Remodelers ShowcaseSM Cover Family Tells All
Category: Newsroom » Remodelers ShowcaseSM » Remodelers Featured Stories - September 14, 2010
A Lakeside Retreat
When Mark and Pam built a new home 20 years ago, they wanted a place where they would create great memories with their young family. Over the ensuing years, that home, built on a gorgeous bluff overlooking Riley Lake in Chanhassen, did just that. They landscaped the hillside down to a little private lake oasis with firepit and dock. And with just an occasional update or repair inside, friends and family alike made this a favored gathering place.
Fast forward to 2006. Their oldest, Katie, was out on her own, Laura was in graduate school while John had just a year or so of high school left when they discovered some moisture problems at their lake-view picture window. “We had moisture testing done and decided, what better time than now to combine the needed repairs with our dream to update our home,” says Pam.
Mark agreed. “Like most homeowners, we had talked for years about what we would want to do if we remodeled. We decided, OK as long as this is all going to take place, why don’t we go ahead and make this happen.”
Thus began their adventure in remodeling. “We started with a concept,” explained Mark. “We knew what the scope of the project would be and we hired an architect and then had three builders take a look at our plans.”
The remodeling included the entire exterior with an addition on the main level to create their new “lake room” for TV and relaxing. Much of the main level was to be redone as well as their outdoor living spaces. AMEK Custom Builders got the job and began work in early April. ”They were really, really good,” said Mark. “Creative thinkers, for sure, but they were very sensitive about our budget needs and everything else, too. We thought there was a nice balance there.”
Pam was impressed with their design ideas as well as their attention to detail. At one point Pam and AMEK’s co-owner Matt Schmidt were outside discussing the patio plans. “We were looking at this space and how to draw people in,” said Pam. “Matt started tying the arches into the outdoor fireplace design, and wow. So I talked to Mark about the idea." He liked it too, and in the end "it was one of the best decisions we made.”
Now it is their new Tuscan room, their favorite gathering place situated beneath the new lake room upstairs. Massive stone arches frame a light-filled, breezy open room, anchored at one end by a gas fireplace. It’s simple, elegant, and comfortable almost any day of the year.
The major remodeling finished up in October, with Amek coming back this summer to update the kitchen. The six-plus month project was arduous, yet the family took everything in stride. “I knew we were in a big project when I came home one day and walked into our bedroom and the entire wall was gone,” laughed Mark. “I just stood there and looked, it was open air, and of course, it was about 95 degrees that day.”
Mark did admit the process was easier on him, being at work all day. And Pam gets a bit philosophical when she talks about the experience. “It was actually a really positive journey for us. Paul Schmidt, AMEK co-owner who was our project superintendent, kept saying it was going to be beautiful, everything was going to be fine. I just believed it. I really trusted them.”