Homelife APRIL / MAY 2013
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HOMElife an up-north MAGAZINE
april - May 2013 Publisher Doug Caldwell Editor Sheri McWhirter-O’Donnell smcwhirter@petoskeynews.com Photography G. Randall Goss M. Chris Leese Layout & Design Renée Tanner
Advertising: Carol Donohue cdonohue@petoskeynews.com (231) 439-9331 Robin Petruska rpetruska@petoskeynews.com (231) 439-9332 © HomeLife, all rights reserved, 2013. 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,
Volume 6 Issue 5 April/May 2013 (USPS #) is published bi-monthly $19.95 per year by Northern Michigan Review, Inc. 319 State St., Petoskey, Mich. 49770. Periodicals postage pending at Petoskey, Mich. Postmaster: Send address changes to: HomeLife, 319 State St., Petoskey, Mich. 49770
HOMelife 3
a note from the
editor
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his issue of HomeLife magazine became an adventure in log home luxury, cottage craftsmanship and a literal taste of the northwoods. Owners of two distinctly different log homes in Northern Michigan opened their beautiful private spaces to the magazine, allowing a glimpse into luxury living the rustic-style lodges afford. Both gorgeous log structures came together with materials from the Town & Country mill in Boyne Falls, one done by builders from Town & Country Cedar Homes and the other by Matthews Construction, of Petoskey. One sits near the banks of hypnotic Torch Lake, while the other is perched on the edge of the Boyne Valley, with a view of Deer Lake and beyond. Both the lodge owned by Charlie Turk in Antrim County and the other owned by Joseph and Gina McElgunn at Charlevoix
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County’s Boyne Mountain Resort are prime examples of the peak of opulence Northern Michigan log homes can exude. One home was built to replace another lost in a tragic fire, while the other is the manifestation of a life’s worth of collected memories. Both took my breath away. But don’t forget the lovely cottage surprisingly tucked away inside a condomin-
ium in Emmet County’s Harbor Springs. There’s absolutely no sense of an apartment in this gorgeous space done by Cottage Company Interiors, of Harbor Springs. You almost expect to see a beach just outside the window. And finally, there is the delight that is the Northern Michigan morel. Last year’s early spring and wacky weather patterns annihilated the morel hunting season, so my hope is this year’s late spring and abundant moisture in the accumulated snow pack will translate into a fungal frenzy — particularly in my secret spot. And thanks to chefs Matt Bugera from The New York Restaurant in Harbor Springs and Brett Cuper at Morel’s Bistro in Boyne City, I have a few ideas on how best to serve them.
Sheri McWhirter-O’Donnell HOMElife Editor
smcwhirter@petoskeynews.com
contents 12
Lakeside luxury
6 Oh my
34
Morel recipes
Morel-Encrusted Walleye
GALOSHES!!
21
Cottage-style condo
27
Red threaded throughout
8 PERFECT PATIO PICKS 36 EXPERT REAL ESTATE ADVICE HOMElife 5
PRODUCT GUIDE
Oh my
GALOSHES!
By Sheri McWhirter-O’Donnell Photography by M. Chris Leese
Spring’s must-haves for gardening
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pring is finally sprung, even if it came late this year. Meyer Ace Hardware in downtown Petoskey carries all that’s needed to get outside and putter around your thawing lawn, like a proper home gardener. Whether it’s gardening gear or fashions, store manager Carole Genson said they can help you find what you need. Let’s start with fashion. Sloggers Garden Outfitters is a brand of adorable outdoor fashions for those not afraid to get dirty. The hardware store carries the brand’s boots, shoes, hats and other accessories. A varying range of patterns, from paw prints to floral designs are made from sturdy materials intended to hold up well and look good. “You can wear them in the garden, get
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“You can ... wash them off with the hose and then wear them in town.”
Carole Genson, Meyer Ace Hardware
them covered in mud and wash them off with the hose and then wear them in town,” Genson said. “They’re cute and they’re also functional.” The boots sell for $39.99 at the store. But don’t forget the Sloggers hats are a popular choice, too. “It keeps the sun off while you’re working outside and they match the Sloggers we sell,” Genson said. Sloggers hats retail for $29.99 at Meyer Ace Hardware. And now for gear. Linda Armstrong, a sales associate at the store, said the first thing home gardeners should do is prune. And a quality pair of pruning shears is a necessity. “What’s important is a sturdy handle and sharpness of the blade. If you don’t have a nice, sharp blade is doesn’t cut very well,” she said. She recommends the Anvil Pruner by Corona Clipper. It sells for $17.49 at the store. Another useful tool is a garden cart, some of which can be used to carry needed items and also double as a stool when the knees require a break. The Lawn Buddy planters cart by Ames sells for $39.99 at Meyer Ace Hardware. “A lot of people like to haul what they need around their yard,” Armstrong said. The store carries all sorts of gardening equipment to meet spring needs. And the downtown Petoskey store is not the only Meyer Ace Hardware, as additional stores are on the north side of Petoskey, in Harbor Springs and in Gaylord. HL
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HOMelife 7
Lovely outdoor furniture is available at local stores, like these sets from Art Van Furniture in Petoskey.
