Before & After: An L.A. Couple Convert a Dated Ohio Home Into a Light-Filled Retreat

When music and entertainment professionals Harvey Mason, Jr., and Britt Burton Mason were looking for a new home to get away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, they surprised all of their California colleagues by picking a fixer-upper in the middle of rural Ohio. "I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this place is incredible!’" says Harvey. "I really love the people. I love the energy. I love the scenery."

Originally built in the 1940s by an architect that studied under Frank Lloyd Wright, the single-story house—now named Stonestill Lodge—was situated on a peninsula with water on all sides. While the location couldn’t be more serene, "It was in a bit of a time capsule," says Britt. "We bought it from this lovely couple in their late eighties. They raised their family in this home, and it was a beautiful layout. We saw the vision and what it could be for us."

In addition to the idyllic and private setting, the home’s stonework (including the original stone foundation) and spacious floor plan all played a role in convincing the Masons to make the leap to the Midwest. Britt grew up in Ohio, so it was also a return to her roots—and the couple surrendered to the change and challenge to completely customize the home into their personal lakeside retreat.

Before: Exterior

After: Exterior

In order to make sure the home felt like it was a part of the landscape, the first goal was revamping the exterior. Emphasizing a connection with nature, Harvey and Britt decided that a significant focus of the renovation would be adding large windows and doors to optimize the light and views. "Everywhere you look, we wanted to see glass," says Harvey, "We wanted to see through into nature, see the lake, see the trees. We even wanted to make sure the bedrooms took advantage of the views."