Before & After: Smith Mountain Lake Renovation

By removing load-bearing walls throughout the home and adding custom design details throughout, CIRCLE Design Studio transformed this Spanish Mission style home on Smith Mountain Lake from a dated space to one that blends the home’s style with the homeowner’s preferences for modern and clean-lined design. 

The client for this extensive remodel was a globe-trotting, bachelor, executive, art collector, and lake-lover, who bought the house sight unseen. He hired CIRCLE to create a luxurious retreat that showcases lakefront views and an impressive art collection. As interior designer and general contractor on this project, we were able to coordinate all the custom details seamlessly resulting in a harmonious interior that perfectly blends the client’s modern tastes with the existing character of the house.

Enjoy this dramatic before & after!

As the focal point of this space, we added in a custom wood-burning fireplace. The arch motif was used for the fireplace surround which was clad with porcelain tile cut by waterjet.

We replaced all exterior doors, windows, and skylights in this sunroom. The choice of chandelier from Vibia (Spain), made of cables, was intentional not to obstruct views to the lake.

In the entry of the home, we replaced the original knee wall banister was replaced with this custom iron railing with an alternating pattern of straight and hammered pickets. We also removed the original wood- burning fireplace to create a niche, custom-sized and lighted to display a cherished sculpture of the homeowner.

We replaced both load-bearing walls in the kitchen with LVL beams to allow a clear view of the lake through the kitchen from the opposite side of the house. With the loss of wall space, the gas cook top was installed in the island with a downdraft exhaust because an overhead hood would block the view.

We added a self-contained custom wine cellar to the unfinished basement that has a capacity of about 1,000 bottles.

In the master suite, we focused especially on the bathroom area. We installed a plinth beneath a new soaking tub, clad on all sides in Caesarstone, to allow a direct line of sight to the lake.

The powder room features handmade wall tile and a vessel sink made of silver travertine.

Finally, we transformed the dated guest bathroom. As does the rest of the house, this room has touches of hand craftsmanship, including the handmade Sonoma wall tile wainscot and the custom designed pre-cast concrete trough sink perfectly sized for the recess.

With custom design details and open, clean-lined spaces that maintain the character of the house, this lake-front home is sure to be a luxurious retreat for years to come.