Charming Lake Martin Home

Photo: Laurey Glenn, Kathleen Varner Styling. From: River Brook Design

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Brown Lake Cabin Rear Exterior

River Brook's design team, led by Leigh and Kevin Misso, approached the renovation of the lakefront home (situated on Alabama's Lake Martin) with reverence for the original Bobby McAlpine vision.

Photo: Laurey Glenn, Kathleen Varner Styling. From: River Brook Design

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Open Front Door With Dog

River Brook Design's thoughtful renovation respected what came before, while making room for modern life. The result is an elevated home that feels warm and inviting.

Photo: Laurey Glenn, Kathleen Varner Styling. From: River Brook Design

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Traditional Dining Area With Lake View

Expansive windows embrace the lakefront views. A sunken living room—once a challenge—was reimagined with three distinct zones, allowing for flexible entertaining anchored by a central dining area.

Photo: Laurey Glenn, Kathleen Varner Styling. From: River Brook Design

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Transitional Neutral Living Room With Gold Chairs

Floor-to-ceiling windows surround the sunken living room which River Brook reimagined with several distinct sitting areas.

Photo: Laurey Glenn, Kathleen Varner Styling. From: River Brook Design

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Neutral Sunken Living Room With Brick Fireplace

The home's sunken living room had been difficult to fully utilize, but River Brook rethought the space by dividing it up into separate zones for relaxing, entertaining, and dining.

Photo: Laurey Glenn, Kathleen Varner Styling. From: River Brook Design

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Traditional Porch With Lake View

Perched on a wooded point of Alabama's Lake Martin, this 2000s-era residence—originally designed by Bobby McAlpine—was lovingly updated by River Brook. Summer evenings are happily spent on the waterfront porch in the comfortably casual sitting area.

Photo: Laurey Glenn, Kathleen Varner Styling. From: River Brook Design

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Gray and White Country Kitchen With Check Shades

Arabescato marble countertops sit atop handsome gray cabinets in the newly refurbished kitchen. The pine floors are original and help visually join the kitchen with the rest of the living areas.

Photo: Laurey Glenn, Kathleen Varner Styling. From: River Brook Design

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Black Traditional Pantry With Copper Pots

Arabescato marble and honed Negresco Mist granite kitchen countertops set the tone of the moody palette that continues through to the pantry and laundry room. River Brook Design layered in charm with copper cookware and vintage accents.

Photo: Laurey Glenn, Kathleen Varner Styling. From: River Brook Design

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Gray Traditional Foyer With Floral Wallpaper

River Brook wanted to make graceful connections between the outdoors and the home's interior. Some of their efforts included dark-painted trim, patterns and material selections that blend easily with the landscape. In the foyer, floral wallpaper echoes the Japanese maples and magnolias that surround the house.

Photo: Laurey Glenn, Kathleen Varner Styling. From: River Brook Design

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Stair Landing With Window

River Brook created special moments throughout the house. Here, a unique chair and painting welcome occupants at the top of the stairs.

Photo: Laurey Glenn, Kathleen Varner Styling. From: River Brook Design

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Sitting Area With Grandfather Clock

Play cards, read books, spend a lazy afternoon gazing out at Lake Martin. Antiques pair easily with more modern pieces to create intriguing, innovative tableaus.

Photo: Laurey Glenn, Kathleen Varner Styling. From: River Brook Design

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Gray Transitional Bedroom With Iron Canopy Bed

Throughout the home, River Brook tastefully combined antique furnishings with updated finishes, such as the pairing of Queen Anne side chairs with Schumacher linens. The primary bedroom features a newly commissioned canopy bed.

Photo: Laurey Glenn, Kathleen Varner Styling. From: River Brook Design

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Black Traditional Bedroom With Floral Headboard

Dark walls are a foil for delicate floral patterns and inviting textures in this bedroom. Window trims were painted to visually erase the barrier between interior and landscape, letting nature remain the star.

Photo: Laurey Glenn, Kathleen Varner Styling. From: River Brook Design

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Gray Transitional Sitting Area With Tree View

Serene color schemes inside—often light grays and whites—let the home's lovely views of trees and lake shine.

Photo: Laurey Glenn, Kathleen Varner Styling. From: River Brook Design

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Gray Transitional Bedroom With Blue Stools

A slanted ceiling brings a level of cozy to this upper floor bedroom. Pillows and stools with a matching feathered pattern soften the look.

Gray Kid's Room With Wallpapered Ceiling

Photo: Laurey Glenn, Kathleen Varner Styling. From: River Brook Design

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Gray Transitional Kid's Room With Wallpapered Ceiling

Much love and care went into the design of the bunkroom, destined for the homeowners’ grandchildren. River Brook’s in-house carpentry team built four custom bunk beds. Schumacher wallpaper, Brunschwig & Fils curtain panels, and a Visual Comfort chandelier complete the space, balancing playful wonder with enduring craftsmanship.

Photo: Laurey Glenn, Kathleen Varner Styling. From: River Brook Design

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Screened Porch and Flagstone Patio

The new design offers up a choice of ways to enjoy the waterfront setting. There's a gracious screened-in porch. Or have cocktails under the trees on the flagstone dining patio.

Photo: Laurey Glenn, Kathleen Varner Styling. From: River Brook Design

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Brown House Rear Exterior and Lawn

The home’s natural setting, surrounded by Japanese maples and magnolias, invites an indoor-outdoor lifestyle. Big windows, porches, and grassy lawns look out over nearby Lake Martin.

Photo: Laurey Glenn, Kathleen Varner Styling. From: River Brook Design

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Outdoor Dining Table With Citrus

A brand-new flagstone dining patio is framed by azaleas and boxwoods and thoughtfully placed for hosting family and friends arriving by boat.

Photo: Laurey Glenn, Kathleen Varner Styling. From: River Brook Design

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Rear Exterior and Lake

Tie your boat to one of the posts, then stroll up to the house. A new flagstone dining patio and scenic porches are ready to greet you.

Photo: Laurey Glenn, Kathleen Varner Styling. From: River Brook Design

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Cabin and Trees at Night

At night, the home is an inviting beacon amidst the trees. Warm lighting glows from the big windows and French doors.

Lakeside Home Showcases Timeless Southern Charm

Brown Lake Cabin Rear Exterior

Open Front Door With Dog

Traditional Dining Area With Lake View

Transitional Neutral Living Room With Gold Chairs

Neutral Sunken Living Room With Brick Fireplace

Traditional Porch With Lake View

Gray and White Country Kitchen With Check Shades

Black Traditional Pantry With Copper Pots

Gray Traditional Foyer With Floral Wallpaper

Stair Landing With Window

Sitting Area With Grandfather Clock

Gray Transitional Bedroom With Iron Canopy Bed

Black Traditional Bedroom With Floral Headboard

Gray Transitional Sitting Area With Tree View

Gray Transitional Bedroom With Blue Stools

Gray Transitional Kid's Room With Wallpapered Ceiling

Screened Porch and Flagstone Patio

Brown House Rear Exterior and Lawn

Outdoor Dining Table With Citrus

Rear Exterior and Lake

Cabin and Trees at Night

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