Raising the Bar

When Heather and Brad Fox discovered their lakeside home in Minnesota, it was more of a bachelor pad than the family home they wanted—we’re talking one bedroom, three bars, and four living rooms. But they fell in love with the view and site and decided to make some radical changes. "We instantly saw the potential with the space and knew we could make it our dream home," says Heather.

The couple had all the skills they needed to lead the ambitious project themselves: Heather owns home wares store and design studio Foxwell Shoppe + Studio, while Brad owns Fox Realty and development company Fox Homes.

"It was a true labor of love," says Heather. "Every inch was customized and designed by us for the way we wanted the house to be. We never plan on moving."

As a result of their keen eye for design, the house was transformed into their perfect 6,800-square-foot family home, with five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and ample living space spread out over two levels, with a ground floor that opens out through glass doors to a resort-style swimming pool.

Throughout the home, the main windows, which are from the Marvin Essential collection, were chosen for their modern aesthetic and clean lines that tie into the couple’s "Californian modern" style, while the doors are from the Marvin Elevate collection and feature three or four sliding panels for expansive views. These two collections also share a sleek, minimal style and an ebony color option that make the couple’s vision of a seamless interior possible.