northern home & cottage
“They
– Scott Naumes, Mapleridge Construction
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Flikr Fire
Flickering flames and cooler weather go hand-in-hand. But not everyone gets access to a fireplace or fire pit in their home. FLÎKR Fire® tabletop smokeless fire pit is an isopropyl alcohol–powered personal fireplace that runs for 50 minutes of burn time, radiating heat and bringing the campfire indoors. It’s more than just a candle—the flame is safe to cook over without the worry of carbon monoxide. Pass the marshmallow bag.
Flora Bae, florabaehome.com
FALL FINDS TO COZY UP YOUR HOME
As Northern Michigan settles into its hunker-down season, these cool objects from local shops will transition your home into a warm retreat.
By NICOLE LANE
leaf peeping season peaks and the crisp autumn air surrounds us in Northern Michigan, there’s no better time to transform your home into a cocooned haven. Shifting your abode from beach vacation to harvest season sets the tone for the next few months of much-needed hibernation—unhurried, homey and exactly what Up North life is all about.
We explored local boutiques and shops for thoughtful objects to create comfort, warmth and character in your space during the seasonal change. Trade in your beach towels for wool throws and ease into a slower, cozier rhythm of a restful autumn. Whether you’re in Petoskey, Manistee or Traverse City, here are our top 10 picks for the months ahead.
3 4 5
2. Mulling Spices
When temps cool, we pivot from crisp, cold pours to cozy mulled wines. Mix these cinnamon-forward mulling spices with brown sugar, apple cider and a dry riesling. Kick back and relax—fall is here.
Secret Garden at Brys Estate, bryssecretgarden.com
3. Storm Glass Weather Predictor
This elegant glass vessel isn’t just a decorative piece of art; it can let you know if short sleeves or snow boots are in your immediate future. Storm glass works by containing a liquid mixture that can predict sunshine, thunderstorms and snow. In the land of fierce blizzards, ditch the weather app and consider storm glass your newest meteorological companion. Plus, who doesn’t love a good conversation starter?
Sanctuary Goods, sanctuarygoods.com
4. Season Relief Soaking Salts
This NoMi creator of all-things-good-smelling focuses on high-quality natural remedies with simple and clean products. With the cold weather creeping in, aches and pains flare up—here’s where Season Relief comes in. Sprinkle into your nightly bath, relax and unwind. There’s nothing a hot bath can’t fix.
Great Lakes Bath & Body, greatlakesbathandbody.com
5. Campfire Orange Bandana
This orange bandana, designed by the Manistee Log Mark, is inspired by the log markings of James R. Hall, a logger based in Saginaw, and the crossroads mark by J.K. Lockwood, who was registered in Alpena County. Scarf up to keep your neck cozy, or layer it on your tabletop for a pop of fall color.
August, augustshop.us
6. Sorel Men’s Dude Moc
After you slip off your outside shoes (and step into your alpaca socks), next come these soft and cozy suede Sorels with a faux fur lining. Not just for snuggling—if you need to head outside to grab your firewood, these shoes come with vulcanized rubber soles that can handle a quick step out in the elements. Snyder’s Shoes, snydershoes.com
7. Simon Pearce Pottery
These one-of-a-kind plates and glassware sets come in a mossy green hue—almost like they’ve been plucked from the Earth with their pinch pot design and uneven edges. The rustic charm is certain to make your hot chocolate taste sweeter with every sip. Sheffield’s, sheffields-gallery.com
8. Recycled Cotton Throws
Everything at textile shop Eelo is designed and created by the company, which works with weaving houses in India and Portugal to develop sustainable and ethical
products. Lately, we’ve been swooning over their recycled cotton throws. These soft blankets with muted neutral colors are perfect for wrapping up with a good book and some lavender-chamomile tea.
