Glen Lake Great Lake Story 2017
Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three | Chapter Four
Chapter Five | Final Chapter
For 30 years, the worst that Mike and Molly Beauregard had endured as homeowners was water damage and an ice dam (once).
But the Bloomfield Hills-based couple and their three kids (Madeline, 25; Camille, 23; and Charlie, 18) had only tallied three weekends at their new vacation property in Glen Arbor when the amply wooded site on Glen Lake — along with most trees in town and a great sweep of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore — was razed by the record-high winds of a wall-cloud on Aug. 2 in 2015.
“Our insurance guy hated us,” acknowledged Molly, noting that only one payment had been made before the post-storm claim that fast-tracked the family’s plans to tear down the land’s outdated ranch and build a new cottage retreat.
To begin, the Beauregards turned to interior designer Nicole Withers, ASID, principal and coowner of nationally recognized Jones-Keena & Co. in Birmingham. Withers had first orchestrated “home” for the family when they returned to the Detroit area in 1998 after living for 10 years in Chicago and New England. The designer had overseen two significant projects for them since, including their present residence in Bloomfield Hills and cottage renovation on Block Island out East.
“If done beautifully, architecture has the same power over the mind as music or poetry or any healthy activity … It tells the story of its client, its owner, its family.”
— Joseph Mosey
“She’s funny, sweet, smart-smart-smart and so talented,” Molly expressed. “Nicole and I really connected on the idea of the emotionality of a house and how to create a space you live in, instead of just look at.”
When Withers recommended Northville-based architect Joseph Mosey, R.A., for their new getaway on Glen Lake, Mike and Molly didn’t feel a need to interview any others. “We trust her,” Molly said. “And we don’t get in the way of people who know what they are doing.”
RECENTLY VOTED BEST OF HOUZZ 2017 for most popular portfolio and highest client rankings, the principal/owner of Joseph Mosey Architecture, Inc. was fast in sync with what the Beauregards were after: an authentic Shingle-style retreat tailored for the next phase of family life that recaptured the relaxed Nantucket aesthetic they had left behind.
“We wanted the house to look like it was born there, not like it landed,” said Molly, who also wanted spaces that resonated with a feeling over a house that screamed I’M HERE.
While she vied for less square footage and more embracing nooks, Mike urged a grander footprint more in step with the land and future needs of family.
“Every time I’d say, ‘Less, less!’, Nicole would tease, ‘Your grandchildren, your grandchildren!’ and Joe would agree,” Molly said. “But ultimately he hit the mark with a plan that suited everybody.”
Rendered on the small perched dune the property’s original ranch house sat, the architect’s custom multi-roofed, shingled-sided Nantucket design features a great open gathering space with dining room, living room and gracious lake-facing porch that runs the length of both; a screened porch with fireplace and cozy adjoining den; and an ample-sized kitchen that leads out to the lake porch on the main level.
While the second floor houses three guest rooms and the master suite with private porch, a sheltered breezeway connects from the home’s side entry to a two-story guest suite in the detached carriage house.
“This works out great for the family as a separate living space,” said Mosey, “but also architecturally to maintain authenticity. You wouldn’t see a big attached two-stall garage for horses here!”
INTEGITY OF DESIGN IS FURTHER REFINED by other partners devoted to their role in this year’s Great Lake Story such as Old Mission Windows, led by owner Marc Cesario based in Traverse City.
“Old Mission worked with us on proper proportions and divided light patterns,” Mosey noted. “It’s rare in this industry to find suppliers who work as diligently with the design and construction team on these small but very important details to maintain architectural integrity.”
Artisans and craftsmen led by builder Eric Render step up next in Chapter Three. Look for it in BLUE’s upcoming SUMMER Issue 2017.
Great Lake Story is a continuing series chronicling exceptional waterfront homes and those who design, build and own them. Michigan BLUE invites you to learn more about the team crafting the Beauregards’ new home on Glen Lake at mibluemag.com.
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