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my romantic ideas about the area—the history of its fearless
explorers, the mystique of the Wild West, its place in San
Francisco lore since the Victorian era, when timber resorts
dotted the shores and Bay Area families would retreat to
homes designed by the most prominent local architects. At its
core, however, the real pull for both of us is the otherworldly
beauty, an ever-changing source of profound inspiration.
WITHIN A FEW MONTHS’ TIME, Kevin invited me up to see a
spot he found on the north shore of the lake, just around the
bend from where I had vacationed. Though newly built,
the house had the character of an old-fashioned lodge, with
massive timbers, hand-scraped floors, and ceilings soaring
over 30 feet. The most remarkable feature was the view of
the lake. It was February, so snow covered the ground, and
Lake Tahoe’s intense blue presence filled the rooms and was
amplified by the craggy, snowcapped peaks surrounding it.
Our visions for the property were in sync: a year-round
camp to rival the best historic resorts, one that felt intriguingly
timeworn, as though it had been there for generations.
“As a kid, I went to my grandparents’ home in the New
Hampshire woods,” says Kevin. “I remember what an impres-
sion that had on me. We wanted to make sure that our family’s
next generation had the same opportunity, a place to visit
every summer.”
Once they purchased the house, we immediately set about
crafting the interiors. We started with a written story line
about the house and its inhabitants. Our description outlined
the nostalgic references we wanted to embrace—the artists,
the explorers, the midcentury Rat Pack of the nearby Nevada
casinos—and profiled a new wave of creators and innovators
ready to make their own mark.
Alongside senior designer Daryl Serrett, and backed by a
talented team, we shared the developing concepts with Kevin
and Nicole through storyboards. But they did not simply come
along for the ride; they reveled in the process, relishing all the
intricate details and collaborating as the project came to life.
For this house to tell its tale and be truly transportive, we
shopped far and wide for vintage pieces that spanned periods
and places. From Bavarian antiques to retro midcentury lighting,
we curated a collection that would add flavor and character.
Meanwhile we custom-designed many of the principal furnish-
ings to be handcrafted by our favorite California artisans. In
the great room, which is flanked by two enormous fireplaces,
we made a pair of oversize sofas upholstered in fabric reminis-
cent of a Native American blanket. We surrounded them with
bookcases constructed of crocodile-embossed bronze. The
heroic dining table, which seats up to 18, was inspired by a
Jacobean antique; but rather than choosing polished wood,
we had this one expertly carved by chain saw. We designed
two substantial gothic lanterns to fill the vast space over the
table with a soft glow.
An avid cook, Kevin wanted to make sure the kitchen
had the same dose of high style and warmth as the rest of