CMDCO: Shangri-La Project Reveal

A Grand Lake Home Transformation by Carissa Miller Design Co.

Some projects are special because of the transformation — and some are special because of the people behind them. This Shangri-La lake house project was both.

These homeowners are not only good friends of ours but are also repeat clients. Being invited back to help refresh their lake house at Grand Lake felt especially meaningful. They wanted the home to feel updated, elevated, and more reflective of their style while still maintaining the relaxed atmosphere that makes lake living so special.

And honestly, the coolest part of this project is that we achieved one of the biggest transformations in the house without replacing the existing cabinetry.

Instead, we kept the original cabinets and completely reinvented the space by painting them Benjamin Moore “Cloudy Sky” — a rich, sophisticated blue that instantly added warmth, depth, and character to the home. Then we swapped the microwave-over-the-range for a custom vent hood that created a dramatic focal point and completely changed the feel of the kitchen.

That one decision took the kitchen from feeling builder-basic to custom and designer-driven almost instantly.

The Kitchen Before

Originally, the kitchen had great bones, but it lacked a true focal point. The microwave over the range visually interrupted the space and kept the kitchen from feeling elevated or intentional.

This is something we see often in remodels — sometimes one feature can completely hold a room back.

We knew immediately that replacing the microwave with a custom hood would dramatically change the overall feel of the home, and it ended up becoming one of the most impactful decisions in the entire project.

Kitchen BEFORE:

Kitchen DURING:

One of the biggest transformations here was correcting an awkward opening that led into a secondary space. It had this arched doorway that just didn’t quite make sense—and beyond it was a long, narrow room that wasn’t being used at all.

We closed that off, reworked the layout, and added built-ins with lighting to create symmetry on both sides of the fireplace. It completely changed how the space feels—now it’s balanced, intentional, and actually functional.

Featured here:
Wayfair’s 1 – Light Single Pendant

Cabinet Paint That Changed Everything

Painting the existing cabinetry Benjamin Moore “Cloudy Sky” completely shifted the mood of the home.

We wanted the lake house to feel warm, layered, and sophisticated — not stark white or overly coastal. The blue cabinetry added richness and personality while still feeling timeless and approachable.

It paired beautifully with:

brass accents
warm wood tones
natural textures
layered neutrals
updated lighting

The result feels elevated while still remaining comfortable and livable for weekends at the lake.

Featured here:
Decorative Vase & Acrylic Barstools

Featured here:
Double Drum Chandelier & Curved Open Back Chair

The Power of a Vent Hood

The moment the hood was installed, the entire kitchen transformed.

Instead of your eye stopping at a bulky appliance, the hood created height, architectural interest, and a true statement moment within the space.

The kitchen instantly felt:

more custom
more luxurious
more open
more intentional

It’s one of our favorite examples of how strategic updates can create massive visual impact without requiring a full renovation.

Designing for Real Life

One thing we always prioritize in our projects is creating homes that are not only beautiful, but functional for the way our clients actually live

This lake house needed to work for:

entertaining
hosting family and friends
relaxed weekends
everyday comfort
making memories at the lake

Throughout the home, we layered:

warm textures
soft furnishings
statement lighting
collected styling pieces
timeless finishes

Every design decision was intentional in helping the home feel inviting, elevated, and effortless.

The Fireplace Transformation

One of the most dramatic changes in the entire home happened the moment you walked through the front door.

Originally, the fireplace was awkwardly positioned within the entryway and immediately disrupted the flow of the space. Rather than feeling like a focal point, it felt visually disconnected from the rest of the home and prevented the main living area from reaching its full potential.

We completely reimagined the layout by removing the original fireplace and creating a new high-impact focal wall centered perfectly within the main living space.

We installed a sleek remote-control electric fireplace that instantly modernized the room while creating a cleaner, more architectural look.

The new fireplace wall completely transformed the feel of the home. It brought symmetry, balance, and intention to the space while allowing the entire main living area to feel larger, calmer, and far more elevated.

One of our favorite details from this project was incorporating a hidden door within the fireplace wall to conceal all of the AV components and storage behind it. Not only did this allow the design to remain clean and minimal, but it also gave the homeowners practical hidden storage without sacrificing aesthetics.

The final result feels custom, seamless, and incredibly impactful — the kind of feature that completely changes the first impression of a home.

Living Room BEFORE

Living Room AFTER

The Powder Bath Remodel

The powder bath became one of my favorite spaces in the house when we were completed with the renovation.

We wanted this space to feel dramatic, elevated, and memorable while still tying cohesively into the overall warmth and sophistication of the home. Since powder baths are smaller spaces, they create the perfect opportunity to take a little more risk with design choices and create a high-impact moment.

Through layered textures, updated finishes, and carefully selected materials, the room was completely transformed from dated and forgettable into a space full of personality and character.

The finished powder bath feels moody, sophisticated, and custom — proof that even smaller spaces can make a huge statement when thoughtful design details are prioritized.

Featured here:
Wayfair’s 2 Handle Faucet, Wabash Mirror

The Master Bathroom Remodel

The master bathroom transformation was another major highlight of the project.

Our goal was to create a space that felt luxurious, calming, and timeless while still functioning well for everyday life at the lake. We focused heavily on creating a spa-like atmosphere through the use of layered textures, elevated finishes, and a softer, more refined color palette.

By updating materials, improving the visual flow of the room, and incorporating more intentional design details throughout, the bathroom now feels dramatically more custom and cohesive.

The end result is a master bathroom that feels bright, elevated, and relaxing — a space that perfectly complements the rest of the home while still feeling like a private retreat for the homeowners.

The Final Result

This Shangri-La project became one of our favorite examples of how thoughtful design decisions can completely redefine a home.

By keeping the original cabinetry, introducing a bold paint color, and creating a custom focal point with the vent hood, we were able to dramatically transform the kitchen — and ultimately the entire feeling of the home — without a complete gut renovation.

The finished result feels timeless, layered, welcoming, and perfectly suited for elevated lake living on Grand Lake.