterior:

The Lake House’s Other Sides: From Beige to Bold

Before: The Uninspired Beige Exterior

As mentioned earlier, the contrast between the lakeside of the house and its other three sides was quite striking. These facades were clad in a rather uninspiring beige vinyl siding, which, unfortunately, had suffered from cracks and damage over time. This not only contributed to a visually disjointed exterior but also detracted from the overall appeal and value of the property. The goal was to extend the modern aesthetic across the entire home, ensuring every angle presented a unified and sophisticated look.

After: Harmonizing the Entire Lake House Exterior

The transformation of this side of the house was crucial for achieving a cohesive and balanced exterior design. What once felt mismatched now flows seamlessly with the lakeside aesthetic. Last year, we embarked on building DIY cold frame garden beds, a project that has not only enhanced our gardening capabilities but also added structure to the landscape. This year, we continued this theme by constructing a matching charred wood bed around our raspberry bushes, a project we just recently completed and will share a detailed DIY guide for soon. The poor raspberries, having been trampled during the initial exterior renovations, are now recovering beautifully, and my vision is to nurture them into a lush, dense wall along this side of the house. There’s a special joy in growing fresh raspberries right in our yard!

I realized I hadn’t properly shared an updated view of our privacy glass. After an initial ordering error, it was correctly replaced with the elegant rain glass I had originally envisioned. I absolutely adore its look; it beautifully catches the sunlight, creating a sparkling effect that is captivating from the inside. The outdoor chairs, which I acquired a couple of years ago, have proven incredibly durable and comfortable (these are super similar). They offer the perfect, cozy spot to relax and watch our chickens—a truly delightful pastime! The accompanying side table was a thrift store find, and the planter is an old one I revitalized with a coat of black spray paint. As with the lakeside, the selection of fuller flowers was limited this year, but the overall effect is still one of inviting comfort and charm.

Key DIYs and Finds for the Harmonized Exterior:

DIY COLD FRAME GARDEN BEDS |
FAUX RATTAN MID CENTURY CHAIRS (SIMILAR)

The Fire Pit Oasis: Crafting a Lakeside Gathering Spot

Before: The Unrefined Fire Pit Area

One of our most cherished outdoor DIY projects involved revamping the fire pit area, a space that was initially functional but lacked character and modern appeal. Before our intervention, it was a simple, somewhat nondescript spot. The vision was to transform it into a truly inviting and stylish gathering place, centered around our custom-built modern fire pit. We set out to create an outdoor oasis that seamlessly integrated with the natural beauty of the lake house surroundings, enhancing our ability to enjoy evenings by the water.

After: A Modern Lakeside Fire Pit Retreat

The fire pit area has been utterly transformed into a modern, welcoming retreat. Central to this renovation is the DIY welded fire pit, a project we poured our hearts into to create a distinctive focal point. Beyond the aesthetics, practical improvements were essential for lakeside living; we had a robust shore erosion structure built to protect our property from the lake’s natural forces. To revitalize the surrounding landscape, we meticulously replaced the sod ourselves, cultivating a lush, green lawn that perfectly complements the modern design. Completing this idyllic setting, we added a set of comfortable adirondack chairs, which I personalized with a charming ombre paint effect. This entire area now serves as a perfect spot for relaxation, reflection, and memorable gatherings under the stars.

Discover Our Fire Pit Area DIYs:

DIY OMBRE ADIRONDACK CHAIRS |
DIY WELDED FIRE PIT |
DIY LAWN: SEED VS. SOD COMPARISON |
STONE SHORE EROSION STRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION

Looking Ahead: Future Projects and Embracing Lakeside Living

This exterior tour, complete with our extensive before-and-after showcase, truly highlights the long and rewarding process of transforming our lake house. While we’ve come incredibly far, there are still plenty of exciting projects on the horizon. Having gained confidence in vegetable gardening, my next venture is to establish vibrant flower gardens, adding bursts of color and life to our landscape. I’m also keen to enhance the quality of our lawn and meticulously tidy up certain landscaping elements, with a fun plan to involve our chickens in the process, naturally!

Our yard, with woods on three sides and the lake shore on the fourth, possesses a beautiful, wild character. While I cherish this natural aesthetic, I aim to gently tame it this year, creating defined yet harmonious spaces. Planting more trees is also high on the list, not only to enhance privacy from our neighbors but also to enrich the natural beauty of the property. Beyond the major landscaping, I’m looking forward to adding those smaller, personal touches that make a house a home. This includes finding that perfect outdoor rug, selecting a few more outdoor pillows, possibly building some custom outdoor planters, and giving our beloved Adirondack chairs a fresh coat of paint. They could certainly use a little refresh!

Despite the ongoing to-do list, I am immensely grateful for the progress we’ve made in our exterior transformation. I eagerly anticipate truly enjoying these spaces this year, finally soaking it all in. Our exterior renovation initially stretched on for a considerable time, and then the following year saw us deeply immersed in building the chicken coop. Last year, the cold frames demanded much of my time as I diligently worked to grow food, despite my initial lack of a green thumb. So, this summer, my primary goal is to simply kick back, relax, and fully embrace the beauty and tranquility of our revitalized lakeside haven.

Join the Summer Seasonal Simplicity Series: Outdoor Spaces Tours!

This week, I am delighted to be part of the Summer Seasonal Simplicity Series, joining some of my incredibly talented blogging friends as we share our outdoor spaces. Be sure to explore all the beautiful inspiration they have to offer by visiting the links below!

Sharing Wednesday…

The Happy Housie //
Joanna Anastasia //
Cassie Bustamante //
The Tattered Pew

Life is Better At Home //
Tatertots and Jello //
Finding Silver Pennies //
Lemon Thistle

A Pretty Life //
Dans le Lakehouse //
Clean & Scentsible //
Willow Street Interiors

Sharing Tuesday…

Inspiration for Moms //
She Gave it a Go //
Grace in My Space //
Deeply Southern Home

Life is a Party //
Nina Hendrick //
Happy Happy Nester //
Craftberry Bush

Maison de Cinq //
Hallstrom Home //
House by Hoff //
My Sweet Savannah