After decades of spending their summers on Portage Lake in Onekama, the May family knew they wanted to spend their retirement here too. Together with local builders and architects, they created their Northern Michigan dream home from scratch.
For the design, the couple connected with Doug Leahy of GETA Design in Birmingham, Michigan. “We shared our version of a modern farmhouse with him and we felt like he understood our vision and made it a reality,” Doug May says of Leahy. On the May’s wish list was a clutter-free, clean-lined home that, as Michelle says, lets the lake view “do the talking.” Within that vision, they imagined a color palette of muted gray tones, minimal trim and molding and “hardwood and tile throughout,” she adds.
The Mays patterned the idea of having a special place to gather and chat (especially with their children) after Starbucks comfortable coffeehouse concept.
The finished home is everything the Mays wanted and more. Among their favorite features are a paneled (and hidden) door, tucked between the paneled refrigerator and freezer, that leads to a pantry and then to the back hallway—making unloading groceries a breeze. They also love their three-season porch that has powered-nano screens for warm, buggy days, and powered-vinyl walls and ceiling heaters for chilly days. The stunning glass wine room, set between the kitchen and the dining room, is another head-turner. The room is mostly outfitted with their wine-finds from the many trips to Napa they’ve taken with good friends.
Onekama & Portage Lake Farmhouse Building Resources
Builder | J. Peterson Homes
Architect | GETA Design
Interiors | Studio M Interiors
Kitchen Design | TruKitchens
Steel Fabricating | Steel Systems, Inc.
Poured Walls | K-Wall
Lighting | Kendall Lighting Center
Lumber | Standard Lumber
Windows | Marvin Windows & Doors
Building Materials | Eikenhout, Inc.
Electric | Voltage Electric
Flooring | Rivershores Hardwood Flooring & Cabinetry Company
Landscaping | TruNorth Landscaping