When we decided to move back to the lake – for the second time – we already knew what our first major project had to be: an addition. Living on the lake is magical, but owning on the lake comes with an entirely different set of rules. Between strict variance regulations and limits on how much square footage you can actually have on your property, planning any construction becomes a puzzle you’re not always sure how to solve.
The Third-Floor Dream That Wasn’t
When we first bought the house, we assumed the only feasible way to expand was to add a third floor. Simple, right?
Well… no.
After meeting with an architect, we learned that – even though we could technically build a third level – we couldn’t legally occupy it as living space due to variance restrictions. That was the end of that idea. We shelved the project, shrugged it off, and eventually bought a larger house instead.
Little did we know we were overlooking the most valuable piece of the whole property.
The Game Changer We Discovered Eight Years Too Late
Fast-forward several years, and we learned something that would have changed everything had we known earlier:
We could convert our back patio into living space because it was considered pre-existing.
On the lake, the lakeside of the house is actually considered the front, which meant our “back patio” was technically part of the front footprint – making conversion possible.
Talk about a lightbulb moment!
If we had known that eight years earlier, we would’ve started building before the boxes were unpacked.
The Storage Struggle is Real!
Now, let me be honest about the biggest issue with our house: storage – or rather, the complete lack of it.
We have one utility closet on the main floor and three small closets upstairs. That’s it.
And did I mention that I love clothes? Because I do. A lot.
Over the years, we’ve made do – stashing clothes and coats in storage units, and now even at my son’s apartment. Not ideal. So, when we started envisioning what this addition could become, storage had to be a major part of the plan.
Designing a Multifunctional Lake House Addition
We quickly realized the new space needed to solve several problems at once. It had to include:
- Storage: for coats, coolers, tools—basically everything that currently has no home.
- A small pantry: because our kitchen storage is just as limited.
- A drop zone: somewhere for packages, bags, and everyday clutter to land.
- A sitting area: because winter at the lake means we lose access to our outdoor double porch, and things get tight inside.
That last piece – the sitting area – inspired the direction of the whole project.
Falling in Love With the Idea of a “Morning Room”
Five years ago, when we lived in South Carolina, we had the most beautiful four-season sunroom. I fell in love with that space. At our last house, we had one too. It became a part of our daily rhythm: coffee in the morning, quiet afternoons, cozy evenings – it was a room that breathed light into the house.
So it hit me:
Why not create our own version here?
A southern-inspired morning room that would blend seamlessly with the flow of our lake home.
And just like that, the conversations with architects and builders began.
A Dream Becoming Reality
What started as a storage problem transformed into a much bigger opportunity—the chance to create a space that supports the way we actually live at the lake. Somewhere practical yet peaceful, functional yet beautiful. And with that, our dream of living full-time at the lake finally felt within reach.
Plus…did I mention I’ll finally have storage?
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