When Jim and Colleen Shelstad walked into a midcentury modern in the heart of Cedarburg last fall, it made an instant impression on both of them.

"I thought it was a dump," Jim says.

"I thought it was a diamond in the rough," Colleen says.

But Jim knew the wooded setting on the banks of Cedar Creek was something special. "I always wanted to live on the lake or around water," he says. The east side of the house is all windows on the first floor and on the exposed lower level, though views of the creek were obscured by the overgrown landscape. "It was more like a cave when we came in here," Jim says. "You couldn’t see the house from the road."

"We would never purchase anything the two of us didn’t absolutely love," Colleen says.

The Shelstads did make an offer, but it took Jim a while to start feeling the love. He wasn’t quite there when the master bedroom ceiling caved in — nearly on him — a few days after they bought the house.

A natural stone fountain in the home’s foyer is original to the 1960’s era house. The homeowner considered removing it, but interior designer Greg Ross suggested adding lights above the waterfall and on the floor to spotlight the unique element.

Thierfelder Builders in Cedarburg set out to make the space safe and livable for the Shelstads in just 73 days. Renovations included a new roof, new windows and a complete gut of the kitchen. Greg Ross of Ross Interiors, Milwaukee, matched the pace of the contractor to finish the project in time for a Christmas move-in. "I liked the fact that the natural elements inside were a replica of the outside of the house," Ross says. "I wanted to keep it very neutral to let the views here, which are spectacular, complement the interior."

Many of the home’s interior features were in pristine condition and didn’t require updating. Bathroom vanities, interior doors, cabinet pulls and sconces look as stylish today as they did when the home was built in the mid-1960s. Ross integrated strategic updates, such as new exterior doors, tile and granite to complete the update. "I wanted everything somewhat monochromatic with splashes of color," he says. "All the colors we picked are really easy to live with and are pretty timeless. It’s a very peaceful Zen feeling."

And that’s exactly what the Shelstads like about their new home. For Jim, it’s being on the water, "a sense of peace," he says. Colleen likes being close to nature. "I just feel really spiritual, looking out at all of God’s creatures. We’ve seen an otter, an owl, eagle, bluebirds, woodpeckers. I feel like I’m in a different world." 

Ross used furniture groupings to make the large living room space more intimate. He chose a neutral color for the Lannonstone fireplace wall, which was once white, to make it blend into the space.
	A cozy room off the entry serves as a cigar/bar room for the homeowners.
The kitchen underwent the most dramatic transformation in the update. Sue Thierfelder of Thierfelder Builders redesigned the space to capitalize on the views. The old kitchen was completely gutted and redone with cherry cabinets, granite counters, stainless steel appliances and a tile floor. "I’m used to having an open concept in the kitchen," homeowner Colleen Shelstad says. "This is not open, but it’s so inviting because of the big windows. I really like that part of it."
	The 4,300-square-foot home includes a 1,300-square-foot lower level that opens onto a backyard deck. Outdoor furniture is by Amish Craftsmen Guild II. The upper deck was recently redone by Decks Unlimited, Jackson.