The sixth stop on this year’s Northern Home & Cottage Virtual Tour is the definition of mod refinement. Take a sneak peek inside this Old Mission Peninsula home and enjoy a never-before-seen Host’s Highlight below. On the hunt for the full tour? Grab your donation-based tickets here.

This article first appeared in Traverse Northern Michigan. Find this story and more when you explore our digital issue library. Want Traverse delivered to your door or inbox monthly? View our print subscription and digital subscription options.

When these homeowners, who had just moved back to the United States after years living in England, found this Brady Bunch–era ranch house on Old Mission Peninsula, they knew it was the perfect home for their collection of mid-century modern furniture. After purchasing it, they plunged into a renovation with an eye toward keeping the mid-century soul but updating it with a clean, minimalist style.

Mod Refined Kitchen

Photo by J. Lynn Photography

Working with contractor JP Construction and kitchen designer Meagan McLain of McLain Designs, they transformed the home. Job one was replacing the dark, heavy kitchen cabinetry with sleek white acrylic Artizan cabinetry by Woodland. Next, a peninsula that blocked the cooking space from the rest of the kitchen area was removed and replaced with an island topped in Unique Calacatta by MetroQuartz. A walnut table extends from the counter, creating an L-shape and offering seating that takes in the water view outside. The perimeter counters are also Unique Calacatta Quartz—and used, as well, to face the walls behind the counter up to the ceiling. The GE Café appliances are anything but last century— the homeowners can operate them completely using Siri. The sleek induction cooktop is topped with a mod, barrel-shaped hood made by the Italian company Futuro Futuro. Other new touches are a bar in the kitchen and buffet-style cabinetry for serving hors d’oeuvres to guests lounging in that original ’70s-style sunken living room.

Mod refined sitting area

Photo by J. Lynn Photography

NHC Home Tours Digital Exclusive: Host’s Highlight

No one knows all 8 homes better than this year’s host, Erin Lutke. We sat down with Erin to get the inside scoop on each and every home, and here we share some of her favorite moments when touring + a never-before-seen video snippet of the room or moment that she revealed. You can only find the 2022 Northern Home & Cottage Virtual Home Tour Host’s Highlights on MyNorth.com.

“I felt like I stepped into England in this home. The homeowners just returned to the US after being abroad for 25+ years. There was a kettle for tea (no coffee maker in sight!), stunning bottles of gin on display, and their daughter in England kept Facetiming to say goodnight to mom and dad. We had the best chat about what Europe does best and what the US does best… over gin of course!” – Erin Lutke.

Photo(s) by J. Lynn Photography