Reimagining this lakeside home in Central Florida started with the aim of connecting the interiors to the beautiful setting.
The 1950s property was oriented to the lake but until recently the rooms on the lakefront had walls, small windows, and solid doors. The dramatic new house design has opened up the vista and rebalanced the home by making a more imposing entrance and approach from the driveway.
Nicole Roe, of R Nickson Interiors oversaw the transformation, and explains that throughout the redesign there was another guiding principle at play: a sense of whimsy.
'The family was drawn to a sense of whimsy, which became the guiding inspiration for the home's interior style,' says interior designer Nicole. 'While rooted in more traditional lines and details, we infused each space with unexpected elements of fun and playfulness.'
In the eat-in kitchen, that sense of fun comes with a series of quirky portraits of the British royals, and a custom bench complete with a family-friendly performance fabric cover. This previously dark corner of the house now enjoys full-length windows and a view, with easy access to the backyard and shore.
'Another standout feature is the thoughtful use of gold accents, which the client adored,' says Nicole. Gold plays a starring role in the kitchen ideas, where a polished brass extractor hood from Monogram echoes the chandelier from Hudson Valley and the hardware.
'Gold was integrated into all the light fixtures and select accent furniture pieces, adding a touch of elegance and refinement to the whimsical design,' adds Nicole. 'These golden details provided a warm, luxurious glow that elevated the home's overall aesthetic and tied the spaces together beautifully.'
But it's the glamorous dining room ideas that really showcase that guiding principle of whimsy. Schumacher's Madame De Pompadour mural wallcovering creates a stunning backdrop for formal entertaining, with a dining table from Alice Lane and chairs from Ballard Design.
'One of my favorite design elements in this project is the abundance of wallpaper layered throughout the home,' adds Nicole. 'We incorporated wallpaper into ceilings, murals, and both small and large spaces, ensuring each application flowed seamlessly and told a cohesive, beautiful story. The variety and placement of wallpaper added so much personality and dimension to the home, making it feel truly unique.'
The dining room mural frames an arched doorway, which references the home's traditional architecture but brings it up to date since it allows sightlines to the foyer and living room for a more contemporary open-plan look.
'The wife’s love of color, particularly nuanced and sophisticated shades of pink and blue, played a significant role in shaping the design,' says Nicole. 'These hues became a consistent theme, appearing in wallpapers, cabinetry, paint, and fabrics throughout the home.'
Another key consideration in Nicole's designs for this home was to create a space that felt elevated but was practical for a family with young children and dogs. Living room ideas are quiet and sophisticated, but are geared for family life.
'We prioritized performance fabrics, durable finishes, and highly functional spaces, including well-designed drop zones, areas for family meals, and comfortable spaces for quality time,' explains Nicole. 'These thoughtful choices allowed us to marry sophistication with practicality, ensuring the home could be both beautiful and livable for this active family.'
The reworked interiors created space for a small home bar, open to the entryway and ready to offer a warm welcome to the family's guests. Another Schumacher wallcovering, Mercurio, makes a statement used as a ceiling paper, with the brand's Heraldic fabric used for pillows to update a pair of swivel chairs.
Nicole's new entryway ideas were a game-changer since the approach to the house had been neglected previously. A statement tiled floor and glimmering star ceiling paper elevate the look.
'The home was originally designed with its front facade oriented toward the lake and the rear of the home facing the driveway,' explains Nicole. 'We focused on reimagining the actual front entrance to create a more welcoming and grand presence, ensuring the home felt approachable and balanced from all perspectives.'
The plan for the guest bedroom was to embrace the origins of the house, creating a traditional look with a custom-made half-tester bed and drapes from Schumacher. The room's fresh color palette and walls painted in Sherwin Williams' Aquitaine meanwhile add a contemporary twist. A rug from Locust Lane brings in pastel shades to continue the flow from the other spaces in the home.
Bathroom ideas in the primary bathroom were about reworking the layout to create a spacious, relaxing sanctuary made up of separate zones. The Taft tub from Randolph Morris is positioned in an alcove, with the vanity painted in Sherwin Williams French Moire and Schumacher's 1975 wallpaper in soft blue used for the powder room walls.
It's not just the interiors that benefited from a new look under Nicole's expert guidance. 'The outdoor spaces were incredibly important to this project, as they helped establish the home’s welcoming and cohesive aesthetic,' the designer explains.
The exterior paint was updated in a creamy white with soft blue and taupe accents, creating a timeless and harmonious palette.
'Thoughtful landscaping brought life and vibrancy to the property,' says Nicole. 'The most significant transformation, however, was the front stoop, which was rebuilt into a more prominent and inviting entryway.'
Interior design: Nicole Roe of R Nickson Interiors
Photography: Michael Scott
