IN 2009, JOHN AND LISA DYKEMA bought a small fixer-upper cottage on the west side of Elk Lake. The purchase had come after years of consideration about where in Northern Michigan, exactly, they wanted to have a summer cottage. While the Dykemas live in Wisconsin, John is from Michigan and often vacationed in Northern Michigan—many of those visits on or near Elk Lake. Over a period of summers, the family “tried out” rentals on various Up North bodies of water, including Grand Traverse Bay and Torch, Big Glen and Elk lakes. Eventually, the couple opted for the cottage on Elk Lake because of John’s connection to the area and its gorgeous shades of Caribbean blue.
As excited as the family was about their new summer home, there was a problem. It was tiny, and the Dykemas have four very tall boys—the shortest of them standing 6 feet, 3 inches tall. The cottage just wasn’t big enough for all those long limbs. When a lot (with another small cottage on it) went up for sale next to their cottage, the couple jumped at the chance to purchase it and decided to take both cottages down and build a home tailored to their family.
Besides having more space, Lisa dreamed of an Up North home that lived like a tropical beachfront escape—a barefoot-friendly dwelling with an abundance of windows to flood the home with light and views of Elk Lake. Also high on her wish list: A glassed-in front entry that would allow a view of the lake through windows on the lakeside. “I wanted to feel like I was home, but also on vacation the moment I pulled in the driveway,” Lisa says.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 2021 من Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 2021 من Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Camping With Your Dog
Bringing your dog on your next outdoor overnight excursion? Oh, yes! With a little planning, your canine companion will enjoy camping just as much as you. These Northern Michigan spots are perfectly pet-friendly.
SWEET ON THE BETSIE
JENA MATZEN AND GREGG TRAHEY WEREN’T LOOKING FOR A BIG HOME UP NORTH. BUT THEY DID WANT STYLE.
REFRESH IN BLUE AND WHITE
ASKED TO MOVE A HARBOR SPRINGS HOME FROM TRADITIONAL TO TRANSITIONAL STYLE, INTERIOR DESIGNER GEMMA PARKER BUILT ON THE FRESH, TIMELESS ALLURE OF BLUE AND WHITE.
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Explore Emmet and Cheboygan counties by foot, bike or hoof, thanks to this scenic trail.
Please, eat the violets.
The wild violets that dot our forest floors are pretty enough to eat. Go ahead—let our six simple recipes fuel your culinary imagination.
OASIS ON ELK LAKE
ARCHITECT KEN RICHMOND DESIGNS A HOME THAT CAPTURES THE CARIBBEAN COLORS OF ELK LAKE WHILE FEELING COMPLETELY ORGANIC TO THE NORTHWOODS.
LOSS AND NATURE
Leelanau's Cedar River Preserve provides peace and perspective.
GO WITH THE FLOW
Celebrating an unconventional trout opener among friends.
CHAMPION OF TREES
Archangel Ancient Tree Archive is the “most hopeful project on the planet,” says David Milarch.
DINING OUT NEAPOLITAN, BUT WITH STYLE
American House—the Siren Hall spinoff—is making darn good pizza.
