Tucked away on the shores of Lake Wormer in Waterford, MI, the Kalaj home is one of our most special builds to date! From the first render to the final key handoff, this project felt personal from beginning to end. It reflects what custom home building in Michigan can become when every detail is intentional, meaningful, and built to last.

Martin and Sofi came to us with a vision for their forever home. What started as a dream on paper became a lakefront dream designed around how they actually live and enjoy life. We are so proud to share their story!

The Vision for a Lakefront Custom Home

For Martin and Sofi, this lakefront build was about more than a house. It was about creating the right space for this next chapter of their lives.

Working with our architectural team, the Kalajs designed a home that would bring the outdoors in at every turn. With Lake Wormer right outside, every design decision prioritized the view.

Pre-Build / Initial Stage

Located at 3394 Clintonville in Waterford, MI, this custom home sits right on Lake Wormer and was designed to make the most of every inch of that incredible setting.

Here is what made it onto the Kalajs’ wish list:

• A spacious kitchen with two islands, a full dining area overlooking the lake, a wine room, and a hidden pantry
• A soaring cathedral ceiling with decorative beams, a cozy fireplace, and massive windows that frame the lake like artwork
• A primary suite with a spa-worthy en-suite bathroom and a walk-in closet complete with its own island
• A fully finished basement for when the kids and grandkids come to visit
• Square footage: 2,623 (excluding basement)

Disclaimer: Please note that the grass has been digitally added to enhance the image. The home itself is the actual finished build, and not a rendering.

Designing a Home Around Lake Wormer

One of the most exciting parts of any build is watching a vision come to life before a single piece of lumber goes up. With the Kalaj home, the design phase was all about connection: to the lake, to the landscape, and to the way their family lives.

Our architectural team designed a layout built for entertaining and relaxing in equal measure. A dramatic cathedral ceiling with stained decorative beams anchors the open-concept living space. Below, the floor-to-ceiling marble fireplace wall pairs beautifully with custom wood slat paneling, while expansive windows frame the lake from every angle.

The kitchen features two contrasting islands, white upper cabinetry paired with warm walnut-toned lowers, and a hidden pantry that adds a fun surprise to the space.

The primary suite brings the feeling of a boutique hotel home, complete with a freestanding soaking tub, a marble tile shower, gold fixtures, and a walk-in closet with its own island. Throughout the home, natural light and lake views take priority, and the generous window count reflects that beautifully.

Before breaking ground, the Kalajs were able to experience a full walkthrough of their home in 3D, ensuring every detail was exactly right before construction began. That kind of collaboration is at the heart of what we do here at Vitale Real Estate & New Homes!

Architectural render by the Vitale Real Estate Design Team

Breaking Ground on the Kalaj Home

We’re going to be honest with you, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kalaj home was not exactly picture-perfect weather! It was rainy, muddy, and a little chaotic. But it was absolutely unforgettable!

Martin and Sofi showed up ready, pitchfork in hand, and nothing about a little Michigan mud was going to slow this dream down. That spirit carried through every phase of the build.

With site preparation underway on their lakefront lot, the excitement was real. This was no longer just a rendering on a screen. It was actually happening!

View groundbreak video on Instagram

The Custom Home Build Process

Watching this home rise from a muddy lot to a lakefront showpiece over the course of the build was something truly special. Here is how it came together, milestone by milestone.

July 2025: Rough Carpentry and Framing

By summer, our construction team had the framing up and the shape of the home was finally visible. Seeing those cathedral ceiling trusses in place for the first time was a serious moment! You could already feel the scale of the space and start to picture those lake views through the window openings.

September 2025: Roof, Mechanicals, and Masonry

With the roof on and looking sharp, the team moved into rough mechanicals, getting electrical, plumbing, and HVAC installed throughout the home. Exterior masonry work was also underway, and the white brick and stone exterior started coming together just as the renderings had promised.

October 2025: Windows, Pre-Drywall Walkthrough

Natural light and lake views guided every decision for Martin and Sofi, so windows became one of the home’s most defining features. Once the Andersen windows went in, the transformation felt immediate. Light poured in from every direction, and every room began to frame the lake beautifully.

