A quiet sanctuary of tranquility and peace in South Vienna, Lake Sylvan puts the wonders of nature on full display. And just as natural beauty reigns here, so too do beautiful homes.
The Warnock family chose to have their second home built on Lake Sylvan not only to take advantage of the pristine views but also to create a family retreat where they could get away from the commotion of the big city.
“We live a fast-paced life,” explains Andy Warnock. “So, we wanted a retreat where we could find relaxation, comfort and coziness. That was also the heartbeat of what we were trying to accomplish with the home’s design.”
To achieve this, Andy and his wife Ashley partnered with custom home builder G.A. White, as well as Mauk Cabinets by Design. A custom cabinet designer and builder for 30 years, Aaron Mauk explains that he especially enjoys designing cabinetry for new home builds. “With a new build, you can extend your wings a bit and do things you wouldn’t normally do,” he says.
Clear vision
Fortunately for everyone involved in the process, Ashley has a keen eye for design. “She’s that rare customer who has a firm grasp on what she wants,” says Aaron, adding that she was not afraid to push boundaries when it came to color and style. For instance, in the kitchen, which is the home’s center, three different finishes are on display. “It could have been daunting, but she knew what she wanted, and we pulled it off,” adds Aaron.
Specifically, the hood features crisp white shiplap resting on a distinctive distressed cherry base. For its part, the cabinetry mixes the calming blue of Gale Force (from the high-end custom line of Dura Supreme) with the painted Classic White finish running along the island’s bottom. “A lot of times people want to stay in their comfort zone,” Aaron says, “but to do the top a little different than the bottom is more daring.”
“Most of the cabinetry is painted,” he adds. “And the kitchen’s perimeter has floating shelves in a stained cherry heirloom finish. We could have left it at cherry, but the distress heirloom finish gives it more panache.”
Center stage
Today’s islands, even when they are expansive, feel cozier and more intimate than those of the past, and Andy explains how this kitchen and the island in particular—has become the home’s congregating space. “We love to host. We play cards and serve meals at the island,” he says. “With a family of six, we are often in our own corners of the house at our personal residence. But the kitchen at the lake draws people in.”
The kitchen’s distinctive hardware is pleasing to both the eye and touch, while cozy banquette seating provides another gathering spot and features lift-up lids for access and storage inside the bench. For even more storage, there is a mudroom off of the main kitchen that passes through to the garage. A practical but aesthetically pleasing addition for the active family, the mudroom has built-in cabinets that organize everything needed for hobbies, sports and daily living.
Resourceful touches
Back in the kitchen, there is a repurposed gymnasium door that serves as a unique entry to the pantry. As a real estate developer, Andy has the opportunity to salvage historical items and creatively reuse them. Case in point: the home’s bright and inviting entranceway encompasses a row of built-in mailboxes from a 1900s apartment building, and near the garage, hangs a salvaged scoreboard from an old school that was set to be demolished.
Rooms with a view
The home’s living area is an open, vaulted space and a seamless expansion of the kitchen, with the materials and hues in both spaces complementing each other. The lure of both the living area and the kitchen is that both boast a 180-degree view of the lake. “No matter where you are in either of those rooms, you get a beautiful view of the lake,” Andy says. “The way the kitchen flows, it allows someone who is preparing meals to have that million-dollar view.”
He also loves his home office, which he calls a “very easy place to be productive.” Here again, the lake serves as the backdrop, but there are also breathtaking views of the stream behind the home. There are more custom built-ins and a two-sided fireplace that heats the office and living space.
Lower-level living
The kids’ den, fitness center and lower-level garage comprise the basement, along with a bar area that opens out to the lake. The bar’s cabinetry has a stained graphite finish. This hybrid mix of warm gray and brown tones creates a soothing lakeside palette.
The enclosed patio off the lower level is one of Ashley’s favorite spots in the home. “It’s a place to put our feet up and unwind—and to be in nature without the bugs getting the best of us,” Andy says with a laugh.
RESOURCES Architect Arch City Design Company Builder G.A. White Interior design Homeowner Kitchen and bathroom design Mauk Cabinets by Design Landscape designer 9 Trees Landscape Construction Lighting Restoration Hardware Furniture and accessories Trove Warehouse Window treatments Q Motion Blinds Windows and doors Andersen Fireplace Heat n Glo Kitchen countertops Cambria Brittanica Kitchen backsplash Equipe Country Blanco, Hamilton Parker Kitchen sink Kohler Kitchen faucets Brizo Appliances KitchenAid
Article by Lee Rhodes | Photos by Dawn M Smith
Article originally appeared in May 2025