With a new exterior, added garage space and an updated kitchen/living area, this 1950s rambler-style lake home is just what the Vesterholts wanted (and needed). The home started as a rather nondescript home with many nonfunctional areas that didn't fit their lifestyle. After a large remodeling project, it has become the lake home Peter Vesterholt longed for, and the onelevel retreat Beverly Vesterholt dreamed of having.

Peter is Danish and has spent his life surrounded by water. The home they had previously lived in functioned well, but it wasn't home because it didn't have the water. The rambler he found for sale was not only on a lake, it was also in town and minutes from his office. If he could convince Beverly and his son to move, he could satisfy his Danish "water needs."

Beverly has her own needs. The home they had previously lived in met them all. Living with multiple sclerosis for many years meant she needed a one-level home, a relatively level yard and an environment she would want to be in all day. She had no desire to move to a '50s-era rambler that needed updating, cleaning and an outdoor enclosure for her dog. She and Peter would have to start from scratch to make this house their home. However, the excitement shown by her husband and her son was very convincing; in fact, it was all the convincing she needed.

Peter is an architect, but a very busy one. He and Beverly decided to get outside help on the project.They turned to their friend Scott Newland of Newland Architecture in Minneapolis. Scott's firm focuses mainly on residential projects. He was excited about the project for many reasons: "the opportunity to work with his friends, it offered a nice scale (not at all ostentatious), and the aesthetic goal of a fresh, light, modern design."

"Working with Peter and Bev was easy because they had clear goals," Scott said. All he had to do was offer some alternatives and visualizations.

Some highlights of the home are:

• One-level living with ease of movement from room to room. (Note the added chair rail is not only decorative, but aids in walking for Beverly or anyone who has trouble moving about freely. Shown on next page.)
• Beautiful cedar siding that really warms up the house even on the dreariest of days.

Beverly's description of the home prior to its remodeling was "good view, nice, but not quite them." After adding a garage, a mud room and entry, a living space off of the kitchen, and updating the kitchen, it is a retreat. She now describes the home as "being at the lake all of the time; it's like we're always on vacation." She loves the wildlife, boating, skiing, skating, relaxing, the view and the quietness they have at their end of the lake.

For Peter, the house is now home. With its straight lines and light woodwork, it is very similar to his home in Denmark and brings back fond memories of living there.

Some highlights of the kitchen:

• It has a large, beautiful island with seating for seven, a fireplace and many custom, built-in features.
• Wonderful attention to detail, like the rounded edges on the kitchen counter top and a variety of lighting fixtures.

By Nancy Henke