Today’s episode of House Stories features a nautical lake home design inside a three-story condo unit in downtown Sandusky, where a designer from Herman’s Furniture worked on the blueprints for the space.
The theme is nautical, but nothing overtly thematic. The homeowner is a boater, but he didn’t want sailboats and anchors throughout his home, so the designer created what she calls “understated nautical.”
In the open floor plan, the designer chose a neutral palette for the living room and kitchen, showcasing taupe, gray, white, and variations of blue to represent the color of water.
The large leather sectional and tufted ottoman are focal points of masculinity and comfort in the room. To give the sofa a splash of character, the designer chose custom decorative pillows and added Kelly’s Island and Put-in-Bay hometown pillows to personalize the space of this nautical lake home.
Wide-plank hardwood was selected for the flooring as a nod to classical nautical design, and the designer chose darker wood furniture to create contrast with the light-colored floor.
One standout piece is the Howard Miller Robroy wine and bar cabinet, which features a rustic hardwood finish that’s distressed for an aged appearance, along with an iron metal frame. This piece brings both fun and functionality: The glass doors open to reveal two shelves for storage, a wine rack that holds 19 bottles, and a prep shelf that pulls out from a drawer, with additional storage underneath and cabinets for spirits.
For additional seating, the designer added high-back leather chairs to the kitchen island, along with a dining room set that includes stools which can be tucked under the table for a clean look.
Moving upstairs to the pub room, the homeowner splits his time between the shores of Lake Erie and the Lone Star State, so the designer infused a little Texas style into the room. Cider Ottomans sit on a shaggy rug, while a rustic wood dining table with metal studs and light brown leather seating offers more options for entertaining family and friends.
The designer chose Sherwin Williams’ Porpoise paint color to create a contrast between the flooring and the furniture, and faux green cacti were placed throughout the room for an added touch of the West.
This understated nautical lake home is another beautiful space created by Herman’s Furniture.
Don’t forget to like and subscribe to Herman’s on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram for tons of free design advice and videos, or visit the designers at their showrooms in Sandusky and Avon Lake.