5 min readAll homes start with an idea. Some are designed around square footage, an enviable view, or the ever-evolving concept of “resale value.” Others have more impalpable beginnings, brought to life in pursuit of a certain feeling—a “we’ll know it when we see it” type of gut check that makes designing a space less about prints, patterns, and finishes, and more about the intangibles.
From the beginning, the homeowners behind this expansive family lakeside retreat in Minnesota asked PKA Architecture and Yond Interiors to create something more subtle and emotionally resonant than the average renovation. They wanted a home that embodied the principles of Wabi-Sabi, Kintsugi, and Hygge—not as aesthetic buzzwords, but as a workable framework for how the house should function and feel day-to-day. The goal, the team explains, was to create “a space of invitation and welcome,” one rooted in togetherness, harmony, and a connection to the natural surroundings beyond.
“Our client sought a space of sanctuary and retreat that felt approachable, comfortable, and welcoming to all,” says Tammy Angaran, project manager and architect at PKA Architecture. “It’s quiet and understated, with each selection having been made with careful intent. Everything was evaluated for the ‘feel’ and how it fit the vision; nothing was selected independently. The result is the end product of three teams, their interpretations of how to achieve the vision, and the careful collaboration that made it happen.”
The house itself—a roughly 6,500-square-foot residence with four bedrooms, a bunk room, and six bathrooms spread across three levels—came with its fair share of challenges. Unusual angles and awkward transitions created what the PKA team describes as several “pinch points” throughout the floor plan and, instead of fighting them, they incorporated them into the design. “Rather than forcing clean geometry, we leaned into it,” says PKA design principal Kristine Anderson. “What began as a constraint became a defining feature of the design.”
Today, the home feels deeply intentional, no matter which direction you turn. Organic materials and warm textures soften the architecture’s sharper moments, while streamlined furniture allows the simplicity of the space to translate. The kitchen, once closed off behind doors, is now fully integrated into the heart of the home, designed as both a functional workspace and a natural gathering point.
“The homeowner’s vision was a combination of the Japanese wabi-sabi philosophy that accepts imperfection, Kintsugi’s embrace of imperfection, and the Nordic hygge mindset that invites people in,” explains Julia Miller, founder and creative director of YOND Interiors. “We expressed these ideas through the careful use of color, restrained patterns, and surfaces that emphasize simplicity and imperfection. It feels like a home with a soul.”
FAST FACTS
Designer: Julia Miller, YOND Interiors
Architect: PKA Architecture
Landscape architect: PEBL Design
Location: Minnesota
The Space: A four-bedroom, six-bathroom home across 6,500 square feet.
KITCHEN
Custom floating shelves add storage without hampering natural light.
Though the kitchen occupies the same footprint as the team originally found it, practically every other element is different, including its integration with the rest of the home. “The design team set out to honor the homeowners’ vision while creating a kitchen that is both functional and poetic,” adds Angaran. Practical requirements for functionality were addressed—there’s ample cabinetry and plenty of prep space, as well as access to a nearby patio—while the project vision was expressed through light, texture, and material authenticity.
“The combination of materials is what makes this home super special,” adds Miller. “The kitchen is for sure the jewel of the home, and we worked so hard to make it exceptionally special using hand-hammered copper for the face frame and reclaimed elm for the cabinetry.”
DINING ROOM
A custom white oak console delineates the space from the nearby living room.
Created from what used to be a screened-in porch, the dining room is now a tranquil spot to indulge in a meal and conversation. “We kept the height of all the pieces intentionally low to protect the view of the lake and exterior,” explains Miller, who also custom-designed the dining table to a specific color and texture, adding cutout heards on either end at the request of the client.
SITTING ROOM
Low-profile furniture helps to communicate the home’s Wabi-Sabi sensibility.
Positioned between the lake and the main living room, the adjacent sitting area acts as a quiet threshold to life outdoors. “Wood beams and ceiling, plaster walls, and carefully crafted details bring a sense of warmth and subtle texture, while a custom wood built-in sectional with tailored cushions creates a deeply comfortable, grounded place to settle in,” adds Anderson.
LIVING ROOM
A convivial layout promotes conversation and connection.
“The living room is such a place of calm and gathering,” says Miller of the light-drenched space, which she filled with storied antiques—and an eye-catching finishing touch. “The La Castellamonte ceramic stove is clearly the start of the show,” she adds.
COFFEE BAR
Blue zellige tiles add color while maintaining a sense of patina.
Located between the kitchen and mudroom, a snug coffee bar turns a moment of transition into a functional and beautiful nook. Sleek floating shelves offer a moment to display storied ceramics, while plaster walls and soapstone countertops fall in line with the home’s naturalistic aesthetic.
POWDER ROOM
A custom limestone sink adds warmth and a sculptural presence.
“The powder room is moody and softly atmospheric, anchored by a reclaimed wood vanity that brings depth and character,” says Anderson. The limestone sink—carved from a single block of stone—is paired with a wall-mounted faucet for a clean, minimalistic look. “The composition is simple yet tactile—grounded, quiet, and intentionally restrained,” she adds.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
Vaulted wood ceilings add timeworn character.
“Texture was the most important element here,” Miller says of the layered primary bedroom, which she piled high with textural elements like a nubby rug, linen bedding, and plaster walls.
“An existing alcove, once defined by a smaller window bench and fireplace, was reimagined into a generous reading nook,” adds Anderson. “Removing the fireplace allowed for new access to the primary bathroom and created the opportunity for a deeper, more inviting place to sit and unwind.”
BUNK ROOM
Custom-stained wall paneling envelopes the space in coziness.
Miller color-drenched the bunk room in a custom moody blue-gray by Great Lakes Wood Co. to create “a super special hideaway experience,” while the PKA team focused on carving out moments of privacy amongst the communal living.
“At each headboard, a mix of open and closed screens creates both display and concealment, giving guests a place for personal items while adding subtle texture and pattern,” adds Anderson. Storage is fully integrated, with drawers tucked below the beds to maximize usability without clutter. The result is a comfortable, cohesive space that naturally invites laughter, late-night conversation, and shared moments.”
PRIMARY BATHROOM
A focus on tactile finishes creates a serene, simple retreat.
In the primary bathroom, slightly imperfect natural materials reinforce the home’s Wabi-Sabi sensibility, like cleft stone sinks resting on a stone counter and a subtly patterned tile floor that adds depth without distraction. “The overall effect is understated and sensory—a place that feels both refined and deeply restorative,” adds Anderson.
PATIO
The home’s architecture makes the most of the surrounding landscape.
With an emphasis on indoor-outdoor living, the team at PKA partnered with landscape architect PEBL Design to ensure the surrounding greenery felt in line with the home’s ethos. “This entire area was re-envisioned with a landscape that allows the homeowners and their guests to move seamlessly from inside to out,” adds Angaran.
