Chip Wade’s Lake House Retreat Renovation

A guided tour of Misty Mill, Chip Wade’s vacation home on Georgia’s Lake Sinclair.

Situated on the serene shores of Lake Sinclair in Milledgeville, Georgia is Misty Mill, a rustic lake house renovated by HGTV’s (and Georgia’s) own Chip Wade. You wouldn’t know from looking at it, but not too long ago, this gorgeous lakeside retreat was a dilapidated mess. “In a way, the challenge of restoring the house to something great actually attracted us to this property,” says Chip’s wife, Pauli Wade. With some ingenuity and a fantastic design, the Wade family was able to transform this lakeside cabin into a family summer retreat they can enjoy for years to come.

Kitchen

If you’re getting summer camp flashbacks, that’s just what was intended with this kitchen design. The dual cooktops against the custom Daltile backsplash really set the space’s tone as a place for laid-back gatherings.

Details: Appliances by Kenmore, custom vent hood by RangeCraft, countertops and backsplash by Daltile, cabinets by Omega.

Casual camp vibes continue with a dining table that doubles as a pingpong table and can also pull off art duty as a chalkboard.

Living Room and Coffee Sitting Area

Using lake-inspired colors, the ombre wall along the stairs was finished with a sponge technique to mimic the lake’s misty horizon in the early morning.

Tip from Chip: To create an ombre effect, make sure you start with the lighter color first and then move to the darker color.

Details: Sofa, rug and coffee table by Arhaus. Paint by Sherwin-Williams, stair railing by Feeney.

Originally the kitchen, this coffee sitting area (the space beneath the loft) has been reimagined into a cozy vignette perfect for sipping a fresh cup of coffee and enjoying scenic views of the lake and surrounding grounds.

Details: Rug, coffee table and upholstered chairs by Arhaus. Cabinets by Omega, bar pendants and wooden chandelier by Generation Lighting.

Master Bedroom

“The hanging bed in our master bedroom is one of our favorite features,” says Pauli, of the rope-suspended bed by Four Oak Bed Swings. The bed is anchored to the overhead rough-hewn timbers that are showcased throughout the home’s design.

Details: Décor by Birch Lane, blanket by Pendleton, lighting by Lamps Plus.

Master Bath

Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of this elegant design, there is a lot of tech packed in here. The large porcelain tiles hide heated floors and the mirrors include voice- and motion-controlled lights. There is even a shower handle on the outside so you can turn it on while avoiding the initial cold spray.

Smart solution: Working in a very small footprint, this Kohler mounted toilet is actually located in the (very long) shower.

Details: Fixtures, countertops and mirrors by Kohler. Floors and tile by Daltile.

The Loft

Perfect for spending an afternoon with a book or a board game (or taking a nap), the loft has all you need to relax and enjoy those lazy summer days. The footlockers and the comic book tins are both vintage finds that add to the room’s eclectic design and give it a unique touch.

Details: Flooring by Real Wood Floors, bed frames by Birch Lane, sconces by Generation Lighting.

Outdoor Living

There’s nearly as much living space outside as in with an outdoor kitchen and dining area for eight in addition to the terraced living space and fire pit below. For escaping the sweltering sun, the additional covered seating (with obligatory porch swing) is perfect for sipping sweet tea and taking in the scenic view.

Details: Decking by MoistureShield, pavers and fire pit surround by Belgard, furniture and accessories by Frontgate.

Boat House

“The whole point of having a lake house is to spend time out on the water … so we prioritized the design and execution of the dock and boathouse,” Pauli explains. Stylish barn doors hide a flat-screen TV, perfect for catching a game by the shore. The boathouse floor has two platforms that can be lowered into the water to create a swimming platform, a unique dining experience or boat parking.

Details: Decking by MoistureShield, hanging chairs by Limbo Imports.

To see more of the Misty Milll renovation, visit www.mistymill.com. Learn more about Chip and Pauli at www.wadeworkscreative.com.

Click for a walk-through with Chip of this amazingly cool renovation and see all the interior and exterior spaces.

You may also like this conversion of a barn into a family house by Chip Wade