Lake Minded

An Atlanta family answers the call of Lake Burton in this relaxing retreat by Spitzmiller & Norris and Teri Duffy.

Written by Sejal Bhima Photographed by Erica George Dines Styled by Thea Beasley

Large stone and stucco lake house with multiple levels, screened porches, a prominent chimney, and a white boathouse with garage doors, set against a backdrop of lush green trees and reflected in the water.

Additional grading and digging was completed in the early stages to give the illusion that the home had grown out of its site, says Rick Spitzmiller.

Screened porch with stone fireplace, white sofa, and lake view. Exposed wooden beams and ceiling fan overhead.

The sitting porch in this lakeside home designed by architecture firm Spitzmiller & Norris and interior designer Teri Duffy boasts prime views of Lake Burton. A warm color palette complements the tranquil setting while durable Sunbrella fabrics require minimal maintenance. The sofa and chairs are Lee Industries. The coffee table is Stanton Home Furnishings, and the floor lamps are Kolo Collection.

Farmhouse kitchen with white shiplap walls, exposed wood beams, stone accents, black cabinetry, and a white marble island with three upholstered stools.

Spitzmiller and Norris compare their custom stone niche around the stove and hood to a hearth, appropriate given the homeowners’ propensity for entertaining family and friends in the space. Cabinetry by Ramey’s Custom Cabinets. The stools are Noir, pendant lights are Urban Electric and artwork is from Stanton Home Furnishings.

Black kitchen cabinetry with granite countertops, a framed black horse portrait, and a stone-clad pillar.

Spitzmiller and Norris compare their custom stone niche around the stove and hood to a hearth, appropriate given the homeowners’ propensity for entertaining family and friends in the space. Cabinetry by Ramey’s Custom Cabinets. The stools are Noir, pendant lights are Urban Electric and artwork is from Stanton Home Furnishings.

Dining room with light wood table, teal upholstered chairs, stone tile floor, and a view of a stone fireplace through open double doors.

Duffy introduced a splash of color in the dining room amid rustic metal flourishes. The chandelier is Dennis & Leen.

Bedroom with a king-size bed, light gray quilted comforter, navy blue throw blanket, and abstract art above the headboard.

The master bedroom takes its color cues from a Helen Durant painting. The Roman shade was fabricated by Willard Pitt Curtain Makers, and the bedding is by Gramercy Fine Linens & Furnishings.

Light blue paneled ceiling in a bathroom featuring a freestanding nickel bathtub, glass-enclosed shower, and wooden vanity with black countertop.

A Waterworks tub in the master bath creates a stunning focal point. Its classic charm is complemented by custom window treatments fabricated by Willard Pitt Curtain Makers. Lighting is from Urban Electric and the runner is Dash & Albert.

Office with a blue settee, a wooden stool, a desk with a lamp, and built-in shelves. A framed picture of a horse hangs on the wall.

The study, featuring a teal settee from South of Market, provides the perfect spot for a quiet moment. The desk is Ballard Designs, the chairs are Noir, the lamp is from B.D. Jeffries and the artwork is from Stanton Home Furnishings.

Living room with vaulted ceiling, exposed wood beams, and a large sectional sofa. A dark metal chandelier hangs from the ceiling.

All of the living room windows face the lake, so Duffy designed the room without draperies, allowing natural light to fill every inch of the vaulted space. The chandelier is Paul Ferrante. The coffee table is Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, the sectional is Restoration Hardware and the chairs are Lee Industries. Accent pillows are Björk Studio, the artwork is Richard Painter Studio and the rug is from Capel Rugs.

Living room with white slipcovered armchairs, stone fireplace, built-in bookshelves, and a painting of a boat. Exposed wooden beams and arched doorways add architectural interest.

All of the living room windows face the lake, so Duffy designed the room without draperies, allowing natural light to fill every inch of the vaulted space. The chandelier is Paul Ferrante. The coffee table is Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, the sectional is Restoration Hardware and the chairs are Lee Industries. Accent pillows are Björk Studio, the artwork is Richard Painter Studio and the rug is from Capel Rugs.

Hallway with white paneled walls, a bench with red and white patterned cushions, and four framed botanical prints. A doorway reveals a bedroom with a coral bed and white patterned bedding.

Duffy takes a more vibrant approach in the daughter’s bedroom, which features an adjoining seating area. Here, she can lounge with friends on an antique daybed and poufs from Serena & Lily.

Bedroom with a dark wood bed suspended by ropes, gray bedding, coral and gray accent pillows, and a painting of a man with the text "TOUGH GUY" above the bed.

The designer collaborated with builder Chris Clay to create a floating bed for the son’s bedroom. Its masculine vibe is matched by artwork by Mark Boomershine and repurposed lamps from Antiques & Beyond.

View of a wide, calm lake surrounded by lush green trees and rolling hills. Houses are visible along the distant shoreline.

The homeowners love to regularly retreat with family and friends to this lakeside oasis.

When architects Rick Spitzmiller and Robert Norris were approached by their longtime clients to design a vacation home on the shores of Lake Burton, they asked the couple to do one thing: think outside the box. “Because this house was going to be a retreat, they had the freedom to dream up things that wouldn’t necessarily suit their in-town home,” explains Spitzmiller.

In the very early design stages—a collaborative process that included interior designer Teri Duffy and builder Chris Clay—one architectural style continued to pique the homeowners’ interest. Inspired by the couple’s response to early 20th-century East Coast architecture, Spitzmiller and Norris fashioned their lake house with clean lines, ample windows and deep exterior overhangs. The duo’s floor plan also incorporated both marvelous open spaces for gathering and plenty of nooks and crannies for quiet moments.

While the open-concept living level provides easy flow, varying beam configurations and ceiling heights subtly delineate each room. Even a transition in flooring, from hardwood to stone, not only adds visual impact but also gives the connecting kitchen, dining room and living room individual flair. “The changes in materials and patterns echo the geometry of each room,” says Spitzmiller. “There’s a relatedness, but different arrangements were chosen to help give particular spaces distinction.”

To mirror the home’s architectural sophistication, Duffy took a soft and serene approach with the aesthetics. “This is a big house, so we had to be mindful of making it feel comfortable and approachable,” she says. The home’s warm, neutral color palette was selected with relaxation in mind, and practical fabrics play up an easygoing sensibility appropriate for lake life. Window treatments were forgone in the living and dining room so as not to distract from the views.

The home’s lake setting reverberates deeply in its design, from the use of indigenous materials—notably in the form of a custom stone niche in the kitchen—to the nautical charm of the son’s bedroom. Working with Clay, Duffy designed a floating bed frame that’s seemingly suspended from the ceiling by 4-inch rope.

For all the home’s interior appeal, the exterior commands equal attention. Great care was taken to ensure that the home would appear to have grown out of its site as opposed to merely sitting on top of it. And with a bevy of outdoor spaces—from bedroom balconies to the sitting porch—from which to enjoy Lake Burton’s glistening waters, there isn’t a bad seat in the house.

ARCHITECTURE Rick Spitzmiller and Robert Norris, Spitzmiller & Norris. (404) 812-0224; spitzmillerandnorris.com INTERIOR DESIGN Teri Duffy, T. Duffy & Associates . (404) 843-8600; tduffyandassociates.com BUILDER Chris Clay, Clay Contracting. (706) 212-0369; claycontracting.com.