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PURE MICHIGAN MAGIC
PURE MICHIGAN magic WRITTEN BY HANNAH RYDER CERYS-ANNE PHOTOGRAPHY
Atop a bluff sits a home that has arguably the best views of Harbor Springs and Little Traverse Bay. It’s a striking, regal house that is a blend of classic up-north cabin and a clean, modern feel, everything the homeowners dreamed of. “We’ve got a piece of art,” one of the homeowners said.
IN 2014, the husband-and-wife duo drove up from their home in Toledo, Ohio, and visited friends in Harbor Springs. They were treated to a driving tour and were taken to the bluff, where a 100-yearold home sat on what was christened “the best view in Harbor Springs.” In less than 48 hours, the decision had been made—Harbor Springs was a magical place, so magical that the pair wanted a piece of it for themselves. “It rained the entire time and the leaves had already changed. But six months later, we signed the papers for the house on the bluff,” the homeowner shared.
They purchased the old house with plans to renovate, but four different architects warned them of potential issues in executing their dream home. Instead of unearthing any hazards, the couple decided to start from scratch. In 2018, their dedicated team of craftspeople began the two-anda-half-year journey to create the couple’s custom dream home.
A lot of hands were involved in crafting that dream. Fred Ball, the homeowners’ architect, recommended Miller, Poineau & Naumes (mPn). The homeowners were drawn to the dedication to craftsmanship and the fact the mPn was home to a woodshop. “They took great pride in their work, and it shows,” the homeowner said. “Fred’s plans were complicated, and there were parts of the build that weren’t easy, but they worked at it until it came out perfect.”
“Perfect” is putting it mildly; the exterior is a study in geometry. The roof flares with sharp lines and culminates in hidden junctures, making the entirety of the house look seamless. “There’s a detail in every corner. I like to show guests where all the corners come together outside by the three French doors. There isn’t a straight line,” the homeowner shared. Eaves and gables catch the eye but come together in such a way that is careful and unique. Out of the defined lines rises a stone chimney, crafted by local masons and integrated to the home by the carpenters. “It really is amazing.”
INSIDE, the house opens up, a vision in white bathed in natural light from the numerous windows. “Every room except the basement and mudroom has a view of the water,” the homeowner said. The large stones in the fireplace in the living room and sunroom give the white motif a rustic edge, alongside strong wood accents, angular light fixtures, muted patterns and colors, and hints of hand-forged metal. Vaulted ceilings and exposed beams draw the eye up, making the home look even larger and taller. “The house might look big, but it’s incredibly cozy,” the homeowner said.
FORM and function coexist throughout the space beautifully. Metal touches are quietly bold throughout, all thanks to Greg Melms, a metalsmith the homeowners had worked with before in Toledo. The outside arch, pot rack, range hood, newel post caps, and little details on the kitchen cabinets and the balusters make the home sparkle in small ways. “He’s so precise with his work, and everybody loved him,” the homeowner remembered. “Fred envisioned all this metal throughout the house. I had worked with Greg before, and I knew he was just right for the job.”
The real entertaining and time spent is outside on the covered front porch that offers the best views of the bay. “We had to have a front porch big enough for a dining room table so we could eat outside and enjoy the view,” the homeowner said, who is a fan of both cooking and enjoying the outdoors.
THE main home features only two bedrooms, but another bedroom can be found in the carriage house above the garage that features the same lines. Having a small number of bedrooms in the main house allows more square footage for common areas and exciting extras, like the gym and the wine cellar that is stocked mainly with French and California reds. “We usually drink Burgundy,” the homeowner shared. “Kelly Konoske at Cottage Company Interiors selected performance fabrics for the furniture. Within the first week of moving, I spilled an entire glass of red wine on a completely white chair in the living room. We freaked out, but I remembered Kelly said it was performance fabric, so I ran to get a towel. After patting it, it was gone! Anything that gets on there comes right off.”
THOUGH the pair enjoys time inside, they especially enjoy relaxing and entertaining in the screened porch. “Neither of us had had a screened-in porch before, so we weren’t sure we’d use it often, but it’s one of our favorite rooms. It’s so nice to be in there, especially when it’s raining and the church bells start ringing. It’s pretty spectacular!” Furniture is suspended from the ceiling and is gathered near one of the home’s stone fireplaces, giving it the quintessential porch feel.
THE Lone Star on the metal-trimmed outdoor arch and over the back door pays homage to the homeowner’s current full-time residence in Houston, Texas. It’s a mix of both states: a glimmering Lone Star contrasting with the earth tones of the locally sourced rocks that line the front yard and sidewalk. “I’m working on getting some sort of ivy on the arch,” the homeowner said. It’s a warm welcome that gives visitors a taste of what awaits.
The pair couldn’t be happier with the people who worked to make their wish list a reality. “They’re a talented group. We’re really good friends with Fred Ball and his wife, and we see people from mPn for small projects around the house,” the homeowner shared. Everyone from the architect, carpentry team, interior designer, kitchen designer, and metalsmith turned the home on the bluff into an eyecatching home that’s both practical and majestic. “They were all incredibly talented. We’re just so pleased with the final product,” the homeowner gushed. “There’s not a single square inch of this house not touched by love.”
Upon retirement, the couple plans on living in Harbor Springs and heading back to Texas after the new year to escape the chilly breeze whipping off the bay until spring. They couldn’t be happier to bask in the magic of northern Michigan and their piece of heaven on the bluff. “It’s amazing,” the homeowner said. “It’s really amazing.”