Eelo, helloeelo.com
9. Moroccan Shag Pillows
Burnt oranges, muted blues and dark browns sing to the tune of autumn. Ella’s Moroccan shag pillows are soft, oversized (24 x 24 inches) and ideal for making your couch a comfortable nest
Ella’s, swingbyellas.com
10. Alpaca Herd Socks
Nothing says autumn quite like kicking off your boots and sliding into a pair of fresh socks after a long day. These crew socks come adorned with brown, cream and black alpacas and are crafted from baby alpaca and viscose bamboo, making for a soft and snuggly evening curled up as the temperatures drop.
Crystal Lake Alpaca Boutique, crystallakealpacas.com
Photography by Beth Singer
Photo courtesy of Knightwing Media
VIRTUAL HOME TOUR northern home & cottage 2025
WHAT IS IT
OFFICIAL SPONSOR
FEATURED SPONSOR
about getting a glimpse inside someone’s beautiful home that feels so delicious? Sure, we love the design ideas, the craftsmanship, the inspo. But we also love the how-it-came-to-be stories that read like love letters to life Up North. And we’ve got five amazing love stories for you this year, from a cottage’s total rebuild after a devastating fire, to a home playfully inspired by a couple’s love of a favorite hotel. Mark October 30 on your calendar and prepare to get cozy on the couch with immersive video tours of each of these gorgeous homes. The virtual format allows an intimate look inside, as well as in-depth interviews with the homeowners and builders about their challenges, successes and favorite design elements. Our generous sponsors make this tour possible—heartfelt thanks to our official sponsor, M&M Garage Doors of Traverse City, and featured sponsor Honor Onekama Building Supply.
Both our sponsors’ support and yours make it possible for us to gift the annual tour proceeds to Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan. Since 2013, this tour has raised more than $157,000 to help provide a critical safety net for northwestern Michigan’s most vulnerable children. The generosity of readers, viewers and homeowners has helped so many local families—we are truly grateful.
Accessing the tour is easy! Here’s how:
1. GO TO LINK.MYNORTH.COM/TOUR25
2. MAKE A SUGGESTED DONATION OF $10 TO SUPPORT CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES OF NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN AND GET YOUR TICKET.
3. WATCH FOR AN EMAIL WITH A UNIQUE PASSWORD.
4. ON OCT. 30, YOU WILL RECEIVE A SECOND EMAIL WITH AN ONLINE LINK TO THE VIRTUAL TOUR. (IF YOU PURCHASE TICKETS AFTER OCT. 30, YOU’LL RECEIVE THE LINK IMMEDIATELY UPON PURCHASE.)
5. ENTER YOUR PASSWORD AND YOU WILL FIND ALL OF THE HOMES READY TO VIEW.
6. WANT TO SEE THE HOUSES AGAIN AND AGAIN? NO PROBLEM. THE VIRTUAL TOURS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING UNTIL DEC. 31.
SCAN ME WITH YOUR SMART PHONE TO GET TICKETS IN A SNAP!
by LUCINDA HAHN
photos courtesy of BAY AREA CONTRACTING
BACKWOODS BELLAGIO
ONE WELL-TRAVELED COUPLE BEAT THE ODDS BY MARRYING THE PIZZAZZ OF A FAVORITE HOTEL WITH THE COMFORTS OF HOME.
For a couple who loves both the glitz of Las Vegas and the peace of Northern Michigan, designing their “forever home” meant merging two very different worlds. With the help of BAC Design Group, an arm of Traverse City-based builders Bay Area Contracting, they pulled it off—creating a retreat that feels like a five-star hotel without sacrificing comfort and livability.
The homeowners are frequent travelers and hospitality aficionados, and drew inspiration from one of their fave Vegas hotel-casinos: The Bellagio. That meant going all in on luxurious textures, rich colors and glitzy details. “They wanted it to feel glamorous, yes,” says Erica Murdock, BAC Design Group’s lead designer. “But they also wanted to feel comfortable in their home.” Enter natural woods, warm tones, and an inviting layout to create a feeling of ease and balance.
