Meghan Warner Baker has loved antiquing ever since she was a child. In her early years, she would search out vintage treasures throughout lower Michigan and beyond. This passion continued when she entered high school and she and her family first moved to Harbor Springs, Michigan. It was during this move that Meghan became interested in cabins. Her family relocated into a chalet and Meghan began to experience cabin living year-round.
Skip forward to the present day, and Meghan now lives in a gambrel shaped A-frame of her own in Harbor Springs. After graduating from the University of Montana, she moved home and bought a beautiful cabin, which she aptly named Great Lakes Modern. The name is a play off its location in the Great Lake State of Michigan and her love of mid-century modern architecture. The cabin was built in 1969 and was already outfitted in some mid-century modern decor. Meghan took it to another level as she began to add her own elements to the home and decorated it with mid-century modern pieces she had been saving over her years of antiquing. She renovated the kitchen and updated the hardwood floors, but besides these changes, she’s had to do few major renovation projects. It’s her goal to save as much of the original cabin as she can.
Meghan describes her interior design style as mid-century, 1970’s glam meets boho chic. The cabin is three levels with one and a half baths and three bedrooms. As a visitor, you enter the cabin through the lower level, and right from the start, you will be struck by the gorgeously unique decor.
Take the stairs to the main level, and you will be greeted by a wide-open space that houses the living room, dining area, kitchen and main bathroom. A wood-burning fireplace is the focal point of this space. It is complemented by a spacious, comfortable couch, funky chairs and a glass dining room table. To the front of the house, you’ll find the large master bedroom. It’s adorned with a colorfully patterned blanket on the king-size bed. A statement rug adds interest to the dark floor.
The upper level contains two more bedrooms and a half bath. Each bedroom has its own unique aesthetic, cultivated through unique artwork, fluffy rugs and vintage lamps. A gallery wall in one of the rooms is a guest favorite, and one can spend a considerable amount of time admiring the paintings that hang on the walls.
There is a one-of-a-kind deck off the main level that overlooks the Boyne Highlands. The deck has a large tree growing through the middle and gives off a treehouse feel. There is a wood-burning fireplace and plenty of seating room. This deck offers guests a way to take the party outside and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Meghan has opened her home to visitors by renting it out on the vacation rental platform VRBO. She says she realized that, although Harbor Springs is a popular vacation area due to its proximity to ski resorts, her cabin had something unique to offer. “There isn’t one other chalet in this area with this view and this type of decor," Meghan explains. "I wanted to provide not just a chalet or home, but an experience!”
And she's done just that. In addition to staying in her stunning cabin, you can also shop the mini chalet on her property, which houses a collection of vintage treasures. Meghan came up with the idea because guests would often ask to purchase pieces in her home. “Many people want to buy antiques when staying at the chalet so I set up a “shop my chalet” shopping experience with all my antiques next door in the mini chalet. The mid-century addicts have loved it, as well as anyone looking to do some Covid-friendly vintage shopping on site,” says Meghan. You can still purchase items from her collection even if you don’t have the opportunity to stay at the cabin through her Etsy store, GreatLakesModern.
For those interested in a uniquely designed, gorgeously decorated chalet, Great Lakes Modern fits the bill. Megan Warner Baker has created a space that showcases the elegance of mid-century modern design. Click here for more information on her rental property.
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