- December 13, 2025
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Sometimes the happiest houses seem to resemble their owners. One striking example is Brian and Marilyn Keemer’s home in the Lake Club. It has a unique style and is packed with carefully crafted details. The visual effect is stunning. But what really sets the home apart is something you rarely find these days — a sense of adventure.
The tone is set by the enormous rhino in the living room. No, not a real rhino, but a 10-foot-high portrait. The Keemers bought it in Johannesburg, South Africa, during a recent visit. One look and they knew it belonged in the home they built 13 years ago.
Much of the home’s success is due to Brian’s career in engineering. He works with multinational companies and municipalities to help them develop systems incorporating technology and — now A.I. — to improve the way they do business. This attention to detail can be seen everywhere in the home. Some are practical. (He insisted on a subfloor to prevent cracking of tile.) And some are fabulous. Smart features abound and everything can be operated from your cell phone.
The home, a custom Todd Johnston model, took over six months to design. Taking advantage of the superior location was a priority. The site, well over half an acre, is a spectacular one, with southeastern views out to a large lake dotted with other estate-size homes. “We designed it with awesome views from each room,” Brian explains, “and we made sure that each space is conducive to our entertaining style.”
But if Brian is the brains behind the design, Marilyn, who handled the decorating, is the heart and soul. “I was looking for something sophisticated and elegant,” she recalls. “But at the same time, I wanted it to be warm and inviting.” She combed the various design centers in New York looking for unique flooring, tiles and accessories. The color scheme came early. “We both like earth tones, so I chose gold and brown.” She then added some leopard prints to bring a touch of the exotic. “We wanted to keep the design timeless, not trendy.”
The result is a sophisticated mix of elements that grab the eye and demand closer examination. Large statement pieces are everywhere; in addition to the rhino, you’ll find a dramatic grouping of Thayer Coggin furniture in the living room. The dining room is notable for the giant tusks that add panache to the sideboard.
Art is everywhere. The Keemers travel extensively (Marilyn runs a travel agency that specializes in cruises) and on each trip they bring home something new — and often spectacular. One of their favorite artists is Julio Garcia, whose work illuminates the home with abstract designs and bold colors. “His work arouses your imagination with each glance,” Marilyn marvels. Another favorite is the sculptor, Woodrow Nash. His work integrates a myriad of facial expressions with male and female physiques. The Keemers have been collecting his pieces since the early 1980s, long before he became internationally known.
Marilyn’s kitchen epitomizes the home’s fusion of the visual and the practical, but in an almost indulgent way. “I love being able to gaze out at the sunset shimmering over the lake while I cook,” she says. The cabinets are black, a bold choice, and there is everything a serious cook could wish for. Top-of-the-line appliances, including a Thermador double oven, plus a six-burner gas stove top and a total of four refrigerators. In addition to the view out to the lake, there are two prep islands, which make it perfect for laying out a spread for a party, either buffet style or with servers.
The entire home is beautifully set up for entertaining, a fact the couple’s friends appreciate when the Super Bowl rolls around each winter. Then, 80 or so of their nearest and dearest will gather for a memorable blow-out. Much of the action takes place in the kitchen and adjacent family room, but it always spills over into the outdoor living area, with its own complete kitchen or into the remarkable media room, with several giant TVs and a real bar with granite counter.
Die-hard football fans may well end up in the adjacent theater. Here, the home reaches its most dramatic moment. The seating is overstuffed elongated chaise-lounge type chairs and the decorative theme has an African vibe. Tribal masks hang on the walls and the walls are covered with plush leopard print carpeting. But Brian’s input has elevated the technical aspects. The ceiling soars to over 11 feet and the screen itself is 133 inches. There are 15 speaker zones and they are designed so that a helicopter in the movie will seem to fly from one end of the theater to the other.
The home’s primary suite, entered through a vestibule with double doors, has a relaxed atmosphere, done in various complementing shades of cocoa and crème. There’s a morning bar and, positioned to capture sunset views, an intimate TV area. The primary bath is particularly luxurious, with a large 6-foot soaking tub — spacious enough for two — that features a Jacuzzi whirlpool. There’s also a Roman-style shower with dual entries and a variety of shower heads, both overhead and handheld.
The Keemer house is big — over 5,000 square feet, with three bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths — but it fits the lifestyle of a busy married couple perfectly. Both Brian and Marilyn have their own offices, Brian’s is near the front entrance and Marilyn’s is tucked near the guest rooms. On the wall of Marilyn’s office is a map of the world with a pin for each place she and Brian have journeyed to, both on vacation or as part of her cruise travel business.
But the Keemers have reluctantly decided to put their home on the market. Downsizing, you might expect. But no, the new home may well be smaller but that’s not the main motivation. As far as they’re concerned, it’s going to be their new adventure.
