Hi friends! Who’s ready for a lakehouse update?! We actually closed on it Christmas Eve Eve, even though it wasn’t quite done. We’ve been working with the builder and contractors over the last month to button-up all the loose ends, and we couldn’t be more thrilled how it’s come together!
Y’all asked for all the nitty-gritty on the building process, and since I’ve been remiss at sharing here as much as my Instagram Story, today I’m going to back it up a few months and share the progress since our last update (find that HERE), to just before closing. My next update will include the finished spaces and the beginning stages of our decorating!
If you missed the news, we stumbled on this new-build last Summer, and jumped at the chance to own a place our entire family can enjoy! It’s mostly a spec house, meaning the floorplan and main materials were already established (doors, windows, roof, siding & plumbing fixtures), but we were able to have a say in many of the finishes (tile, paint & lighting).
It’s on Cedar Creek Lake, in a tiny town that couldn’t be more laidback and quiet, and only 80 miles away. I literally can not wait for all the memories we’ll make here!
Sidenote: We selected most of the finishes through the builder’s vendors, but I’m listing what info I have so you can do your own searches, plus a few lessons we’ve learned along the way!
Similar Exterior Light Fixture | House Color: SW ‘Pure White‘ | Door Color: SW ‘Languid Blue‘ | Garage Door & Columns: Cedar with clear seal | Windows & Gutters: Bronze Steel
Similar Exterior Light Fixture | House Color: SW ‘Pure White‘ | Door Color: SW ‘Languid Blue‘ | Ceiling Color: SW ‘Languid Blue‘ at 50% | Doorbell (backordered)
Here’s a look at her before grass and gutters… crazy what a difference those make, right?!
House Color: SW ‘Pure White‘ | Door Color: SW ‘Languid Blue‘
Moving inside, we kept the walls and floors light and bright so all the focus would be on the lake views. The floors are engineered wood, perfect for wet feet! (And more budget-friendly!)
Sugarplum Tip: Have dimmers installed on can lights and overhead fixtures, it makes a huge difference for evening ambiance!
Floors: Texas Traditions West Winds Engineered Wood in ‘Oak Vernon‘ | Wall Color: SW ‘Pure White‘
Shiplap isn’t recommended directly around the fireplace, so we chose a matte white stone for the border and hearth to keep it as seamless as possible. We added a cedar mantel to tie in with the cedar columns outside.
Sugarplum Tip: Install outlets anywhere you might hang a TV for easier install and no cords!
Floors: Texas Traditions West Winds Engineered Wood in ‘Oak Vernon‘ | Wall Color: SW ‘Pure White‘
We contemplated painting the island the same blue as the door, but in the end, decided on an all-white canvas. You know I’ll be bringing in the color with textiles and art!
Sugarplum Tip: If your furniture will sit in the middle of the room (rather than against the wall), install floor outlets to avoid running cords across walkways.
Floors: Texas Traditions West Winds Engineered Wood in ‘Oak Vernon‘ | Wall Color: SW ‘Pure White‘ | Sconces
The vent hood is simply a plywood box, built in a simple shape that won’t compete with the backsplash tile.
Sugarplum Tip: Have kitchen outlets installed horizontally and lower to the counters to avoid visual breaks in the backsplash.
Floors: Texas Traditions West Winds Engineered Wood in ‘Oak Vernon‘ | Wall Color: SW ‘Pure White‘ | Sconces
Wall & Cabinet Color: SW ‘Pure White‘ | Countertops: White Quartz
The stairs are real wood, and stained to match the engineered floors.
Door Color: SW ‘Languid Blue‘ at 50%
Door Color: SW ‘Languid Blue‘ at 50% | Wall Color: SW ‘Pure White’ | Countertop: White Quartz
The master bathroom has been one of the trickiest spots, thanks to the sink placements and window. If we center vanity lights on the wall, they’ll be off-center with the sinks. Also, stand-alone mirrors made the space feel like a row of windows.
So we’re going to add mirrors to the entire wall (counter to ceiling), and hang these lights on the side walls.
Sugarplum Tip: If you’re big on symmetry, make sure your cabinet maker knows exactly where you want the sinks!
Cabinet Hardware | Towel Hooks | Light Fixtures | Floor Tile: AUC 2″ Hex SXG1200 White Matte
I couldn’t resist having a little fun with the laundry room, so we installed a colorful tile and accented the window wall with a dark cabinet. The cabinets on the left are stair-stepped, so I kept them white to blend in with the walls.
Sugarplum Tip: Double-check the building plans to be sure they accommodate enough space for appliances. Our full-size washer/dryer actually overlaps part of the sink and the left cabinet, so had we caught that before framing, we would simply slide the window and sink to the right.
Cabinet Color: SW ‘Indigo Batik‘ | Tile: Interceramic Form Marlo Matte 8″x 8″ | Countertops: White Quartz
The bunk room was fun to see come together, and I love the touch of shiplap that serves as a headboard of sorts.
Bunk Room Color: SW ‘Pure White‘ | Carpet: Tuftex Its Been Good ZB899 in ‘Ash Mist‘
Bunk Room Color: SW ‘Pure White‘ | Carpet: Tuftex Its Been Good ZB899 in ‘Ash Mist‘
Shower Wall Tile: Interceramic 3 x 12 Ripple White | Floor Tile: AUC 1″ Hex SX205 Blue | Countertops: White Quartz
Floor Tile: AUC 1″ Penny Round 3060 BRP | Cabinet Color: SW ‘Pure White‘ | Countertops: White Quartz
Headed back outside, the patio ceiling is painted to match the front porch ceiling and front door. We’re adding black ceiling fans, but those are backordered. (I think the whole world is on backorder, ha!)
Exterior: SW ‘Pure White‘ | Ceiling: SW ‘Languid Blue‘ at 50% | Columns: Cedar with clear seal
The dock is pretty much complete, minus some stair lighting that we’re adding. We used gray composite planks that don’t decay, splinter, or get hot, and painted it to match the house. Even the closet door is SW Languid Blue!
The house has seven beds (the bunk room has four!), so after extensive research, I chose these mattresses throughout. We are super impressed and really like them so far! Definitely comfortable, and you can’t beat the convenience of shipping and the price!
Here’s a peek of the guest room, with mattress and frame in place! This will be our parents’ area, so we wanted to get it set up first!
Mattress | Bed Frame | Lamps | Striped Rug
Now for the good stuff!! Here’s the kitchen the day we closed!! I am thrilled with how it turned out, and love how the wall seems to mirror the water of the lake.
Backsplash Tile | Similar Stools | Similar Pendant Lights | Drawer Pulls | Dishes
Backsplash Tile | Similar Stools | Similar Pendant Lights | Drawer Pulls | Dishes | Sconces
We’re working with A Well Dressed Home for the design of the main living areas (see those moodboards HERE)… their knowledge has been invaluable during the building process! (You may remember they did our Master Bathroom HERE!) They also have access to trade-only pieces that are made to last with indestructible fabrics (essential for a lake house!), not to mention better-than-retail prices!
The builder is CR Thurman Homes, a long-time developer on Cedar Creek Lake, and it’s been such a fun and easy experience! I think he’s got one lot left in our cove… who wants to be lake neighbors?!
Several pieces of furniture have been delivered, and our fingers are crossed much more shows up this month! I’ll be sure to keep you updated! What do you think so far?! Do you have any new-build tips to add?
PS, I started a Sugar Shack list in my Amazon Shop, with all the house essentials we’ve added so far. You can find that HERE.
