LAKESIDE LUXURY

Modern farmhouse style meets energy efficiency in this lakeside farmhouse outside Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Modern farmhouse style meets energy efficiency in this Minnesota farmhouse.

This 5,941-square-foot Minnesota home has five bedrooms, three bathrooms and is comfortably perched on a bluff overlooking Lake Prior. In it, farmhouse style blends with modern elements and energy-saving design to create a cozy home with gorgeous views. Functionality is one of the keystones of American farmhouse style. It lets homes look and feel inviting, while also allowing for the realities of life and the need for practicality. This concept is exemplified in spaces like the traditional mudroom that allows for extra storage. Farmhouse functionality can also be extended into the realm of energy efficiency.

QUALITY AND LUXURY

For architect David Zweber of David Charlez Designs, a love for design began in his childhood. “As a child, I enjoyed Tinker toys, erector sets and Legos, and they all served as the means to construct my imagination’s creative visions,” he says. Now with years of experience at a thriving company, David says he continues to learn and grow. “I enjoy looking at architecture in every city I visit, to be inspired with new ideas I can incorporate into my next design,” he says.

Due to the home's proximity to the lake and location atop the bluffs, the homeowners wanted to take full advantage of their view in their home design.

Clean lines add a modern touch, while the white neutral background and brass lighting are farmhouse classics. The barstools are a perfect mixture of modern and farmhouse.

“This modern farmhouse model has the beautiful timeless look of a farmhouse with a white exterior, front porch and cedar posts, yet the modern spin comes with black windows, a standing seam metal roof, and board and batten,” says David.

(top) Wood beams and lantern light fixtures add farmhouse charm to the bright and breezy foyer. (bottom, left) Dark tiling contrasts with the white paint and wood accents in the mudroom. The elegant light fixtures add a touch of luxury, while bits of greenery add color and freshness. (bottom, right) This window seat serves as the perfect nook for an afternoon read with natural lighting, while also providing a glimpse of the lake.