This indoor/outdoor master bath was a pleasure to be a part of. This one of a kind bathroom brings in natural light from two areas of the room and balances this with modern touches. We used dark cabinetry and countertops to create symmetry with the white bathtub, furniture and accessories.

Beautiful open shower with an attached sit down bench.

As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

Interior view of the Northgrove Residence. Interior Design by Amity Worrell & Co. Construction by Smith Builders. Photography by Andrea Calo.

Photo Credit: Aimée Mazzenga

The focal points in this Master Bathroom are the generous skylight, plus a view to the private garden and outdoor shower. Room size: 13' x 19' Ceiling height: Vault from 11'6" to 14'8"

DMF Images

Rob Karosis

Hendel Homes Alyssa Lee Photography

Sweetlake Interior Design Houston TX, Kenny Fenton, Lori Toups Fenton

Shower Walls, Bench and Window Sill: Maximum Premium White Porcelain Slab from TransCeramica Shower Floor: Imola Koshi Porcelain Tile in Dark Grey Fixed Wall Bracket: Kallista (P21652-00-AD) Dennis Jourdan Photography

Creazione di un bagno in stile moderno, con rivestimenti in grès porcellanato a parete colore grigio scuro/nero e rivestimento zona idromassaggio e doccia in quarzite.