Lake Living at the Ozarks
Second-Home Style
Contemporary design, outdoor living and the least amount of hassle possible define remodeling projects at the Lake of the Ozarks.
BY
Jennifer Bondurant
PHOTOGRAPHY
iStockphoto/Krista Banks

When second-home owners want to remodel their home-away-from-home, they learn a lesson in trust and letting go. Not being on the job site every day to oversee the project may make some people nervous, but Lake-area professionals specialize not only in their trade but in easing the strain of decision-making for remote clients. “The designer is the middle man,” says Frank Baugh with Embellishments Décor. “We are the eyes and ears when the homeowners aren’t here. We take the pressure off them.”

With a destination location such as the Lake, homeowners are often absent from day-to-day progress. Paco Guevara of Paco Guevara Contracting says that type of clientele makes up 90 percent of his   business. “We might not see them for a month, so we have to paint a   picture over the phone,” he says.

Such a long-distance relationship means that should you decide to remodel your vacation home, choose a team you can trust. Contractors have to oversee subcontractors, which can be tricky business. Additionally, they must know the Lake area, according to Derek Cooper, vice president of Four Seasons Homes, as well as have a good reputation and longevity in the business.

“Which construction permits are needed depends upon the location of the lake area they’re working in,” Derek explains. “Contractors need to work with different entities to make sure you are covered, so you need to make sure you have a contractor who knows what he is doing and will worry about the details on your behalf.”

While someone else handles all the work, you also benefit from being removed from the dust and noise while living comfortably at your primary residence. Instead of frustration, there will be more excitement. “Our clients are always surprised when they come back to the Lake,” Paco says. “They can see a big change in just a week’s time.”

There will still be plenty of big decisions to make even while you’re out of town, the most important being deciding which areas of your home to remodel. Paco and Derek agree that kitchens are among the most popular rooms to undergo a transformation and often comprise cosmetic changes such as new cabinets and appliance upgrades and additions like wine refrigerators and warming drawers.

But the kitchen that is getting the most attention is the one outside, where most Lake homeowners want to maximize their time spent enjoying the scenery. Charlie Wornek, general operations manager for HMI Fireplace Shops in Osage Beach, notes the increased interest in outdoor living and points out fire pits and outdoor Chicago brick ovens as two popular items in lieu of traditional grills.

“One of the differences between the Lake of the Ozarks and Kansas City and St. Louis is that people spend more time outside at the Lake, so there is more of a focus on outdoor living areas,” Frank says. A lot of money goes toward landscaping, pools and cozy seating around fire pits, for instance. And why not, when today’s outdoor furniture and fabrics stand up to the elements so well? Thanks to the advances in fabrics like Sunbrella, cushions are not only stylish but durable and resistant to fading.

Longevity is important, but trends do come and go. Designers suggest the current hot look is contemporary. Paco says his latest projects have featured more streamlined looks, such as flat doors without recessed panels. “You see more straight, blunt lines instead of the scroll look,” he comments.

Susan Duncan, co-owner of Spectra Interiors, concurs with the trend in simplistic design and adds that many homes feature dark woods and spa colors like soft blues, greens and grays. In addition to palettes that create calm, Susan says that “casual tropical” can be a good look but that today’s tropical look is achieved through relaxed, warm tones and not by palm trees as in years past.

Frank, who started his design career in Florida before opening his business in 1998, says there is also demand for a natural look, including stone and wood. Frank likes zebra wood, which gets its name from its distinct pattern and grain, and says it takes stain well. He also uses furniture with a lot of texture, like reed and bamboo.

The Tuscan look, featuring heavily carved pieces and Venetian plaster, for example, still retains influence at the Lake, but styles are transitioning to a “lighter” feel. ‘Green’ design is also making a presence, according to Frank. Natural hardwoods, instead of carpet, and natural stone are popular with homeowners who are environmentally conscious.

No matter what style you choose or which room you update, you can be assured that experienced professionals are there to support and satisfy you. “It’s rewarding to see the homeowner come back and take in the finished project and know that we’ve accomplished everything they wanted,” Derek says.