Introduction: Every Detail Tells a Story
Step inside Marlese Loveall’s home, and it feels like stepping into a storybook. Every corner is filled with meaning, memory, and carefully curated design choices that reflect not only her love for beauty but also her love for family and tradition. Built on a rare point lot in Sunrise Beach, the home is surrounded by sweeping water views and designed with two priorities in mind: the kitchen and the Christmas trees. Together, they tell the story of a home built with intention, function, and heart.
Front of Home: The Story Begins
The first impression is striking: bold black siding paired with massive natural wood beams that frame the entryway. Holiday cheer greets visitors immediately, with oversized golden jingle bells and lanterns filled with ornaments lining the front steps. “Walking up to the house, you already know it’s going to be special,” Marlese said.
From the water, the home is equally dramatic. Sitting on its own point, the shoreline wraps around the residence, creating privacy and panoramic views. The location is as convenient as it is beautiful—just five miles from the Community Bridge one way and seven miles from the Gravois Arm the other, and four miles to Shady’s cove, right at the heart of the Lake.
Foyer: Where Time Stands Still
Stepping through the arched wooden door, the foyer greets guests with warmth and personality. Crisp white shiplap walls frame the space, while honey-toned wood floors carry throughout, grounding the home in natural charm. To the right, a candy-cane-themed Christmas tree shimmers in red and white ribbons, paired with leather armchairs and family photos that make the room feel lived in and loved.
On the wall, a sign reads, “Relax, really it does not matter what time it is…” surrounded by a playful collection of mismatched clocks. For Marlese, it’s more than whimsical décor—it’s a life lesson. “I woke up one night about seven years ago because I was always in a hurry, and that’s what came to mind,” she recalled. “That’s why it’s there, and that’s why the clocks are all jacked up… because it really doesn’t matter what time it is.”
The foyer sets the narrative for the rest of the home: a balance of clean design, rustic details, and meaningful touches. “Every detail carries intention,” Marlese explained. “Even the beams in the hall were added later to bring warmth and character.”
Kitchen & Dining: The Heart of the Home
If the home is a storybook, the kitchen is its central chapter—the place where family gathers, meals are created, and memories are made. For Marlese, it was always the starting point. “The kitchen came from a Pinterest idea, and we mimicked it the best we could,” she explained. “When we built the house, it was all off of that kitchen—the way I wanted everything placed.”
The vaulted ceiling, lined with rustic wood beams, soars above a galley-style layout that balances drama and function. Pristine white cabinetry brightens the space, while the custom range hood—finished in a rich tone inspired by Marlese’s beloved dark blue dishes—adds contrast and personality. The design feels both timeless and 
deeply personal, a reflection of her eye for detail.
Behind the kitchen lies one of Marlese’s favorite features: a 19-foot pantry that stretches nearly the entire length of the room. It’s every cook’s dream, filled with drawers that make organization both practical and accessible. “I wanted a big pantry because I cook a lot,” she said. “And I love drawers because when you have a neck injury, you don’t want to bend over to find things. I can just open those suckers up with my feet.”
And then there’s the tree—perched on the kitchen countertop, directly in front of the windows that frame the Lake. It’s more than holiday décor; it’s a collection of family history. “That tree is really special because each ornament represents something,” Marlese shared. “The nun down low—our family’s Catholic, and we had a bunch of aunts that were nuns. The clock is because my husband was always running out of time. The snowman is Pooh Bear—that was my nickname as a child. Jiminy Cricket is on there somewhere, and that’s just a really old family joke.”
Beside it sits a second tree, identical in size and sparkle, but this one tells a different story: it’s adorned exclusively with Christopher Radko ornaments, chosen for their artistry and festive charm. Together, the two trees bring both meaning and beauty into the kitchen, casting their glow across the dining area where a round wooden table rests beneath rustic beams. During the holidays, the table becomes a stage for gatherings, often decorated with a sleigh centerpiece piled high with gifts.
From countertop to ceiling, this space captures Marlese’s vision—functional, beautiful, and filled with the joy of tradition.
Living Room: Traditions that Sparkle
The living room is the centerpiece of the home, framed by vaulted ceilings, rustic beams, and expansive windows that open directly to the Lake. A grand fireplace anchors the space, where oversized red bells hang from the mantel and garlands weave through lanterns, greenery, and glowing lights.
During the holidays, the room sparkles with Marlese’s signature touch: McKenzie-Childs ornaments layered across tall Christmas trees, their bold checks and jewel tones adding depth and whimsy. Among them stands a small but meaningful figure—a cheerful elf with a drum, placed in honor of Marlese’s mother’s favorite Christmas song, The Little Drummer Boy. “That’s why the elf is there,” Marlese explained. “It reminds me of her every year.”
Adding even more character is a playful green tree brimming with oversized McKenzie-Childs ornaments and glittering swirls. Whimsical yet elegant, it reflects Marlese’s joy for bold design. And just outside the primary bedroom sits her personal favorite tree—a lush green beauty carrying two very special collections. One is a series of delicate reindeer, with the dancer ornament—poised with perfectly pointed feet—holding a special place in her heart. The other is the complete 12 Days of Christmas set, giving the tree layers of tradition and artistry. Together, these trees represent the blend of fun and meaning that defines Marlese’s holiday decorating style.
Primary Suite: Comfort Wrapped in Holiday Glow
The primary suite is both a restful retreat and a refined showcase. Exposed wood beams span the ceiling, echoing the architecture in the great room, while a cozy fireplace framed with garland brings warmth and intimacy. Expansive windows and sliding glass doors frame uninterrupted views of the Lake, giving the space a sense of openness that makes every morning and evening feel like a getaway.
For Marlese, the color palette was deeply personal. “I love blue—that’s why I went with it in here,” she shared. The room glows with her favorite shade: a tall Christmas tree adorned with shimmering blue and silver ornaments, checked ribbons, and sparkling lights. Blue gift boxes tucked beneath complete the look, turning the suite into a holiday retreat that perfectly reflects her style.
Thoughtful details throughout the room balance beauty with practicality. Plush seating offers a place to relax by the fire, while the entire suite flows seamlessly to the outdoor living space just beyond the glass doors. And like the rest of the home, functionality was as important as elegance. “I knew I wanted everything on one floor,” Marlese explained. “The house is ADA compatible because my husband ended up in a wheelchair, and you just never know when you’ll need one-level living.”
The result is a space that embodies Marlese’s vision: peaceful yet vibrant, personal yet practical. It’s a sanctuary where design, comfort, and meaning come together—a room that feels like home in every sense.
Outdoor Living: Views that Inspire
Step outside, and the Lake stretches endlessly in every direction. Wide porches and patios capture both sunrise and sunset, making the outdoors an extension of the home itself. “This is the corner office—you can see down the channel and down the cove,” Marlese said with a smile.
The windows that frame the Lake are treated with a special film. “During the day you can’t see inside, but at night you can see all the way through. It’s beautiful,” she noted. From the water, the home glows like a holiday card—twinkling lights reflecting across the waves.
Closing: Where the Story Lives On
Throughout the home, holiday spirit shines in every detail: candy-cane trees, whimsical elves, sleighs piled high with gifts, and ornaments that carry decades of stories. For Marlese, the joy is not only in decorating but in what the decorations represent.
“Walking through this home feels like stepping into a storybook,” she reflected. And indeed it does. The Loveall residence is more than a home—it’s a scrapbook of memories, a stage for traditions, and a place where family can gather, laugh, and build new stories each season.