CONTRACTOR
BAY AREA CONTRACTING LOCATION
WILLIAMSBURG
The primary bath hits the jackpot with large-format porcelain tiles jazzed up with gold-glitter grout for the requisite dazzle. The kitchen’s bold blue labradorite island and gold-streaked backsplash shimmer beneath dark wood cabinetry. Statement lighting, wall treatments and plush textiles add layers of glamour, while wide-plank floors, rustic ceiling beams and an oldworld limestone fireplace keep things grounded.
Downstairs, lighter tones signal a serene, spa-style retreat featuring a steam room, soaking tub and workout area—“a complete departure from upstairs,” says Murdock. “In the end, they can do everything you’d want to do at a hotel, right here at home.”
Set in Orchard View, a new development in Williamsburg, the home—built by Bay Area Contracting—is a testament to the possibilities of design-build collaboration. From the home’s construction to its interior design to furnishing every room, one firm handled it all. “With all of us working under the same roof, it allows us to push the limits,” notes Murdock.
by LUCINDA HAHN photos courtesy of KNIGHTWING MEDIA
WATERFRONT REBUILD
ON THE SHORES OF GRAND TRAVERSE BAY, A FAMILY SWAPPED THEIR AGING HOME FOR A NEW BUILD, ONE THAT CAN TAKE ON LAKE MICHIGAN WEATHER AND THREE GROWING CHILDREN.
When a family of five realized their cozy waterfront home could no longer keep pace with three growing kids, they made a bold choice: tear it down and start fresh—right on the same site they loved.
“The original house had water issues and just wasn’t working for their needs,” says Mapleridge’s general manager, Scott Naumes. “They wanted more space, better layout and something built to last.” Project manager Karl Hitchcock adds that strict zoning and stormwater requirements made the project challenging, requiring an underground retention system and careful site grading.
CONTRACTOR
MAPLERIDGE CONSTRUCTION
LOCATION
OLD MISSION PENINSULA, TRAVERSE CITY
The new home—twice the size of the original—takes full advantage of its gently sloped lot, with a walk-out lower level that serves as a family-fun hangout, complete with a gym, beach-entry mudroom and shower. The main level sits higher than before, eliminating past water problems and offering sweeping views from a full-width covered deck, where four heaters tucked into the ceiling warm up chilly Michigan evenings.
Inside, Mapleridge’s signature craftsmanship shines. “Not every home has the budget for this level of trim detail,” says Naumes. Bold columns stand sentry in the great room, while wainscoting and ample built-in cabinetry add oomph to the elegant vibe. The custom-built, cantilevered breakfast nook has become a beloved aerie, where pancakes are served with a side of stunning water views. And throughout the home, light-aqua tones in the tiling and decor bring in the Grand Traverse Bay backdrop.
A mix of asphalt and metal roofing adds architectural interest, including a striking barrel roof. From the expanded three-car garage to thoughtful landscaping that balances privacy and aesthetics, this is a home tailor-made for both family life and lakeside entertaining—a true upgrade in every sense.
Photo by Jacqueline Southby
by LUCINDA HAHN photos by JAMIE MCKENZIE
LAKESIDE LUXE
A HOMEOWNER AND INTERIOR DESIGNER CREATE A LAKESIDE RETREAT THAT BLENDS HERITAGE AND MODERN EASE.
As their family tree expanded from one generation to the next, homeowners of an older Torch Lake cabin were inspired to undertake a total reinvention. They wanted to start fresh, and imbue the home with a nautical vibe that felt crisp and light.
One of their first calls was to Meagan McLain of McLain Designs. Having previously replaced the cabin’s countertops, McLain was up to the challenge, partnering with the builder to create a spacious, modern family retreat that still nods to its Up North roots. “We wanted it to feel new and light, but carry those threads of warmth and history,” McLain says.
CONTRACTOR
MCLAIN DESIGNS
LOCATION
TORCH LAKE
The heart of the home is an airy kitchen anchored by a welcoming island and pretty blue hutch—subtle nautical touches inspired by Torch Lake’s deep blues. A Cambria quartz countertop flows seamlessly into a full-height backsplash, while the Ralph Lauren pendant lights are inspired by the vintage Fresnel lens once used in lighthouses throughout the Great Lakes. Seating comes courtesy of Serena & Lily’s woven bistro stools, a playful nod to lakeside leisure.
