Bringing the outside in
Tucked in the woods with lots of windows, this rural Pierz home makes 'you feel like you're outdoors'
PIERZ - At Jess and Susie Hoheisel's home on Fish Lake, just outside Pierz, the couple's personality is on display.
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The Hoheisels modified an original walk-out rambler design they fancied, adding their own touches to create their dream home. The cedar-sided home was built in 2000 and is about 4,500 square feet.
The lakeside view of Jess and Susie Hoheisel's home on Fish Lake in rural Pierz. Brainerd Dispatch/Jennifer Stockinger » Purchase reprints of this photo.
The Hoheisels wanted more windows and different vaults in the ceiling on the main level. In the great room and kitchen, there are large trapezoid windows that overlook Fish Lake. The windows in the master bedroom on the main level, facing the lake, also have larger windows that sit closer to the floor than normal for a more "woodsy feel."
"We wanted more windows because we're on a lake," Susie Hoheisel said. "We wanted more natural light. Plus, we're tucked in the trees, so with the lake and nature, you feel like you're outside, which we enjoy."
The kitchen in Jess and Susie Hoheisel's home on Fish Lake in rural Pierz features maple cabinets, granite countertops and a ceramic tile backsplash. Brainerd Dispatch/Jennifer Stockinger » Purchase reprints of this photo.
The various vaults in the ceiling are mainly in the great room, which also features a cultured-stone accent display that sits between a custom-built rustic hickory cabinet.
The great room abuts the kitchen/dining area, and all are open. Another large, trapezoid window lights up the kitchen area.
"We didn't want a formal, sitting dining room," Hoheisel said. "We wanted the dining room to be more part of the kitchen and a room that is not closed off to the rest of the rooms."
The kitchen cabinets are maple with granite countertops - with a ceramic tile backsplash with an accent for added design. The kitchen steers out to the outside deck.
The master bedroom in Jess and Susie Hoheisel's home on Fish Lake in rural Pierz. Brainerd Dispatch/Jennifer Stockinger » Purchase reprints of this photo.
Double French doors open up to an office on the north side of the home. The office has built-in cabinets and the wood ceiling is made of ash.
Another set of double French doors leads to the master suite, with a balcony where the couple may sit and enjoy the lake. A master bath adjoins the suite and a Jacuzzi sits in the corner of the master bath. A mural of a tree is painted around the windows.
"It looks like you're looking outside and it matches all the other trees," Hoheisel said.
The entryway is open and also leads to an open staircase to the lower level. The Hoheisels didn't want the lower level to be a dark basement so again added more windows.
The lower level features a massive built-in maple cabinet that Hoheisel designed. The cabinet is 18 feet long and sits next to a cultured-stone fireplace.
The great room in Jess and Susie Hoheisel's home on Fish Lake in rural Pierz uses cultured stone behind the television for a different look. Brainerd Dispatch/Jennifer Stockinger » Purchase reprints of this photo.
The lower level includes a family area with a wet bar made out of birch. The children's bedrooms also are on the lower level. Their son's bedroom features three painted murals from the book, "Guess How Much I Love You." Their daughter's bedroom includes a window box made out of hickory that overlooks the lake.
The walk-out on the lower level leads to a large cobblestone patio with boulder retaining walls.
JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.