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How-to
Let’s take it outside
How to choose patio furniture to fit both weather and style By Sheri McWhirter-O’Donnell • Photography by M. Chris Leese
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ost Northern Michigan residents fantasize about lounging on their deck or serving a meal on the patio long before
the snow melts. Now that it’s spring and summer is on approach, local homeowners will begin to prepare for their outdoor lives that each year stretches from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, and sometimes beyond. Design expert Stacy Stokes, of Boyne Design Group in Petoskey, said there is much to think about before choosing patio furniture. It’s not always just about what you are first drawn to in the store. “There are many factors to consider when purchasing outdoor furniture. What type of natural elements will the furniture be exposed to? Water, high winds, intense sunlight?” she said. Outdoor spaces that experience high winds may require a solid product with significant weight to it, Stokes said, sturdy furniture to keep the winds from blowing it across the lawn and damaging either it or the landscaping. Also, if there often is water with chemicals present, such as on pool decks, homeowners should consider aluminum furniture to avoid rust. Finally, strong sunlight can heat the furniture and may cause burns when sitting down. Stokes said a sure way to prevent that situation is to avoid dark colors and vinyl straps, or maybe add cushions, as well. “You may also consider umbrellas to break the intensity of the heat,” she said.
The size of your patio or deck will determine how much seating can be provided, as well as how many people live in the home and how much entertaining is done outdoors. “If possible it is always great to have multi-function in the space — a dining table with four chairs or a high top table with bar stools, a couple of chaises or comfortable chairs with ottomans,” Stokes said. “You can always add planters to separate the spaces. It is also nice to add furniture in nice, quiet, shady areas for people to relax and enjoy a beverage or read a magazine.” Outdoor candles are another great
way to add ambiance and make the space usable even after nightfall, she said. Now for style. “The style of the furniture should be a reflection of your personal lifestyle,” Stokes said. There are some questions homeowners should ask themselves. Do you need a dining set for eating and entertaining? Would you like to use the outdoor furniture for sunbathing or just to read a book? The function of the pieces will determine the type of needed products, Stokes said. “Many people prefer the lounge-style furnishings for entertaining and relaxing, adding small accent tables for casual food
HOMelife 9
Patio
Continued from page 9
and drink service,” she said. Stokes also said interior design may even be a factor when it comes to exterior style. “The design and color palette should flow with the feeling of your home,” she said, adding that good examples are rustic furniture for log homes or Adirondack chairs for beach cottages. “The summer season is a great time to add impactful colors to your home,” Stokes said. Stokes said most local furniture companies or resale shops carry patio furniture during the spring and summer seasons. But shoppers shouldn’t plunk down their money at the first striking furniture set they see, or even items that look good online. “It is always a good idea to take the time to see the products in person, inspect them for quality and comfort before purchasing them,” Stokes said. Stokes is a designer with Boyne Design Group, an interior design company at 1200 Bay View Road in Petoskey. She can be reached at (231) 439-4950 or sstokes@boyne. com. HL
Rustic styles are popular.
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HOMElife 11
Extraordinar y Homes
Lakeside
luxury Log home along Torch Lake a phoenix born from ashes By Sheri McWhirter-O’Donnell • Photography by G. Randall Goss
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eneral contractor Jim Matthews built a stunning $1.3 million log home along Torch Lake’s shoreline for his good friend Charlie Turk — a beautiful phoenix risen from the ashes of another home destroyed in a fireplace accident. But the place itself, along the lake’s eastern shoreline not far from the Clam River, has long been part of Charlie’s family’s Northern Michigan retreat history, at least for the last seven decades. Matthews Construction, of Petoskey, finished construction on the home in 2005 with materials from the Town & Country mill in Boyne Falls. “I was living in Chicago and building up here,” said Charlie, a urologist and native of the Windy City. “I’m not a builder, but I knew what I wanted. Trust was important.” Now he spends more of the year at his lakeside home than in the metropolis along Lake Michigan’s southern shoreline. And this time of year activity around the place tends to pick up, he said. “From late spring through the summer and into fall it’s all about the 12
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outdoors,” Charlie said. “I really enjoy the gardening, pruning, dead-heading the flowers and that kind of stuff.” There’s no artificial lawn on the property, but instead a far more natural, cedar-filled lakeshore habitat along the pristine and turquoise Torch Lake waters. And if not properly outdoors, Charlie likely can be found in his favorite space on the property, the 270-square-foot screened-in porch with its gorgeous, double-sided, natural field stone fireplace. Each stone is a unique, often beautifully colored piece of cobble sourced from a quarry in an Upper Peninsula quarry. “It’s a great home to entertain in,” Charlie said.
Logs by the numbers The luxury home is spacious at nearly 5,000-square-feet of living area with a traditional, rustic motif typical for log construction. Additionally, the home features special American Indian décor and regalia Charlie picked up here and there through the years. There’s even a set of colorful chairs from the estate of etiquette guru Emily Post, he said.
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“It’s a rustic appeal that’s gaining more interest.”
Jeff Oldham, Town & Country
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Lakeside luxury Continued from page 12
“The house is actually stick-built,” Matthews said. “It has a full-log veneer, which means tree-length logs.” That construction method allowed for spray foam insulation to increase energy efficiencies, but maintained the aesthetic perfection of matching both sides of each log on both the exterior veneers and interior walls. Charlie said the insulation works wonderfully, holding in the heat in winter and staying cool in summer, while maintaining the up north lodge look he wanted. In fact, his rule for the home’s design was “no drywall, no paint, no wallpaper anywhere in the house,” Charlie said. It’s a popular style, said Jeff Oldham, design manager for Town & Country. “It’s a rustic appeal that’s gaining more interest,” he said. “It has the full-log look and half the maintenance.” The prior house’s foundation footprint largely dictated the new home’s design, Matthews said, though they made some alterations. It features three bedrooms, two full bathrooms and three half-baths, each uniquely decorated — such as one bathroom with an antique dry sink transformed into a fully functional vanity sink. Interior doors were crafted from alder for the first floor and knotty pine for the second floor. The hickory floor clearly reflects how craftsmen hand scribed each piece. Every surface reflects incredible skill. “It’s so nice to come in and it’s something about the logs, you just relax. It’s comfortable here,” Charlie said. And that’s the idea.
