As an individual affected by real estate ADHD, I have a great appreciation for all different types of homes, and that appreciation is growing and becoming more widespread each year. If you had asked me ten years ago what I thought of contemporary design, I would have said I hated it. If you asked me today what I think of it, I’d tell you I wouldn’t necessarily choose it for myself, but I really do like it. Clean lines that used to look cold to me, now look attractive. Spaces that used to feel odd to me, either because of room shape or size, now provide intrigue in a way that traditional architecture rarely does. And so, when I listed a property ($839k) that might loosely be defined as contemporary, I found myself rather enchanted by it. I sold the same house to the current owners in 2001, and find the property fits my eye far more today than it ever did then.
The house isn’t really contemporary as much as it is a modern style home with some decidedly European touches. While some homes of this style are cold and unwelcoming, the fir (might be yellow pine) floors on the main level do a great job at warming up the space. While traditional homes will have a kitchen, dining room, and living room, this home has more of a kitchen/living room combo, with a separate walk through area that feels like a living room, and an elevated library that I really dig. Yes, I dig the library. There are four bedrooms, three and a half baths, and an artist’s studio with separate entrance over the garage. The original owner who was also the architect, used this space as his office, and when I’d come to visit he’d always be up in that room, made bright by large skylights, and he’d always to hunched over his table, feverishly drawing or planning, or just scheming. Either way, it’s a cool room, and with an attached half bath, I think it might make a great bunk room, or a great private office.
The house is situated on a generous piece of wooded land that measures a little more than 2 acres. It’s largely wooded, but there is a nice lawn area with gardens that could be cultivated and expanded by a future owner. The real value in the property lies with the water rights. Hunt Club Lane is a private association on a private road, and this owner has a transferable deep water boat slip, and possible buoy that will both be included in the sale. The buoy is the subject of some consternation at the moment, but we’ll have the rights to said buoy clarified and reinforced over the upcoming weeks. The lakefront is simple, but pretty. The pier is ample, and the slips are large. The walk from the house to the lakefront would probably take all of 3 minutes, but a golf cart ride is far more convenient. The video below is trademark shaky, and the sound affects while I rattle over the large-rock-gravel that makes up a section of the path are the opposite of soothing. I also say “umm”, and “like” quite often. Nonetheless, the video will show you what the private lane looks like, and show you how idyllic the small lakefront setting is. Located just minutes from downtown Lake Geneva yet enveloped in privacy, this is a winning property that just might be your next, first summer house.