Few windows and little natural light defined the late-19th-century log cabin that once stood on George and Carolyn Landolt’s waterfront lot. Located on Blain Island near Waterford, the home “was very dark and honestly didn’t feel like you were on a lake at all,” Carolyn says.
George purchased the property and its original 1880s log cabin in 2007, three years before he and Carolyn were married. Over the years, additions and renovations made the home feel disjointed, with old and new sections pieced together and two separate, unconnected areas upstairs.
As the couple’s family grew, those separate areas became impractical. “When we found out we were expecting our third child, we started to look around for architects that specialized in remodeling older houses,” Carolyn explains. “Our initial thoughts were to keep the original house but make it more conducive to our growing family.”
Ultimately, the Landolts decided to start fresh and hired architect Robert Clarke, president of CBI Design Professionals in Bloomfield Hills, to helm the transformation. “[The cabin] was cool from a nostalgia standpoint but not from a practical one,” he explains. “Once they made their decision, it opened up a lot of possibilities.”
The homeowners prioritized plenty of light and ample space to enjoy both the lake and quality time with family and friends. “We didn’t grow up on a lake, but it was something we both always wanted,” Carolyn says. “We became water sports people once we [started living] up here.”
Located on a point with 400 feet of frontage on Maceday Lake, the approximately 5,000-square-foot house takes full advantage of the lot’s unusual shape, with a 270-degree design that maximizes water views. “You can see the lake from every primary living area,” Clarke says. “They’re essentially surrounded by the lake.”
“Every room has stunning lakefront views,” agrees George, who says the outlook was a priority. “We also had some unique requests — like an indoor gymnasium, a wine cellar/cigar bar, and a large, outdoor covered deck for entertaining and watching the sun set.”
The team worked hard to satisfy both homeowners. “[Carolyn] likes brighter, lighter, and not quite as fussy,” explains CBI project manager Amanda Fox, who worked with Clarke on the home. “We used a lot of traditional forms but with modern details.”
The shades of blue featured throughout the home — in the double kitchen islands (one for socializing, one for prepping), the master vanity, furnishings, and accent pieces — tie the large rooms together and nod to the nearby lake. “[Carolyn] was afraid of too much color, but blue really fit the surroundings,” Fox says.
During the four-year process, challenges included COVID delays and the logistics of transporting materials to the island across a narrow bridge. The team tweaked the design along the way, reworking the terrace areas and including plenty of space for entertaining.
“With three active kids and the fact that we love to entertain, we use the inside and outside areas quite a bit,” George says. “Outside, we have the beach, lounging patios, a fire pit, and a lakefront sun deck. Inside, we have a large kitchen with multiple islands for entertaining. The wine cellar/cigar bar is a great spot to relax, and the kids are always playing sports in the gym with their friends. We love to use the lake, whether it’s family cruises on our pontoon boat or taking the kids and their friends tubing on the wakeboard boat.”
Carolyn says the patio off the great room is her favorite place in the house. “During the warmer months, I drink coffee out there every morning watching the water-skiers, and every evening I sit there and enjoy the beautiful sunsets,” she raves. “The pandemic definitely slowed down the construction process, but we also wanted to take our time and make sure everything was done correctly. We’re beyond happy with how everything turned out.”
This story originally appeared in the July 2026 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.
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