Our second-to-last stop on this year’s Northern Home & Cottage Virtual Tour is this timber frame beauty. Located on Green Lake, you’re not going to want to miss this home featuring work by builder Scott Norris Construction. Take a sneak peek inside 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’s Magazine. Find this article and more when you explore our digital issue library. Want Traverse Magazine delivered to your door or inbox monthly? View our print subscription and digital subscription options.
This gorgeous corner lot, with frontage on both the Betsie River and Green Lake, stood out to these Chicago homeowners not only for their long-term retirement plans, but also for their more immediate wishes: entertaining lots of friends and family in the interim. The property also happened to be home to a 100-year-old white pine, a beloved landmark that sadly was ravaged by disease and had to come down before building could begin. However, builder Scott Norris, known for his exquisite woodworking, believed the tree could live on.

Working with the homeowners, Norris payed homage to it with custom pieces throughout their home—a white pine powder room vanity and other built-ins, a fireplace mantle and accents to the range hood in the kitchen, as well as a special art piece he crafted with slabs from the tree itself. The home is a white pine timber frame house, a specialty of Norris and his team (they operate their own timber frame shop). Just as the owners wanted, the waterfront cottage features plenty of bedrooms—a primary on the main floor, two bedrooms upstairs and a suite atop the garage—so each guest has ample space and always feels right at home.

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.
“This property sits on the mouth of the Betsie River and the southern edge of Green Lake. The best of both water worlds! The homeowners have every water toy in sight but my favorite part was the ability to truly just sit on the stunning back deck while watching the world go by. This home is as peaceful as it gets.” – Erin Lutke
Ready for a close up view of the back deck and can’t-miss view? View this home and 7 more of Northern Michigan’s most gorgeous homes when you get your donation-based tickets now for this year’s Northern Home and Cottage Virtual Tours, benefiting Child & Family Services.
Preview More 2022 NHC Virtual Home Tours
- Take a Peek Inside this Over-the-Top Cape Cod-Style Home
- Tour an Artful Coastal Shingle-Style Retreat with Bay Views
- You Won’t Believe This Staircase to Heaven
- Discover To-Die-For Details in a Nature-Inspired Condo
- Uncover Treasures in a Parisian Antique–Collector’s Hideaway
- Step Inside an English-Inspired Refined Modern Abode
- Tour a Custom White Pine Timber-Frame Waterfront Oasis
- Steal Inspiration from this Clever Coastal Farmhouse
- Visit our landing page for more information on this year’s tour.
