Step into a piece of history!
The Granot Loma’s extraordinary structure is a testimony of old times, timeless craftsmanship, and architectural ingenuity.
Built between 1919 and 1923, the property spreads on 20,000 square feet, has 50 rooms, an orchard, a private farm, a harbor, and a beach, and it’s a National Historic Landmark.
The pride and joy of Marquette, Michigan, and the rest of the States, is often referred to as The White House of the West.
Take a peek inside and see if it lives up to the title and join me on a walk down the historic lane, through massive halls, and rooms of forgotten past.
The Impressive Building In Upper Michigan Peninsula
Grandiose. Magnificent. Majestic. Palatial. Monumental.
These are all the same words, but they describe the Granot Loma estate so well.
The impressive building is set in Michigan’s upper peninsula, in a secluded place, with no noisy neighbors or peering eyes around. The highest level of privacy is guaranteed on this estate.
Back in the days when Granot Loma was first built, it took over 400 Scandinavian craftsmen and over 4 million dollars to finish it. The estate was family-oriented thanks to its founder, Louis Graveraet Kaufman.
The idea was to create a summer home that could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with country homes and hotels in upstate New York.
Not only did the project succeed, but it became a legend.
The house sits right next to the water of Lake Superior and has its own harbor. Obviously, people who come here have their own boats and yachts. That’s the kind of profile that visits Granot Loma.
The house is stunning from the outside. The combination of wood logs and stone makes it appear as a castle. Indeed, it can stand next to a real castle and the difference would be minor.
If you thought it’s not as stunning on the inside, you’d be wrong. Wait until you see what’s hiding in the Great Hall!
The Great Hall Is The Center Of All Happenings
The Great Hall is truly great. There’s 140 feet of space welcoming guests from all over the land.
From the designer’s point of view, the room is… quite a mess, but, hey, it’s history. You don’t have to be a fan of stone, wood, taxidermy, or dimmed lights to appreciate the historical value of the manor.
The Great Hall has a few focus points that simply draw the attention of the visitor. Probably the main extra of the room is the chandelier that hides a special story. It was made from the roots of a white pine tree under which Kaufman used to play.
The chandelier holds carvings of over 50 insects and animals to enhance the closeness with nature in the house.
Another centerpiece is the impressive and massive stone fireplace, one of the biggest ones I’ve ever seen. It adds not only the warmth to the house but the cozy feeling of the room. Makes you wanna grab a cup of hot cider, and a book, and snuggle next to it for a slow night.
The room has many details, and each time you take a look, you spot something new. For example, the wood totem in the corner.
Or, the picture wall with paintings of Native Americans.
As a designer, I appreciate the use of natural materials throughout the house, especially for staircases and handrails. If the room wasn’t this big, I’d think we landed in an old log home back at the Frontier.
Here’s What Else Is Hiding In This Mansion
When the Granot Loma was built, it was used as a summer home, hence so many bedrooms.
Personally, I don’t know if I’d ever spend a night here, but still… There are people who love experiencing old times and I respect that.
All bedrooms are in a similar style, with lots of wooden accents, reddish tones, and canopy beds.
This here is one of the bedrooms from the suite they call Lovers Room. As you can see, all the furniture is purposely kept outdated, with heavy patterns, dark colors, and the feeling of old times.
What’s not outdated is definitely the kitchen, with ultra-modern, stainless steel appliances.
It’s a replica of the kitchen in The White House and I bet the same, extra delicious food is served here too!
It’s hard to pick something I love when the house isn’t my cup of tea at all. Luckily, there is one room in here that I find absolutely charming and stunning.
The birch bathroom!
As the name says, it’s a bathroom done in birch wood accents, such as the trim frames around the doors or wood planks on the wall. The combination of these light wood and stone walls is such a refreshment in such a dark-toned house.
This is exactly how I picture a log cabin bathroom with a dash of luxury.
The Granot Loma is a piece of American heritage you can visit if your pocket is deep enough. Usually, the place can be rented for events and private parties.
If you could, would you spend the night here despite it not being modern and up to today’s standards?