PRIVATE RETREAT
THREE OAKS, MICHIGAN 2001

Located on a 28-acre site in rural Michigan, this two-story vacation house is sited on a man-made knoll overlooking restored farmfields and a natural pond. The 5,000sf house is comprised of a main house and a guest house attached by a "dog-trot" which contains the main stair.

In keeping with rural tradition, the house is sited on a north south axis, flanked by a parking court to the east and an open lawn to the west. The palette is kept restrained, with the light grey siding and white painted woodwork contrasted with rust colored accents.

Photos by William Kildow
General Contractor was Great Lakes Builders.
Landscape Architect was Peter Lindsay Schaudt.
Interior Furnishings by Marcia Weese.

Facade

Eight-inch wide cedar shiplap siding provides a vertical planning module for the entire exterior. The gravel parking court is seen in the foreground.

Oblique View, Front

The north facade's ribbon of windows along the first floor affords a view toward the pond to the north.

Rear at Night

A trellis and pergola mark the entry to a fenced area which surrounds a swimming pool to the west.

Living Room

An open steel stair was inserted into the middle of the house, daylight by west facing windows. Oak treads, stained to match the floor, ascend to the second floor.

Dining Room

The dining table occupies the center of the open first floor plan, encircled with daylight..

Kitchen

The dining table occupies the center of the open first floor plan, encircled with daylight..

Office

The dining table occupies the center of the open first floor plan, encircled with daylight..

Screened Porch

The dining table occupies the center of the open first floor plan, encircled with daylight..

Entry

The dining table occupies the center of the open first floor plan, encircled with daylight..

Stairwell

Each second floor bedroom makes use of a corner window exposure and a closet painted in a bright, saturated color..

Stairwell

The kitchen and breakfast area enjoys the broadest exposure to the southern sun.

Screened Porch

Translucent glazed cabinet doors with a stainless steel light rail hover over beech cabinets and honed granite countertops. A backpainted glass backsplash completes the palette.

View from North

Freestanding mirrors stand off from the continuous ribbon of windows behind the vanities. Translucent glass partitions define the shower and toilet areas.