This Late-19th-Century Gem Turns into a Generational Abode

Boasting spectacular views of the water from every room, the historic Jellerson House on Lake Tahoe has been revitalized with a new foundation, a more open, light-filled layout, and numerous bedroom suites. | Photo: Brad Scott

Built in the late 19th century as a rooming house for logging workers, the historic nine-bedroom Jellerson House on the east bank of Lake Tahoe in Glenbrook, Nevada, seemed like an ideal place for the numerous gatherings enjoyed by a Reno-based family with five grown siblings and families of their own. But after more than three decades making happy memories there—and dealing with a mounting pile of maintenance issues—the family embarked on a large-scale renovation and addition in 2022, commissioning architect Dennis Zirbel and interior designer Natalie Zirbel to redesign the structure to better accommodate the needs of their evolving brood.

A plaster hood and metal pulls from Rocky Mountain Hardware accent the painted cabinetry and graphic Neolith Arabesque engineered quartz countertops in the spacious renovated kitchen. The Italian pendants are by Il Fanale. | Photo: Brad Scott

“It was building a house by committee, which is not easy,” says one of the five siblings, noting the process became much easier as they began to trust the Zirbels’ vision. “We decided to let (Dennis and Natalie) roll with it.”

Small but crucially important details—and unexpected challenges—needed to be addressed before the Zirbels could bring their ideas to fruition. Buried power and water lines on the property feeding the neighboring properties needed to be relocated. Numerous local environmental regulations and existing easements, including a pedestrian trail that cuts across the parcel, required creative solutions.  Says Dennis, “Land Class 1 is the most sensitive land in the basin. Meeting those requirements was very tricky.”

A longtime family retreat, the renovated waterfront home’s traditional exterior belies the updated interior’s contemporary layout and modern conveniences. | Photo: Brad Scott

Designed and built in close collaboration with family stakeholders, Forrest A. Dodge Construction, and Estate Landscape, the result honors the building’s history while setting the stage for its next chapter. A new white picket fence surrounds the home, which sits atop a new stone foundation, its rear addition distinguished by a stepped-down roof, a slightly narrower footprint, modified siding and trim, new windows and charcoal paint that crisply contrasts the crisp white siding cladding the original structure.

“The addition almost looks like a separate structure due to the use of a ‘historic hyphen,’” Dennis says. Dark siding likewise defines a new two-story structure housing a two-car garage with additional storage and an upstairs guest suite, which is slightly angled away from the house to better capture the lake views.

Illuminated by an elegant chandelier by Thomas O’Brien, the open great room features a cozy conversation zone that includes a pair of tailored sofas atop a patterned area rug by STARK Carpet. | Photo: Brad Scott

Gutted and reconfigured with a new, far more open floor plan built around the existing antique stairway, the interior transformation is even more dramatic. The discovery of wood plank walls underneath layers and layers of wallcoverings inspired the Zirbels to use them throughout the interior. Painted in a fresh white hue, the planks accent the exposed wood ceiling beams and antique heart pine flooring, which flow throughout both the common spaces, six en suite bedrooms, and a seventh bedroom on the second floor of the detached garage.

Veiny marble-like Neolith quartz countertops—a nod to the family’s Italian roots and love of cooking—accent the dark-gray painted cabinetry in the open kitchen and provide a dynamic contrast to the more muted colors and materials in the adjacent living spaces. The same quartz was used for the counter in the first-floor powder room, where a brass mirror and whimsical sconces with a bird motif accent a vibrant wall mural that creates an unexpected moment of drama. “It’s an opportunity for people to have a more unique experience,” Natalie says.

A brass-and-glass lantern by Sean Lavin Thayer, a table lamp by Ralph Lauren and a refurbished chandelier create layers of light in the cozy great room.| Photo: Brad Scott

While the family typically closed the home during past winters, the renovation inspired them to celebrate New Year’s Eve at their retreat, sipping champagne as they dined on osso buco and risotto prepared in the updated kitchen, with daily polar plunges and cozy evenings in front of the stone fireplace replacing their usual summer activities. “We just melted into it,” says a family representative. “Every little thing about this place is 10 times better than it was before.”

Antique and contemporary elements commingle easily in the updated kitchen. | Photo: Brad Scott

Sleek upholstered chairs from RH surround a table from Four Hands in an open dining nook overlooking Lake Tahoe. | Photo: Brad Scott

MAKING ROOM

Function was as important as aesthetics when the Reno-based family hired architect Dennis Zirbel and interior designer Natalie Zirbel to update the historic Jellerson House on Lake Tahoe. To that end, the Zirbels reconfigured the floor plan to create larger, more open living spaces and more comfortable bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and ample closets.

A blanket and accent pillows from Filling Spaces enliven one of the home’s comfortable guest suites. | Photo: Brad Scott

Removing walls transformed a series of small living areas into a more spacious great room with a stone fireplace, a beverage bar and areas for conversation, dining, reading and playing cards. Accommodating the Italian family’s desire to cook together, the designers likewise expanded the kitchen, incorporating a jumbo-size island, top-of-the-line appliances and a jaw-dropping quartz countertop and integrated backsplash with graphic white veining.

The bedrooms have also been revamped, each now sporting a bathroom, including two with steam showers. A bonus suite over the garage offers extra privacy for family members and/or guests with young children. Family members visited regularly during the more than three-year project, often sharing their gratitude and excitement with the designers. “Seeing the excitement was so gratifying,” Natalie says. “It was a really fun journey.”

Wooden beams highlight the lofty ceilings in a spacious casita located over the new garage. | Photo: Brad Scott

DESIGN DETAILS

ARCHITECTURE – Dennis E. Zirbel Architect
INTERIOR DESIGN – Natalie Zirbel
CONSTRUCTION – Forrest A. Dodge Construction Landscape Estate Landscape

As seen in Mountain Living’s July/August 2026 Issue.

Brass details accent the black-and-white tile and painted vanity in one of the en suite bathrooms. | Photo: Brad Scott