Architectural Digest explores how AD100 designer Jeremiah Brent collaborated with Lauren Sands, founder of LES Collection, to transform her family's cherished lakeside retreat. This 20-month renovation focused on creating a space that is not only visually stunning but also deeply meaningful, blending personal history with contemporary design inspired by the surrounding water.Harmony in Reflection: A Lakeside Oasis Reimagined
A Deeply Personal Project: Revitalizing a Childhood Home with Artistic Flair
Lauren Sands, the visionary behind LES Collection, sought to infuse her family's lakeside retreat—a place rich with childhood memories—with a renewed sense of purpose and beauty. Her desire was for a home filled with art and objects that resonated deeply, each piece holding decades of personal significance, rather than merely being decorative. This ambition led her to engage AD100 designer Jeremiah Brent, whose ability to weave personal narratives into his designs made him the ideal choice.
The "Harmony of Reflection" Concept: Blending Interior with Nature's Flow
Brent's design philosophy for the project, which he aptly named "the harmony of reflection," sought to create a seamless connection between the home's interiors and its natural lakeside surroundings. This concept was meticulously applied throughout the renovation, from the expansive dining table adorned with wave-like carvings to the spiral droplet motifs found in various design elements. The transformation involved extensive structural changes, including relocating exterior walls, to optimize views of the lake and establish distinct yet cohesive living areas.
Crafting Functional Beauty: Thoughtful Spaces for Family Life
The renovation prioritized both aesthetics and functionality. The open-plan public spaces were designed to offer sweeping lake views while maintaining separate zones through strategic use of columns, flooring, and coffers. The family room kitchen, for instance, showcases Sands's personal collection of dinnerware and glassware within a corner cabinet featuring rippled glass, further emphasizing the water theme. Every detail, from custom furniture to unique lighting fixtures, was chosen to reflect the family's lifestyle and passions.
Intimate Retreats and Bespoke Details: Personalized Sanctuaries
Beyond the communal areas, personal spaces like the second-floor office and primary bedroom were crafted as serene hideaways. The office features unique warped-wood walls, a collaborative effort between Brent and local millworkers, designed to evoke a sense of history and warmth. The primary bedroom, with its luxurious creamy surfaces and canopy bed, offers a tranquil escape. The primary bathroom elevates this luxury with a stunning display of mid-century Italian and Austrian lighting set against dramatic Paonazzo marble, creating an exceptionally dreamy ambiance.
A Vision Realized: The Intersection of Art, History, and Family
The 20-month undertaking culminated in a home that Brent describes as a unique blend of "color and vibration and whimsy and feminine and European." It eschews a single design style, instead becoming a vivid representation of the client's personality and history. Sands herself marvels at the magic of living in her reimagined childhood home, noting how Brent truly understood her vision, creating a space that radiates the family's essence.
Architectural and Artistic Collaboration: Expert Craftsmanship and Design
The extensive renovation was a collaborative effort involving Brent's team, Hanlon Architects, and DVC Incorporated contracting. This partnership ensured that complex structural changes, such as moving exterior walls to enhance lake views, were executed flawlessly. The integration of custom-designed pieces, from the dining table by Jonathan Hansen to bespoke plaster walls by Kamp Studios, highlights the meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship that defined the project.
Curated Collections and Unique Furnishings: A Tapestry of Style
The home is a showcase of thoughtfully curated furnishings and unique art. Pieces like the biomorphic chrome coffee table in the formal living room, vintage Italian lounge chairs, and French Art Deco armchairs contribute to a rich, layered aesthetic. The powder room, with its ripple motifs in the wainscoting and marble sink, continues the water-centric theme, while whimsical sconces add a playful touch. Even the children's bunkroom is a vibrant, customized space, featuring bold patterns and unique lighting, demonstrating that every corner of the home tells a story.
