HOMElife APRIL / MAY 2015
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Curb appeal How to get it
4 kitchen makeovers
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HOMElife an up-north MAGAZINE
APRIL / MAY 2015 Publisher Doug Caldwell Editor Babette Stenuis Stolz bstenuis@petoskeynews.com
More Than Just Flooring
Photography G. Randall Goss rgoss@petoskeynews.com Layout & Design Renée Tanner rtanner@petoskeynews.com
Advertising: Robin Petruska rpetruska@petoskeynews.com Catherine Wing cwing@petoskeynews.com © HomeLife, all rights reserved, 2015. Reproduction in any form, in whole or in part, without express written permission, is prohibited. The views expressed herein, whether expressed as fact, fiction, opinion, advice or otherwise, are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the ownership or management of this magazine. The publication of any advertisement does not reflect any endorsement for any products or services by the ownership or management of this magazine unless it is specifically stated in such advertisement that there is approval for such endorsement.
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HOMElife 3
a note from the
editor
R
efresh your home for spring with a vase of cut flowers, a pot of kitchen herbs, new paint on the front door, or a total kitchen remodel. All of this and more can be found in this issue of HomeLife magazine. Four homeowners and two local designers team up for some impressive kitchen remodeling projects. The size and style of these kitchens vary, but the end result in each case is both beautiful and functional. A tiny kitchen in a cozy cottage dating back to 1920 rises from its original stone foundation. The space may be small but the transformation is huge. This little kitchen is now a work of art but still holds tightly to its past. A French country kitchen takes center stage in a warm log home situated on one of Northern Michigan’s picturesque golf
courses. A fieldstone arch and travertine tiled wall are just some of the unique touches in this kitchen that offers sweeping views of the fairways. The kitchen in a 1927 Sears, Roebuck and Company kit home is reborn with sage green cabinets, black granite countertops, open china shelves and special lighting. Hidden pullouts on either side of the range delight the home chef by putting spices, oils and other cooking essentials within easy reach. The panoramic view of Little Traverse Bay from a Grand Avenue home is nothing less than “grand,” following a substan-
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tial kitchen makeover that takes full advantage of Arts and Crafts styling. This kitchen has been enlarged and totally redesigned to create an elegant functional space. The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where family and friends gather for food and fun, and where meals and stories are shared among generations. These four kitchens have been remodeled with all of this and much, much more in mind. Complementing the kitchen theme is an article on how to make and maintain a kitchen herb garden. Local nursery professionals provide tips for planting a kitchen garden that can be grown outside during the warm months and moved indoors for the winter. Growing fresh herbs is a perfect project for the novice gardener, and cooking never tasted so good when using fresh herbs. Also in this issue is a peek into three special in-home studios. A local painter, a
classical pianist and a yoga instructor have created spaces within their homes that are specifically designed for them and their respective art form. With spring knocking on the door, our attention turns to the outside of our home. Increasing our home’s curb appeal can be as simple as painting a door, planting some flowers, or adding a colorful chair on the porch. Time spent trimming landscape plantings or adding window boxes and shutters can go a long way to spiffing up the entrance to your home. Once inside, arrangements of fresh flowers offer a beautiful welcome to family and guests. Local florists offer tips on combining colors, textures and fragrances in creative containers to accent your home’s décor for the long-awaited spring season.
Babette Stenuis Stolz HOMElife Editor
bstenuis@petoskeynews.com
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contents 31
In-home studios
kitchens 1 2 3 4
42
Get curb appeal
8 Product guide: aprons, pet dishes 10 Grow a kitchen herb garden 12 Create a spring statement with flowers 40 ‘Fore’ fashion on the green 46 Expert advice: Get your home ready to sell 6
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Four families, four kitchens, four unique designs
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HOMElife 7
PRODUCT GUIDE
Apron strings
A popular design: polka dot apron, available at Cutler’s in Petoskey.
Photography by G. Randall Goss
A maple syrup-pattern apron and matching oven mitt from Now Designs, are available at Meyer Ace Hardware in Petoskey.
An adult-sized blue chambray linen kitchen apron from BirdKage, N.Y. and a Fun Jill kids’ apron with spring colors and ruffles are available at Cutler’s in Petoskey.
A Betty Velocity bicycle-pattern kitchen apron and matching oven mitt, by Now Designs, are available at Meyer Ace Hardware in Petoskey.
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Bear Cub Outfitters in Petoskey offers portable, collapsible pet dishes for food and water.
Pooch plates ABOVE: Ruff Life in Petoskey offers many
different pet bowls and accessories. Featured are Fiesta Petware bowls of different sizes on
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elevated stands. To store your pet’s food, they also offer a vintage galvanized storage can.
A “Mom’s Diner” Girlie kitchen apron (left) with matching towel and a “Home to Roost” Girlie kitchen apron with matching potholder and oven mitt, both by Kay Dee Designs, are available at Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts in Petoskey.
OPEN EVERYDAY! • 231-439-9500 321 E. Lake St. Petoskey • bearcuboutfitters.com
HOMElife 9
HOW-TO
Grow a kitchen herb garden and
Get fresh!
