Because she’s the designer of two of our most popular homes AND because she’s one of our favorite people, we invited Macie Perreault back for another interview about her latest project: the dramatic Stone Point Overlook. Macie was kind enough to let us peek behind the scenes of designing such a unique space, as well as share with us some tips that we can use in our own homes!
"With water visible from nearly every window, creating a seamless flow between the interior and the outdoors became the top priority."
MACIE PERREAULT
How did you get involved with this project? What was the vision as you started?
StayLakeNorman asked me to design this home, and I knew that it would be a really fun opportunity from the start. The house had just been fully renovated but was completely unfurnished, and the goal was a quick turnaround to get it rental-ready while still feeling thoughtful and elevated. The vision was to capture the classic StayLakeNorman aesthetic, but with a fresh twist that felt unique and welcoming.
From the beginning, the lake views guided my vision. With water visible from nearly every window, creating a seamless flow between the interior and the outdoors became the top priority. The home has some high ceilings and large windows, so I made sure to source furniture pieces that felt grounded and substantial to balance the scale of the space and keep it warm, comfortable, and inviting.
The layout of the home is unique – was that fun or challenging to work with?
The unique layout actually made the project more fun! I approached the design knowing this home needed to comfortably accommodate up to 18 guests at a time, which changes how you think about furnishing a space. Instead of relying on one main gathering area, I focused on creating multiple living zones all throughout the home - places where people could spread out, relax, and still feel connected.
In large homes, especially rentals, flexibility is everything. Generous, comfortable seating, clear walkways, and furniture that naturally encourageencourages conversation make the space work better when it’s full. I was also intentional about ensuring there was a dining seat for everyone, because those shared moments like meals, games, and late-night conversations are often what we remember most. The goal was to make the home feel easy to use, no matter how many people are staying there.
Because this home was designed specifically as a short-term rental, gatherings and vacations were top of mind in every decision. I looked for opportunities throughout the home to support connection and enjoyment in different ways, knowing that “fun” looks different for everyone. That might mean a quiet chair tucked into a bedroom for someone who wants a moment alone, or a small game table integrated into a living space for spontaneous play.
Throughout the design, I envisioned friends and families sharing time together and created spaces that invite both relaxation and activity across all ages. The homeowner did an incredible job laying the foundation for this by approaching the renovation with the guest experience at the forefront. As far as materials go, I brought in a lot of plants and woven materials to continue to bring in the outdoors and continue with the "vacation" vibe.
I noticed a lot of green in this house. Tell us about your approach to decorating with plants.
Pointing back to my original vision and the goal of bringing the outdoors in, I chose a base color palette of green and blue. This home will host many groups on different types of trips, but one thing remains: all who enter are in a home away from home, and we wanted it to feel like an oasis for them during their stay.
When you're in a home surrounded by water and trees, bringing that same rhythm indoors helps blur the boundary of windows and walls. Bringing in plants creates visual continuity, which is especially important in a home like this that we want to feel restorative. For anyone whose spaces may feel slightly devoid of life, or like it might be missing that "something" that will take it to the next level, I highly recommend bringing in a plant of some kind. Thankfully in today's world there are many great options for realistic-looking faux plants for those of us with a less-than-green thumb!
What about window treatments? When do you use them, when do you not?
Even in spaces with beautiful views, window treatments play an important role in making a home feel comfy, inviting, and layered. They are a great way to add softness and texture, which is especially important in lake homes where hard surfaces like tile floors, expansive glass, large spans of drywall can sometimes feel cool or sterile if left alone.
That said, I'm intentional about how they're used. In shared living spaces, it's often more about framing the view and adding warmth than needing privacy or light control. Of course, it depends on factors like whether a window faces a neighboring home directly or the open water. In bedrooms and guest spaces, they are more essential for privacy and restful sleep. I am a big fan of window treatments in pretty much every area possible!
The sunroom is probably my favorite space in the home. With beautiful lake views and its location between the main living areas and the pool, it naturally became the perfect space for indoor-outdoor living. It's a large room with outdoor access and already had a kitchenette which gave me the opportunity to let it serve multiple purposes, rather than forcing it into a single role.
I focused on breaking up the space into intentional zones that felt clear but still connected. I could envision kids running in from the pool to grab a cold drink from the mini fridge, friends laughing around a board game & snacks at the dining table, and others relaxing on the sofa nearby with the game on in the background. Darker, durable fabrics were chosen with wet bathing suits (and maybe a little sand!) in mind.
A large room can be daunting, but if you see it as an invitation to really think of all of the ways life can be lived within it, you can create smaller cozy zones.
One space in this home that shouldn’t be missed is the basement! It was designed to feel intentionally cozy and a bit removed from the main living areas, which makes it a perfect hidden retreat within the home. Outfitted with games like foosball, shuffleboard, and Pac-Man alongside a comfortable setup for movie nights, it offers a relaxed, elevated space to unwind.
Whether it becomes a dedicated hangout for the kids or a late-night escape for adults after a long day on the lake, the basement gives guests options. It adds a layer of flexibility to the home that’s especially valuable on vacation. Allowing different groups to enjoy the house in different ways, all at the same time.
There’s really no choice other than a luxury lake house when you’re spending time in the Lake Norman area. StayLakeNorman offers vacation rentals with high-end amenities and concierge services that exceed expectations. If your stay leads to falling in love with the idea of living on the lake or investing in a property of your own, our real estate team will be your guide to making that dream a reality.
