As written in Northern Home & Cottage by Elizabeth Edwards Sara and Paul Matthews call their head-turning home, located in a sweet neighborhood just up the hill from downtown Petoskey, “a very human story.” Indeed it is. Sara and her husband, Paul, have a special-needs son as well as an energetic middle-school daughter. This home has an answer for everyone. Located down the street from the school, it is ideally situated for their daughter and a self-contained apartment off the great room accommodates all their son’s needs while giving his caretakers privacy—and the family theirs. The Matthews began the building process by taking their thoughts and needs to Stephanie Baldwin and her team at Edgewater Design Group. Beyond the above considerations, they wanted their new home to be low maintenance and to stand out architecturally, “But not so much that anyone would complain that it didn’t work in our neighborhood,” says Sara. “We were thrilled that Edgewater listened to us and were able to give us a unique-looking house that is meeting all our needs.” Lombardy LLC built this handsome home with Paul working alongside the construction crew throughout the project. The low maintenance exterior is a cutting-edge blend of stacked stone, black corrugated steel, black framed windows and Douglas fir soffits—elements that add up to an organic contemporary look. The use of black steel, including interior beams and the staircase system, lend an industrial vibe that is courtesy of the Matthews’ friend Dan Mello of Trimet Industries in Traverse City. The couple first met Dan, a metal fabricator, a number of years ago, right around the time they found out that their then two-year-old son would never be able to walk. After the couple explained to Dan that they couldn’t find a solution for a child who wasn’t big enough for a wheelchair, he designed a comfortable, rolling chair that was just perfect. They still use it. The couple’s gratitude for the chair resulted in a trusting relationship with Dan, so it was natural for them to welcome his talents into their home-building process. A maple floor finished to bring out all of its color-tones envelops the room in warmth. Alder doors and trim and a Doug fir ceiling reflect that warmth. Clearstory windows and floor-to-ceiling window banks fill the space with light—and with views of the spacious grounds that will become a canvas for Paul, a retired landscaper. The couple’s vibrant art pieces play off against modernist furniture and lighting that is due to an inspired collaboration between Sara and interior designer Kelly Paulsen. “She was absolutely instrumental to the project,” Sara says. “I went through two designers before I finally found Kelly.” The open clean-lined kitchen, butler’s pantry outfitted with a beverage center and Miele coffee machine (that allows guests to wait on themselves when Sara is cooking), and an outdoor room that centers around a wood-burning fireplace, all make for easy, fabulous entertaining. A den just off the great room houses the big-screen television and Sara’s loom— making for relaxing evenings of weaving, game watching and togetherness. Tourgoers will leave understanding that this house is everything great design should be. Form following function—and solving very human issues with soul-soothing style.

Two Story Ultra Modern House style designed by OSCAR E FLORES DESIGN STUDIO
Design ideas for a large modern two-storey white house exterior in Other with metal siding and a flat roof.

「pocco」 photo by 冨田英次
This is an example of a mid-sized modern two-storey white house exterior in Other with a flat roof, metal siding and a shingle roof.

Design ideas for a large modern two-storey grey house exterior in Chicago with metal siding and a flat roof.

This is an example of a large modern two-storey black exterior in Melbourne with metal siding.

This modern lake house is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The residence overlooks a mountain lake with expansive mountain views beyond. The design ties the home to its surroundings and enhances the ability to experience both home and nature together. The entry level serves as the primary living space and is situated into three groupings; the Great Room, the Guest Suite and the Master Suite. A glass connector links the Master Suite, providing privacy and the opportunity for terrace and garden areas. Won a 2013 AIANC Design Award. Featured in the Austrian magazine, More Than Design. Featured in Carolina Home and Garden, Summer 2015.

Paul Bardagjy
Photo of a small modern two-storey grey exterior in Austin with metal siding.

This small guest house is built into the side of the hill and opens up to majestic views of Vail Mountain. The living room cantilevers over the garage below and helps create the feeling of the room floating over the valley below. The house also features a green roof to help minimize the impacts on the house above.

Marie-Caroline Lucat
This is an example of a mid-sized modern two-storey black house exterior in Montpellier with metal siding and a flat roof.

A weekend getaway / ski chalet for a young Boston family. 24ft. wide, sliding window-wall by Architectural Openings. Photos by Matt Delphenich
This is an example of a small modern two-storey brown house exterior in Boston with metal siding, a shed roof and a metal roof.

This 2,000 square foot vacation home is located in the rocky mountains. The home was designed for thermal efficiency and to maximize flexibility of space. Sliding panels convert the two bedroom home into 5 separate sleeping areas at night, and back into larger living spaces during the day. The structure is constructed of SIPs (structurally insulated panels). The glass walls, window placement, large overhangs, sunshade and concrete floors are designed to take advantage of passive solar heating and cooling, while the masonry thermal mass heats and cools the home at night.

Alchemy Architects, Geoffrey Warner
This is an example of a small modern one-storey exterior in Minneapolis with metal siding.

Street view of Studio and garage - Architect Florian Maurer © Martin Knowles Photo Media
This is an example of a modern exterior in Vancouver with metal siding.

Some minor builder deviations from original plan design, but relatively well represented. C. L. Fry Photo www.clfryphoto.com
Inspiration for a modern exterior in Austin with metal siding.

chadbourne + doss architects reimagines a mid century modern house. Nestled into a hillside this home provides a quiet and protected modern sanctuary for its family. Flush steel siding wraps from the roof to the ground providing shelter. Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

chadbourne + doss architects reimagines a mid century modern house. Nestled into a hillside this home provides a quiet and protected modern sanctuary for its family. Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Photo by Eric Roth
Inspiration for a modern two-storey grey house exterior in Boston with metal siding and a shed roof.

Covered Porch overlooks Pier Cove Valley - Welcome to Bridge House - Fenneville, Michigan - Lake Michigan, Saugutuck, Michigan, Douglas Michigan - HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Exterior of the "Primordial House", a modern duplex by DVW
Small modern one-storey grey duplex exterior in New Orleans with metal siding, a gable roof, a metal roof and a grey roof.