A
By Mary Jane Doerr • Photography by G. Randall Goss
nyone can have fresh herbs for all their foods and salads. The newest fad, a kitchen herb garden, is quickly catching on. Even non-plant people are finding it easy to do with the abundance of hints and suggestions available. Local nurseries Christians’ Renolda Greenhouse of Harbor Springs, Pine Hill Nursery of Kewadin and Traverse City and Circle Herb Farm of East Jordan are quick with advice. All three nurseries carry between 80 and 100 varieties of herbs for every taste and preference. Besides the extremely popular basil, they carry the other frontrunners — rosemary, marjoram, lavender, sage and oregano. “Sweet marjoram is usually in high demand in this area because it is used in Polish sausage,” said Sue Falco, owner of Circle Herb Farm in East Jordon. In business for the last 30 years, Circle Herb Farm supplies Chandler’s of Petoskey with fresh herbs and in the past was the herb supplier for Tapawingo Restaurant. Falco has now found more markets in Northern Michigan for medicinal herbs as well as dye herbs for weavers. As far as basil is concerned, Falco warns that basil does not tend to like being cooped up inside for the winter which presents challenges for the indoor kitchen gardener. Everyone suggests the best way to start a kitchen herb garden is to have an outside garden during the summer and transplant hardy plants. Janet Moore of Christians’ Renolda Greenhouse has creative ideas about outside herb gardens that can be coordinated with the Northern Michigan tradi-
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tional summer flower displays and easily transported into the house in the fall. “We plant herbs such as parsley and stevia in window boxes,” said Moore. “This summer, trugs are the new thing. These are containers for herbs that are like garden tables — off the ground. In the fall they are easily moved inside.” Another of Moore’s popular ideas is to plant herbs in hanging baskets. Once inside there is plenty of advice on how to keep the herbs alive. Sarah Thayer of Pine Hill Nursery suggests grouping plants together according to their soil needs. “For instance, rosemary comes from the Mediterranean and loves sandy dry soil while parsley needs richer organic soil.” “The plants do not grow actively in the winter. If they are placed in front of a southern window, away from heat vents, not overwatered, and planted in the appropriate soil, they should do fine,” said Thayer. Once inside, the sky is the limit, literally, for creating the garden. The latest craze is vertical gardening. In other words, herbs are planted in various containers secured to the wall either in jars, cans, or long boxes. This provides fascinating visual effects as well as interesting watering devices. The most exotic innovation has to be the ceiling hanging herbs that are mixed in with a chandelier of grow lights. Kitchen herb gardens provide herbs to freshen any recipe. Now with readily available help and advice, even a novice gardener can be successful, and enthusiastic home decorators will relish the opportunity to create exciting new looks with the plants. HL
Lemon thyme
Pineapple mint
Nasturtium
Rosemary
Tri-color sage
Sage
Chives
French lavender
“The plants do not grow actively in the winter. If they are placed in front of a southern window, away from heat vents, not overwatered, and planted in the appropriate soil, they should do fine.� Sarah Thayer, Pine Hill Nursery HOMElife 11
HOW-TO
A spring statement Tips to create trendy floral arrangements By Breanne Krager • Photography by G. Randall Goss
O
ne of the best ways to breathe new life into the house after a long and brutally cold winter is by flooding your living space with fresh flowers. Flowers have always been and continue to be a staple spring decoration. However, for some people, putting together their own flower arrangement can seem like a daunting task. According to three Petoskey florists, putting together one’s own arrangement isn’t as scary as it seems. By keeping the arrangement fresh and simple, there is not much you can do wrong. “In most towns there is a florist who does classes, like we do here, and it’s a great way to learn a few basics,” said William Santos, owner of Monarch Garden and Floral Design in Petoskey. “However, there are plenty of fresh flowers available at the farmers markets for you to work with on your own. My best advice is to play with a variety of flowers until you find the colors and textures you like. It’s a matter of your taste.” For even the most inexperienced beginners, there is a simpler solution. “A lot of people think they need a lot of greens and filler and you don’t,” explains Angela Christie, owner of Flowers from Nature’s Garden in Petoskey. “Even if you were to pick up a bunch of spring bunches, like tulips, plop them in a container, and then set them out wherever you want, that would work just as well. Having a 12
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clean, pretty look is the most important thing,” she adds. This year, the colors that seem to be the most popular are the antique pinks, peaches, blues and purples which coincide with homey, Victorian-inspired decorations. According to Christie, accenting those with neutral filler, such as dusty miller or lamb’s ear, has a beautiful effect. “Right now, we’re doing a lot of the spring flowers like tulips, daffodils, irises, anything that is bright,” states Jackie Burrell, AIFD, CF, owner of Flowers from Sky’s the Limit in Petoskey. “What seems to be popular for weddings are the pastel colors or super vibrant colors, total opposite ends of the spectrum.” As for home design, the contemporary, tightly packed vases are taking a back seat to the increasing popularity of a more free flowing décor. “Everything is getting a lot looser, which is inspired by the European style of floral decor,” explains Santos. “We’re finding a lot of people using more greenery in their arrangements and using the flowers only as accents. We’ve also seen some unusual stuff, like succulents, being used in different arrangements.” The height of the flowers is also something that can give the arrangement depth and aesthetic appeal. As far as height specific requirements go, there aren’t many. However, Santos does recommend table centerpieces always be less than 12 inches, otherwise people have a hard time seeing across the table. If you’re tackling a larger arrange-
ment, Christie suggests using tall flowers, like the Canadian snapdragon, for the focal point. She is also a fan of using larkspur and myrtle to make the arrangement look longer and wider. The creativity does not end with the flowers. The container itself as well as the overall display can also help draw attention to the arrangement and pull the entire look together. “We like the beauty of the flowers by themselves so we don’t use other types of decorations in our actual floral arrangements,” Santos said. “I do like to decorate the table or area that the flowers are on with an assortment of candles — votives, tapers, floating candles. It looks beautiful at night. It’s also trendy to incorporate home accessories to complement your décor, which makes the tables look unique from others.”
