September 2009

The home office has a feminine touch with the antique white desk that sits next to a display of hunting trophies that belonged to her late husband. "We wanted to tie in the desk with the contemporary sleek furniture in the background," says Krejci.

The day after the hole was dug for this contemporary farmhouse in the town of Merton, a tragic accident ended the life of one of the homeowners. The widow, too grief-stricken to continue the project, filled in the hole and put the project on hold. A year later she decided to build the home in memory of her late husband.

"For me it’s very sentimental. There are touches of him everywhere, that maybe others wouldn’t notice," she says.

"It was really built in his spirit," adds Pat Krejci, the interior designer for the home.

Architect Kent Johnson of Johnson Design in Oconomowoc says he drew the plans for the home to resemble an estate so it could be enjoyed with family and friends. "It was designed to be a house you just love to come home to," says Johnson.

Nestled on four acres of property hidden from the road, visitors feel welcome as they wind their way up the driveway to the front entrance. "It’s very comfortable. It’s a great family home," says the homeowner.

Johnson blends indoor and outdoor living areas by using an expanse of glass doors that lead to a patio and pool area and a comfortable screened porch.

The vibrant home is ideal for this family with two young children and several pets. It is the perfect place for a new start without forgetting the past.

	The homeowner inherited the antique dining room table from her grandmother, which she had refinished in white enamel by Fabulous Pieces in Pewaukee. It gives the furniture a stately yet modern look and is a contrast to the dark blue walls. "We tried to incorporate a contemporary edge with the antique pieces," says interior designer Pat Krejci.
"I love the whole way the room came together — blending my family’s antiques with the new pieces of furniture," says the homeowner. The mirror above her bed was her grandmother’s; the chairs at the end of the bed are new. "I love the peacefulness in here," she says.
	When designing the house, the homeowner wanted a large open space for her kitchen. "I want to be able to enjoy the people visiting, and I can keep a close eye on the kids," she says. The large corner windows are a plus in the space. "It lets the outside in," says the homeowner. The custom cabinets were built by Studio Snaidero of Wisconsin in Madison.
An in-ground pool completes the backyard. Stone Oak Landscaping of Milwaukee designed and planted the grounds. A large patio area nearby provides space for outdoor dining. A fireplace is built into the back of the home.