A Williams Bay ‘Mountain Modern’ Home Brings Family Together
Written by Chrysa Smith
Photography by Aliza Baran
Dan Leahy is resolute that for he and his wife, Jenny, time in their Williams Bay home is centered on one thing—family. The couple from Elmhurst, Illinois, settled into their new home in late 2024 and, from the photos, it’s clear that this retreat is a perfect haven for Dan & Jenny today; however, their vision goes far beyond the present. Their goal is to create a legacy—a generational home that will be cherished by their children, grandchildren, and future generations to come.
At first glance, the home appears to be a classic ranch but unfolds into a dynamic design that meanders and rises—reaching up to three levels in one section. This area includes a bunkhouse and an exercise room that their kids are lucky enough to call their own. Spanning over 8,300 square feet, the home has six bedrooms, six baths, a couple of inviting three-season spaces, kitchen, pool area, and more—like their private pickleball court. It’s a presence on a four acre, partially-wooded lot, complete with a stream running through.
One of the first notable features are the floor-to-ceiling windows, designed to flood the space with natural light and offer stunning views of the pool area and hillside. For Dan and Jenny, having a connection to the outdoors was a must. The style of home may be contemporary and modern but Dan says, “We call it ‘Mountain Modern’ because we were inspired by our ski trips out west.” Jenny says the lot is both woodsy and relaxing, yet convenient at the same time. “We love that we can walk everywhere. To the lake, local coffee shops, restaurants, for ice cream, and still feel a million miles away.”
“Jenny and I bought a place in Cedar Point Park in 2005, when the kids were two, four and six,” says Dan. “We had it for over ten years, but the kid’s activities made it hard to get there. What we wanted was to build a home for family—a gathering place for kids. We consider this home a gift from Jenny and I to our kids and generations to come.”
Dan is hardly a stranger to Williams Bay. “My grandparents bought a place here in the ‘50s. As a kid, I was there a few weekends a year.” Dan has returned to his roots, sharing the experience with family members just as his grandparents did.
Dan and Jenny identified their ideal parcel for this project in 2023, during the COVID pandemic, but the journey to transform it into their dream home wasn’t without challenges. It took nearly two years to rezone and consolidate the land, as the project involved merging two parcels and vacating an existing road.
“There were lots of challenges,” Dan admits. Their builder, John Matustik, echoes the sentiment. “It’s a great property, but it hadn’t been developed before because of a bog. The ground wasn’t suitable,” he explains. To overcome this, structural pilings were installed to support both the house and pool, ensuring a solid foundation for the project.
The Leahys discovered Matustik Builders while exploring the region, paying attention to who was building along the lake. “We felt a partnership with them right from the start,” Dan shares. “We felt comfortable.”
From there, John Matustik sat down with the Leahys to understand their vision for the home. “They wanted a modern-style design that connected seamlessly with nature,” John explains. “The home features expansive views from the living spaces to the outdoors, with a U-shaped, wrap-around layout.” As someone who describes himself as a “control freak”—albeit with a smile—John adds, “We put our heart and soul into the project. I was involved every step of the way, from start to finish.”
When it came time to work on the interior design, Dan and Jenny had one major request for their designer Donna Miceli (of Donna Miceli Interiors)—family first. “We first met Donna when we built our home in Elmhurst, then worked with her again for our home in Florida. She’s practically become part of the family. We have the utmost trust and confidence in her.”
Donna shares the same sense of connection with the couple, as her approach to the design reflected the heart and purpose of the home. “This is a super family-friendly house and the most contemporary of Dan & Jenny’s projects,” Donna explains. “It was created to be a forever family home, designed around the family’s dynamic and the next chapter of their lives.”
The next chapter will undoubtedly include grandchildren, so Donna prioritized practicality with performance fabrics that are virtually indestructible. “I wanted the house to feel like a place where they could walk in, drop their bags, and start having fun,” she says.
Once the architectural plans were finalized, Donna collaborated with designer Betty Brandolino of Fresh Twist Studio in Elmhurst to perfect the furnishings and window treatments. “I wanted the interior to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings, given that the property is partially wooded. Everything flows—from the interior to the large screened-in area to the outdoors,” Donna explains. “It’s like three layers of living space.”
The neutral color palette enhances this connection to nature, creating a harmonious balance with the stunning views just outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.
With a short commute from their home base, the family takes full advantage of everything Williams Bay has to offer—from launching their boat, swimming, playing bocce or pickleball, or simply relaxing, there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy. “There are hiking paths, forest preserves, and tons of wildlife—like turkeys, deer, and raccoons,” Donna shares.
Being just a short drive from the Chicago area adds another layer of appeal. With so many residents and friends from their hometown nearby, there’s always someone to connect with.
Life on the lake is thriving for the Leahys, and with their family continuing to grow, it’s clear the good times are just beginning.