✿
Using antique For more information about floral decorations, bottles, Mason jars, decontact: Flowers from Nature’s Garden, pression glass and milk (231) 347-1092, www.naturesgardenflower.com; glass jars is also widely popular. If you’re on Flowers from Sky’s the Limit, (231) 347-7770, a budget, using these www.flowersfromskysthelimit.com; Monarch Garden, containers to create 231-347-7449, www.monoarchgfd.com. multiple arrangements as opposed to one larger one will help It is best to change the water in save money and look just as great. the container and cut the stems every All three florists agree that which2-3 days. The container should also ever container you do choose, be sure be cleaned to get rid of any built-up it goes along with the theme and if the bacteria, which can kill flowers. material it is made from is prone to rust The stems should be trimmed in or emits other sorts of chemicals that order to re-open its pores, allowing may damage flowers, always place a the flowers to absorb more nutrients. flower-friendly lining in it. And finally, use the plant preservaAfter all of the fuss is over in regard tive florists provide. This not only helps to the actual arrangement of the flowprevent bacteria from growing but feeds ers, the last trick is how to keep them your flowers as well. HL fresh. HOMElife 13
1 2
Wright
Kaufmann
Kitchens are the heart of the
Ledwidge family kitchen, page 22
home and when it comes to remodeling this precious space, there’s no limitations outside of a homeowner’s imagination. On the following pages, are details of four recently completed kitchen remodeling projects.
Bryan family kitchen, page 26
Each kitchen reflects the
kitchens 3 4
homeowner’s personality and style. The results are fabulous and functional, and guarantee to spark your creativity and desire for a kitchen makeover of your own!
Bryan
Ledwidge
Wright family kitchen, page 18
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Arts and Crafts style with a view of the bay By Glen Young • Photography by G. Randall Goss
Kaufmann kitchen
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ny view of Little Traverse Bay is a highlight for a Petoskey area home, so when you have a view like that afforded from the kitchen of Edie and Fred Kaufmann’s home, you take full advantage. After purchasing a summer cottage on Pickerel Lake, the Kaufmanns made the decision to relocate full time to Petoskey from their Oakland County home. And while the lake cottage provides summer solace, the couple looked for a home in town so they could stay year round. They knew they’d found the perfect location when they realized the view from the Grand Avenue address. The Kaufmanns, who purchased the home in 2011 in the neighborhood long known locally as Pill Hill, spent more than
two years on floor to ceiling renovations, including bathroom updates, electrical and plumbing improvements, and a total replacement of the home’s windows. The 4,500 square foot home, built in 1958, necessitated many improvements after years without major updates. The couple waited nearly two years before tackling the kitchen, however. The delay was intentional. “We wanted to live in the house and decide what was needed there,” Edie says of their kitchen plan. Brooke Anderson, designer with Preston Feather Building Centers, assisted Edie and Fred with all the renovations. So, after updating bathrooms, improving lighting and repurposing under-utilized spaces in the basement as well as on the main floor, Anderson and the Kaufmanns turned their
attention to the kitchen. “Many, many things needed to be done,” Edie explains of their strategy. Both Kaufmanns knew what they wanted to find in their new kitchen. “I very much wanted an island,” Edie says. “It made sense that the island view be the bay,” Fred adds, explaining the position of the large granite top island with double sink positioned in the middle of the now enlarged room. There were also goals for a new laundry area, as well as a workout space to allow Fred, well over 6 feet tall, to exercise without worrying about headroom. Trouble was a partial wall divided the existing room. “The space didn’t make sense,” Anderson explains. She says the primary goal was accommodating the spectacular view of the
HOMElife 15
Kaufmann kitchen
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Arts and Crafts Continued from page 15
bay, sweeping north and from east to west. There were dual purposes at work as the three collaborated on the kitchen updates. One concern was size. The kitchen they started with, once part of the home’s garage, lacked space. Additionally, the orientation was all wrong. “The kitchen was small and everything was facing the wrong direction,” Anderson says. As well, “there wasn’t a lot of counter space,” Anderson explains. The improvements provide for a new space that “is really spread out,” she adds. Tom Gross at TJ Marble & Granite in Petoskey provided assistance with the granite needs. After locating the perfect slab for the large island, angled to allow full appreciation of that view from behind the double sink, he stashed the piece for almost two years, as the couple’s plan took shape. Once the bathrooms and the windows were complete, on top of other updates around the house, the kitchen remake gained steam. With custom oak floors crafted by Chattaway Construction of Harbor Springs and new cedar trimmed windows site-built by general contractor Robert Guisinger, the updates are now complete. The kitchen, functional and spacious, features Wolf appliances and custom quarter sawn oak cabinetry. A granite backsplash behind the range completes the look. Cedar moldings, and high efficiency lighting complete the simple yet elegant appearance of the now complete kitchen, also blending the look with the rest of the classically designed home. “We were going for the Arts and Crafts style,” says Edie. The rich wood tones of the new kitchen blend beautifully with the many hand hewn barn beams accenting the dining room and the living room, along with other spaces. With assists from Fairbairn Plumbing and White Pines Electric, as well as designer Anderson, Fred and Edie Kaufmann have that most desirable bay view. “We love the house,” Edie says, adding that the best feature of the kitchen might be the view. “We sit here in the evening. It’s very peaceful,” she adds.
