Gray Malin’s Airy Michigan Lake House Is a Whimsical Dream

Step inside photographer Gray Malin’s vacation home and you’ll think you’re somewhere on the west coast. The beachy blue hues and airy ambiance ooze coastal charm, but not in a kitschy way — designer Kate Lester made sure of that.

Plot twist: You’re actually in a house nestled beside Lake Michigan. And if you look closely, you’ll start to see the woven carpets and vintage accessories that make this coastal-inspired space personal, casual and homey — an escape from Gray and his family's more formal, actual west coast home in Los Angeles. Kate focused on texture, color and sophistication, but also livability and durability. Gray and his husband Jeff have young twins and wanted to use the house as a gathering space for family and friends; keeping it functional was key.

So, an escape the house truly is. It features an open floor plan, a porch facing the lake and designs that reflect Gray and Jeff’s interests and personalities. And of course, Gray’s coastal-cool photography — displayed throughout the house — pulls it all together.

This bright spot in the house overlooks the community tennis courts, so the whimsical image from Gray’s Bermuda series fits the mood perfectly. Ottomans from Lee Industries add an extra layer of texture — plus, the yellow stripes are totally mood-lifting. Guest hack: The ottomans can be moved all over the home for extra seating during large gatherings.

“Since the kitchen opens up to the rest of the living area, it needed to feel less kitchen-ey and more sophisticated,” Kate tells HGTV.com. Mounted oak shelves let the whole room breathe while giving the decorative art and view of the landscape outside space to shine. Lower cabinets provide extra storage for dishes and other items.

An open floor plan in the dining and living area as well as a bright color palette — Kate used Wimborne White by Farrow and Ball on most of the walls — create an airy main floor. Amid all the light hues, Kate incorporated a bold design choice: black dining chairs. Her pro tip: When designing with light color palettes, try adding a little bit of black to offset and ground competing colors.