A Lakeside Cottage in Texas Has Lots of DIYs, Including a Stylish IKEA Hack

Name: Jennifer R. Thomas, husband, two kids, and two dogs
Location: Henderson, Texas
Type of home: Cottage
Size: 1,600 square feet
Years lived in: 1 year, owned

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: The Lake House is a second home for us and a longtime dream. We found a quirky little house with minimal style but maximum potential.

You can’t beat the views, so we redesigned the house with that in mind. We moved the kitchen from the back side of the house to the middle of the home. Talk about design challenges! Having a kitchen with zero solid walls is a real problem, but I love the solutions we came up with. I am the designer, and my husband is the carpenter of most of the projects including the large 6×4 island with concrete countertops. The kitchen floating shelves going across the windows really set the tone for the whole design. We solved the pantry problem with a 9-foot long IKEA hack buffet. Even the vintage-style fridge got a little copper upgrade.

Upstairs is lots of fun, too, with a stenciled staircase, bunkroom for four, primary bedroom (with panoramic lake views), and guest room that sleeps four adults as well. More than enough room for friends and family to come stay awhile. The house is very short on closets and has no garage, so we have had to get creative with storage solutions throughout the home. Those are some of my favorite features.

The house has a lived-in modern aesthetic with vintage style art and thrifted items along side industrial storage solutions and exposed beams. You can’t help but grab a drink and kick back here.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Lake House Industrial Modern Cottage

What is your favorite room and why? My favorite room might be the guest room. It could compete with any boutique hotel. I love how comfortable everyone immediately feels upon entering. The whole design was based on a vintage art portfolio found at a local book store. The art pieces are framed on a picture ledge that goes all around the room.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? I thrifted a great fluted lamp recently. It sits on the buffet cabinet and provides great evening light. We also recently added some sconce lighting in the dining area to light the refurbished booth seating. I am in love with them.

Any advice for creating a home you love? A home is curated over time. Collecting pieces you love and finding the perfect spot for them in your home is the secret to having a comfortable space that reflects you and what you love.

This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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