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HOMElife 17
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Wright kitchen
From catalogue to cooking: A Sears kit kitchen By Tom Renkes • Photography by G. Randall Goss
Y
es, folks, believe it or not, back in the day you could purchase a home from Sears, Roebuck, and Company through its catalogue, Honor Bilt Modern Homes. Beginning in 1908 and ending in 1940, Sears estimates 70,000 of more than 350 designs were purchased and built in North America. “This home was from 1927,” says Nancy Wright of Boyne City. “We moved here in 1995 and re-did the kitchen then, but now it’s perfect.”
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Her husband, Floyd, owner of Wright Building and Design, drew the original floor plan, but it was Brooke Anderson, Kitchen Designer with Preston Feather Building Centers in Petoskey, who put it all to music. “I was excited to work with Nancy. It’s not very often I get to add a lot of detail, and working with the sage green color was fun. It makes the kitchen special.” “She worked with us so well. I can’t say enough about Brooke,” Nancy said as she looked around the kitchen.
The honed black granite counter tops from Capital Granite provide a strong foundation for the sage green cabinets above and below, so that they may artfully exhibit a calm and nurturing environ for long sessions of prepping and cooking. Installed by John Dubay, Preston Feather provided the glassed door cabinets, the open china shelves and the base cabinetry around the sink and range. On each side of the GE Stove from Advance Electric in Gaylord is a unique feature of faux posts that pull out and provide storage for
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Kit kitchen Continued from page 18
Wright kitchen
spices, oils and other needs at arm’s reach for Chef Nancy. “We entertain a lot, so we took out a wall separating the dining room from the kitchen,” Nancy points out. And that open space allows for the typical gathering within the kitchen when friends and family come calling. The lighting was also provided by Advance Electric, and includes some strip lights along the insides of the glass doors above so all shelves are fully lit. “I love the lights!” Nancy exclaimed. The deep sink and other plumbing fixtures were provided by Ferguson and installed by Bingham Plumbing and Heating and includes a touch-on faucet — a far cry from the original features in a Sears kit home, but patently more functional for the modern chef. Behind the range and across the entire wall, Emmet Brick and Block provided an intricate design of white
crackled subway tile that in a way, adds some 1920s flavor to the more modern design of the other features. In fact, along with the cabinet design, this kitchen could easily fit back into the Honor Bilt catalogue of which Nancy has a copy with the page marked showing her home. The final touch of eloquence and romanticism becomes evident in the spring when Nancy can look outside her Anderson kitchen windows and watch her garden come alive. Hostas, astilbe, ligularia, coneflower and multitudes of daisies and lilies arise from the dense snow pack to frame her home and provide a living connection to her sage green décor of this charming kitchen. And if that ever becomes boring, she can stir a pot and leave the ladle to rest, walk around the new opening into the dining room, and gaze out at Lake Charlevoix to the north across Lakeshore Road. If Sears, Roebuck and Company could have only imagined this setting with this kitchen 88 years ago, they just might still be in the kit home business.
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HOMElife 21
C’est bon: A French kitchen at Chestnut Valley By Tom Renkes • Photos courtesy of Phoenix Photography
O
n his 60th birthday, Terry Ledwidge was able to discuss “aging in place” as he and wife, Lynn, awaited guests for an evening of entertainment situated around their country French kitchen in their Chestnut Valley home. In this beautiful remodel, wonderfully coordinated by Don Weber from Birchwood Construction, there is a direct entryway into the master suite that allows Lynn Ledwidge the ability to stroll directly into her
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dream kitchen and start the morning coffee. “I wanted a vintage French look and Dawn Whyte worked with us to invent the perfect gathering space,” says Lynn, smiling as she sits at the enormous pie-shaped New Venetian Gold granite snack and work station. “It never really occurred to us until after, but we can stay here long into our retirement the way everything is situated.” “It was an exciting remodel,” says Dawn Whyte of Lake Street Design Studio in Petoskey. “Our team goal is to make the rooms look like they grew there. That it
M A G A Z I N E
3
“Our team goal is to make the rooms look like they grew there. That it wasn’t plugged in later.” Dawn Whyte of Lake Street Design Studio
Ledwidge kitchen
wasn’t plugged in later.” From this writer’s perspective, she and her team of designers, achieved that goal. The tumbled Turkish travertine tiled wall by Dwayne Richie Construction has shelved inserts for cooking oils, spices and other food necessities. The entire wall accentuates an artistic backdrop around a Wolf Range provided by Witbeck Home Appliance Mart and sits under an arched fieldstone façade. Completing the electrical connections into the remodel was Josh Wyatt of White Pines Electric. If you tire of the hot flames, turning around refreshes you as you look toward an unobstructed view of the main living space centered with a fireplace and surrounded by an outside deck that allows views of the 16th fairway of Chestnut Valley Golf Course. “We wanted an open floor plan,” begins Terry, “and Birchwood worked with Stephanie Baldwin of Edgewater Design to provide a PN-00444855
HOMElife 23
French kitchen Continued from page 23
system structure allowing that gorgeous view from the kitchen, through the glass doors, and out to the wooded side of the fairway.” The house was completed in 1999 and provided a respite for the owners. With full-time retirement in their future, they doubled the size of the home.
