A captivating example of Wes Anderson-inspired lake house design awaits on the outskirts of Amery, Wisconsin, where Sarah Anderson and her family have reimagined the classic lakeside getaway with whimsical nods to vintage style and summer camp charm. Through creative collaboration, they have transformed their new retreat into a place brimming with playful touches, unexpected collections, and cozy moments that invite both family and guests to step into a world of imaginative décor and lived-in comfort.
Transforming a Cabin Retreat Into a Playful Home
Sarah Anderson’s journey from city life to relaxed cabin weekends began less than an hour north from her primary home. As a former vintage dealer, she never misses a chance to browse hidden gem shops, frequently stopping in small-town stores on the way to the family’s lakeside property. Her husband, Jamie, and their sons, Thatcher and Simon, quickly join in the lively atmosphere, their visits often beginning with a familiar round of I Spy.
“I love any small-town vintage store, especially the crammed ones where you really have to dig,”
—Sarah Anderson, Homeowner. For Sarah, every stay is an opportunity to tweak her ever-evolving décor, keeping family and guests guessing by swapping out accessories and vintage finds.
“I’m always adding decor or moving stuff around. I’ll say, ‘There’s something different in this room. Can you guess what it is?’”
—Sarah Anderson, Homeowner.
Over the past eight years, the Anderson family has made countless summer memories on the banks of Pike Lake, filling days with fishing, kayaking, and simple relaxation at their shoreline inlet. Their first property—a modest 450-square-foot cabin bought off Craigslist—served them well, but Sarah and Jamie soon wondered what life would be like living at the lake year-round.
“I started to wonder what it would be like to be up here year-round,”
—Sarah Anderson, Homeowner. Their decision to donate their old cabin and start anew led to a collaborative process with architect Michael Huber.
Despite the home‘s fresh construction, Sarah and Jamie succeeded in making their getaway look and feel like it had always belonged on the lake. By combining Jamie’s appreciation for new, polished finishes and Sarah’s passion for timeworn treasures, the couple established a playful, inviting atmosphere full of wit and wonder.
“Jamie is more shiny and new, while I love crusty and old,”
—Sarah Anderson, Homeowner. Fez hat-adorned taxidermy, highball glasses inscribed with dad jokes, and other quirky touches pepper the home, all meticulously curated to evoke a sense of humor and warmth.
When not there in person, the family encourages renters (who find the property on Instagram at @thebackwater_wi) to add their own twist of fun. Visitors often share photos in faux fur hats and binoculars, staging scenes reminiscent of Wes Anderson’s ‘Moonrise Kingdom.’ The connection is unmissable—a film by a director who shares their love for props and playful styling.
Creating Cozy Camp Vibes With Plaids, Play Spaces, and Nostalgia
Achieving a sense of coziness in a room with soaring ceilings required thoughtful choices.
“I wanted a cozy feeling, and that can be hard to do in a room with a 20-foot-tall vaulted ceiling,”
—Sarah Anderson, Homeowner. Dark blue walls and plaid-draped windows brought intimacy, while a green Chesterfield sofa and chartreuse vintage chairs balanced brightness. The fireplace, flanked by glossy rusted red Fireclay tiles and topped by a velvet ship painting, anchored the living area with a blend of midcentury flair and nautical nostalgia.
Ever the resourceful designer, Sarah updated a thrifted pair of Cesca-style chairs with a cherished 1950s Hudson’s Bay blanket.
“The blanket had holes, but his name was stitched on it,”
—Sarah Anderson, Homeowner. This memory-rich textile, once belonging to her grandfather, became both art and utility.
A whimsical upstairs loft nicknamed ‘The Cave’ is accessible only by a rolling library ladder from Alaco Ladder Co., while a brass ship porthole gives a bird’s-eye view of the great room below. The overall palette, including wall and trim colors such as Dark Night and Still Water by Sherwin-Williams, reinforces the moody, camp-inspired vibe.
Channelling Supper Club Spirit in the Dining Space
The area’s renowned supper clubs—known for Friday night fish fries and cheese curds—served as inspiration for the dining nook. Sarah worked with a custom upholsterer to create a channel-backed banquette from durable faux leather, echoing the unfussy appeal of local roadhouses. A gallery wall composed of thrifted game boards, nautical trinkets, and paddles injects conversational energy into the space.
“There are a few extra holes in the drywall!”
—Sarah Anderson, Homeowner. This trial-and-error approach reflects the unfussy, inviting supper club ethos.
Plaid pillows from Pillow Throw Decor and deep green paint (Vogue Green by Sherwin-Williams) complete the look, setting the stage for memorable family meals and lively gatherings.
Integrating Outdoor Inspiration Throughout the Home
The great outdoors isn’t just visible through picture windows—it echoes in every room. On the record player:
“A Field Guide to Bird Songs,”
—Anonymous, as Sarah, now a self-described “bird nerd,” learns the calls of her winged neighbors.
