In these select master bedroom suites...
Life is but a dream
By Beth Anne Piehl
Photography by G. Randall Goss
The thing about photo shoots at such plush master suites is that it’s difficult to not crawl into one of these four-poster beds, slip under the lush down comforters covered with those elegant duvets, lie atop the 10,000 pillows of assorted sizes and fabrics, and close your eyes, just for a second.
Just to see what it feels like, letting it all go in a room like this.
Cozy fireplaces, warm accent lighting, sweeping views out to lakes and woodlands, giant jet-tubs, custom granite floor and shower designs, the highest thread counts binding luxury custom linens: These rooms really should be called the master sweet, because they’re so cool.
“My husband has always wanted a house on the bluff. It’s been a dream,” said Claudia Donohue, who with husband, Bill, owns a dazzling bluff-top home in Harbor Springs.
The family, from Chicago, has summered in the North for 30 years. Their new home here was completed in November 2007, built by Dick Collie and designed by their son, Michael, an architect with Stillwater Architecture in Chicago. The rooms throughout the home are cavernous, including the master suite which was created to include a refuge for relaxing, with a separate sitting area and his-and-hers bathrooms and closets.
“We always have company up there and my husband will bring me a cup of coffee and a newspaper before I face anyone for the day,” Mrs. Donohue said, with a laugh.
Among the room’s extraordinary highlights is the vaulted ceiling, surfaced with strips of Douglas fir and emphasized with accent lighting. Michael Donohue said the master bedroom was intentionally designed as a mini-great room, which gave way to the idea for the vaulted ceiling and up-lighting.
“It gives it a little more drama. It’s a very big bedroom, so standard 8-, 9-, 10-foot ceilings wouldn’t have felt comfortable without that vertical accent,” the architect said, noting the highest peak is about 14 1/2 feet.
The traditional interior design in the master (and throughout the home) was accomplished by Ronn Serba, owner of Kimberly Interiors in Harbor Springs.
“I’m a traditional designer. I’m most comfortable with summer cottages and traditional designs and furnishings,” said Serba, who added the look is ideal for Harbor homes. In the Donohue home, his palette includes cinnamon and soft golden yellows, set against a hand-painted farmhouse bed that served as the centerpiece. “We really coordinated this room around the bed,” Serba said.
Additional inspiration came from pieces already owned by the homeowner and colors found in a rug were carried over to other fabric choices. “My biggest joy is pulling colors together,” said Serba. “I’ll either work off a rug or other fabric pieces to put together a palette and then pull it all together.”
Gallery
The Donohues, Harbor Springs
Homeowners: Claudia and Bill Donohue
Builder: Dick Collie, Harbor Springs
Architect: Michael Donohue, Stillwater Architecture, Chicago
Harbor of Refuge
Builder / Architect: Glennwood Custom Builders, Petoskey
Interior design: Jill Rowley, Glennwood design team
Stark and stunning not only describe the master bedroom of this Lake Michigan home, but the entire house. The homeowner has decorated in mostly all crisp white and shades of black, from the floors to the ceilings. In the upper-level master suite, a black antique bed sits atop black wood floors amid the whitest of white walls and custom cabinetry crafted by Glennwood’s carpenters. Six windows and glass doors to the balcony provide that unbeatable, trademark view of the lake enjoyed at homes north of Harbor.
The Lake House
Builder: Tom DeJonge, Petoskey/Harbor Springs
Residents: Full-time in Cincinnati, seasonal through the year Up North
The homeowner said this bedroom is reserved for a special visitor: Grandma.
This lower-level suite was designed to accommodate the owner’s mom so she’d have her own place on the first-floor with a bar area, beverage refrigerator and easy access to the rest of the home.
With three daughters and plenty of friends and family as visitors, the homeowner also noted, “Every bedroom is a master bedroom so people can enjoy the lake and privacy of their room. That was our philosophy in building it.”
Heatherly Cottage, Lake Charlevoix
Builder/ architectural design: Andre M. Poineau Woodworker, East Jordan
Owners: Dave and Jean Heatherly
This lodge-like master suite includes a cozy fireplace and floor-to-ceiling, natural wood design that carries throughout the home.
HomeLife Magazine » Issues » January and February 2009 » Master Bedroom Suites