Condo’s Interior Views Rival Geneva Lake
Close to the water and a short walk to Lake Geneva’s restaurants and shopping, Claudia and Steve found the perfect year-round home in a two-story, 3,000+ s.f. condo. The space and location were right, but there was work to be done.
Claudia and Steve reached out to the Pickell team to look at the home with fresh eyes. Knowing of the company’s reputation for building high-end custom homes, Claudia and Steve weren’t sure that the Pickell Group would be right for a condo renovation. Now that they’ve moved in, it’s clear they found a great match. “It was a very good experience,” recalls Claudia. “Orren came to check on the project, and our foreman stayed on top of everything.”
In updating the condo, the doors, windows and exterior were already defined, but the interior was open for discussion. “Our biggest challenge,” offers Claudia, “was the kitchen. It was a closed off, with a U shape and a low ceiling.” The couple wanted an open, light-filled concept. Taking down the kitchen wall and raising the ceiling wasn’t straightforward—the attic joists ran perpendicular to the great room. The solution? A recessed tray ceiling that visually defines the kitchen and living areas while accommodating the home’s structural needs. The kitchen now features a spacious island, additional banquette seating and ample storage—plus a great view of the lake.
Claudia and Steve made all the color and material selections themselves, resulting in a serene gray and white palette—a perfect backdrop for their cozy furnishings with pops of blue and red. Claudia notes that they get the most comments about the breathtaking Marina Blue granite on the first-floor bar. Nearly black, the stone is iridescent and glimmers with pops of color when touched by the light.
The couple was also impressed with the Pickell project manager’s ability to answer questions and with the book of warranties, finishes and appliance manuals she created for the house. “It has everything from the carpet and paint colors to the style of the sliding glass doors,” says Claudia, “And I’ve already referred to it when I called Wolf about an issue with the oven.”
With three adult children, one grandchild and another on the way, this up-to-date, airy Lake Geneva condo is turning out to be the perfect low-maintenance hub for their family to enjoy time together.