Luxury vinyl plank flooring that mimics the look of natural pine was chosen for its resilience against wet swimsuits, sandy feet and constant summer traffic. Cedar tongue-and-groove, a design cue from the old cabin, warms the upstairs ceilings and the island’s back paneling. Off the kitchen, a mudroom and laundry area keep towels, gear and beverages within easy reach—no need to track water through the house.
“It’s a place designed for barefoot kids, sunset dinners and family weekends,” says McLain. “Exactly what a Torch Lake home should be.”
Photo by Sam Crick
by LUCINDA HAHN
photos by JACQUELINE SOUTHBY
LIVING ART
BOLD DESIGN AND CUSTOM CRAFTSMANSHIP BRING
THE OUTDOORS IN TO THIS HARBOR SPRINGS
CONTEMPORARY MASTERPIECE.
Rising from the shores of Lake Michigan, this modern marvel is more than a home— it’s a work of art brought to life by mPn (Miller, Poineau & Naumes), under the sage direction of builder Chris Miller and architectural designer Frederick Crosley Ball.
“Fred brought us the project…it’s a one‑of‑a‑kind piece of art, and always a challenge as the builder,” says Miller, mPn’s co owner and general manager. The showpiece of those challenges? A two story, fully exposed glass elevator—sleek, dramatic and anything but standard. “It took countless on site meetings to figure out the structural and code issues,” Miller adds. “There was no playbook.” The result is a stunning vertical sculpture of glass and artisan crafted metal that feels more like a museum installation than a utility.
CONTRACTOR mPn
LOCATION
HARBOR SPRINGS
Off the entry, a powder room glows with a backlit onyx slab wall, a jewel box moment. The second floor is a private owner’s retreat, featuring a capacious primary bathroom with floor to ceiling, west facing windows all the better to soak in the sunset while brushing one’s teeth. Just outside, Ball designed a living roof of grasses to mirror the shoreline below—and deliver an organic surround for the second floor terrace. Even the two guest bathrooms, downstairs and deep within the home’s core, bring the outside in, thanks to custom glass skylight ceilings (by Harbor Springs based Ceeflow) that bathe the space in natural light.
In the lower level man cave, warm walnut walls envelop custom glass and wood wine cabinets, built by mPn in their own shop along with the white oak cabinetry throughout the house, lending the feel of handcrafted furniture. “Every room has something unique and distinctive,” says Miller. “We are thrilled to show our team’s craftsmanship in this one of a kind Northern Michigan home.”
by LISSA MARTIN
photos by SAM CRICK
LAKESIDE LODGE
EARTH TONES AND WHITE-PINE TIMBERS DEFINE THIS HOME ON THE WOODED SHORE OF TINY HERENDEENE
LAKE NEAR THE VILLAGE OF LAKE ANN.
CONTRACTOR
SCOTT NORRIS CONSTRUCTION LOCATION
LAKE ANN
when you create a home in the woods, it’s only natural to let that sense of place shine through in the home’s design and build.
“The homeowner wanted this home to feel connected to nature so that it is appropriate to its rustic, wooded setting on this little lake,” says Scott Norris of Scott Norris Construction. This lakeside lodge pulls that off and more, thanks to the cohesive talents—from skilled carpenters to designers—that work under one roof at Scott Norris Construction.
Designed by Scott’s son, Caleb Norris, the home uses earth-tone colors, woodwork and natural products to harmonize with its environment. That begins with the site, where the stone foundation, cedar shake siding and sage-colored board-andbatten exterior blend with the forest setting. The home’s structural white pine timbers, harvested from the site and its surrounding forest, were shaped in Norris’s own timber-frame shop. Those sturdy beams are complemented by rustic interior elements, like the stone fireplace that soars to the pine-clad cathedral ceiling.
