The Lake’s unusual 3-story home is immediately distinguished by its side entrance. But there, any-resemblance to other neighborhood homes ends as Rich and Venita Lake worked with 2 earlier interior renovations of their house to create extremely contemporary-feeling spaces.
Some time ago, previous owners of this house, in an effort to remodel, removed all the interior woodwork and boarded and plastered over a large 3- panel stained glass window, both favorite features of Skinker-DeBaliviere residents.
The house then passed through a period of neglect before being purchased for renewal by neighborhood resident. Ken Cohen
A skillful job of “putting the house together again” attracted the Lakes from Carbondale last spring as they sought a neighborhood consistent with their interests and closer to his teaching job at Florissant Valley College. They played upon the earlier “look” of the house, using bold colors as accents to the best advantage against stark white walls. Special note should be taken in the living room of the stone fireplace flanked by a slate floor which replaces a damaged area of hardwood flooring.
The dining room exhibits some of the Lake’s hobbies. Needlepoint is a chief interest of both of them. The Eagle was crafted by Venita, and the Liberty Bell by Rich. Plants growing in the bay reflect avid gardeners at work. They not only utilize their back yard for vegetables but share another large lot with friends for their totally organic garden. They contribute a monthly column to The Paper on various aspects of organic gardening and Venita supervises The Paper’s layout staff.
Of interest is the modern but wholly individualized kitchen. Featured are a bright green countertop and functional track lighting encased in an attractive wood frame designed and built by Rich Lake.
The 3-story house contains four bedrooms and a large multi-purpose room on the third floor which is the family’s favorite room. Further samples of family craftsmanship can be seen in 3rd floor re-finished furniture and the shades and curtains in many rooms.
The house, which has undergone extreme renovation with creative help from the Lakes and their two children, stands the tests of livability and versatility admirably.
Originally published in The Paper, May 1975.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1975_05.pdf, printed page(s) 7; PDF page(s) 7.
