COMFORT & JOY TEXT BY LYNN BAKEMAN PHOTOS BY DAVID DANIELE
PERCHED ON A HILLTOP peninsula, this home captures sweeping panoramic views of the Manitou Islands and Lakes Leelanau and Michigan and is the embodiment of the homeowner’s Danish roots. It is also the reflection of a talented team who learned how to translate the owner’s deeply held ideals of hygge into a home that exceeded their expectations.
“For me, growing up in Denmark, hygge has always been imbedded into our way of life,” shared the wife whose British husband shares similar sensibilities. “It is about creating an atmosphere that leads to happiness and togetherness. It is also about simple pleasures and being present in the moment.” Although the family is international in heritage, demanding careers brought them to West Michigan more than 10 years ago. In their previous Grand Rapids home, they worked with Via Design on a major remodel to move them closer to their desired environment: bringing in natural light, simplifying lines, and opening indoor spaces.
The couple are avid cyclists and over the years developed a deep affinity for the Leelanau peninsula, its shoreline, forests, and farmland. The hilly, post-glacial landscape reminded them of an area of Denmark where their family spent every summer while their children were growing up. After securing a plot of land that offered a potential vista of serene peacefulness, they spent several years sketching out what they envisioned within the template of a Danish summer home; one that was light-filled and contemporary, with extensive glass to maximize the views and to bring nature into their living spaces. Scandinavian design blends minimalism and functionality, combining clean lines with a minimalist aesthetic to create bright and airy interiors. “We discovered that a Scandinavian house may mean something completely different to a Dane and an architect,” noted the homeowner who actively collaborated with the Via Design team to translate their vision into the home’s eventual design.