More good Cabin Porn.  Hope you enjoy.

Continue reading “Baby Brown” »

n. pl. Gran-a-ries

1. a building for storing grain

2. a region yielding much grain.

Over the past several months I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be involved with the design of a cabin in Fergus Falls, Minnnesota, created by one of my favorite Architects, Dale Mulfinger. Dale was raised on a dairy farm in Minnesota and is a master of design for rural landscape and vernacular architecture.

This little cottage began its life as a farm granary on the other side of the lake. The owner’s great-grandfather bought it from the farmer in the 1890s and had a team of horses drag it across the ice in the winter to its current lakeside property, then built rooms around it for living. During the course of this project, it has been picked up and repositioned, attaching it to the new cottage via an open breezeway.  The new home will be used for the homeowners—the attached granary, for guests.

Dale’s design (below) shows the old granary on the left and the new construction on the right.

Original granaries had suspended floors that protected the grain from rodents and provided air circulation.  I love that the homeowners had the vision and have taken the time and effort to keep this historic structure in their family.  Is there something beautiful your could do with these?

Continue reading “The Granary” »

 We’ve all got spring fever, so this couldn’t have come at a better time.

One of my favorite projects on Woman Lake made the cover of May’s edition of Cabin Life Magazine —on the newsstand now.

I receive several emails and phone calls each month about the floor plan and finishes used in this sweet, lakeside, Minnesota cabin.  Now we’ve got it all in one place and we are so happy to be able to share it with you, along with a section of design & styling tips I offer.  I’d love it if you grabbed a copy of this well-loved publication all about cabins!  Find them at your local Barnes & Noble.  And if you’d like, you can always purchase one online.

As always, I love hearing from you!  And thanks for having a look.

-Michelle

I’m on a flight back from spring break right now. Word has it there is still a fat snow pack on the ground in Minnesota. That won’t stop Easter’s arrival this Sunday.

Easter means brunch and maybe a lil’ spring fever. The table-setting tendency is to go a bit nuts with the color and the flowers and the ceramic bunny salt shakers. And there are usually lots of plates and mini-plates, with multiple forks and tiny spoons. I really do get it and know that it can be fun…

but what about simple?

Continue reading “A Proper Table” »

Our favorite outdoor sleeping space was featured in Glo Magazine. Get inspired to take it al fresco with these fabulous sacks.

Hey Minnesota.  Happy Snow Day!  Get out there and do something fun.

Continue reading “Snow Day” »

No favorites here. I really do love every season equally.  It’s just that, I’m pretty sure I’m ready for the ice to melt and for this one to wrap up.  Here’s to open water and spring.

Continue reading “Spring” »

Hopefully, all of you are settled into your couches, watching the lead-up to the game.  If not, and you have yet to run to the store, here are some quick and easy ideas that I think you’ll love.  It’s a small sampling of what will be in my tv room today and it starts out with my favorite beef sandwiches by Barefoot Contessa.  (Of course , I dumbed it down a bit, by leaving the truffle out.  However, if you’ve got some around, by all means.) 

Also on the menu:

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

Veggie Platter

Caprese Salad

Shoot me a comment if you’d like me to pass along ideas and recipes for those as well!

 Eat a lot and have a great time today!

-Michelle