This Vacation Home has Spectacular Lake Views and a Prime Adirondack Location

With a prime coveted location on the Lake George shoreline, this spacious home has all the lakeside luxury you would ever want from a vacation home. The Adirondack region of upstate New York is known as an outdoor playground for nature lovers, populated with “camps,” which is what locals call their vacation homes. Of course, calling this stunning residence a camp would be a huge understatement.

Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights

Created by Phinney Design Group, the home is done in an updated version of the arts and crafts style, also strongly informed by the landscape and surrounding lake and forests. The natural terrain was full of inspiration for the design team, which drew their ideas from the colors and features of the grey tree bark, deep azure of the lake and frosty coating of snow and ice that the area gets in the winter. 

Clad in wooden shingles on the exterior, the design features grey stained windows that call to mind natural bark and driftwood, adding a lighter, ethereal quality to the house. This is one of the aspects that was updated for a fresher take on the typical darker woodwork found in historic arts and crafts interiors.

On the approach to the house, the driveway forms a courtyard with pervious pavers that adjoin rain gardens that are part of an innovative stormwater drainage system to mitigate runoff into the carefully protected lake.

Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights

The highlights of any Lake George home are the view as well as the waterside area, which for this home is a spacious dock and boat storage. From this aspect it possible to see the expansive windows that line the facade of the home that faces the lake. It also has a large patio next to the him, ideal for enjoying the view.

Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights

In contrast to the usual darker woods found in traditional arts and crafts homes, custom designed and locally fabricated white oak millwork was used throughout the home, including for this marvelous barrel-vaulted foyer, along with the three staircases, built-in bookcases, bar and kitchen cabinetry.

Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights

A skier’s paradise in the winter, the Adirondack region can get chilly on summer nights too, so this home has numerous fireplaces that recall the old camp style. This one blends the intimate features of an inglenook with the rugged nature of a historic Adirondack Camp, a perfect place for spending many a cozy evening.

Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights

The living areas are unified in a contemporary, open floor plan that extensively uses careful changes in levels to create distinct living zones within the space. Naturally, the walls are mostly windows, opening up to the magnificent view of the lake. It was designed with modifiable windows and partitions so that many rooms of the home can offer up the view lake view.

Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights
Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights

The expansive dining room is a unique blend of chic contemporary and rustic camp style. Aged chairs upholstered in velvet and a pink tufted sofa are paired with a pair of rough-hewn occasional tables that sub in for a standard coffee table. This space — like most of the others — has no need for window coverings that might interfere with the views.

Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights
Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights

Open and airy, the kitchen is also a grand but casual space. The large center island has a dining extension and the contemporary stools are upholstered in a suede similar to the velvet on the dining chairs. With plenty of prep space and a large range with two ovens, the kitchen has everything a cook might need.

Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights

Nearby, a cozy breakfast nook is the perfect spot for family meals and rainy day card games. The easy style of the banquette seating and casual chairs encourage lingering.

Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights

The same custom white oak woodwork was used for this staircase, which wraps around the side to form an attached white oak bench with storage underneath. Perfect for stashing all those hiking boots!

Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights

More than just a plain landing area, the mezzanine, where four staircases spill into one space, is a central gathering place for family and an easy place to hang out.

Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights

A long hallway on the upper floors is light and bright thanks to the pale woodwork and is meant to accommodate extra guests. These two benches, with end cabinets for storage, can be converted into sleeping space for those seasons when friends and family descend upon the property.

Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights

The master suite takes up a prime spot at the corner of the house, which means it is oriented toward the lake and offers up its own private deck. With the bed facing the windows, the view is spectacular from morning to night, and the seating area is flooded with natural light. It also features a fireplace with a private reading nook next to it. If it weren’t so spectacular outside, you might never want to leave this space!

Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights
Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights
Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights
Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights
Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights

Bathrooms play up the campy look with an easy, vintage feeling. This is highlighted by the fixtures, including the pedestal trough sink with double retro style faucets and the arts and crafts sconces flanking the large mirror.

Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights

On the walk-out basement level, the staircase and bar area carry through the use of the white oak and make a great indoor base for the patio level and the entertaining done there.

Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights
Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights
Crafts camp house on Lake George by night lights

There’s much to love about this grand house because it pays homage to the great Adirondack camps of yesteryear yet is completely designed for a modern vacation lifestyle. All the spaces — indoors and out — are arranged to be convenient and luxuriously relaxing.