Photography by The Fireside Kind

In 1955, a Minnesota naturalist and author, Arnold J. Bolz (Portage into the Past) commissioned the architects Jyring & Whitman to design this secluded lake home in Grand Rapids, MN. Our renovation is an ongoing restoration and refresh to this secluded hidden gem.

The first pass at renovations saw a total reconstruction of the bathrooms, updated with a contemporary layout incorporating historic prints and patterns. The main family room in the basement opens out to the lake saw a replacement of windows, drywall ceilings, recessed lighting, wall panel radiant heating, and terrazzo tile floors throughout the lower level walk-out.

The original design of the Jyring & Whiteman home features a solid wood floating staircase that was missing guard rail panels which we simulated and seamlessly matched for safety. The other significant component of the original design is the dual floor fireplace volume constructed of Mesabi Red stone masonry. The entire design is a tribute to the lake country from the iron range to the arrowhead and all of the portages in between.