Pastoral Ranch

Situated on what was once expansive farmland in rural Michigan, this contemporary cedar-clad home subtly blends into its natural surroundings, drawing inspiration from Napa Valley’s architectural vernacular. 

Overlooking a two-acre pond and surrounded by wildflower fields, the home fosters a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living. Completed in the spring of 2024, it offers a peaceful retreat for a growing family of four, soon to be five. The design reflects the clients’ desire for a timeless, airy, and earthy feel, with large windows framing views of the landscape while flooding the interiors with natural light. The home’s linear profile gently follows the land’s contours, slowly revealing a natural stone base which grounds it to the site.

Cedar, chosen for its beauty, durability, and the way it gracefully weathers to a silver gray over time, clads the exterior, while white oak frames the windows, providing warmth against the large expanses of glass. Custom steel chimney shrouds offer a unique contemporary touch, balancing the rustic and refined elements of the design. Together, these materials establish a natural palette that feels cohesive with the environment, while contributing to the home’s timeless aesthetic.

Inside, an open-plan living area brings together the kitchen, dining, and living spaces for family gatherings, while private rooms and intimate niches offer moments of solitude. The interior palette draws from warm earthy tones—timeless greens, grays, and blues—complementing the natural materials. These thoughtful choices reinforce the warm, enduring feel that the clients envisioned for their home.

The primary suite is located in the easterly wing, offering privacy and views of the landscape while remaining connected to the central living areas. The family’s love for outdoor living inspired the design of the home’s exterior spaces, including a detached garage and tractor barn that, along with the house, create a motor court feel. Instead of opting for a larger barn structure, the design team chose to keep the scale of the outbuilding in line with the house’s modest yet modern form. The garage and barn echo the cedar cladding and metal roof of the main house, creating visual cohesion across the property while serving the practical needs of the family’s lifestyle. This configuration maximizes the use of the site, allowing the family to enjoy activities such as lawn games, pond-side gatherings, and nature walks.

Natural light is a constant throughout the home, drawing the eye to the expansive views of the pond and fields beyond. The living areas open onto a pond-side patio, complete with an outdoor fireplace, offering the perfect space for relaxing or entertaining while reinforcing the home’s strong connection to its surroundings.

Though contemporary in design, the house draws on the simplicity and practicality of Michigan’s rural architecture, nodding to the proportions and materials found on barns throughout the surrounding farmland. Its modest footprint, grounded materials, and careful proportions create a sense of luxury that feels both restrained and inviting. Expansive windows and an open layout give the home a modern sensibility, while the family enjoys a deeply rooted sense of place—where each season brings new beauty to their surroundings.