A Note from the Editor - September/October 2009
If this issue had a theme, it would be the Serendipitous Edition. Not only is that a beautiful word with wonderful meaning, but it’s highly accurate as to how we came across some of our featured homes.
I’ll start with the Blossoms. We first met Lowell and Sharon Blossom in 2007, when we were referred by a local interior designer to their intriguing and beautiful home that was designed by the daughter of renowned Charlevoix architect Earl Young. Young and later his daughter, Virginia Olson, were the visionaries behind the “mushroom houses” around Charlevoix; the Blossoms’ place overlooks Round Lake and is delightful both inside and out. In that early issue (just our second) we focused on the interior details and additions at the home.
When planning to focus on glorious gardens and luscious landscapes for this issue, I immediately thought back to our time at the Blossoms – their gardens are simply breathtaking and often photographed by boaters.
When asked if we could return to photograph their gardens for this issue, the Blossoms were as inviting as I remembered (even lending me an umbrella for my rainy-day visit).
Plus, could their name be any more appropriate?
There’s more serendipity in our pages, too. In our pursuit of the region’s most scenic gardens, local landscape architect Maureen Parker connected us with the owner of an unbeatable estate in Bay Harbor. The vigorous landscaping and cheerful grounds wrap around the stunning home on Lake Michigan, and set amidst the flowers and shrubbery are two eye-catching bronze sculptures (one an archway 9 feet tall) by area artist Paul Varga.
Funny thing is, we had an interview with Varga set up for a couple days later and a feature on his impressive sculptures already lined up. Photographing them in this setting was an unexpected opportunity.
There’s one more instance of happy happenstance to include here. A couple months ago, I had the occasion to meet the Baugh family of Boyne City. I was writing an article on them for another publication related to their adoption of a ugandan boy and their time spent on mission trips to Africa. When I first walked in the door of their charming home for that interview, I immediately asked Marcia Baugh if I could feature their home in HomeLife.
She delightfully agreed, and then she pulled out a 20-year-old copy of Country Living magazine, where she first saw the home featured and fell in love with it so many years ago. Th e story of how it came into their ownership in 2002 is a must-read. As they say, when opportunity knocks …
Warmly, Beth Anne Piehl
HomeLife Editor