Norris’s staff interior designer, Joelle Price, worked closely with the homeowners to weave a forest theme throughout the interior with touches including lush green paint colors and owl- and fern-embossed wallpapers and textiles. Other special touches include hand-built timber bunks— there’s even a single bunk tucked under the staircase in an otherwise unused space.
True to Norris’s eye for detail, the timber mantel and stair railings are embellished with metal collars forged in his metal shop, each embossed with a small rose. The signature Scott Norris Construction touch continues to the outside, where the company’s landscaping staff created the lovely hardscape.
Discover more about this rustic masterpiece on our Northern Home & Cottage Virtual Tour.
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A6 Surprising Ways to Incorporate Custom Design into Your Home
Tips from the pros on weaving textures, color and specialty pieces into your spaces.
by LISA BLAKE
home should always be evolving, mirroring your personality and tastes, while taking on a life of its own. This is Kirsten Pappas’ unwavering philosophy. The Wink Interior Design and Cabinetry owner lives by example—she converted an 1892 Traverse City Lutheran church into her current home, complete with a bell tower reading nook she and her children adoringly dubbed their “little treehouse in the sky.”
Custom design is what makes a home your home, Pappas says. Obsessed with books? Carve out a bay window for reading. Raising young kiddos? Custom bunk beds for the win. Love films? Pappas has helped design a theater room concession stand outfitted with a built-in refrigerator, custom cabinets and a dumb waiter floating between the upstairs kitchen and bar and back down to the movie room. Here, Pappas takes us through clever ways to personalize your home with custom touches.
BUILD A STATEMENT PIECE
Did you know you can construct your own living room sofa from the bottom up? Pappas guides clients through selecting sofa feet and materials like leather, plaid, buttons, fringe and trim to obtain a specific look. “It’s about being really creative with materials,” she says. “Right now, in my showroom, I’m looking at a zebra print sofa trimmed out on the bottom with leather and topped with leather pillows. You’re not going to find that on a furniture showroom floor somewhere.”
LOOK TO THE CABINETS
Pappas recommends taking a fearless approach when it comes to color, texture and form—and cabinets are an excellent jumping-off point for creativity to run wild. Choose distinct colors that speak to you. Maybe it’s a pretty English cottage sage or a blue Kentucky haze or even crimson and rustic orange. Pull in stainless steel or a piece of stained glass scored at an art fair. Pappas has a preferred Amish custom cabinetry builder she likes to work with. “It’s all custom made and high quality,” she notes. “You choose the wood, the shape, the design and they take it from there.”
BE FEARLESS IN THE KITCHEN
The kitchen is the hub of the home, Pappas says. Have fun with it. “Think about how many people are going to be cooking, dining or hanging out in your kitchen,” she says.
“Do you like people in your kitchen while you’re cooking? Do you have a busy kitchen where kids need space to come in and out, opening the fridge?” Kitchen design can be as elaborate as installing two dishwashers and custom multitier spice racks or as small and geographically thoughtful as incorporating Petoskey stone backsplash tile and Leland blue drawer-pull knobs.
FOCUS ON FUNCTIONALITY
Rethink your appliances and accessories and make your spaces work for the way you live. Build an espresso bar or coffeemaker into your kitchen’s cabinetry. Add an entryway bench that blends into the wall and provides hideaway storage for shoes, hats and gloves. Design drawer bins with antique notched-out handles for your laundry room. It’s all about connecting functionality with eye-opening aesthetics.
CHOOSE DECOR WITH A STORY
Custom design means getting to know people and finding materials that speak to them, Pappas says, recalling a project where she repurposed railroad spikes into coat hooks for a client whose father had worked on a railroad. “It meant a lot to that person,” she says. “It helped make their house their home.”
TIME TRAVEL
Meshing different eras by mixing antiques with modern pieces is another fabulous way to personalize a space. In June, Pappas traveled to the English countryside and came home with everything from fabrics and brass accoutrements to antique privacy door knockers and beautiful early-1900s mirrors.
“There are ways of mixing antiques and new pieces together,” she says. “Everything tells its own story, but it all fits together in the book of your home.”