Design choices for relaxation The place to be at Charlie’s house for extreme relaxation is the master suite, a warm and inviting space with a big, beautiful bed fashioned with South American cow hide, a special commission he requested for his log home. Even the wool berber carpet is luxurious to walk on, a product from John-Williams Interiors in Chicago. The interior designer for the home is Kathy Emig, the former owner of Cedar Creek Interiors in Harbor Springs, Charlie said. HOMelife 15
“It has a full-log veneer, which means tree-length logs.� Jim Matthews, builder
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Lakeside luxury Continued from page 15
His master suite bathroom floor is heated and made with African slate, which also surrounds the lovely bathtub. There’s a walk-in shower and even a walk-in closet accessible from within the bathroom. The main living room is anchored by a large, cobblestone fireplace that matches the one in the screened-in porch. It stretches to the peak of the two-story ceiling and is adorned with a mounted moose head, a piece Charlie laughs about picking up in a Northern Indiana bar when he saw a “for sale” sign on it. The beautiful, open-rise, half-log, white cedar staircase took two craftsmen two weeks to complete, Matthews said. Also, it runs up the back side of the stunning fireplace left exposed so every lovely field stone can be inspected up close. An upstairs guest room is designed with a birch bark theme, complete with a day bed by a window and a wooden wardrobe rescued from the rubble of the fire that destroyed the home that previously stood there. Charlie said they scrubbed off the blackened soot and transformed the piece of furniture into a bedroom entertainment center and linen hutch that can be closed up to hide away the television. He said the metal evergreen tree and elk adornments on the queen-sized bed also came out of the ashes to be used again. And at the other end of the upstairs walkway, past a polished antique trunk picked up at an antique show in Petoskey,
“It’s so nice to come in and it’s something about the logs. You just relax. It’s comfortable here.” Charlie Turk, homeowner
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there’s also a bunk room filled with rustic, cedar bunk beds for at least a half-dozen. Downstairs, the gourmet kitchen is covered in black galaxy granite countertops that extend behind the Viking cooktop to create an enchanting and easy-to-clean backsplash. What’s really unique, though, is the edging done in what Matthews called rock-face style, both texturally rough and visually luring. A hand-crafted canoe made by a Grayling woodworker hangs above the bar area, a polished touch that helps set the up north tone for the whole property. There’s even a 936-square-foot “bonus room” above the garage set up with beds, furniture and loads of children’s toys — evidence the luxury lodge isn’t just for adults. Oh, and don’t forget the two-story treehouse with a zip line out back. HL Matthews Construction Petoskey www.matthewsconstructiongc.com Town & Country Cedar Homes Boyne Falls www.cedarhomes.com
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feature
Cottage-style condo Harbor Springs design company overhauls condo around field stone fireplace By Sheri McWhirter-O’Donnell • Photography by G. Randall Goss
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here is a well-apportioned condominium not far from Lake Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay shoreline in Harbor Springs, within which can be found room after room that beautifully blends classic styles and modern tastes. It’s an up north cottage inside a condo. And it’s perfect. The residence is a 2011 project by Cottage Company Interiors, a two-bedroom, one-level condo with two full bathrooms, a
formal dining room, gourmet kitchen, sitting room and keeping room by the natural field stone fireplace. The colors are soft, stylishly muted and painted across the walls, stitched into the furniture and even reflected in the throw blankets. “They wanted cottage, but something edgy,” said Jill Nuding, project manager for the design company that virtually overhauled the entire condo in one winter’s time.
In fact, the only original feature is the hearth itself, a classic Northern Michigan structure connected in load-bearing fashion to identical fireplaces in upstairs and downstairs condos. “Our construction team did a complete demo of the interior and started from scratch, except for the beautiful fireplace that needed to remain. But it was fabulous the way it was,” Nuding said. “Otherwise, we pretty much touched every surface.” HOMelife 21
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Cottage Continued from page 21
All but the second bedroom and master bathroom are floored with engineered, tongue-and-groove, dark walnut. And above, the ceilings are beadboard painted white in comfortable, cottage style. “We tend to think ceilings are overlooked,” Nuding said. “And in a condo where the ceilings are very low, it’s really part of the space.” Throughout the condo are shades of green, pink and the most alluring grayish-purple wall paint, described as Bauhaus Buff by designers. Then there are flashes of stronger lavenders, such as the inviting throw blanket kept slung across the corner of the “what recliner” chair — a made-to-order and made-tosize reclining chair that doesn’t even look like a reclining chair. Designers actually measured the property owner himself and made the chair both to fit him and to match the colorful, cottage design, Nuding said. Those soft, spring colors offer a soothing contrast to the stark white and eyecatching entertainment center, a custom-
made, wooden piece of furniture that anchors the naturally lighted sitting room. Flecks of pink and green are found in the hand-blown and custom-made glass fixtures from Boyer Glassworks Studio in Harbor Springs, Nuding said. It’s the kind of small detail that makes a big impression in the open-style kitchen with its clean lines and white cupboards. Even the refrigerator is hidden within the tidy wall of cupboards. But the big show in the kitchen is the countertop. Condo owners Don and Mary Kosch specifically chose the slabs of Vintage granite the construction team placed as both the wall-hugging countertops and the top of the island, with its deep, porcelain sink. The material hypnotizes with its dark granite spots accented by random and natural clear quartz, the type to allow a peek inside the luxurious surface. And the master suite also is fresh and bright, with plenty of natural light and soft tones. A designer-chosen antique queen bed frame charms from behind big, fluffy pillows. The frame even has hand-painted flowers and the
room is detailed with antique pieces and family photographs. It’s a comfortable place, indeed. The master bathroom is a stunning display of tile work done by the construction team with products from Emmet Brick & Block, of Harbor Springs. The 18-inch tiles of exceptionally unique fossilized material are placed around glittering smaller pieces to create an artistic display inside the rainfall-style shower. The tile material looks wildly organic. “It used to be called fossilia. It used to be an ocean floor millions of years ago. They call it sea grass,” said tile specialist Keith Campbell, of Emmet Brick & Block. “It’s a honed limestone. It’s beautiful and each piece is so unique because it has shells and little microorganisms in that product. It’s beautiful stuff.” Also, small stones were placed across the shower floor, with three rather special stones included. The owner once handed the stones to Nuding in the exact way he wanted them placed within the shower floor. HOMelife 23
