Summer vacation is in full swing, and few destinations match the charm and nostalgia of the season like Charlevoix, Michigan. Located in the state’s northern Lower Peninsula, where dense forests guard the shores of Lake Michigan, Charlevoix is the quintessential Midwestern resort town – the image that comes to mind when the soothing baritone of actor Tim Allen voices the “Pure Michigan” ad campaign. Here, architect Earl Young built a group of structures known as the Mushroom Houses, the most famous of which, the Thatch House, is now for sale. The lakefront home has undergone a complete renovation in which the current owner added a thatch roof handcrafted in Europe. Named Michigan’s Coolest Place to Stay by booking.com, the 7-bedroom, 6,000-square-foot home is a perfect year-round getaway or luxury rental property.
More than 1,500 miles south, along Florida’s Treasure Coast, water is also a way of life, and nowhere is that lifestyle more coveted than on Jupiter Island, home to less than 1,000 residents. At the southern end sits 609 S. Beach, a 20,000-square-foot (11,765 interior) ultra-modern mansion with 193 feet of frontage on both the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal. This thoroughly renovated Scott Hughes design sits 22’ above the ocean, offering unparalleled views and maximum protection. Standout features include pools and fountains, stunning architectural and design details, and an 80’ deepwater dock.
The water also beckons at this riverfront home in Savannah, Georgia, offering 6,381 square feet of living space on over 1.5 acres. Authenticity is such an important ingredient in 21st century luxury, and here it radiates from the classic Southern porch, window shutters, 3rd floor dormers, and towering oaks draped in Spanish moss. Inside a 2-story great room with double-height windows frames sunset views over the Wilmington River, which is accessible via a new private dock. Other highlights including an elevator, Brazilian walnut flooring and a 4.5 car garage.
Indoor-outdoor living features prominently this month’s edition, and one home that feels entirely in sync with its natural surroundings is Escala, a stunning property set on 8.7 acres overlooking the Yarramalong Valley in New South Wales, Australia. Winner of the National Building Design Award, the home is a spectacular statement in eco-friendly and solar passive architecture. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame views of the valley, while giant folding glass doors turn the home into an open-air retreat. The residence features solar panels, planted green roofs, a courtyard with pond, and two pools – one cascading into the other from above.
Grouse Creek Ranch is an ode to rustic luxury in the American West. This 307-acre property in Bozeman’s Bridger Canyon offers a new 3,051-square-foot residence along with state-of-the-art equestrian facilities. Designed by local architecture firm Miller-Roodell to resemble a 19th century homestead cabin, the home features reclaimed logs and a stacked-stone fireplace. Residents also enjoy a number of high-end touches, such as a Norsk Kleber wood-burning stove, primary suite with retractable TV, and fully outfitted home gym. The impressive equestrian setup features a 90’ x 175’ indoor arena, 60’ round pen, 4 stalls with outdoor runs, 8 paddocks, and much more.
