Seamless Sophistication and Lakeside Comfort at Reynolds Lake Oconee

The living room is arranged in various conversation setups and can seat several groups comfortably. The club chairs from Bungalow Classic are upholstered in performance velvet.

Architect Tim Adams worked with designer Melanie Millner to creatively design seamless entertaining spaces that flowed from one to the other. In the dining room, an interior glass window and door close the room without isolation.

A seating area between the dining room and porch gives indoor living with outdoor perks.

A custom porch swing by Old Mountain Furniture Studio almost suspends guests over the lake. Throw pillows in Holly Hunt fabric offer additional comfort.

Shades of slate and stone complement the custom cabinetry by Kingdom Woodworks. Pendants from Ann-Morris emphasize the natural colors.

Grasscloth wallpaper by Pacific Designs covers the powder bath walls. A custom floating sink made with stone from Walker Zanger completes the space.

Each floor has a bar to accommodate guests when the cocktail mood strikes. The custom cabinetry is by Kingdom Woodworks.

The wood-paneled office is warm and masculine with a desk by Tritter Feefer and sofa by Lawson-Fenning.

Complementing the primary bedroom’s towering ceilings, an architectural chandelier by Paul Ferrante adds whimsy without taking away from the serenity of the space.

ile from Renaissance Tile & Bath and plumbing by Kallista gives the clients a spa-like retreat. Not only does the transom above the shower give more natural light, it also ensures the case openings throughout the room are symmetrical.

A Williams Sonoma Home bed is a soft place to land in one of the guest rooms.

Millner opted for blues and grays with dashes of wood tones in a guest bedroom.

Built-in bunks sleep seven. The top bunk is accessible from the side as to not obstruct the main sleeping quarters.

The downstairs bar features creative shelving that adds storage, while making the wine cellar the focal point of the space. The cellar is cleverly staged behind a window, giving depth to the room.

The home’s garden level is an entertainer’s dream. A plush custom sectional by Douglass Workroom creates coziness, and French doors open to the patio.

This home is designed for outdoor living, where guests can spend time together from various exterior spaces. The porches pull away from the house to capitalize on natural breezes that come off of the lake.

Reynolds Lake Oconee sits just 85 miles east of Atlanta, but its sparkling water, expansive shoreline, and dense tree canopy make it feel a world away. When her clients tasked Melanie Millner of The Design Atelier and Tim Adams of T.S. Adams Studio, Architects with their lake home design, their needs were twofold. First, aligned with the spirit of Reynolds, they needed a place to escape from the city’s hustle. Second, they wanted their getaway to blur the lines of ample entertaining space with intimate corners for private relaxation. In tandem with Rob Marett of Marett Building Systems, the team designed a Hamptons-inspired cedar shingle home that does just that and more.

The home’s architecture sets the tone from the approach. Windows dot the facade, giving a pass-through and unobstructed view of the lake beyond. “Obviously from the back, we’re going to bring the view in, but we successfully married it [in the front] too,” says Adams.

With the setting in mind, Millner expertly uses neutrals, choosing tactile surfaces such as linen and performance fabrics to create visual interest and a welcoming environment. A custom sofa anchors the living room, complemented by cozy lounge chairs that beckon guests. “We wanted upholstery pieces that draw you in,” she says. “Choosing fabrics that could withstand lake life without sacrificing the luxury was important with the design of the entire home.” The room looks elegant and sophisticated yet warm and welcoming without being precious. The design exudes the idea that if your swim trunks aren’t entirely dry, it’s okay.

The first of several wet bars is situated between the kitchen and living room. Here, floor-to-ceiling cabinetry by Kingdom Woodworks features doors that peek through to its contents, while a mirror backs additional open shelving. Barstools are outfitted in a luxury vinyl, while in front, four woven linen chairs are positioned to welcome conversation. “Being Irish and from Chicago, a bar on each level was a given,” says           the homeowner.

An oversize island with built-in storage serves as the adjacent kitchen’s hub. Perhaps the crown jewel of the space, the range hood floats in front of the window to expand the views beyond.The homeowners say, without a doubt, this room is the most-used space.

They also note the significance of the dining room, ideal for not only meals but cards and euchre too. An interior window divides the space from a smaller seating area. “If the kids are sitting in that room watching TV and the adults are dining or having cocktails, it’s a way to create separation,” says Millner. Adams agrees, “The idea was creating those visual connections but not having everything be completely open. It allows you to have those quieter spaces and conversations.”

When at full capacity, the home can accommodate up to 20 family members and guests. The bunkroom evokes camp-like nostalgia where adults could be just as comfortable as kids. Nautical brass light fixtures in each nook add ambient light for late-night reading. The primary suite, on the other hand, is an ode to peace with white, beige, and slate driving the ambience. Windows in the primary bathroom, including the shower’s transom, allow even more natural light to spill into the space.

During daylight hours, visitors can lounge by the pool, enjoy breezes on the outdoor terraces, or play table tennis and shuffleboard in the media room, where another bar awaits. Kingdom Woodworks imagined a custom fluted, curved bar, and Millner played up the drama by saturating the space in a dark iron grey, covering it in slate grasscloth and finishing the area with rattan barstools upholstered in leather. “When you have a lot of architectural detail, the materiality stands on its own,” she says.

The final product perfectly balances grand hospitality with serene intimacy, proving to be an idyllic escape that emphasizes the structure’s surrounding natural elements without drawing attention away from the lakeside views. The collaborative design ensures the Reynolds Lake Oconee home is a retreat and a timeless sanctuary for cherished memories.

INTERIOR DESIGNER Melanie Millner, The Design Atelier, (404) 365-8662; thedesignatelier.com ARCHITECT Tim Adams, T.S. Adams Studio Architects, Inc., (404) 262-3499; tsadamsstudio.com BUILDER Rob Marett, Marett Building Systems, LLC; robmarettcustomhomes.com