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The centerpiece that became the kitchen includes a large farmer’s sink provided by Wittock, and a rich but unobtrusive sound system designed by Sunrise Electronics that provides wonderful instrumentals above the French distressed country-look cabinetry in cappuccino and honey colors. “I feel like I live in a magazine,” Lynn offered as she looked outside. With views out windows and glass door-walls of maple, birch, aspen and oak forests surrounding that 16th fairway,
a French countryside is easily imagined. “We get deer, fox, coyotes, the occasional black bear and lots of other critters wandering about,” Terry says as he prepares for the guests by placing wines on the open bar within the confines of the kitchen and within easy reach of anyone gathering around the granite center. If you’re not convinced of the country charm of the home, walk around and feel the warmth of the knotty pine tongue and grove ceiling, the half-log inside walls and the splashes of art that create
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a splendid gallery while you await a dark cabernet or a lighter but hearty burgundy during a late evening gathering. Smell the aromas of French cooking and soothe yourself to the overhead tunes emanating from the surround sound above. “This home has become a recovery center for our downstate guests — and us!” Terry concludes. Au revoir to southern Michigan and bienvenue to the northern woods and a quiet retirement.
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Compact cottage rises to culinary challenge
By Glen Young • Photos courtesy of Phoenix Photography
O
n the beach in northern Emmet County, Jennie Bryan found the cottage she and her family were look-
ing for. Featuring classic stonework and a cozy appeal, Bryan knew the place was right, but understood she would have to oversee some major updates. Her goal all along was to improve while maintaining the cottage’s original appeal. “We wanted to preserve the original cottage feel,” she says of the Harbor Springs cottage originally constructed for a religious missionary in the 1920s. In addition to the stonework, another unique feature of the cottage is the traditional cottage construction.
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“The house is built on the sand, and in fact, when we pulled up a portion of the kitchen floor, about 18 inches down was the sand.” Updating that kitchen, serviceable but uninspired and little updated since construction, became a priority. The kitchen project was not without challenges, however. “The best part of the house, and one of the challenges in the remodeling, is that the foundation of the home is stones from the lake,” Bryan explains. Guided by the hand and the experience of Petoskey kitchen and bath designer Dawn Whyte of Lake Street Design in Petoskey, Bryan, a Grand Rapids attorney, now has the refined space she sought. Designer Whyte says her advan-
Bryan kitchen tage here, as typical when she begins a project, is she is “seeing it for the first time.” Her clients come to the work with a vision, so her goal is always to deliver what her customer desires, and the Bryan kitchen demonstrates this. “Most of our clients have a vision of what they want; our job is to try and make as much of (this vision) as pos-
After sible come to be,” Whyte said. Bryan liked Whyte’s response, saying, “I think she saw the potential of what we were trying to create.” The compact beach cottage presented a challenge as well because of the limited space, Whyte says. “The difficult part is we were limited by size,” and this meant
“staying in the footprint” of the existing cottage proved a test. That stone foundation also continued to challenge convention. Extending into the living space a foot or more above floor level, the foundation is appealing but required a measure of atypical creativity. “As we did the remodeling,
“One of my favorite aspects of the kitchen is an antique tool bench.” Jennie Bryan
HOMElife 27
Compact cottage Continued from page 27
including the kitchen,” which was completed in 2013, Bryan says, “we wanted to preserve the original cottage feel. The stone foundation is seen from inside the house, and small parts of it had to be cut through to install the dishwasher, but otherwise, all cabinets had to be fit over the protruding foundation.” Whyte says another goal was to open the kitchen to more natural light. Removal of an interior wall proved the proper direction here. “What was a little 30 inch doorway, we made into a 13 foot opening,” she says of the refined access point. A new granite topped island now punctuates the wider entryway. New walnut countertops and a walnut backsplash from Michigan Maple Block, help maintain the vintage feel while providing an improved environment throughout the kitchen. Other updates include increased cabinet space and new windows. A floating shelf above the new windows provides both utility and character. While she enjoys the combination of updates, Bryan says the best part might be an old piece of furniture. “One of my favorite aspects of the kitchen is an antique tool bench.” The bench, now secured to the wall, serves a new purpose as a beverage station. “I saw in a magazine that people were installing furniture in lieu of kitchen cabinets,” Bryan says. She found the workbench while antiquing, recognizing she had found a signature piece. Here the foundation created a challenge as well. “We creatively removed a back section of the bench, and used that piece to disguise a drawer which we installed.”
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Bryan kitchen
“Dawn did a great job of blending the new kitchen with the rest of the home which has a very rich heritage.” Jennie Bryan
With updates large and small to the rest of the cottage also, Bryan explains, “We wanted something very interesting, something very eclectic.” Keeping the classic feel while adding modern improvements was also a primary goal, something Bryan believes they have done with style. She says Whyte deserves much of the credit. “Dawn did a great job of blending the new kitchen with the rest of the home which has a very rich heritage,” Bryan says. Bryan loves highlighting the new version of her cottage. “When people come to our house,” she says, “it’s just spectacular because so few houses have that history and that character. We’re just so fortunate to have that.” With the livability of the cottage extended deeper into the year, Bryan believes she and her family have the best combination of features. “It’s a very, very significant remodeling, whereby we maintained the character of the home, authentic and vintage feeling, but modern enough to live in.” HL
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IN-HOME
ART
STUDIOS MUSIC
YOGA
W
hat does a yogi, a pianist and an oil painter have in common? Answer: A personally-designed space to practice their respective art form. HomeLife readers are treated to a glimpse into the private in-home studios of Mary Reilly, Michelle Mitchum and Martha Landis. These women have each carved out a special space within their home where they can create, practice and, in some cases, teach their art.
HOMElife 31
YOGA
By Sean Miller • Photography by G. Randall Goss
A photo of legendary yoga master Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar makes Reilly’s studio complete.