“He handed them to me, in the pattern he wanted.� Jill Nuding, Cottage Company Interiors
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Cottage Continued from page 23
“He handed them to me, in the pattern he wanted,” Nuding said, smiling. “No explanation why.” So that’s what workers did — a requested personal touch meaningful only to the owners. Part of what makes the place a home. Designers also worked with the couple’s daughter, Abigail, to plan her own bedroom and bathroom. Soft greens and blues accent the light-colored room and its fullsized bed and hide-a-bed love seat. Also, a wall of white cupboards and desk space anchor the room, a space adorned with a fulllength, free-standing mirror and soft, colorful fabrics. Even the porcelain cupboard knobs were hand-painted with lovely flowers, another endearing touch. It may be the most inviting room in the condo. “They always say she ends up with the best spaces,” Nuding said, laughing. The teenager even chose the paintings on the wall, two brilliant oil paintings by local artist Mary Hramiec Hoffman, with her fine art gallery in Harbor Springs. The last room in the condo is the formal dining room, the space found immediately inside the door. It’s a warm, inviting room with yellow hues reflected in the artwork on the walls, the candles in the candelabras and the furniture itself. The design company’s carpenter hand-hewed several cedar beams installed in the dining room ceiling, which add nice lines and a visual flow into the condo’s main living spaces. There’s even an oil painting of sunflowers on the wall by award-winning local artist Kevin Barton. Nuding said Cottage Company Interiors influenced nearly all decisions made in the project — all furniture, fabrics and layout — save for the artwork. The family made nearly every choice when it came to the paintings on the walls, she said. “I think it’s very representative of what we do. We love to take the existing bones of a place and make it more modern with exquisite finishes,” Nuding said. Exquisite, indeed. HL
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Extraordinary Homes
Red runs through it Log home inspired by family, world travels
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By Sheri McWhirter-O’Donnell • Photography by G. Randall Goss
ina and Joseph McElgunn built their private Northern Michigan home with a multitude of personal touches, so every turn displays a reflection of their memory-laden and continent-hopping lives together. Town & Country Cedar Homes built their spectacular log home between 20052006 on the backside of Boyne Mountain, a hop away from the chair lift, within sight of the golf course and with a breathtaking view of the Boyne Valley. And it’s not just a beautiful, honey-colored log home on the
hillside, because the inside of this madeto-order lodge stops you in your tracks. You see red — loads and loads of red. “I’m a big, red person,” Gina said with a broad smile. The couple moved to their Boyne home year-round just last year after she retired as vice-president of quality for Pepsi Co., the last step of her career as a chemical engineer. In fact, a trip on a prior rung along Gina’s professional ladder influenced the stunning McElgunn home at a premiere local ski and golf resort. Joseph and Gina visited a $10 million lodge in Utah owned by her boss and altogether fell in love with the whole log look. “I found inspiration and we came back
and built our cabin,” Gina said. Though calling it a cabin isn’t really a fair description. The McElgunns built their very own lodge, a home for themselves in retirement and a designated play place for themselves and family.
family reflections
Inside the McElgunns’ impressive, custom-made front door, aside from a welcoming whippet named Felix, is a great room that’s truly great. Two-story ceilings with an open-faced, cedar staircase adorned with metal balusters round out a room filled with triangular peaks and a lovely, custom-made fireplace by Emmet Brick & Block, of Harbor Springs. HOMelife 27
“I found inspiration and we came back and built our cabin.” Gina McElgunn
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“I’m a big, red person.” The hearth works both as a gas fireplace with a birch log fixture, or as a regular, wood- Gina McElgunn
Seeing red
Continued from page 27
burner — another McElgunn special request. “All these timbers here are actually holding the roof up,” said Rocky Ackerman, sales representative for Town & Country. “And we’re not just home builders. We’re also a mill. All these things that jump out at you — the stairs, the beams, the doors — all of it is made by local craftsmen in our mill in Boyne Falls.” Just off the main living area is the real show-stopper. It’s a bright, red, gourmet kitchen with all the frills. It’s personal touch after personal touch. A red, ceiling-hung pot rack. Deep, porcelain, double-sided sink. Chalkboard front on the pantry door. Dining table made in England from reclaimed 30
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barn wood flooring. And enchanting, honed black granite countertops with hues of what other color, but red. “I wanted a red kitchen,” Gina said. She said she received help from designer Jill Keene, during her time with Preston Feather Building Centers. But just off the kitchen is the mud room, entirely of Gina’s design. The dark, slate tile from the kitchen extends into the mudroom, and Gina built the gorgeous bench herself — admitting she
loves to use her favored, basement-stored table saw for various projects, including future plans to build bird houses. She even hand-painted the beadboard walls a brilliant red with delicate, black trimming. It comes naturally as she hails from a handy family, Gina said, with an electrician father and a highly skilled cabinetmaker for a brother. On the other end of the main level is the master suite, a space that begins with double French doors that open to a table from The Quiet Moose Furniture Store in Petoskey. Above it hangs a commissioned coat of arms woven from wool by local weavers during the time the McElgunns lived in Africa, when Gina worked several years for CocaCola Co. Joseph is a McElgunn, of course, and Gina is a third-generation Gillie, a family that belongs to the Scottish MacPherson clan, she said. Additionally, part of Gina’s extensive collection of teddy bears — or bears, in general — is displayed just inside those
“She’s been building this house for 10 years.” Joseph McElgunn wooden French doors, a beloved and atypical design choice for a log home, she said. The master bedroom is stylishly filled with red and white furniture, with an open entry to a bright, natural light-filled bathroom designed with high peaks and individually selected fixtures. “All the fixtures I bought and had shipped here,” Gina said. A water closet is hidden behind a glass door that’s adjacent to a luxury bathtub ringed with smooth, carved stones imbedded in the tile work. The sink is unique, as well. It’s a large, square, designer sink that despite builders’ worries about inevitable drainage problems, has never run over, Gina said. And it’s not the only unique sink on the main level. A half-bath features a hand-selected chunk of black granite with a perfectly smooth bowl carved out to create a sink that sits atop a mariachi granite countertop. Then the lovely sink fixtures come directly out of the wall, a charming choice that repeats itself throughout the home.
