Lake Lydiard Home by Wittman Estes: A Historic Minnesota Estate Reimagined

Located in Wayzata, Minnesota, the Lake Lydiard Home, designed by Wittman Estes, is a masterful remodel of a historic 3-acre country estate. Originally a series of disconnected interiors and mismatched styles accumulated over five renovations spanning a century, this 8,945-square-foot residence has been transformed into a modern, cohesive home that balances historic charm with contemporary design.

The project began with the vision of a California-based fashion designer and their family, who sought to adapt their indoor-outdoor lifestyle to the colder Minnesota climate. The original estate, with its dim, segmented rooms and heavy postmodern exterior additions, restricted sightlines and felt closed-off from the surrounding natural beauty. Wittman Estes approached the remodel with a strategy that emphasized openness, light, and the connection between interior spaces and the stunning lakeside landscape.

Key interventions included replacing the blocky central stairwell with a sculptural, curving staircase, expanding windows and doors to frame lake and forest views, and adding a white oak entry door with a steel and cedar trellis to blend California warmth with the classic façade. The interior now features warm white oak casework, marble countertops, terrazzo tile floors, and new wood soffits that enhance texture and light. In the kitchen, a single central bi-level island replaced the dark, heavy islands of the past, creating a more fluid, functional space.

The entertainment room, formerly dominated by a 1990s brick fireplace, now features a plaster fireplace with a precast concrete hearth, seamlessly integrating modern design with historic elements. Expanded doors and elevated windows draw natural light into the living spaces, reinforcing the home's connection to its lakeside surroundings.

This thoughtful renovation not only modernizes the historic Minnesota estate but also improves its functionality for entertaining and family living. Indoor and outdoor areas now flow effortlessly, allowing the family to enjoy decks, a pool, and lakefront views throughout the seasons. The collaboration between architect and client—rooted in over ten years of experience—achieves a timeless aesthetic that harmonizes historic architecture, contemporary living, and a love for nature.

All Photographs are works of  Daniel Jenkins