Mary Reilly stretches out in her home yoga studio. 32
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In-home yoga studio provides solace
M
ary Reilly, of Harbor Springs, has brought her passions all the way from India right into her home. Reilly has a created a studio in her home where she studies and practices Iyengar yoga. What used to be her children’s bedroom is now converted into a fully equipped yoga studio. There is a rope wall, which is a staple in her study of yoga, and wooden benches, blocks and blankets to help with bringing the body into the correct positions. Reilly began her studies in 1987 in India and has returned 12 times to further her studies and become a senior level Iyengar yoga instructor. The method of yoga she stud-
ies has an institution in India and is the home of Iyengar teachers. “Some of the yoga that is popping up around the country has no ties to Iyengar yoga,” Reilly explained. “The true Indian yoga methods have progressive systems of certification levels. They are very specific on the assessments and training,” she said. Reilly has been teaching yoga classes in Petoskey since 1986. Her in-town studio, North Woods Yoga, is located on the third floor of 316 1/2 E. Mitchell St. Her personal in-home studio reflects well upon all that her teaching studio holds. “The ropes we have at both my in-town and home studio are for providing traction and is a great way to extend the spine to create more movement in your joints,” Reilly said. “The bottom ropes are put over your
hips and your feet are solid on the floor. You will end up in a position like you are looking out a window.” “After a while you get more flexible and will be able to do different moves from this position and by using the ropes,” she explained. Having an in-home studio is something that Iyengar yoga teachers strongly encourage; this way you can practice at home and go to class to have your moves and technique critiqued by your teacher. Although she is at a senior level, Reilly feels it is still important to have an in-home studio to practice what she has been studying for the past 30 years. Her in-home studio provides Reilly a sanctuary to study her practice and a place to work on material and curriculum for her classes in town.
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HOMElife 33
ART By Sean Miller • Photography by G. Randall Goss
Room offers inspiration
T
ucked away in Horton Bay, between Petoskey and Charlevoix, resides Martha Landis and her art studio. She lives in a house with a beautiful view of Lake Charlevoix which is an inspiration for some of her oil painting creations. Landis has always been interested in art. She graduated college with an art degree and has been taking workshops continuously since her graduation. She has studied with artists such as Charles Movalli, Michelle Torrez and Kevin Beilfuss. It wasn’t until Landis moved to the area in 1977 that she became invested in her artwork. Since moving to the area she has worked on the Crooked Tree Arts Center Visual Committee, won an eddi Award for artist of the year, and has been selling her artwork at the Crooked Tree Arts Center and the Freshwater Studio in Boyne City. She created her studio 20
Artist Martha Landis relaxes in her home studio in Horton Bay. 34
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years ago and has been using it almost daily ever since. “Ideally, I’d use it every day but I don’t. I work best in the morning and can paint for as long as four hours at a time,” she said. “My favorite scenes to paint are of nature. It’s the light and shadows that get my attention. “I focus on that to get people to try and feel why I painted it. This area, especially the Horton Bay area, is where my inspiration comes from. I have painted scenes from all over the area and even Mackinac Island,” Landis said. On average, it takes Landis four hours to paint one of her images. She then places her work on an easel to critique it for a few days before retouching and finishing it. Although she has worked with other mediums, Landis loves and is truly passionate about oil painting. It’s the only medium she works with and uses to create her paintings. “I like the thick paint, the directness and movability, of the paint itself. I like the direct approach of putting down a brush stroke and knowing what it will look, and feel like,” she said. Her studio is an excellent addition to her home. She is able to not only practice and continue in her passion, she is able to enjoy it whenever she wants. It has become a staple of her home where she spends her time creating life-like images and enjoying the time she devotes to her passions.
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MUSIC
In-home music studio is perfect practice space By Sean Miller • Photography by G. Randall Goss
F
or the past 18 years, Michelle Mitchum of Petoskey has had a spacious studio space in her home, filled with two grand pianos, and a full size electric keyboard. The main purpose of the room is teaching students of all ages, but it is also where she practices and rehearses for her own personal use. In total, Mitchum teaches an average of 18 students, ranging in age from 5 to 18 years old. Her students are typically from Petoskey and Harbor Springs and are on the older side of the age spectrum. All of her students practice and go through their work with Mitchum during their lessons. At home, they are expected to practice and get ready for their recitals and other events. 36
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Michelle Mitchum in her home music studio.
Mitchum’s home studio is also her own personal practice space. In addition to teaching, she plays piano for recitals and for her church and church groups. “For the most part, I teach private piano lessons, however, I do have a number of students who want to pursue music at the college level,” Mitchum said. “They may be instrumentalists or vocalists and I help prepare them by teaching music theory, aural awareness and sometimes piano technique.” The length of a private lesson can vary but is usually 45 minutes. If Mitchum has a younger or a beginning student, they may start with a half hour lesson and increase the time as they advance. In addition to private lessons, Mitchum also offers group lessons. The group will practice sight reading and play in duets or trios. “I try to incorporate ensemble music so having more than one keyboard is a must. Taking piano lessons doesn’t have to be a lonely pursuit,” she said. With a wide age range, the electric keyboard is a nice addition to the studio. It allows students to experiment with different sounds, rhythms and harmonies. It also has the capability to record which allows students to play back and learn from what they played. “Technology speaks to this generation and the electric keyboard is perfect for that,” Mitchum explained. “It is also connected to my computer so my students can play different activities or games right on the keyboard to the help them learn.” Mitchum doesn’t currently teach any adults but wouldn’t mind if she did. “I have a vision of a keyboard lab where adults could take lessons in a group setting,” she said. Mitchum’s home studio is a delightful, musical addition to her home and has proved its worth to her students. She can easily help any age or number of people prepare for college, performances, or to simply learn to play a new instrument. HL PN-00440519
HOMElife 37
FOOD
A wealth of teas and tea-brewing accessories are available at Spice Merchants in Petoskey. The shop carries close to 150 different blends of teas and many tea infusers and steeping devices.