Dedicated spaces, memories of adventures
At the base of the staircase into the basement a big, beautiful bar is well-lighted and well-stocked. It’s a stunning example of an entertaining centerpiece, a place to relax in fashion with a cocktail amid a rustic motif and Rocky Mountain sink and fixtures, again the kind that juts right out of the wall. The space is dubbed the Sleepy Bear Pub, taking its name from the name the McElgunns gave their home, the Sleepy Bear Lodge. Gina said her nephew, stone mason Scot Gillie of Traverse City, did the sharplooking stonework on the bar and her cabinetmaker brother, William Gillie of Scotco Woodworking in Detroit, made the lovely bar top from a 70-year-old tree.
The adjacent family room is filled with meaningful treasures, such as a painting picked up in Russia, wooden giraffe statues collected in Africa, an ink painting on a palm leaf purchased while on a trip to see the pyramids in Egypt and Gina’s grandmother’s antique sewing machine. There’s even a painting by local artist Jerry Douglas, with his Bay Harbor studio. The nearby library is filled with both books and memories. There are detailed model boats made by Gina’s mother dis-
played on the custom shelving, a painting on the wall of her grandfather’s Rhode Island marina and another of a golf course in Swaziland, Africa, where Joseph worked when that’s where they lived. There’s also a framed photograph of Gina rock climbing in the Upper Peninsula — more proof of an adventurous life. Also in the basement is a bedroom inspired by Furskin Bears, meant as a designated space for Joseph and Gina’s grandson. It comes complete with bunk beds from HOMelife 31
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231-753-2110
www.ballards-ph.com
Seeing red Continued from page 31
The Quiet Moose and across the hall is a room for his parents, too, with a sleighstyle bed and a red, white and blue motif. There’s also a picture window facing the Boyne Valley view and even tiny bear paw prints etched into the metal closet door knobs — every detail an intended choice. “I didn’t want the feel of a basement,” Gina said while she peered outside. And she got what she wanted, as natural light floods into all westward-facing rooms, quite unlike most basements around. Another family suite is found on the second story, the bright spot being the granddaughter’s room with its soft, orange carpet contrasted against the custommade wall of cupboards and shelves designed in opposite colors light green and hot pink. It’s a little girl’s delight, adorned with teddy bears, a colorful daybed and a toy chest from Gina’s own childhood, the kind that still bears a scorched spot from when once left too near a wood-burning cast iron stove. Across the hall is granddaughter’s parents’ bedroom, with its eyecatching, barrel vaulted ceiling made with white cedar beadboard. But the literal pinnacle of the home is found in Gina’s upstairs office, where the open loft style design allows her to work on projects or dig through her extensive Christmas closet without feeling disconnected from Joseph’s main floor perch, she said. The McElgunns often host family at their custom home at Boyne Mountain Resort. It’s a continuation of long-running family traditions and Gina said she loves to host them at the home she loves so much. “I used to come up here skiing as a kid,” Gina said. “We love to golf and we love winter sports.” Joseph said he, too, is thrilled with how the home turned out and is happy his wife has her Northern Michigan dream home. “She’s been building this house for 10 years,” he said, laughing. HL Town & Country Cedar Homes Boyne Falls www.cedarhomes.com
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recipe
Morels The taste of spring Medallions of Beef with Morels
By Sheri McWhirter-O’Donnell • Photography by M. Chris Leese
T
he popular consensus is Northern Michigan’s late spring will translate into a quality morel season, but it’s an opinion spoken only in whispers to avoid a fungal jinx. Last year’s early spring and unnaturally warm temperatures ruined the morel season and local mushroom hunters remain eager for at least a normal season this time. Should the moisture levels be right and the temperatures just so, perhaps your secret morel spot will provide the bounty you seek. Should that happen, local chefs Matt Bugera, of The New York Restaurant in Harbor Springs, and Brett Cuper, of Morel’s Bistro in Boyne City, shared some recipes for delicious ways to prepare them.
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The New York Restaurant — Matt Bugera, chef — Bugera said this is a seasonal appetizer served at The New York Restaurant for the last 15 years which lures returning customers again and again. “The fresh asparagus is coming up and the nutty flavor of the morels go together so well with it, along with the crispy top and the richness of the cream, all makes it delicious,” he said. The lovely cream does go very well with the mushrooms and the garnish topping adds the perfect texture to contrast the asparagus and morels.
