A Lush Escape Right Outside the City

Eighteen years ago, Cathy and Dane Hudson didn’t know they were looking for a lake house. Now they don’t know how they would live without it.

Blame it on Dane’s partner at work: He was looking for property on Lake Lemon in southeastern Indiana. He found a parcel, but it came with a companion property, and he had to buy both. He asked if Dane and Cathy would be interested in purchasing the second parcel.

The Hudsons, who live outside Indianapolis, were familiar with Lake Lemon. When they were students at the University of Indiana in Bloomington, the lake was where locals went to swim on sunny days. They had never visited the spot themselves but were pleasantly surprised when they visited the site. They discovered 50 acres overlooking the lake with an existing home in place.   

The 30-year-old house was dated, but it had beautiful views of the water and gardens that won Cathy over instantly. “I’m an avid gardener,” Cathy explains. The previous owner had created all kinds of gardens and a pond with rock borders. “It’s like a paradise,” she says. 

The 2,500-square-foot home has two floors. The main level includes the kitchen, master suite and great room. A fireplace anchors the space, while a wide wall of windows looks out over a wraparound deck and the lake below. When they purchased the home, the kitchen was desperate for an update, Cathy recalls. “It had royal blue countertops,” she laughs. 

Downstairs, two guest bedrooms share a bath. A family room walks out onto a stone patio with water views. Inspired by the home’s original wood-lined ceilings, Dane and Cathy have given the home a refined rustic update over the years, renovating the kitchen twice. 

Outside, the exterior walls are finished with cedar siding. “When we bought the house, it was black,” Cathy says. “It was not in good shape.” Planning to paint the siding, they had it power washed. To their surprise, the power washing uncovered beautiful wood tones they sealed with stain. 

Other outdoor projects over the years have included wrapping the deck support posts with stone and upgrading the fire pit. “It was a hole in the ground with rocks around it,” Cathy recalls. “It wasn’t very safe because embers would jump out, and we had grass around it.” The couple added a layer of gravel and built up a stone ring to create an eye-catching gathering spot.

Most weekends, Cathy and Dane make the trip to the lake with their dogs in tow. More often than not, their children and grandchildren join the party. When they aren’t entertaining family, Cathy gardens and Dane takes on landscaping projects. “He loves the pond,” Cathy says. “He’s probably re-done it five times. It keeps getting bigger.” 

When it’s time to take a break, they head to the porch swing or rocking chairs and watch for wildlife. “We feel blessed that we’ve been able to experience it,” Cathy says. “It’s such a relaxing place.”

Home Details

Square Footage: 2,500

Bedrooms: 3

Baths: 2

See also: Is Your Property Lake Friendly?