HomeOpen House: Ann’s Grand Beach Retreat
18. Dec, 2008 
8 Comments
Ann, a busy Northwestern University drama teacher, probably never imagined that she’d one day commute across two state lines to get to work, but when she found a gorgeous wooded Grand Beach lot during a weekend trip, she decided that spending a little more time in the car might not be so bad.
The lot sat empty so rather than build in the traditional way, Ann bought a manufactured home; much like a film or TV set the structure was built off-site. Then the pieces were delivered via truck and installed on a prepared foundation (which included a full basement). As you can see manufactured homes have come a long way.
For those who aren’t familiar with Grand Beach, the vacation destination is located between Michiana and New Buffalo in Harbor County Michigan; steps from the shores of Lake Michigan but secluded in a forest setting with homes large and small. Next time you visit to check out all the amazing antique stores, I highly recommend that you take a drive through the winding hilly roads; rustic cabins sit next to mcmansions (I shan’t cap that) featured in Architectural Digest; while nearby resort town New Buffalo ensures that many of the homes are vacation occupied only during weekends and holidays, there’s also a real community of those that reside there year-round.
Continued . . .
Earlier this year I wrote about Marco Polo, an antique store in Harbert, Michigan (the town where nobody ever gets wet) which is a “the Oscar goes to” kind of place: sensational, staged and lit to perfection. While not making it their full-time business, the couple do take on the occasional design job, including Ann’s place. While the Marco Polo gents are color savants, Ann’s direction channeled their energy to fit her style. But worry not – the guys ensured that the soothing white space is punctuated perfectly with tiny pops of color that enhance but don’t steal the show.
While the commute might be a concern for some, Ann’s schedule makes it possible for the popular professor to avoid making the drive every day. And if Ann spends her day attending performances and making sure her students get their well-deserved applause, then perhaps her Grand Beach home with its soothing palette and wooded location feels a bit like a calming white noise, a kind of applause itself, drowning out the stress and allowing Ann to take off her drama mask and just be . . .
Oh, if you want to experience living there, you can. Ann’s ready for a new adventure and she recently put her house on the market. Break a leg Ann because I have a feeling this audience will be demanding an encore.
To see past Open House tours, click here. And if you know of a great home, please e-mail me at strangeclosets@yahoo.com.
Flowers from an appreciative student. Ahem . . . I’d love to get flowers sometime.
How does she get any work done sitting at a desk that looks out over the woods. During the day I’d be distracted by the sunlight filtering through the trees. During the dusk I’d watch for deer and possum. During the late evening hours I’d be really freaked out and stay clear of that window.
Waiting nervously left of stage.
This dog is quite the little actress, but at times her tendency to chew up the scenery gets on her castmates nerves . . . but cute, very cute.
Great props provide just the right touch of color.
I’m going to come out right now; I’m a vampire. I can’t hide it anymore.
Did I mention that Ann has the most amazing basement in the world? No? Ann has the most amazing basement in the world. Check out all the chandeliers.
Thanks Ann! Your home is fantastic. Good luck with wherever you live next.
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Gorgeous!!!!!
Looks like my next home will be manufactured. Gorgeous!!!!
I am in love with this house! LOVE IT!
Use of the word “shan’t”…NICE! Methinks it’s the first recorded use on the internets, as is the above use of “methinks”.
*skulks off to read Chaucer and drink mead*
Wonderful home and lovely photographs. One of the drawbacks of moving to Asia is that space is both rare and unaffordable for most. I will be dreaming about Ann’s living room tonight…
Thank you for sharing.
Ann! Why are you moving? This place is so charming.
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