Morel and Asparagus Gratin
1 teaspoon butter 1 tablespoon minced shallots 2 tablespoons cream White wine (splash) Morels Sliced shallots Cooked asparagus Bread crumbs (garnish) Parmesan cheese (garnish) Blend together over low heat the butter, cream, white wine and minced shallots and spoon into a small dish, then place cooked asparagus, sliced shallots and morels on top. Finally, garnish with bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Broil until browned and serve as an appetizer.
heat. Add cucumber and sauté until just turning brown, about 4 minutes. Season with salt. Add stock or wine, reduce heat and poach gently until cucumber is glazed, about 6 minutes.
— Bugera said this dish also is a seasonal entree at The New York Restaurant. The rich flavors of the morels and beef in the demiglaze is a taste explosion. “It’s just a good combo of the meat and the mushrooms,” he said. The plate makes a hearty, elegant and perfect seasonal meal for mushroom and red meat lovers in Northern Michigan.
Season medallions with kosher salt on both sides. Lightly dredge in flour, shaking off excess. Heat 3 tablespoons canola oil over medium-high heat. Add veal and cook as desired, about 90 seconds per side for medium-rare.
Medallions of Beef with Morels
2 4-ounce beef tenderloin medallions Clarified butter Salt and pepper Shallots Morels White wine Demi-glaze Season the beef with salt and pepper and sauté in butter. Add shallots and mushrooms and then de-glaze with a splash of white wine. Add the demi-glaze and reduce to desired thickness. Serve with fresh vegetables and a starch.
Morel’s Bistro — Brett Cuper, chef — Cuper said he created this dish with grain-fed beef tenderloins and enjoys the cream sauce so much he may add the plate this year as a seasonal entree at his restaurant, Morel’s Bistro. “I do like it so much,” he said. And he’s not wrong. The cream sauce is delicious and rich and is a lovely combination with the tender beef and morel garnish.
Veal Tenderloin and Morel Cream Sauce with Fried Cucumbers
Morel Cream Sauce: 1 pound fresh or 3 ounces re-hydrated dried morels 2 tablespoons olive oil
Morel and Asparagus Gratin
1 tablespoon shallots 2 cloves garlic chopped fine Pinch fresh thyme 2 tablespoons butter Kosher salt to taste Heat oil in a medium-sized sauté pan over medium heat. Add mushrooms, shallots and pinch of kosher salt. Cook until mushrooms begin to brown. Add garlic, thyme and pinch of salt. Add butter and continue cooking until mushrooms are brown and crisp. Reserve enough uniform pieces for garnish (1 mushroom per serving). For Sauce: 2 1/4 cups white wine 1 1/2 cups chicken stock 3/4 cup chopped morels 6 medium shallots 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons Marsala 1 teaspoon fresh thyme 4 1/2 cups whipping cream
Combine wine, chicken stock, mushrooms, shallots, Marsala and thyme in large saucepan. Cook over medium heat until reduced to 3 tablespoons. Add cream and cook until thickened, stirring occasionally. Strain sauce through fine sieve. Return sauce to pan, add remaining morels and place over medium heat and simmer 10 to 15 minutes until sauce thickens (can be made a day ahead). Cucumbers: 1 English cucumber peeled 2 tablespoons butter 1 1/2 cups chicken stock or white wine Cut cucumber in half and remove seeds. Cut crosswise into 2-inch pieces. Cut each piece lengthwise into four slices. Melt butter in large sauté pan over medium-high
— The following walleye entree is a regular, year-round menu item at Morel’s Bistro, and there’s good reason why. “Our fish is always from Lake Superior or Northern Lake Huron. I like its taste best,” Cuper said. Each bite of this fish is a flavorful, mushroom-laden delight with a crispy panko topping. Cuper served the dish with a lemon risotto panko ball that leaves you wanting more. The citrusinduced starch goes so incredibly well with the walleye. “The staff here loves that lemon risotto,” Cuper said with a wide smile.
Morel-Encrusted Walleye with Duxelle Sauce
Duxelle: 1/2 cup olive oil 1 1/2 pounds fresh chopped morels 1 ounce dried morels rehydrated and chopped 1/4 cup shallots 1 tablespoon garlic chopped fine 1 tablespoon kosher salt 2 teaspoons course ground black pepper 1 1/2 cups white wine Heat oil in large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, aromatics, salt and pepper and sauté until mushrooms release their liquid. Add wine and reduce.
