Walloon Lake Great Lake Story 2019
Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three | Chapter Four | Final Chapter
Imagine waking on summer mornings to the sound of soft waves, the brisk scent of fresh water, and, through drawn curtains, the welcome sight of the sparkling sun as it reflects off the placid surface of one of the most beloved lakes in Michigan. A well-designed, expertly built lakefront home indulges all of the senses, with an emphasis on creating as much visual connection to the water as physical.
With the design of Mike and Liz Pulick’s Northern Michigan family retreat, White and Liebler Architects ensured that every room would have a view of Walloon Lake; even if just a filter view, the lake’s presence is unmistakably there. “As you step in the front door, your view is immediately drawn through the home to the water,” Liebler said. “That experience of being on the lake starts from the moment you set foot on the front porch — and that carries through the entire home.”
While the water plays a significant role in cottage living, the structural details of the home are of equal importance. That’s where Render Construction, the builder of the Pulick’s home, shines. “One of the most consistent characteristics and qualities of our projects is in our finish carpentry,” Render said. “We do a lot of built-in cabinetry and finish details that not a lot of other builders do; it’s those details and touches that really make a home unique and special.”
“As you step in the front door, your view is immediately drawn through the home to the water. That experience of being on the lake starts from the moment you set foot on the front porch— and that carries through the entire home.”
— Nick Liebler
For the Pulicks’ home, these custom built-ins include a breakfast nook, reading nook/day bed, home office, and tailor-made closets throughout. It’s what Render calls “next-level custom,” elevating a newly built home from simply an empty shell to a truly one-of-a-kind space overfl owing with charming intricacies. “We take time to listen and understand how our clients live in their homes and what they want to do with certain spaces, and strive to align the finished product with the owners’ intended use,” Render said.
It’s these extras, in part, that draw property owners looking to build in Northern Michigan to Render Construction. But it’s Eric Render and his team’s reputation for delivering the very best—from outstanding craftsmanship to open communication to total commitment and transparency—that attracts clients to partner with them for likely one of the biggest investments of their lives.
An added touch that’s particularly reassuring for their clients—many of whom are building their vacation homes from afar—is Render Construction’s online portal. In one place, all the players, including contractors and suppliers, are able to privately access project information, obtain files, and receive progress updates 24/7. For the Pulicks, whose current home base is more than a thousand miles away, this level of connectivity is invaluable.
“We take time to listen and understand how our clients live in their homes and what they want to do with certain spaces, and strive to align the finished product with the owners’ intended use.”
— Eric Render
That peace of mind extends further with Render’s dedicated team. “Eric’s Project Manager, Jason Scheffler, is just fantastic: He cares about the project, he’s on top of everything, he’s always happy, he’s always friendly—even in the face of a challenge—and he works so well with everyone on the job site,” the Pulicks said. “He has made this whole process so comfortable for us because we can trust him implicitly and we know he’s looking out for all the details. It’s really changed our perspective on building a home.”
Learn more about the team who crafted the Pulicks’ summer home on Walloon Lake in BLUE’s upcoming TRAVEL & ADVENTURE Issue 2019 (August/September).
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