For Trey and Bonnie White, and their children, Lexi and Thomas, living on the lake represents a culture all its own and a way of life unlike any other.

 

A gentle breeze rising off the lake mixed with lingering smells of nature provides the ultimate backdrop for a life of leisure. Lakefront living is a relaxing oasis for the White family who believes nature’s aromas are like sweet perfume. The family enjoys their quiet, wooded lakefront property in Lakesite and like other families living on the lake, they embrace peaceful days watching the sun cast its reflection on the still waters.

 

For the Whites, the water plays an instrumental role in their lives because rather than watching television or sitting at a computer, they often opt to go swimming, boating, or fishing – pastimes which become as commonplace as walking to the mailbox or cooking dinner; and, drifting in a boat on a lazy summer evening often takes precedence over other activities.

 

In the summer, the family even attends lake church which is pastored by Reverend Slater, an Englishman who is 101 years old. Lake church is an event the entire family looks forward to every summer. Reverend Slater preaches at Harbor Lights Marina underneath a pavilion on the bank overlooking Lake Chickamauga.  

 

The family welcomes the opportunity to marvel at unobstructed views of the sun. “We can see both the sunrise and the sunset, depending on the seasons,” says Bonnie, “and the moon over the water is beautiful.” Trey says in the winter months they can literally watch the sun go from east to west.

 

Lexi says the family loves watching thunderstorms from their back deck. She and her brother continue to create fond memories of a childhood on the lake where their favorite pastimes are swimming, riding their seadoos, skiing, inner tubing, wakeboarding, and fishing. The Whites love boating to various restaurants along the water during the warmer months. They also like watching boats drift by en route to the main channel.

 

“We watch football games out here,” Trey says of the outdoor covered veranda where the couple and their children often entertain. “Sometimes boaters will stop and ask the score of a game.” The cozy outdoor nook, which has a full industrial-sized grill and cooking area plays host to many shrimp boils and grill-outs. The veranda’s fireplace, which is made of mountain stone, features an engraved mantel that reads, “Live Well, Love Much, Laugh Often”-- an appropriate adage for a family that spends every evening dining at the dinner table together.

 

Trey notes how Chester Frost Park is just across the channel. “We will go by boat or seadoo to the Hamilton County Fair every year,” he says. “We look forward to that. It’s a lot of fun for us.”

 

Designed and landscaped to complement their picturesque lake view, the Whites’ one-story cottage-style dwelling features all the amenities of a cozy, comfortable lake house. Trey and Bonnie make the house’s eighth owner.

 

“In fall 2005, we began renovation and it was completed in the spring of 2006,” Bonnie recalls. Trey jokes, “Each time someone lived here they added something, and we decided we needed to as well.”

 

Built in the 1950’s, the lake house still boasted the original flooring underneath its new flooring because the old original board was visible, according to Trey. Casement windows facing the lake allow the evening sun’s soft glow to warm the home’s main living areas including the master bedroom, keeping room, and children’s bedrooms.

 

Trey, a local wine and spirits wholesaler, and Bonnie, knew this lake house would provide a perfect setting in which to raise their children and entertain family and friends. They also knew they wanted to make a few changes of their own.

 

“We kept the general floor plan on one level,” Trey says. “We removed a few roofs and installed new flooring (hickory planks stained a golden oak color).” In the master bath and guest bath, the couple chose a travertine flooring while they opted for slate flooring in the recreation room and bath. The exercise room boasts sisal carpet. “In our daughter’s bathroom we used small white tiles for more of a vintage style,” Bonnie adds.

 

The Whites also repainted most of the home’s interior walls to reflect their individual tastes. Lexi chose a bright sea-blue shade for her bedroom – a color Bonnie jokes “you need sunglasses to look at.” Thomas opted for more neutral brown shades in his bedroom and bathroom to reflect a more mountainous, masculine flair. The traditional nature of the home’s décor blends well with the neutral blond-colored walls in the main living areas.  

 

The Whites expanded the home from 4,200 square feet to 4,600 square feet. “Some parts of the house were inside and we put those out,” Trey notes, “and we added a master bedroom.” Their master bedroom features a prime view of the lake and Signal Mountain via several casement windows. The master bathroom took on a new look to boast a more mountain/lake flavor, Trey says.

 

They redesigned one room which was originally a bedroom to make room for a den.

The couple also opted to add four fireplaces (for a total of five) as their previous home had several. “We love our fireplaces,” Trey admits. “We use them all.”

 

In their state-of-the-art kitchen, appliances include a Wolfe double oven/six burner/griddle, subzero glass door refrigerator, KitchenAid icemaker, and a Bosch dishwasher. Bonnie says the cabinets are simple in design and function. The cabinetry features a black finish with slight distressing; seeded glass panels top each cabinet door helping to evoke a traditional and elegant flavor.

 

Countertops made of Jerusalem gold limestone add a distinguished presence to the kitchen’s overall design. Handmade crackled tile with accent tiles of acorns and oak leaves rest behind the stove, adding a unique touch. Directly above the stove lies a metal tray inserted as a tile. The kitchen island is made of pine, including the top; it has large drawers and a cabinet which houses the microwave. The island boasts seating on the opposite side of the drawers. The unique kitchen sink features a deep double bowl with hammered copper.

 

Residential designer Beth McCurdy drew the plans for the house and suggested lifting the roof to give the house a more elongated, narrow appeal. She suggested the kitchen and dining room boast 25 feet ceilings with exposed beams. The new clever design allowed the entire look of the house to change from the inside out.

 

“It really changed the total look of the whole house, especially from the water,” Bonnie says. The house’s brown exterior features white trim and cedar shake shingles. “It reminds you of a Maine or Cape Cod house.”

 

Gas lanterns featured on the porch and the back veranda establish a calming, welcoming effect. “When we visited New Orleans, a lot of homes have gas lanterns and I was immediately drawn to that concept. I wanted them for our next house.”

 

Bonnie says she considers the family’s decorating style to be casual and relaxed. “A great deal of our furniture has been passed down from family members. Some furniture we’ve had for more that 14 years. Nothing is off limits.”

 

“We truly use every inch of this house and enjoy it all,” Bonnie says. Although she admits they all consider the back porch as their favorite place to be. “It seems to be the gathering place for everyone in all kinds of weather. The fireplace makes using the space possible even in the cooler months of the year.”

 

For the White family, living on the lake provides an unparalleled lifestyle. Their lake house is their year round vacation home. Living anywhere else would be unimaginable for them.