HOMelife 35
EXPERT ADVICE
SEGMENTS
of the real estate market
I
f you were to listen to the media — television, radio or newspaper — you would think our market was back at normal levels. But when talking about the housing market values being up 14 percent, you must keep in mind some of these areas had lost 40-45 percent of their values, so now they are just 30 percent behind. My concern is that national statistics may keep buyers and sellers from making deals. Sellers are being led to believe that we’re back to normal, with normal being where we were five or six years ago. Not only is that not accurate, we are finding real estate hurdles that didn’t exist in the old normal. Appraisals. Short sales that negatively reflect on the local market. Highly motivated sellers who just dump their properties (there aren’t too many of these, however, some people frankly just need to sell). As most people know, there are many segments to the real estate market. Residential homes, waterfront homes and condominiums, commercial/industrial, acreage and vacant land. Probably vacant acreage has taken the hardest hit. Properties that sold for $4,000-5,000 an acre are now selling for $2,000-2,500 an acre. Waterfront condos lost up to 40 percent of their values. Waterfront residences, depending on their locations, lost as much as 30 percent and residential homes in
the local market lost between 25–30 percent. I am reluctant to use these statistics, and some may disagree with them. But I am speaking from my own experience in our local market. The good news is for the last three or four months we watched a huge stabilization in the market with greatly increased activity and inquiries. Based on our figures to date, by the end of May we will be 50 percent ahead of where we were a year ago. The market is good. But our pending sales, while significantly increased in number over last year at this time, don’t show a huge increase in values. This potentially will change as inventory decreases. So now let’s delve into the second home market. When we talk about second homes, for most buyers, BROKER/OWNER we are talking about discretionary spending. What that means is these buyers do not have to make a Fifteen years ago, if a person purchase right now, and if they are looked for a cottage or second home going to, it will have to be the right and they found something they redeal at the right price. What that ally liked, the decision to purchase means to the seller is, if you have a often was made on emotion and not second home to sell, straining the actual value. It was nothing to have upper limits of the list price will two or three offers come in on the not work and could backfire, as the same property, which subsequently property languishes too long on the would sell for more than the askmarket. With so much information ing price. I’m not sure we’ll get back readily available, rarely will you find to that anytime soon. With buyers a buyer who is going to overpay for and sellers both paying close attena property. Most of today’s buyers tion to real estate sales, I feel the start looking for a second home end result will be a better balance already knowing what the values are. in the housing market overall.
Pat O’Brien
Pat O’Brien is a longtime Boyne City resident where for the last 23 years he has worked in real estate, and now is the broker and owner of Pat O’Brien & Associates on Water Street. His focus is on what clients want and need, whether it be an in-town home, lakeside vacation property or vacant land. O’Brien also is highly involved in numerous organizations, including nonprofits, school groups and community enhancement programs. He can be reached at (231) 582-1700 or online at www.patobrien.com.
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Taste of spring • Premium quality annual flats & perennials • Custom planting & maintenance • Full service florist • Unique garden art • Huge variety of pottery • Gifts for the home
Northern Michigan’s Hidden Treasure
692 E. Lake Street • H A R B O R S P R I N G S
PN-00367918
231-526-2851 Family Owned Since 1971 www.christiansgreenhouses.com
Continued from page 35
Breading: 3 medium leeks quartered and sautéed in olive oil 2 cups duxelle (warm with leeks) 8 cups Panko Combine in bowl and mix until it forms a moist breading. Walleye: Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Rinse walleye filet and pat dry. Split filet half way and coat with panko crumbs. Stuff filet with duxelle breading and place on baking sheet. Bake in oven for 11 minutes. Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons duxelle in small sauce pan. Add 1/3 cup heavy cream and reduce until sauce thickens slightly. Spoon over walleye and serve. — This dish carries a strong balsamic flavor sure to delight the balsamic fan. It’s a unique taste with the morels, creating an enticing combination with the tender red meat. Cuper said this is a new creation he’s been testing out. It is a strong entree with both powerful balsamic and subtle mushroom flavors.
Beef Medallions with Sautéed Morels in Balsamic Sauce
Morel Balsamic Sauce: 3 tablespoons olive oil Morels 1 shallot 2 cloves garlic chopped fine 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar 3/4 cup chicken stock 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme 2 teaspoons cilantro Heat oil in medium sauce pan over medium-high heat. Add morels, shallots and garlic. Cook until mushrooms begin to brown. De-glaze pan with vinegar. Cook until vinegar is almost syrup, then add chicken stock. Reduce until thickened, and add thyme and cilantro. Spoon sauce over steak and garnish with cilantro. Season medallions with kosher salt on both sides. Lightly dredge in flour, shaking off excess. Heat 3 tablespoons canola oil over medium-high heat. Add veal and cook as desired, 90 seconds per side for medium-rare.
HL
HOMelife 37
Resources for your HomeLife We believe our customers are entitled to the highest quality and worksmanship that we can provide. We strive to apply the knowledge we have accumulated through years of experience coupled with ongoing training to provide our customers with the highest quality available. Our time-honored traditions and reputation for getting the job done correctly and on time create an efficient workflow for all other trades that may follow. Specializing in foundations, flatwork, retaining walls, decorative concrete and landscape applications. Contact us at (231) 582-6114 or info@baykoconcrete.com. Visit our website, baykoconcrete.com, to learn more about us.
Our store is a pleasant place of discovery. Fun, bright home accessories and gifts adorn the shelves — exquisite, fragrant candles; kitchen gadgets; towels and linens for the cottage; puzzles and more! Every time you visit you will experience a new store! Interior design that makes YOUR dreams and visions come true. BuildLegacy for your construction needs. Fabrics from Robert Allen, Duralee, Avant Garde, Pindler & Pindler, Greenhouse. Wallcoverings from Printer’s Guild, Ashford House, Ronald Redding, York and more. Hunter Douglas Window Fashions, custom workrooms, bedding, drapery, professional installations. People’s choice for Funkiest Gift Store in Northern Michigan. Find us on Facebook. (231) 582-0526. 309 S. Lake St., Boyne City.
CindiFranco’s cool stuff
Reid Furniture Co. has been serving the entire Northern Michigan region since 1927. As we begin our fourth generation of a family owned business we understand better than anyone, how important dependable furnishings at reasonable prices are
to our customers. The service that our well trained associates provide is yet another reason why we are the area’s largest, most
dependable and most experienced home furnishings provider. With names like Flexsteel, Coastal Living, Lloyd/Flanders, All Weather Wicker, Sealy and Stearns & Foster Mattresses just to name a few. We are confident our products have the look and feel of what you would want your home furnishings to be.
At Reid Furniture you will get the help you need with our free, in-home design service. There is no cost or obligation. One of our non-commissioned sales associates will be happy to assist you, in your home, to determine what works and what doesn’t. We want your experience with Reid Furniture to be easy and fun!
