Soft English Accent

LOCATION

SUTTONS BAY

BUILDER

TRILLIUM SHORE CUSTOM HOMES TRILLIUMSHORE.COM

a soft english accent

THIS BRAND-NEW HOME EMBODIES A COZY EUROPEAN AESTHETIC.

Text by Elizabeth Edwards // Photos by Speckman Photography and Jamie Wilkins

Driving up the winding driveway to this stunning home in Leelanau wine country, you're struck by the way it looks as though it's been on this hillside for generations. A stone chimney and a wrought iron balcony speak of older generations, while bands of red brick and honey-colored cedar siding feel more contemporary. The lovely fusion of periods is particularly fitting for the homeowner, Hazel Brown, who comes from Sheffield, England, but recently moved to Northern Michigan with her husband, Regis, by way of Burbank, California—just as the home was finished. “We are so excited to be here—we plan to be here year-round,” says Hazel.

And no doubt, the couple will be cozy come winter. Just inside the front door, the efficient kitchen feels as snug as an English cottage with its stained white oak floor, under-mounted farmhouse sink, rustic leathered countertops and classic British AGA dual-fuel range. The range backsplash, a tiled replica of Van Gogh's famous painting, "Poppies" (Hazel’s favorite flower and the name of the black lab who greets you at the door), highlights the kitchen’s Euro flavor. That poppy red (or call it the red of an English phone booth?) is picked up in colored-metal pendant lights above the counter.

The couple wanted a floor plan that was open but also defined, giving the spaces an intimate feeling. The solution is old-world -style brick arches that separate the kitchen from the living and dining rooms. A fieldstone fireplace in one corner of the room adds to (literally and figuratively) the room’s warmth. Everything here relaxes—and draws you to the room’s focal point: Glass sliding doors that lead to that wrought iron balcony, and its leafy view that ends in the blue swath of West Grand Traverse Bay. A spot of tea here in the afternoon, or a sip of sherry in the evening would be oh, so lovely.

The master bedroom has the same view and soothing calm that is echoed in the master bath, where a soaker tub with its own leafy view, “was totally worth blowing the budget for,” Hazel says.

As absolutely soothing and effortless as those views are, Hazel credits builder Jamie Wilkins of Trillium Shore Custom Homes with enhancing them. “He made the foundation just a bit higher to take in more view,” she says.

Indeed, Wilkins’ precise eye and dedication to his craft are found throughout the home. “We always had a clear vision of the style and layout of our house, so our biggest challenge was finding the right contractor to bring that to life,” explains Hazel. "Jamie is a very visual, design-driven builder, and we immediately knew he was the right fit.

“Jamie recommended a team of collaborators and he stayed close to the process from concept to completion, with creative suggestions and solutions at every stage,” Hazel continues. “We were also still living in Los Angeles, so there was a tremendous amount of trust required since we were absent during construction.”

Meet Jamie Wilkins and Hazel Brown as they tour you through this unique treat-of-a-home on our Northern Home & Cottage 2020 Virtual Tour.

TOUR