WRITER | JEANIE MATLOW
PHOTOS | WINDBORNE PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIOS
MILLWARD CUSTOM HOMES
Northern Light
Winter 2025 Issue
For a highly customized waterfront home in Traverse City with a Coastal New England feel, Millward Custom Homes connected all the intricate details the owners had carefully planned for more than two years. On the exterior, low-maintenance materials combine style and function with composite shakes, metal roof accents, engineered cedar and bluestone. Inside, the expansive structure features three stories that include a finished lower level with an impressive wine cellar.
Passionate about their project from start to finish, the owners describe the interiors as classic, transitional and clean. The layout was also important to them. “With the kitchen, dining room, and great room, the floor plan is completely open,” their builder, Joe Millward, explains about the overall flow in the multifaceted home. “It is a complex house with a lot of details and high-end finishes.”
Multiple outdoor spaces celebrate nature in the prime location, which accommodates frequent guests with the in-ground pool, back patio and covered porch that connects to a side terrace with a fireplace. “They wanted the view of the water from as many rooms as possible,” Millward says. “It’s a beautiful home inside and out.”
A state-of-the-art kitchen includes a sizable island with walnut cabinetry. On the perimeter, neutral cabinets wrap around the well-appointed space where a bar area with a wine fridge comes in handy for the avid hosts, along with a butler’s pantry equipped with a dishwasher, sink and icemaker. “Everything was done with a purpose. Every area was very deliberate,” Millward says. Hickory floors ground the communal space, where quartzite adds a classic touch to the counters and backsplash.
In concept, this forever home had been in the works for a while. “During COVID, we sat at the kitchen table in our former home for two years with our architect,” the homeowners say about their collaboration with Rob McCalpin, based in West Bloomfield. “It exceeded our expectations. He knew how the home would flow. Even our laundry room is next to the master suite, but it’s also a stone’s throw from the pool.”
The couple appreciates the seamless flow from the main areas to the terrace. “The house faces West Grand Traverse Bay overlooking Power Island. The sunsets are spectacular,” they say. “The terrace is everybody’s favorite place and it was almost an afterthought.” People also enjoy the back patio and the beach.
Aging in place was another consideration for the custom structure that includes four bedrooms, a home office, a kids’ bonus room and six-and-a-half bathrooms in approximately 7,500 square feet of living space, which includes the lower level. “Even though it’s a multistory home, it’s set up to live on the first floor primarily,” the husband says. “The second floor is mostly for guests.” There is also a provision for an elevator.
Materials, furniture and lighting from sources in other states, along with Grand Rapids, Traverse City and Metro Detroit, were chosen. These were presented to their interior designer, Lee Day, for the final selections. “I didn’t know how to put it all together, but Lee was spot-on,” the wife says. They also credit their designer with other helpful suggestions like the electrical plan, lighting selections, electric blinds, wallpaper selection, cabinetry and design of glass art niches.
The cupola is a unique feature that sheds light into the foyer and has remotely operated windows for natural ventilation. The staircase — another standout — was a passion project for the wife, who designed the newel post and spindles. “It’s simple and elegant,” her husband says.
The homeowners’ thoughtful planning appears throughout. “We tried to keep the bedrooms more minimalist with built-ins — dressers/closets/mirrors,” he says. All the upstairs bathrooms are en-suites, she adds. Each one features a distinctive tile. Unique large-format tiles also make a statement on the indoor fireplaces and the backsplash on the terrace behind the grill. “The tile became an anchor for the design. It determined the color and feel of the home,” she says.
The couple made a great creative team. “We have almost identical tastes. We didn’t disagree on anything. That made it really easy. We both believe in functional art,” she says about features like the engineered cedar ceilings on the front porch and the terrace. “That motivates us when materials are artistic, but functional.”
With so many considerations, the couple appreciates the fact that Millward Custom Homes was small enough for them to deal directly with the owner. “Joe collaborated with us on every detail — we appreciated his can-do demeanor.”
“He’s another part of this puzzle that exceeded our expectations. He was warm, wonderful and grounded — nothing shakes him. He was recommended by two different friends, unknown to one another. We collaborated with him every day. It’s like we became part of each other’s family,” the wife says. “All the contractors and suppliers were great. It all came together so well. Millward Custom Homes took the stress out of building a home.”
