Nebraska lake house a showstopper: ‘It’s incredible’
There may be no slide coming out of the second floor of his new lake house, but Chip James says it’s still one of the more innovative homes in the Omaha area.
Windows dominate the back of Chip James’ new lake house, which covers two lots in this photo rendering.
Spread across two lots, with numerous windows overlooking the lake at the Bluewater development near Valley, interior designer Julie Hockney agrees that the 6,500-square-foot edifice is a showstopper.
“It’s honestly incredible,” she said. “I think it’s so unique for Omaha.”
James calls the style of the four-bedroom, six-bath house “modern barn.” It’s a design completely out of his comfort zone, but he wanted to create something he’d never done before.
James, who owns Bloomfield Custom Homes and Lockwood Construction, said, “Even my 99-year-old mother, who hates modern houses, loves it.”
It took more than three years to build the home because of COVID, demands from other jobs and the evolution of the original design. James used a picture of a house he had taken from a TV screen years ago in Los Angeles for inspiration, and he credits architect Brad Brooks for bringing his vision to life.
Chip James calls the design of his home “modern barn.”
The big vertical window in the front entry from that original picture remains, but he soon realized its flat wooden roof wouldn’t work in Nebraska and went with a pitched metal version instead.
Some of the discarded reclaimed wood from that project was used in a six-bed bunkhouse room that James is hoping the children of his friends will fill often. The main floor was created to entertain, with a big functional kitchen (he likes to cook) spilling into a bar and gaming area.
“The key was how to balance the house that could host friends and family and feel like an intimate home,” he said. “It’s a tough balancing act.”
The use of concrete and steel throughout the home is what made it tough, but it also created a raw look that James likes. He said he, Brooks and Hockney worked hard to give it a comfortable feel instead of a cold, hotel-like atmosphere.
Hockney, who runs JH Interior Design as well as several other lifestyle companies at Clocktower Village, said she used warm walnut wood, artwork, lots of textiles and fabrics and big pops of color to warm the contemporary house.
Those elements gave the structure the homey and comfortable feel that James wanted.
“I think it’s about where you place them and what you put around them,” Hockney said. “It’s how you light them.”
Skylights help provide great natural light in every room, which James loves. While windows fill the lake side of the house, the other walls provide a spot for his artwork.
He’s a big reader, and he made sure there were lots of places on the property where he could enjoy a book. The wall of glass in the office has made him more productive instead of acting as a lure to the views outside.
Chip James with his dog Joey. The lake house, despite its size, doesn’t feel too big, James says.
“I didn’t realize until I came out here what natural light did for your psyche,” James said.
He likes the finished product so much that he’s selling his other home in the Fairacres neighborhood in midtown Omaha. The house, despite its size, doesn’t feel too big for him and dog Joey, who he said is the real owner.
James declined to say how much the home cost to build.
“Let’s just say I’m never going to sell it,” he said.
Photos: Valley lake house is raw, modern but also comfortable
The kitchen is the focal point of the living area.
A large center island made of quartz with a waterfall edge grounds the space.
The dining room table overlooks the lake.
The game room windows fold open to the lake, making you feel like you are outside.
Folding windows give this room an outside feel.
A custom walnut staircase with tread lighting.
The primary bedroom overlooks the lake.
The bed and bedding are custom made.
Precast concrete walls in the bathroom.
Switch glass adds privacy in the bathroom. It switches from opaque to transparent with a click of a button.
The upstairs rec area where guests can hang out.
The bunkhouse can sleep eight to 10 people.
Guest rooms were meant to feel like a hotel, easy to clean and a nice place to sleep. Each room has a different focal color.
Chip James calls the design of his home “modern barn.”
Windows dominate the back of the house, which covers two lots.
A firepit includes Chip James’ favorite orange color. Behind it is a custom day bed where he likes to read.
This wing holds the office and main bedroom.
The house provides lots of room for entertaining.
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