The McIllwain family loved their 5,800-square-foot home, but …

Photography by Janet Warlick

 

“It’s a wonderful home and we love it, but my husband Jonathan wanted more,” said homeowner Emily McIllwain. “We love to entertain. He said, ‘I just can picture this …’” This was an addition, rooms that would replace a gazebo and create a number of dynamic, useful rooms. “He drew it out on a napkin in April 2014 and sent a picture of it to MG.” MG as in MG Meyering, interior designer and owner of Interiors by Design.

What was once loft space above a three-vehicle garage used for storage is now a wonderful guest quarters. MG Meyering worked with Jeff Harrison, architect, and Steve Williamson, builder, to create the space. He designed a definite flow with the deliberate coordination of the dining table and the side tables of the living room. The mirror accents reflect light and color. This light fixture has a clean design and great lines, and along with the angular wall, creates a chic setting.

Pleasant and Proportional

(photo at top)

“I didn’t want the woodwork to look like an afterthought, so I emulated the woodwork found in the main house to create a nice, transitional flow,” Meyering said.

Here he combines utility and beauty. The furnishings are simple, pretty and well proportioned for the area.


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Pretty Place to Powder Your Nose

Meyering also used flooring to tie the quarters to the design of the main home. “The ceramic flooring reminds me of refined driftwood.” They varied the width of the pieces — between 5-inch and 8-inch planks.

The use of oil-rubbed fixtures brings more of the darker tones into this room. Never one to ignore a space, Meyering’s little accents, like luxurious towels and a colorful rug, make this bath a pretty place that coordinates with the other rooms.


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Cozy, Comfortable and Charming

The bedroom is a comfortable space with angular walls. Can lighting as well as sconces with Edison bulbs along with a window facing a lake bring just the right amount of light to the room. Meyering added texture and interest with great fabrics.

“The bedding and drapes take some of the golden tans of the furniture, the watery green of the blacks and the greys in the lattice fabric” [all echo this serene color scheme]. The use of the grey as a neutral opens a whole new world of possibilities,” the designer said.


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Attractive Alfresco

“Jonathan wanted additional outdoor living space — an outdoor kitchen, living area and an entertainment area — as well as an extra bedroom so friends and family, some from out of town, can visit without invading our space,” Emily said. “I was really impressed with MG. [He helped make our home] more us.”

Meyering carried the Nantucket feel to the deck with oversized wicker furniture. Sand-toned pillows and cushions make this a comfortable space, and with a fireplace and TV, this deck, which connects to other decks, including one just off of the kitchen, is a wonderful, year-round living area … it’s just what Jonathan desired.