Prairie Estates

New Build | Bishops Bay

Bright dining room with a wooden table, upholstered chairs, large windows, and floral decor, featuring pendant lights above.

We love working with repeat clients and the trust that grows throughout years of partnership. When our clients decided to sell their home and build new, they returned to us for guidance during the architectural phase, and we were thrilled to jump in. As designers, we can walk through a home long before it’s complete, and that early involvement shapes every detail. From the very beginning, this home in The Prairie Estates of Bishops Bay was a true team effort. 

We had the pleasure of collaborating with Mark Udvari Solner and his team during the design development of the home. This was a three-year project, and like many custom homes of this scale, the timeline reflects the level of detail and coordination required. That attention to detail is evident in every corner of this home and speaks to the strength of the team behind it. 

Supporting that level of detail, our construction documents serve as the backbone for each project. These include detailed cabinetry drawings, millwork specifications, lighting plans, and full wall and flooring schedules. Built from years of experience, they ensure our designs are clearly communicated to every trade involved. It is a responsibility we take seriously, and one that helps bring each vision to life exactly as intended. 

Selecting the right builder was essential, as the interior millwork required a master carpenter’s precision. Michael F. Simon Builders was the perfect fit for this home. Not only is Michael Simon a generationally skilled company, but they were conscious of every detail throughout the process. Their craftsmanship brought our millwork designs, timber beams, and truss details to life exactly as intended.  

That craftsmanship is especially evident in the custom cabinetry found throughout the home. Finished in both painted surfaces and stained alder, it brings warmth and a sense of history to each space. As the exterior direction began to lean more rustic, we introduced a faux barnwood product that delivered just the right character. It sets a welcoming tone from the curb and connects seamlessly to the overall architectural vision. 

Inside, the home reflects our clients’ vibrant personality. They have a love for color, especially blue and orange, and that influence can be seen in the finishes, wallpaper, and furnishings throughout. For a project of this size, we plan, design, and procure everything well in advance so it all arrives on schedule and is ready for installation. The full home setup was completed by our team in about a week. 

Bringing it all together required close coordination. From motorized window treatments and custom drapery to wallpaper installation, artwork placement, bedding, rugs, and furniture, a talented group of people worked in sync to complete the vision. The result is a home that feels both deeply personal and thoughtfully finished. 

One of the most inviting spaces is the lower level. Although expansive, it was designed to feel comfortable and relaxed, perfect for movie nights or gathering around the bar. The countertops are quartz with the look of soapstone in a honed finish, and we carried that material onto the fireplace to create continuity. Fieldstone also plays an important role here and throughout the home, tying into the rustic yet refined direction and offering a subtle nod to traditional barn foundations. 

In the end, this project is rooted in trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to doing things the right way. From early architectural conversations to the final week of installation, every step was guided by a team that truly cared. Most importantly, it reflects clients who believed in the process and invited us back to help create a home that supports the way they live. Projects like this remind us why relationships matter and why thoughtful design always stands the test of time. 