Tea time By Sean Miller • Photography by G. Randall Goss
T
ea is mostly used for drinking but it also has many other uses. Tea can be a very helpful herb medicinally, and can also be used in cooking. Spice Merchants in Petoskey carries approximately 150 different blends of tea for all purposes. When you walk in the door you will instantly smell the aroma of tea. You will see all of their blends in glass jars in which you can scoop as much as you want for purchase. “We started primarily with spices
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Many hand made pottery tea pots and cups are available at Sturgeon River Pottery in Petoskey. The shop also offers locally made honey and scented hot pads.
and now we are probably almost even the amount of tea we carry and sell,” said Spice Merchants owner Lisa Freeman. “Over the years we have added more and more to our line as tea has become more used and recognized.” There are four general categories for tea: white, black, green, herbal. They each have their own flavor and can be used for particular reasons. “Black and green teas are both great to help improve on mental awareness,” Freeman said. “It is said that black tea can also help with headaches. White and herbal teas are used more for things like upset
stomachs, or getting sufficient nutrients.” Some of Spice Merchants bestsellers in those categories include Herbal Chamomile Citrus Tea, Green Tropical, Black Moonlight Earl Grey and White Exotic Wedding. “Each tea has its own strength in health attributes,” Freeman said. “You can cook with tea and they can be used as seasonings for different types of fish or meats. Surprisingly, certain teas can be put in fishbowls to keep your fish healthy,” she said. People such as Petoskey resident Dawn Peterson go beyond the norm
of using tea only for drinking. “I’ll enjoy a cup of green tea now and again just for the antioxidants. I do have a blend of tea that I make and use myself which I have been using for over 20 years. It is great for the reproductive system, and for your skin, hair and nails,” Peterson said. Make a concoction of your own to use as a rub for your chicken, getting over a cold or stomach flu, or to simply enjoy a nice cup of tea.
Glaze: 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil Preparation: Butter 9-inch removeable tart pan. Melt butter over low heat add the tea leaves and let steep 10 minutes. Drain the butter through a mesh or cheesecloth to get the leaves out. Stir warm butter, sugar, vanilla and salt together. Add the flours just until blended.
Cover with plastic wrap, let chill 2 hours. May chill up to 2 days. In oven at 325°F bake the shortbread for 35 minutes. While still hot, score with a sharp knife into the size pieces you want. Prepare chocolate for dipping by microwaving on high in short intervals; when almost melted add the vegetable oil. Dip pieces and let dry on parchment paper.
Recipes courtesy Spice Merchants
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‘Fore’ fab fashion on the green
Photography by G. Randall Goss
Boyne Country Sports has golf wear from Nike, with this ensemble for men. Featured are a Nike tech vent stripe polo shirt, Nike hyperadapt storm jacket, stormfit pant, Nike lunar control golf shoe and Nike vapor speed driver. Men, gear up for the season with a black digital stripe Climachill shirt from Adidas and blue atoll shorts from Puma, available at Dan Webster’s Pro Shop in Petoskey and Gaylord.
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from EP Sport and Grey Goose plaid shorts, all with UV protection. Find them at Dan Webster’s Pro Shop, with locations in Petoskey and Gaylord. HOMElife 41
ON THE COVER
Landscaping, fresh paint and inviting placement of chairs, create a warm welcoming atmosphere, adding a great amount of curb appeal.
CURB APPEAL W By Megan Wilson • Photography by G. Randall Goss
ith the approach of warmer weather many homeowners are trying to think of new ways to add more curb appeal to
their homes. “There are really two different times people are thinking about enhancing the curb appeal of a home, one is when they’re building the home, and the other is when they are selling it,” said landscape architect Traver Wood of Site Planning in Charlevoix. “For older landscapes it’s important to keep the landscape you have as healthy as possible,” Wood said. Wood added one of the easi-
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est things a homeowner can do to improve curb appeal is to trim the current landscaping back. “Pruning, or removal of overgrown plants is a first step because they look unkempt and might be hiding the home. Also tearing things out or mulching the edge can do a lot to improve the curb appeal without spending a lot of money,” said Wood. “For new or replacement landscapes where people are going to invest a little more time and money, some basic design concepts that we employ a lot are to frame the home with larger plants on the ends of the home rather than interrupt them in
the middle of the home.” Wood said when designing a landscape it’s best to keep the design layout simple. “A common DIY mistake is going to the nursery and buying one of everything that is on sale or trying to incorporate too many plants into a landscape,” said Wood. “Another common mistake is to plant too close to the building, and not take into consideration the size of the plant when it is fully grown.” Another way to add curb appeal to a home might be to add a fresh coat of paint to the shutters or doors. “The first thing that comes to
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HOMElife 43
Curb appeal Continued from page 42
The addition of chairs and flowers create a welcoming atmosphere.