“I heard my first barred owl call early on the porch one morning.”
—Sarah Anderson, Homeowner.
Family tradition is further reflected in the dining room, where Jamie’s brother Bill crafted a monumental nine-foot table from cherry wood, sealed in the center with a resin ‘river‘ showcasing heirloom fishing lures from Sarah’s grandfather. This blend of old and new, nature and nostalgia, embodies the spirit of the home.
Kitchen with a Lodge-Inspired Ambiance
The open kitchen and great room act as the cabin’s social heart, styled to evoke memories of rustic lodges. Dark soapstone counters, black-stained alder cabinetry, and hickory barstools add tactile richness, punctuated by the cheer of yellow Leigh lanterns by Mitzi.
“We wanted the open kitchen and great room to feel like an old lodge,”
—Sarah Anderson, Homeowner.
Fireclay Tile’s trio of colors on the backsplash and the orange Milan sconces ensure the space avoids monotony, instead delivering lively surprises at every glance.
Surprising Color and Patterns Add Whimsy
Color plays a starring role—orange appliances and lively sconces pop against darker finishes, while the kitchen‘s mosaic of Fireclay tiles adds depth. Just beyond, Sarah established a breakfast bar where souvenir mugs sporting random names bring a dose of early-morning humor. Tree canopy wallpaper by Sandberg (Raphael in Black/Dark Green for House of Scalamandre) wraps this area, linking visually with other nature-themed elements.
“I love mornings when it’s super quiet. Jamie and I will take our coffee out to the porch—there’s something about that morning ritual of a fresh new start that gets us going,”
—Sarah Anderson, Homeowner. Morning routines often conclude with a trip to Pure-N-Simple, a nearby farmhouse food store, for craft root beer and fresh-baked pies, blending local flavor with family tradition.
Abundant Collections Embody Personal Touches
Collections highlight Sarah’s eye for detail at every turn. Bold plaid carpeting from Shaw leads up the stairs, while the yellow spines of her father’s vintage National Geographic magazines offer a dash of nostalgia. Panels of whimsical art and ski-adorned walls provide unexpected discoveries for guests.
“Everybody puts skis in their cabins, but I wanted [the stairwell] to be over the top,”
—Sarah Anderson, Homeowner.
Embracing Nature Motifs for Cozy Bedrooms
Nature symbols extend into the sleeping quarters, where a wildlife tapestry forms a statement headboard in the primary bedroom.
“because every room needs a fun conversation piece,”
—Sarah Anderson, Homeowner. Elsewhere, a battered wooden ‘Lookout’ sign supporting a velvet mount, paired with brass hardware accents, shows the Andersons’ knack for transforming cast-off items into clever focal points.
“One unique find can influence an entire room.”
—Sarah Anderson, Homeowner.
The bedroom’s deep hues (Ripe Olive by Sherwin-Williams) and linen bedding from Garnet Hill foster a restful, layered environment.
A Basement Retreat with Mid-Century Energy
Downstairs, the basement brims with 1970s character.
“I wanted the basement to have a ’70s vibe,”
—Sarah Anderson, Homeowner. Board games hide beneath the watchful stare of Agatha, a raccoon in a Shriner fez. Marmoleum checkerboard flooring, black trim, and fiberboard-paneled walls—salvaged from Menards—drive home the retro feeling.
“Everybody else is ripping this out or painting it; no one wants to buy it,”
—Sarah Anderson, Homeowner. Sarah’s resourcefulness shines as she updates a $10 brass light fixture with black spray paint and selects quirky toile drapery featuring hidden alien motifs from Spoonflower.
A guest room down the hall captures her “country to kitsch” spirit, anchored by a Bonanza Steak House sign over the bed and wrapped in the rich olive tone of Sherwin-Williams’s Relentless Olive.
Lake House Design as a Living Canvas
The Andersons’ lakeside retreat stands out as a testament to the power of merging vintage finds, humor, and family history in home design—showcasing how a Wes Anderson-inspired lake house design can be as much about personal narrative as visual flair. Each room holds a story, from secondhand treasures repurposed with love to locally crafted pieces honoring generations past.
Their philosophy, balancing Jamie’s preference for modern lines with Sarah’s love of the eclectic, results in an environment where every guest is invited to play, explore, and make memories. The home has quickly become a beloved rental for those drawn to its charm, earning acclaim well beyond Pike Lake.
With this carefully curated blend of nostalgia, artistry, and welcoming camp energy, the Anderson family’s cabin points to a growing trend—one where personal touch and joyful experimentation turn houses into enduring homes. As more designers and homeowners embrace such richly layered aesthetics, spaces like Sarah Anderson’s Wisconsin getaway demonstrate how storytelling, creativity, and a dash of humor can transform the lake house experience for families and visitors alike.
