Small Changes, Big Difference: Making the Lake House Ours
When we first walked into the lake house, we saw its potential immediately. It had great bones, lots of light, and a view that pretty much stopped us in our tracks. But it also had some quirks, and a few things that didn’t quite feel like “us.”
So before we moved in, we tackled a short list of small-but-impactful updates that helped turn it into a place that feels like home.
A Fresh Coat of Paint
The first change was simple: we repainted nearly the entire interior white.
The original green, yellow, and maroon paint wasn’t our favorite. It made the space feel darker and a little closed in. Switching to a warm, clean white opened everything up. It gave the wood beams more presence, made the view pop, and gave us a neutral canvas upon which to layer in our own style over time.
New Countertops + a Backsplash with Intention
Next up: the kitchen. We kept the layout and appliances, but replaced the dark counters and black backsplash with a waterfall quartz counter that now wraps up the wall as a full-height backsplash.
The veining in the quartz reminded me of the waves in the lake and the tree branches just outside our sliding glass doors. That was the inspiration: bring a little of the outdoors in, subtly echoing the natural surroundings in the heart of the home. The result is brighter, lighter, softer, and much more in sync with the space around it.
Hiding the AC… Creatively
One of the more unexpectedly satisfying projects was figuring out what to do with the built-in AC wall unit, which was a front-and-center eyesore. Functionally necessary, but visually? Not great.
So Scott added wall-mounted shelves to the left of a desk with overhead shelves that I found on Amazon. Adding the industrial shelving along the entire wall created a layered focal point that draws attention away from the unit without blocking it.
It turned into a flexible work nook and a way to display some of our favorite pieces, many of which we discovered in the FLX region at estate sales, flea markets, and even discarded on the side of the road. Others are beloved pieces given to me by my grandparents or other family members.
Were the shelves a lot of effort to hide one small thing? Maybe. But it did the trick, and made that wall finally feel finished—and meaningful.
When all was said and done, we got a lot accomplished in a short time. No major construction, no huge budget, just a few thoughtful updates to make the space feel more like ours.
How did we do? Let us know what you think about the changes in the comments.
If you’re following along, thanks for being part of the ride—more stories (and wines) to come. If you want to stay updated on the latest posts, make sure to subscribe to our blog. And don’t forget to check out our Facebook group, Finger Lakes Food and Wine Adventures.
Cheers from the lake,
—Niki and Scott