Before moving to drywall, we completed a pre-drywall walkthrough with the homeowners to review the placement of outlets to plumbing rough-ins. This step gives families a chance to catch anything before the walls close up. It is one of our favorite moments in the process!

December 2025: Drywall, Tile, Exterior Concrete

Things moved quickly in the final months of 2025. Drywall went in, and the interior started feeling like a real home. Tile installation began in the showers and bathrooms. Outside, the concrete driveway, walkway, and patio were poured, and the exterior masonry was officially complete.

February 2026: Stairs, Fireplace, and Primer

By February, the interior trim and staircase were fully installed, the garage doors were in, and the stunning custom stone slab fireplace was officially set in place. Painters arrived and primer went on the walls as the home moved firmly into finish mode.

March 2026: The Finish Stage

This is the phase where everything just comes together! Interior painting was completed, cabinetry from Lafata Cabinetry was installed throughout, flooring went down, and the custom woodworking was stained and finalized. The contrast of the white kitchen uppers against the warm walnut lowers, the beam detail overhead, and the marble fireplace wall is literally a dream. This home had to be seen in person to be believed.

Sofi’s reaction when she saw her new cabinets installed said everything that needed to be said. These moments with our homeowners are so incredibly special!

Throughout every phase, we kept the Kalajs connected with regular progress updates and direct access to our team. Transparency and communication are non-negotiables for us on every build. Our homeowners are always informed of the stages and progress, and are kept up-to-date in our internal customer management system.

Learn more about our home-building process and how we keep families in the loop every step of the way.

The Finished Lakefront Home Reveal

Walking through the completed Kalaj home for the first time was one of those moments that reminds us exactly why we do this work.

The living room is anchored by soaring cathedral ceilings with stained decorative beams, a dramatic floor-to-ceiling marble fireplace wall with flanking built-in shelving, and massive black-framed windows and sliding doors that open directly to the lake. The light in this space is extraordinary.

The kitchen delivers on every promise: two islands with marble countertops, white shaker uppers, warm walnut lowers, gold pendant lighting, and views of the water from every angle. The hidden pantry and wine room are tucked perfectly behind the main kitchen, adding both function and a little fun.

The primary en-suite is a true retreat, complete with a freestanding soaking tub positioned in front of a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the lake, a marble tile shower with gold fixtures, and a walk-in closet that truly lives up to its boutique-style promise.

Outside, the covered patio with a wood-panelled ceiling, exposed beams, outdoor fireplace, and stone columns opens directly to the lakefront. This is the spot for every morning coffee and every summer evening from here on out.

Living the Dream

Now that the Kalajs are settled into their forever home on Lake Wormer, every design decision they made during the process has paid off in their daily lives. The lake views through those massive windows. The kitchen that was built for gathering. The quiet luxury of the primary suite. This home was built around their life, and it shows.

A 5-Star Homeowner Experience

“From beginning to end the Vitale team works with you to capture your dreams, your visions and put them into reality. Their care and quality is second to none. They work diligently with the contractors to make sure not just the blueprints but also the homeowners’ concerns are met during the process of the build. From Gaspare (the owner) to Leah, Fanita, Mike, and our amazing interior designer Tonya and the rest of their crew, we thank you for making this experience much less stressful than thought. Vitale Real Estate and New Homes made this journey smooth and worry free. On behalf of the Kalajs, we thank you and give a well deserved 5 stars.”

Ready to Build Your Own Custom Home in Michigan?

The Kalaj home is everything a custom build should be: deeply personal, thoughtfully designed, and built with care and expertise from the beginning. From a rainy groundbreaking ceremony in December 2024 to a breathtaking lakefront reveal in early 2026, every step of this journey was worth it.
This is what we love most about what we do. Turning blueprints into forever homes for families who deserve nothing less.

If you are ready to build a home that is uniquely yours, we would love to make it happen. Connect with us today to start your journey!

📞 586-213-5877 | 📧 info@vitalerealestate.com