Our Forever WRITTEN BY BRITTANY DARGA PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAN HASTY, WAVE BREAK MEDIA
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here’s really no place like Michigan; and this house shows off Michigan’s best side like no other.
“We wanted to build in a place that felt like home – and a place that will keep our kids with their growing families coming back,” said homeowners Mike and Lauren McMillan. Constructed in 2019, and built by Paul Maurer General Contracting, this home was developed in a heavily wooded area on the sandy bluffs of Lake Michigan in Leelanau County. The homeowners worked very closely with not only the building company, but also Brad Shapiro, an architect from Memphis, where the couple used to live.
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The house sits high upon a bluff, and one of the first features guests will notice when they enter the home is the spectacular view of Lake Michigan through tall, encircling windows. The height of the windows not only showcase the water’s gorgeous greens and blues, but also the sandy beach and the vast sky. North and South Manitou Islands can be seen from this view, as well as Pyramid Point and South Fox Island. “We wanted not only wide, but tall windows so the view is encompassing,” Lauren said. “So, you can look out and the lake is also in your peripheral vision.” When building, the homeowners didn’t want to see a lot of trees cut down. So, the placement of the driveway and house itself is meticulous. The trees that did have to be cut down were preserved and used throughout the house in the red oak floors, mantle, beech coffee and dining room table, kitchen shelves, as well as maple trim. “We are very proud we were able to repurpose the trees,” Mike and Lauren said. “We felt so bad about having to cut down any trees at all.”
