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Custom Home / Gracious Lakeside Living

You’d think that lakeshore property in the land of 10,000 lakes would be fairly easy to come by, but that’s hardly the case, given our year-round love of the water. 

So when a lovely Lake Minnetonka lot became available in Orono, Highmark partners Jim Moras and Terry Gaulrapp decided to use this exclusive location as the setting for their striking 2008 Luxury Home Tour model.

“This was a rare opportunity on several counts,” said Jim. “Orono’s lakeside real estate is a precious commodity in general, and this particular property offers nearly 180 degree views of the lake.” The vistas are quite impressive, because the lot’s position and a lack of obstructions creates stunning views as you look across the lake as well as east and west down the shoreline.

This idyllic location sets the theme for Highmark’s exquisite five-bedroom lake style cottage home, which received rave reviews during the 2008 Luxury Home Tour. The combination of the unique lot and bright, airy design is complemented by graciousness and warmth from rustic white oak floors and a lakeside hearth room.

HighPoints

• The home’s dramatic design elements include impressive main floor lakeside windows, arched openings, and a double-sided arched stone fireplace facing the lake and dining room.
• A sloped beamed ceiling graces the master suite, which also features a warming drawer for towels and a relaxing soaking tub.
• The lovely lower level includes a game room, unique stone wine cellar, bar with tin ceiling, stone floors, and guest bedroom with slate steam shower.
• Enjoy luxurious lakeside living with a bluestone patio, convenient outdoor lake shower, and mud room complete with a recessed tile boot-and-pet wash!
• The two-car attached garage includes a second floor bedroom; an additional detached three-car garage features a lake view studio or bonus room.

Click a photo below to see more of this custom home.