Life Is Good At the Lake
Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at 04:00AM 
We went to our lake house on Greers Ferry Lake this weekend to clean everything up and get ready for the season. Our last time there was Labor Day weekend. Because we thought we might return during the Fall, we didn't cover the party barge. Big mistake! We did not go back, and you have never seen so much pollen. Poor Don. It was in every crevice. He tackled cleaning the boat and I concentrated on the screened-in porch and house.
Each time we open the door to the lake house, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness. I call it our "happy house" because we are never happier than when we are there just the three of us or with family and friends.
A little history…
The house was built approximately 12 years ago. A guy from around Chicago visited Greers Ferry and fell in love with the area. He decided to build a home for he and his wife and spent a year doing so. When we bought the property, there was a little out building beside the house that he lived in during construction. The sad ending to the sweet story is that his wife was not at all happy on Greers Ferry Lake, so after a year they put the house on the market and returned to Chicago. Some friends of ours with four children bought the house for a weekend retreat and enjoyed it for 5 or 6 years. We bought the house from them 4 years ago.
The entire house may be pushing 1300 square feet with 8ft. high ceilings. The first thing we did was paint the ceilings and walls a soft camel color. We hired a local painter and he was mortified that we would paint the ceilings anything other than white. Much to his amazement, the rooms looked bigger instantly. The kitchen, living room, and dining space are all one. A rock fireplace sits in the center of the room.
The living area faces one side of the fireplace.
I love this miniature bench.
Around the corner is a small nook with a game table and chairs.
The dining area faces the other side of the fireplace. The pair of leather chairs were in our storage. Don had used them in his office years ago. I had the bench made and upholstered with a drury rug. The art was also in storage. The piece over the sofa is by the same artist.We have had these for a while but never had the right place to hang them.
The weather was so cool this weekend. It was really nice to build one last fire.
The kitchen was the biggest part of the makeover. All the cabinets and island were stained wood. Talena and I painted the cabinets red and glazed them. The back splash is white ceramic tile and the counter tops are taupe formica edged with wood trim. We didn't change them, but had a stained concrete top made for the island. It looks great. It is strong enough to balance the large rock fireplace in the center of the room.
Talena brought her sewing machine the weekend we moved in and made the café curtains from a remnant of red check fabric we had.
We did a distressed black finish on the island and I added old hardware to the drawers and doors.
The previous owner made these bunk beds for the spare bedroom. I painted them red. It only took 4 coats of paint to cover them. Ugh!! The green bed spreads are from Wal-Mart.
A custom lamp made from a minnow bucket.
Fun Flea Market finds for the spare bath.
Don had this Ralph Lauren bedding when we got married 23 years ago. I made a drape from the shower curtain panels. Both bedside tables were Flea Market finds.
Another custom lamp made from an antique corbel.
This is the view we wake up to every morning while we are there. I took this picture from the bedroom.
Funny little dog vase holds Q-tips. Talena and I were in our 20's in the photo. We have been lovin' the lake for a long time!
This is our very favorite spot. There is literally no place in the world I would rather be. Oh, I think that's from my favorite Keith Urban song.
The porch is only 8ft. deep. I wish I had built the house. The porch would definitely be at least 2 ft. deeper. But really, could we have any more fun?
View through the screen.
The first thing I always do as soon as the car is unloaded is turn on my "lake music", which is mostly country. My favorite lake song is Keith Urban's "God's Been Good To Me." If you visit us you will have to listen to it with me, and I turn the volume way up. I just swell up with thankfulness and know that I am in for a very good weekend. Life is just so good at the lake.
What do you think? Where do you go to relax and regroup? Do you have a favorite spot?
Reader Comments (20)
Mona your house is even more wonderful than you described to me. I can't wait for your help with our new home. This is exactly the type of comfortable atmosphere that I want to create.
Can't wait to go to the lake! Looks awesome!
Dear Mona:
Wow! The Lake House is fabulous!!!! It is so you and Don!! Thanks for letting all of us have a peek at this little piece of paradise!!!
Oh my goodness!!! I just love your lake house pictures...they are so wonderful!!! You have done such an incredible job making both your home and your lake house beautiful and sooo inviting! I would love to just sit on your porch in your rocking chair overlooking the lake or right next to that wonderful stone fireplace and have a cup of coffee with you! :) I agree with Lynda, it just looks like a little piece of paradise!!
I LOVE that!! You and your sis are SO talented. I love the fun colors and the open layout. BTW, I am so glad I now know how to comment. :0) I was embarassed to ask. I always looked at the posts through email, and apparently I am learning that you can not comment through email. I am enjoying your blog so much! You are so sweet and I love working with you. I have gotten a TON of positive comments on Andrew's new room!
These pictures stire my soul! How soon can we go there? I am ready! Let's make a plan to get there soon! Your forever friend, LakeLady
OK! I just read my comment and I must correct my spelling and say "These pictures STIR my soul!" Also, I need to make an appointment with you to get your advice on some furniture decisions for our back porch!
I like "so very much" EVERYTHING you did in decorating your lake home! Since I grew up in Heber Springs and was a "lake girl" it was a happy feeling of fond memories when I saw your photo of the beautiful view that you enjoy of Greer's Ferry Lake from your porch and bedroom!!! :) I am glad you and Don share a "get-a-way" home to enjoy!!!!!
The lake house is fantastic! I love the red cabinets in the kitchen. Also really like the porch. You are so talented.
What a blessing to have such a great place to get away from the chaos of life. I'd have to agree with you - the screen porch would definitely be my favorite place!
i love the lake too! i grew up on lake hamilton in hot springs and my parents are still there so we get to visit them a lot. there is just something so relaxing about a sunset barge ride. definitley one of my very favorite things to do!
Love the pics from the Lake House. So awesome! My favorite one is the picture of your dining room table with dinner on the table, and the fire burning in the background. Oh yes, God has been good to all of us! Love following your blog, and all of the wonderful ideas you have.
Beautiful Mona, first of all THANK YOU so much for your shout-out! I added more entries for you and was somewhere hoping the necklace would move in with you... You are a doll!
And now let's talk about this little cabin of yours. Oh my Gosh! What a place! It looks more like a very inviting and lovely hotel! It is beautiful Mona! My favorite - of all the lovely rooms - is the dining area with the bench and the black wingback chairs. I think I need to post that image on my own blog!
Thank you again Mona! I am a follower and a subscriber.
A warm hug, Mon
And you are now on my blog roll as well! ox, Mon
Monika, Thank-you so much for your kind comments. It's really fun getting to know you. I love your taste and fun personality.
Love the lake house! it's wonderful.
LOVE the lake house!! The furnishings are perfect - and I love your art collection! My favorite part of the entire house is that huge fireplace.
Wow!!! Now that I figured out How to comment, I want you to know how much I appreciate all your beautiful work. This is such a great resource and offers inspirational ideas. i cant wait to get to work with you on the upcoming project that we have been talking about for quite some time.
I LOVE your lake house pictures. What a "restful" sanctuary you've made for you and Don. And the flea market finds are terrific. Kick back this summer and enjoy Keith Urban!!!
Mary
Love this place Mona! Love it so much I made it my Friday Favorite and shared it on our blog too. Happy Memorial Day weekend.