Tour a ‘Young Traditional’ Summer House by Tom Stringer

Not every historic home can be saved – but its story can. When a beloved turn-of-the-century summer house overlooking Lake Michigan proved structurally unsalvageable, the only way to preserve its legacy was to begin again. Rather than cling to what remained, the decision was made to start afresh – preserving the spirit, scale, and character of the home while creating a retreat ready to welcome another century of family summers.

For designer Tom Stringer, the result was never about creating a typical new-build. Instead, he envisioned what he calls ‘a highly idealized and architecturally similar copy’ of the original, layering antiques, treasured family heirlooms, and breezy shades of blue, green, and white to create interiors that feel ‘intentionally nostalgic and colorful’ – ‘a bit of an ode to summer houses from an earlier time period.’ Looking around, it’s hard to believe this isn’t the house that has always stood here.

Although the intention was to renovate the family’s beloved summer house, it soon became clear that decades of alterations had taken their toll. ‘We began the project with the understanding that this was to be a home renovation, although a significant one,’ Tom explains. ‘After some exploratory demolition, we came to the understanding that much of the primary structure had been compromised in a series of earlier minor renovations. ‘At the end of the day, there just wasn’t much worth saving,’ he adds. It was a disappointing discovery, but one that opened the door to a more thoughtful way of working.

Rather than attempting to prop up a failing structure, the team set about creating what Tom describes as ‘a fairly reasonable replica of the original structure,’ making only a handful of carefully considered changes, including the addition of a wraparound porch that would better suit modern family life. The challenge, however, wasn’t simply to build a new house. Nestled among Harbor Springs’ collection of Victorian-era summer residences, the home needed to feel like it had always belonged. ‘It was important that this home blend seamlessly into the fabric of this neighborhood,’ Tom says, noting that strict local architectural controls reinforced that ambition.

While the exterior pays tribute to the past, the inside is absolutely designed for the present. The home sits among a cluster of neighboring houses owned by the client’s siblings and extended family, making it a natural gathering place throughout the summer. Designed for the fifth generation of the same family to enjoy the property, every room was planned with the ebb and flow of long, carefree summers in mind – from impromptu sleepovers to large family dinners overlooking Lake Michigan.

‘The primary need was to modify the existing residence to meet the needs of a young family with three children,’ Tom explains. To do that, almost every aspect of the layout was reconsidered. ‘We made some critical decisions to relocate the staircase for all four floors, excavate a full-height basement where there had been a crawlspace, and re-order the use of rooms, placing the kitchen in the center of the house where the dining room had been,’ he adds. Now, the kitchen enjoys sweeping views across the lake while connecting two distinct dining spaces. ‘The more formal dining room faces east and has great morning light, so it is used primarily for breakfast,’ Tom says. ‘The more casual dining space faces west and overlooks the veranda and view to the water. It has ended up being used primarily for dinners as the early evening light over the lake is beautiful.’

That same thoughtful zoning continues throughout the house. The second floor is anchored by the primary suite alongside guest accommodation, while the third floor belongs almost entirely to the children. Downstairs, a media room, games room, bar, and bunk room create the ultimate destination for rainy afternoons and sleepovers. As Tom puts it, ‘There are two floors designed around kids, so that they can be free to do kid things, and there are two floors that center around adults from the two previous generations.’