A Coeur D’Alene Home Built with the Purpose of Connection

A renovated river home in Coeur d’Alene is a leisurely hangout for family and friends

February 20, 2024

Dana W. Todd,

The homeowner loves the mixture of fabrics and neutrals, including a super-soft rug, supple leather chairs and black accent walls surrounding the fire feature that create a cozy sanctum. | David Papazian

A homeowner put her family top-of-mind when she purchased a home overlooking the river fed by Lake Coeur d’Alene in northern Idaho. Like many parents of an older teen, the homeowner found herself looking for a way to connect with her 18-year-old daughter. The home, intended as a vacation retreat, would be a draw for her daughter and friends to take a timeout from their daily lives. “I wanted this to be a house my daughter wanted to come back to,” she says. “I envisioned the teens gathering in the living room and outside in the backyard enjoying river views. I just love Idaho’s scenery, and the neighbors are incredible. I can pop over and go for a walk with them or enjoy a glass of wine; there is true connection here.”

Custom sofas in lustrous camel mohair add the comfy factor the homeowner was striving for. | David Papazian

At first glance, she thought the home only needed redecorating. She called her longtime interior design firm, Maison, Inc. to take a look. Principal designer Joelle Nesen had already renovated two previous homes and one in the process in different cities for her, so there was a high level of trust in the relationship they had built over the years. “The house was beautiful, but brighter and lighter than what I wanted,” the homeowner says. “I was looking for warm, cozy and inviting—a place to hang out, settle in and linger. As Maison brought the options to me, I began to see it as a disjointed home that needed a total renovation.”

Bifold glass doors open the living room onto outdoor spaces overlooking the river. “I hosted a graduation party for my daughter. With the doors fully open, there are lots of spaces where people can congregate inside and out,” the homeowner says. | David Papazian

“We aimed for casual elegance, with snuggly textures that are warm and comforting,” says Nesen. “We needed to unify the materials and colors to calm the existing spaces.” Working with Morgan Thomas, senior designer, Nesen gave key areas such as the kitchen, primary suite, guest bathrooms and laundry a total renovation. “The former kitchen looked a little preppy and trendy,” Nesen says. She added drama by including black elements, a color that became the home’s motif.

A Hoku mirror by McGuire and an Allied Maker pendant continue texture and warmth in the powder room. | David Papazian

It introduced elegance in the main rooms and, along with wood tones and a camel color, makes the rooms feel like a haven while keeping the sex appeal high. An ebony- stained rift oak island topped with a black leathered-granite countertop and a custom steel vent hood are in keeping with the theme. Along with the dramatic black fireplace nearby in the living room, it is, in the words of the homeowner, “a huge, glorious room that is cozy despite high ceilings.” She adds, “The couch’s mohair fabric and leather chairs lend texture and depth. You just want to settle in and put your feet up on the coffee table.”

A second-floor media room features laid-back vibes with a Roche Bobois Préface sectional, a kick-up-your-feet Verellen Olive coffee table, and a built-in bar and separate lounge. | David Papazian

The upstairs media room is where her daughter and friends choose to snuggle in and hang out on a large U-shaped sectional, where they talk and watch movies on a screen that drops down from the ceiling. A built-in bar and lounging area are steps away to complete the in-house entertainment options. Recreational space continues outside in a multi-level backyard reimagined by Alderwood Landscaping. A covered patio with a remodeled outdoor kitchen and a bar is just outside the main living room. A set of steps leads to a seating area with a fire feature on an open patio. From there, another set of hewn boulder-steps beckon to loungers and a fire pit overlooking the river.

An ebony-stained rift-sawn white oak island topped with black Vermont leathered granite, custom metal pendants and a bronzed vent hood bring the dark and moody drama. A lighter Mont Blanc honed quartzite covers the perimeter countertop and backsplash for balance. | David Papazian

“The homeowner made conscious choices, so the home ended up beautifully timeless,” says Nesen. But after the renovation, the homeowner changed her mind. “This is more than a vacation home,” she says. “Maison nailed it. They know who I am and what I want. When people come here, they settle in and linger. I now split my time equally between this home and my place in Arizona. Everything has exceeded my expectations.”

A leather headboard reaches to the ceiling in the primary bedroom for impact. | David Papazian

RENOVATION RECOMMENDATIONS

Both the homeowner and the designer share their wisdom about the key considerations when undertaking an extensive home renovation.

“Be realistic about what is affordable, and hire a team that reflects the best version of that price point,” says designer Joelle Nesen of Maison, Inc. “Remember that saving a penny now will cost you a pound later. Do it right the first time.” Combine an accomplished construction and design team with the homeowner’s input and ideas to leverage the full benefit of each person’s skill set. “After you have chosen the designer and articulated your ideas, you must trust her and the design process,” says the homeowner. “A vision board is the starting point, but a good design team is not offended by your opinions.”

In this case, trust was an easy component of the project since the designer and homeowner were working on their fourth renovation together. “The best project is when a client doesn’t micromanage,” Nesen adds. “An effective combination of team members results in a house that feels like your home even though you know you would never be able to pull it off on your own,” the homeowner says.