Modern kitchen featuring a large island with bar stools, white cabinetry, wooden beams, and stylish lighting.
Modern kitchen featuring a large marble island, white cabinetry, wooden beams, and a cozy living area in the background.
Wooden drawers with brass handles, topped by a white marble countertop featuring subtle veining.
Modern kitchen interior featuring a long central island with a white countertop, a farmhouse-style sink, and gold-toned fixtures. White cabinetry with brass handles lines the left side alongside a stainless steel range and a patterned tile backsplash, while warm wood cabinetry appears on the island. Exposed wooden ceiling beams and recessed lighting add warmth, and pendant lights hang above the island. In the background, a dining area with a wooden table and large windows overlooks a green backyard, connecting the kitchen to an adjacent seating space.
Modern kitchen with white cabinets, wood accents, marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, and exposed ceiling beams. Open layout leads to living area with art on the wall.
Modern kitchen featuring white cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, wooden accents, and a stylish dining table.
Elegant white cabinetry with glass doors displays glassware, complemented by a wooden countertop and sleek black handles.
Bright dining room with a wooden table, upholstered chairs, large windows, and floral decor, featuring pendant lights above.
Bright dining area featuring a wooden table, floral chairs, and pendant lights, with artwork and greenery accents.
Bright dining area featuring a wooden table, upholstered chairs, and large pendant lights under a vaulted ceiling.
Stylish dining room with a wooden table, patterned chairs, floral centerpiece, and modern pendant lights.
Stylish room featuring a blue cabinet, floral chair, and a bird-themed artwork, complemented by two table lamps.
Spacious living room with vaulted ceilings and exposed wooden beams, featuring a large stone fireplace with a mounted flat-screen TV. The room includes a gray upholstered sofa, patterned armchairs, and a leather-topped coffee table arranged on a decorative area rug. Two chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and large windows and glass doors along the back wall provide views of a green yard with trees. Wooden furniture, table lamps, and framed artwork complete the warm, modern rustic design.
Cozy living room featuring a stone fireplace, modern chandelier, and open kitchen with wooden accents and stylish furnishings.
Cozy bedroom featuring a tufted bed, decorative pillows, wooden furniture, and large windows with scenic views.
Cozy bedroom with vaulted wooden beams, large windows, a plush bed, and elegant decor overlooking a green landscape.
Cozy bedroom corner featuring a textured lamp, decorative pillows, and a small potted plant on a wooden nightstand.
Cozy bedroom featuring a tufted bed, wooden dresser, large windows with floral shades, and a view of greenery outside.
Elegant bathroom featuring dual vanities, a freestanding tub, and large windows with a view of greenery.
Elegant shower space featuring white subway tiles and gold fixtures, including a handheld showerhead and grab bars.
Elegant brass cabinet handles on a wooden cabinet, with a marble countertop featuring subtle veining.
nterior view looking into a bright sunroom or enclosed porch with large windows overlooking a green yard and leafless trees. The space features a small wooden dining table with two chairs, a cushioned bench-style sofa against a stone accent wall, a patterned ottoman, and a light-colored area rug. Warm wood furniture, table lamps, and a ceiling fan add to the cozy atmosphere, while sliding glass doors connect the room to the main interior space.
Bright, inviting sunroom with a mix of stone and light-colored walls, featuring a large window with woven wood shades overlooking a green yard and trees. The room includes a wooden dining table with two chairs on the left and a cozy seating area on the right with a light upholstered sofa, patterned accent pillows, and a striped ottoman topped with a decorative tray and plant. A large framed bird illustration hangs on the stone wall between two wall sconces, while matching table lamps on wooden side tables add warmth to the space.
Bright sunroom featuring a stone wall, cozy seating, a wooden table, and large windows overlooking a green landscape.
Close-up view of a cozy seating area against a rustic stone wall, featuring a light-colored upholstered sofa with patterned accent pillows. Above the sofa hangs a large framed artwork depicting two birds perched on a branch. A woven table lamp sits on a wooden side table, while a striped upholstered ottoman and a small tray with a plant and decorative accents occupy the foreground. The space combines natural textures and warm tones for a comfortable, inviting interior.
A stylish laundry room featuring pale green cabinets, a farmhouse sink, gold fixtures, and floral wallpaper.
Stylish hallway with wooden ceiling, modern light fixtures, and a large mirror, leading to a cozy bedroom.
Elegant staircase with wooden railings, modern pendant lights, and a framed painting of a barn on the wall.
Stylish home bar featuring a dark blue cabinet, wooden accents, glassware display, and leather bar stools.
Stylish bar area with blue cabinetry, glassware, wooden accents, and cozy seating featuring plaid patterns.
Cozy living room featuring a fireplace, wooden accents, plaid chairs, and a chess set on a coffee table.
A warm, stylish home bar with a large wooden island, four tan leather bar stools, and two modern pendant lights overhead. The back wall features deep blue cabinetry with glass shelves displaying bottles and glassware, accented by brass fixtures and a brass faucet at the sink. The room has rich wood paneling, light hardwood floors, and a ping pong table and framed artwork visible in the background, creating a cozy, upscale recreation space.
Outdoor patio seating area with woven wicker furniture, including a sofa and ottoman topped with neutral cushions and colorful patterned throw pillows. A small round side table with a potted plant sits beside the seating on a textured outdoor rug. The space is bordered by a low stone wall and black metal railing, overlooking a green lawn, leafless trees, and a quiet residential neighborhood in the distance under an overcast sky.
Stylish outdoor seating area with a stone wall, plush cushions, and a scenic view of trees and nearby homes.
Outdoor patio attached to a modern farmhouse-style home, featuring a built-in stainless steel grill set into a stone and wood exterior wall beneath a small overhang. The patio includes woven wicker seating with neutral cushions and colorful patterned pillows arranged around a textured outdoor rug. Large black-framed windows and double glass doors line the house, reflecting nearby trees, while the space opens to a landscaped yard with leafless trees under an overcast sky.
Stylish outdoor patio with seating, a grill, and a stone wall, surrounded by greenery and modern architecture.
Outdoor patio seating area with woven wicker armchairs, ottomans, and a sofa arranged around a small table on a patterned rug. The furniture features neutral cushions with colorful accent pillows. The space is enclosed by a low stone wall and black metal railing, overlooking a grassy landscape with leafless trees and gently rolling terrain under an overcast sky.
Stylish outdoor patio featuring a stainless steel grill, cozy seating, and large windows overlooking a green landscape.
Modern patio with stone and wood accents, featuring gray lounge chairs and a manicured lawn under a clear blue sky.
Modern stone and wood house with a sloped roof, large windows, and a manicured lawn under a cloudy sky.
Modern two-story home with dark wood siding, large windows, and a stone foundation, set against a green lawn and trees.
Modern stone and wood house with a curved driveway, surrounded by green lawn and bare trees under a blue sky.
Modern stone and wood house with large windows, set on a green lawn, featuring a circular driveway and a tree nearby.
Modern black and stone house with large windows, surrounded by lush green lawn and trees under a cloudy sky.
Architect: Udvari-Solner Design Co.
Builder: Michael F. Simon
Photographer: Menocal Pictures