Stop in and browse our different vignettes and speak with one of our associates to create a new look for your home, cabin or condo.
Buy mill direct cedar and pine building products. Town & Country specializes in kiln-dried, northern white cedar and pine building products. They meet your production needs from their Boyne Falls, Mich. sawmill. • End Match Tongue & Groove Paneling • Interior and Exterior Trim • Half-Log Siding • Railing Packages • Custom Log Mill Work • Cedar Shake Shingles • Cedar Doors Let one of their professionals estimate your project and experience their drive toward 100% customer satisfaction. No job is too big or too small. Town & Country has been providing quality products nationwide since 1947. Toll Free (888) 829-5909. (231) 348-5605 www.michigancedarproducts.com
Reid Furniture Co. has been serving the Northern Michigan region since 1927. As we begin our fourth generation as a family-owned business, we understand the importance of dependable furnishings at reasonable prices. We offer products like Flexsteel, Coastal Living, Lloyd/Flanders, All Weather Wicker, Sealy and Stearns & Foster mattresses, and are confident they have the look and feel you want. One of our non-commissioned sales associates will be happy to provide a free, in-home design service. We want your experience with Reid Furniture to be easy and fun! Stop in to browse our different vignettes and we can help you create a new look for your home, cabin or condo. (231) 347-2942. 307 E. Mitchell St., Petoskey. www.ReidIndeed.com
Kiss Carpet Design Center opened in March of 1986. Ken Roberts never forgot the words of motivational speaker Earl Nightingale: “Keep It Simple Salesmen.” In fact, the advice made such an impression on Ken that he and wife Kathy decided to use it when they named their business. At all Kiss Carpet Design Center locations customers can view a large selection of colors, products, and the latest fashion statements in the flooring industry. “We continually stay focused on our service department, working on providing the best service to our customers, the type of service they cannot get anywhere else,” Ken says. Showroom locations: Harbor Springs, Traverse City and Mancelona. Like us on Facebook. 1-800-352-5936 www.KissCarpet.com
Since 1976, Widing Custom Homes has maintained a reputation for unparalleled excellence. At Widing Custom Homes, we build each home as if it were our own. Whether a quaint cottage or luxury estate, we create homes where families can grow and memories will be made. We build each home with total commitment to customer satisfaction through high standards, superior craftsmanship, hard work,reliability, and the integrity to do the right thing. And we stand behind each home with our 10 year home warranty. Not with a signature...but a handshake, we pledge to do whatever it takes to build your dream home. Widing Custom Homes (231)933-6680 www.WidingCustomHomes.com www.facebook.com/widingcustomhomes
JPR Builders is a leading contractor in Northern Michigan, constantly striving to bring effective and efficient building practices to your project. We provide unsurpassed attention-to-detail, creative problem solving and workable solutions to all your building needs. We work closely with area designers and architects to maintain the highest standard in designs and function. Jim Russell brings with him 22 years of industry experience, building and remodeling homes in Northern Michigan, Park City, Utah, and Livingston, Mont., since 1989. Our motto is “envision, create, enjoy.” Visit our website, www.jprbuilders.com, to learn more about us. (231) 838-0494.
Wager Builders Inc., have been making houses GREEN for more than 20 years with the use of insulation and infrared scans. The right insulation will save money by keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, reducing yearly energy costs. It can also reduce damage caused by extreme weather conditions. It can reduce noise pollution and dust, making your home a quiet and clean place to relax. Wager Builders Inc. features two eco-friendly types of insulation: Nu-Wool Premium Cellulose Insulation and Demilec Spray Foam Insulation. A proud member of the Little Traverse Association of Home Builders. Carl D. Wager, 341 Alcan Drive, Petoskey. (231) 838-0220
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free in-home design
|
free regional delivery
|
special ordering
ReidFurnitureCo.
Dependable Merchandise and Distinguished Service | Celebrating 84 Years of Quality www.ReidIndeed.com | 347-2942 | 307 E. Mitchell Street, Petoskey
Wager Builders Inc.
picture yourself in
a Dave Kring caDillac
2 0 1 3 C a d i l l a C aT S
1861 US 31 N. Petoskey • 231-347-2585
www.DaveKring.com
HOMElife 39
(231) 838-6700 Mobile WWW.PATLEAVY.COM
Walloon Lake Waterfront 5186 Jones Landing, Petoskey Charming cottage on Walloon Lake located on the North Arm just minutes from Petoskey and Boyne City. Features include two bedrooms + a loft for additional guests, two full baths, a loft that is great for kids, gas fireplace, beautiful kitchen with granite countertops. Enjoy beautiful water views from your large patio overlooking the lake and leads to your private dock and 50’ of waterfront. This is a great buy! $699,000
Lake Charlevoix Waterfront 03184 Springwater beach, Boyne City Enjoy 250' of exceptional frontage on Lake Charlevoix from this classic cozy cottage perfectly located only minutes from Boyne City and features three bedrooms, three full baths, one-half bath, two fireplaces, large porch overlooking the lake, and a dock with shore station. $799,000
Burt Lake Waterfront 940 Wahbee Avenue, Indian River Excellent location on the shore of Burt Lake with 120' of prime waterfront with 2972 sq. ft. home. This open floor plan offers plenty of room for family & friends. Features include tile floors, fireplace, large lakeside deck, detached 2 car garage, & beautiful landscaping are just a few of the amenities this home offers. Sunsets are unsurpassed and the gentle slope to the lake lend to beautiful lake views. $649,000
Bay Harbor - Burt Lake - Lake Charlevoix - Petoskey - Walloon Lake PN-00359914