Embracing Waterfront Living

Builder: Monarch Custom Homes

Pops of ocean blues decorate Carol and Clark Emmerson’s home on the Spokane River. Serving as a bold yet fitting accent to a largely neutral canvas, the blues play into the water theme that runs through this two-story, 2,600-square-foot home.

The Emmersons bought the river property on a “whim” Carol says. They spotted the land while taking a boat ride down the river. “We’re hoping it will be our retirement home,” she says.

“I love the water,” says Carol, who was raised near Puget Sound. “Growing up, my folks just instilled the love of water in me.”

It’s a love she shares with her husband; their first home together was one that floated on Lake Union in Seattle.

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“Ever since we’ve been together, we’ve lived near the water,” she says.

So it’s no surprise the water on which their Coeur d’Alene home sits influenced their design and decorating ideas.

Bubbled glass light fixtures and wavy patterns are found in every room. Yet, Carol pulled in other elements as well, including earth and fire.

A wall of white and beige sparkling stone holds 10 votive candles. She stumbled across the idea and thought it would make an interesting focal point in the wide-open great room.

A shimmering stone wall holds 10 votive candles that can be lit by remote.

“I thought it would be fun,” she says. “I just fell in love with it.”

A sliding barn door made of wood represents the earth element. The wood is from the Emmerson’s former property in Hood River. The door, which conceals the staircase to the master suite, evokes happy memories for the couple and also reflects their new rustic life in North Idaho. The wood was cut in a shape that mimics waves. Though it has a function, it also serves as art.

This handmade, sliding barnwood door creatively conceals the master suite.

The wave pattern continues on the couple’s kitchen island, which features a built-in LED blue light that illuminates the transparent bar stools.

“It’s something kind of fun and funky,” Carol says. “We like it.”

This LED-lit island creates a fun, dramatic look to the contemporary kitchen.

Her dad’s old water ski on the deck, three large Indian art pictures on the wall, pottery from their home in Mexico and an impressive collection of ski badges combine to create an eclectic vibe.

“A lot of it may not work to some,” Carol says, with a laugh. “But it’s us.” N

By Kristina Lyman
Photography By Joel Riner

As Featured In: Winter/Spring 2018