Dave and Jenny Marrs Create the Coolest House on the Block for Hip Grandparents

Rick and Lisa reached out to Dave and Jenny Marrs with a very specific purpose: help them create their dream lake house, a place where they could entertain their three grandchildren every weekend! That meant the home needed to be safe, and it needed to be fun. Thankfully, the parents of five were up to the challenge.

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Life at the Lake

Rick and Lisa had high hopes when they called on Dave and Jenny Marrs to help with their renovation. They’d bought a lake house, envisioning weekends with their grandchildren, but they knew the home needed work. With a budget of $120,000, they tasked the Marrs team with an exterior refresh, a chic new showpiece kitchen, new bathrooms, an inviting primary suite, and a fun bedroom for the kids. It’s clear from the light and airy reno that Dave and Jenny Marrs surpassed all expectations!

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A Drab and Dated Cottage

The exterior of the lake house wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t great either. Jenny knew a little paint could go a long way to update the home’s siding, windows and door frames.

grey exterior of lake house with stone accent

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A Grey-at Exterior Makeover

Jenny opted for a modern grey siding to coordinate with the existing stone. The idea was to have it blend with the surroundings and really emphasize the playful, treehouse quality of the home.

Upon seeing their newly remodeled retirement home, Rick and Lisa were overcome with joy. The new cedar slat wall between the entryway and parking space was not only eye catching, but it defined the two spaces, creating a welcoming entrance to the home.

Lake house front door with unique lights

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A Modern Entryway

Jenny wanted the home’s first impression to be a strong one! She paired a beautiful cedar door with the grey exterior paint and flanked the door with unique outdoor sconces that add a modern personality and instantly set the tone for a house filled with unique and artistic touches.

Large stone fireplace in empty lake house

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A Stone’s Throw from Their Dream Home

Rick and Lisa loved how the stone fireplace was a focal point, but Jenny found it to be a bit dark. She had a plan to lighten the space and create lots of opportunities for storage and space to show off Lisa’s artwork. Lisa and her children are artists, so their home acts as a gallery with rotating pieces!

Neutral living room with white stone fireplace

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A Home Made With Love

The sole focus of this home was creating a welcoming space for Rick and Lisa’s grandchildren, so Rick had Jenny and Dave help with a surprise for his wife. They enlisted Rick and Lisa’s children, both artists, to create special works of art for the living room, featuring all three of the grandchildren. When Lisa took it all in, she was overcome with emotion!

The artwork also serves as the perfect pop of colour in the mostly white, beige and greige living room. Jenny managed to tone down the stone fireplace with a natural mortar wash and a new mantel.

Renovated cream kitchen in the lake house

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Mornings at the Lake

The new kitchen was spectacular! It had a massive island, like Lisa wanted, with an incredible view of the lake. Jenny picked unique lights to add character and a handmade tile backsplash to give an “imperfectly perfect” touch. Dave and Jenny kept the kitchen neutral, with light wood stools and a creamy countertop to let artwork and decor act as pops of colour.

Watch: Tour a Photographer’s Vibrant and Eclectic Montreal Home

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A Serene Bedroom With a View

David and Jenny designed the primary bedroom to feel serene as if Rick and Lisa were waking up on vacation each day! They also reconfigured the rooms to create extra closet space and a convenient laundry room off the bedroom. It’s little things like this that will make the home comfortable and practical as the couple gets older.

Watch: Kortney and Kenny Break Down the Best Custom Features

Neutral lake house bathroom with standing tub

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A Beautiful Lake House Bathroom

Rick and Lisa had requested a spa-like primary bathroom, and Dave and Jenny definitely delivered! The same handmade tile from the kitchen was carried through in the shower. It has a hint of sage to bring a touch of colour to the neutral room. The wood floors also carry through into the bathroom, adding warmth to the space. And as always, it’s the little touches, like gold hardware and modern black fixtures, that bring the whole room together.

Treehouse loft-themed room in the lakehouse

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Welcome to the Treehouse

After making sure everything in the home was up to safety code, Dave and Jenny could focus on making the home an incredible space for children to visit and play (and who better than parents of five?). The tree supporting the loft was actually pulled from the property, and it was designed with the utmost safety in mind.

The space is also focused on art and creativity, with a built-in easel against the wall and lots of built-in storage for kids’ bathing suits, towels and spare pyjamas for sleepovers!

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