THE CHALLENGE

The 150+ year old willow tree just off the Sodon Lake home’s shoreline is what caught this family’s attention immediately. And once discovered this 5300 square foot, midcentury modern house had been uninhabited for almost 4 years, it became obvious that they had to breathe life back into the property, as the house felt like a true sanctuary hidden in the forest.

Using a California Inspired color pallet and staying true to the Arts & Crafts influence of Cranbrook Community just a few miles away, Temescal Creative focused on using sustainable materials across the entire home’s renovation. Installing cedar slatted details both on the exterior and interior, covering the 50’s brick with an EFIS System, adding in an exterior geometric tile mural that could withstand the Michigan winters, and adding a standing seam metal roof refreshed this mid-century modern space. Turning the existing picture windows into ‘picture frames’, the beauty of nature was brought from the outside into the home.  Completed in 2022, this Sodon Lake house has been transformed into an artistic, chic and uniquely warm family abode.

Artistic touches are scattered across the property: a hand-painted mural in the powder room, a modern exterior tile mural using electric blue grout, and custom cedar slats detailing both interior and exterior walls. Each handcrafted detail has made this home stand out from its landscape to create its own hidden sanctuary in the woods.