The 2015 Northern Home & Cottage Home Tour in the Petoskey area takes place on Saturday, October 10 from 10 am to 5 pm. The tour treats tourgoers to 10 homes, each chosen for their distinctive style and/or innovative lifestyle concept. Proceeds raised during the home tour will benefit Northern Michigan non-profit, Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan. Save by purchasing tickets to the 2015 Northern Home & Cottage Home Tour at MyNorthTickets.com:
The ninth home on the 2015 Northern Home & Cottage Petoskey Area Home Tour is in Harbor Springs at 7065 South Lake Shore Drive.
Note: The address in the magazine, Northern Home & Cottage is incorrect. The address here, 7065 S. Lake Shore Drive is correct.
When Larry and Nancy Beck were ready to downsize, it meant moving to their historic Oakwood farm, set behind the white rail fence on M119 on the north side of Harbor Springs. At 244 years old, the oak tree that stands in front was a sapling when the Declaration of Independence was signed, and the picturesque barns date from the 19-teens—they’re still in use. The farmhouse had last been used as the offices for Birchwood Construction, a company in which Larry is a partner.
The Becks’ goal was to return the home to its roots as a gracious country home. On the exterior, the buff brown-and-pale-caramel color scheme—courtesy of Nancy’s eye for design—preserve the Americana-feel of the farmstead.
The goal on the interior was to make the home open and airy. As Larry says, “I don’t like walls.” To that end, Tom Adams, Ken Provost and their team at Birchwood Construction gutted the entire home, removing as many walls as possible to execute the floor plan design by Mark Lipchik, of M.J. Lipchik Design. The centerpiece of the main floor is a handsome, open oak stairway with architectural glass in lieu of spindles so that nothing blocks the soaring view to the second floor. The fluid downstairs floor plan preserved the rustic red brick fireplace but sports a new master bedroom, a lovely deck off the dining room and a kitchen with creamy quartz countertop, painted maple cabinetry and built-in hutch designed by Jethany Lee of Preston Feather Building Centers.
A steam shower in the workout room is just one of the many ideas that will inspire tourgoers. And everyone will especially enjoy the art collection that graces the walls on all three floors of this home—it is a collection that the Becks have gathered over decades of extensive travel.
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More Homes on the Petoskey Area Home Tour:
Home #1
Home #2
Home #3
Home #4
Home #5
Home #6
Home #7
Home #8
Northern Michigan Wineries, Breweries, Petoskey restaurants, things to do around Petoskey and more! Our MyNorth Vacation Guide can help you plan your entire Northern Home & Cottage Home Tour Weekend!
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