Landscaping can be a lovely addition to the exterior appeal of a home. 44
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mind for me is the drive to the house, what the driveway looks like when pull you in,” said Realtor Martha Mishler of Pat O’Brien Real Estate. “A pop of color on a porch, an Adirondack chair, a brightly colored door, things that complement the house are additional ways that bring in the home viewer or sometimes just passers-by.” “Certainly maintenance is a big part of improving curb appeal; siding, shutters and landscaping are goods way to improve curb appeal for not a lot of money,” said David Shuman of Real Estate One in Petoskey. “In some cases it’s reining in the current landscaping that will help improve curb appeal.” Home design changes are one way to add curb appeal for a bit more money than the quick fix-it project. “I’ve seen people add a front porch or a peaked roof and that will also help with curb appeal,” said Shuman. “Inexpensive ways would be to make sure bushes and hedges are cut back, planting flowers adds color, also dressing up a front door helps, along with window boxes and shutters.” Adding curb appeal to a home doesn’t have to be an expensive, summer long project, it can sometimes be as simple as repainting flower boxes or adding brightly colored chairs to a front porch. “One of the things that works well is when the landscaping makes the house look like it fits on the property,” said landscape architect Steve Fry of Landscape Logic in Charlevoix. “When the landscaping fits in well with the natural surroundings on the property it has a natural flow to it.” HL
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EXPERT ADVICE
BEFORE YOU SELL
I
t is no secret that the real estate market is on the way to recovery. More homeowners are considering making a move and have contacted me to discuss steps they can take to ensure that they have a timely sale. I have a short list of simple things that potential sellers can do to make a big impact on their home’s sale price and the length of time it takes to sell their property.
strategic pricing plan based on recent market data and trends.
Light it up
Clean, declutter and depersonalize The fewer things there are in the home, the larger it will look. Remove knickknacks and excess furniture. Also, take down family photos, religious items and political posters so prospective buyers can envision their family in the house. The more personal stuff there is in your house, the less potential buyers can imagine themselves living there. As you are decluttering, you want to make sure your house appears to have lots of storage space. Potential buyers want to feel like they can easily fit all of their belongings and be well organized. All built-in cabinets and closets are fair game for inspection. These areas must be clean, neat and orderly. As a rule of thumb, remove 50 percent of what you have in each storage area. I also encourage sellers to hire a cleaning service to do a deep cleaning. Even the most cared for home needs an occasional deep cleaning, especially before putting the house on the market. “Detailing” a home is just as important as detailing a car before selling it. Yes, it’s a lot of work but the return on investment to properly prepare your home for sale is huge!
Make the property easy to show Be prepared to make sure your home is “show ready” at all times — you never
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David Shuman know when your buyer is going to walk through the door. You have to be willing to show your house when a request comes through and it needs to be in tip top shape. Keep your sink clean, dishwasher empty, bathrooms sparkling and dust bunnies cleared from the corners. It is a bit inconvenient for a short period of time, but it will get your house sold.
Price it right from the start Sellers sometimes think starting with the asking price high and then lowering it later if the house fails to sell is a prudent strategy. In fact, this approach can result in a slower sale, sometimes even at a lower price. The first 30 days your house is on the market is always the best activity you are going to see. If the price is too high, many buyers and their agents may stay away, assuming you are not serious about selling, have unrealistic expectations, or are unwilling to negotiate. I recommend you work with a Realtor who is prepared with a
Maximize the light in your home. After location, good light is the next thing buyers cite they want in a home. Consider removing drapes, changing out dark lampshades, increasing the wattage of your light bulbs and cutting bushes outside to let in the sunshine. Clean every window inside and out. It makes a huge difference by allowing more light to come in. Potential buyers want houses that are light and bright. You may consider hiring a professional window cleaning service. The investment is worth it.
Conceal pets Not everyone is as fond of your pet as you are so concealing them helps to showcase universal appeal. It is also helpful to take pets with you during a showing. Potential buyers are more comfortable to look around your home if there are not distressed animals behind a door or in a crate.
Up the curb appeal of your home There are many easy and inexpensive upgrades that can be made to your home to enhance the curb appeal and ultimately drive showings. Consider repainting your front door, upgrading your mailbox, replacing exterior light fixtures, installing flower boxes and pruning overgrown hedges. Keep the yard neat and inviting. First impressions make a big difference and the small details add up.
Do your homework when selecting an agent As you know, buying or selling a home is often the largest financial transaction of
a lifetime. Therefore, I recommend using tough standards when hiring a Realtor, just as you would with any other professional. Thinking all Realtors are alike is comparable to believing all lawyers, doctors, or accountants are the same. The educational background, professional experience and level of commitment to excellence can vary drastically with all professionals. I urge you to take time to interview agents and find the professional who will most effectively market your property, successfully negotiate favorable terms and connect you to trusted colleagues who will ensure a financially sound transaction. For more details on this topic I invite you to my website’s homepage (www.DShumanRealtor.com) and read the article I wrote for last year’s HomeLife Ask the Expert column, “How to Hire the Best Real Estate Agent.” With historically low rates and a strengthening economy, 2015 is a great time to make the move you have been contemplating. The tips mentioned throughout this article should get you started on the right foot. HL David Shuman is a real estate broker in the Petoskey area with Real Estate One. In addition to his years as a Realtor, Shuman has an MBA in finance and marketing as well as 10 years experience in the banking industry; all of which give him a unique and comprehensive understanding of the real estate market. David Shuman can be reached at (231) 360-9149 or dshuman@dshumanrealtor. com. For information about his unique approach to selling, visit DshumanRealtor.com.
“As outdoor and community enthusiasts, we wanted to be “We are working with David as our Realtor for the able to bike and walk everywhere. We had a close eye on second time in two years. He ensures we have thethe downtown market and when our an “dream” homedecision became and available information needed to make informed is welooking quickly out hiredforDavid Shuman as our Realtor. He immediately our best interest. It’s been a pleasure staged and photographed ourwe home, providedrecommend us with a detailed working with him and definitely him.” and effective pricing strategy, implemented an advertising campaign and hosted well attended open-houses. Our house sold, we purchased our new home, and now we walk to school, bike to work and feel like an integral part of the community.
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