Inside the Court Lodge Lake Home

The Court Lodge, a newly constructed luxury lake home on Lake Coeur d’Alene, was a dream project! The homeowners had already found their lake lot on one of the most peaceful bays. Their builder had a trusted architect, and the foundation of the home was in place on paper. I had the chance to design for this builder/architect team before, so when the couple asked for an interior design recommendation, he sent them to me. I’m so glad he did!

We clicked right away. They were relocating from Los Angeles and were eager to create a lake home that felt warm, grounded, and true to their story. They had ideas—plenty of them—but were overwhelmed with where to begin. We took it one step at a time, together.

Rooted in Connection

The very next day, we met at the lot to walk their perfect lake property and dream together. When we finished, they asked where they could grab lunch in downtown CDA. I suggested a favorite: Crafted Tap House & Kitchen—a quirky spot with great food, rotating taps, and turtle races on weekends (no really). They invited me to join them! We laughed. We lingered. And then they opened up.

They shared stories of loss, of healing, of finding each other again. It was honest. Vulnerable. Beautiful. And in that moment, I understood: this wasn’t just a project. This was a homecoming.

That emotional connection laid the foundation for everything that followed!

Emotion In Design

From the start, the husband gravitated toward natural materials for this lakefront home—stone, wood, and metal—with an understated palette of taupe and off-whites. I took inspiration from the architectural style of timeless lake homes in Minnesota, blended with the natural beauty of Lake Coeur d’Alene’s tall evergreens and quiet coves.

Every element was intentional. The Montana quarry stone with touches of caramel and sand. The soft brown wood floors—gently washed out for that windswept lake feel. Vaulted ceilings clad in wood with a slightly darker stain than the floor. Timber posts and beams ground the kitchen, living, and game rooms in rich warmth.

It all worked together—honoring the nature of lakefront living without overpowering it!

Lake Home Design Standouts

One standout was the guest bathroom—a moody, floor-to-ceiling black tile space with handmade uneven tile for tactile texture. A buffalo print by local artist Jeff Weir hangs above the vanity, giving the space a really cool edge.

In contrast, the primary bath feels like an exhale—miniature marble tiles surround the vanity and tub in soft whites and grays. It’s light, textural, and tender.

Then there’s the fireplace wall in the living room and behind the bar—natural stone, floating shelves with underlighting, and recessed TVs set into the stonework. It was a tall order for our masons, but they nailed it.

Bumps Along the Way

Midway through the build, once the kitchen ceiling went up, we realized how incredibly high it was—unexpectedly so. 

To solve the challenge, I sketched a concept by hand: a metal trellis suspended over the kitchen island, paired with box beams for pendants and soffits for perimeter lighting. The husband—who happened to own a metal fabrication business in LA—was thrilled. Some incredibly talented craftspeople (including Cooper Fabrication and Ourada Designs) brought it to life. Today, it’s a striking and structural centerpiece that makes the room!

The Dream Lake Home

Throughout the process, I served as the project manager, keeping the couple in the loop from afar. Each week, I sent progress photos and updates. They were always grateful, always enthusiastic. That connection we formed early on made every step feel personal.

When it came time to choose exterior finishes, they were unsure. So I hand-sketched colored elevations for each side of the home—stone placement, siding materials, shingle colors. When they saw the renderings, they were stunned!  Suddenly, their dream home was coming to life. It gave them a vision they were not expecting that went above and beyond their dream, which, of course, meant so much to me!

Want to create a home that reflects your heart (not just your style)? Check out this blog!

The Legacy of Court Lodge Lake Home

I hope when people see this lake home—when they step inside or flip through the photos—they don’t just notice the finishes or the fixtures. I hope they feel the care, the creativity, and the collaboration behind it all.

It’s a reminder that great design doesn’t start with a Pinterest board. It starts with people.

Curious about creating a space that feels like home from the very beginning? Let’s talk!