Serene in Saugatuck – Southwest Stunner

It takes guts and more than a little faith to purchase a property sight-unseen. Birmingham- based designer Kevin Serba and his husband, Tim Tamer, had both faith and guts when, in 2017, they purchased the approximately one-acre lot their Saugatuck house now sits on.

Filled with rolling hills and forested sand dunes along the shores of Lake Michigan, the land was once part of an 1899 Presbyterian summer camp. Serba spent many years vacationing in the area and used to run through the property, so although he hadn’t seen this particular parcel, he knew the land well and didn’t hesitate when he heard that a developer had backed out and lots were available.

The site the couple purchased, which Serba describes as “a large forested bowl” is 1,100 feet from the water and is surrounded by a 50- acre preserve. “After seeing the views and tree- covered hills, I decided we needed a modern home with big spans of glass to take advantage of the forested views,” he explains.

The couple hired Lucid Architecture, from Zeeland, to engineer and design a 5,200-square- foot home that would capture and complement the stunning site, and feature the same materials inside and out. “I wanted it to feel cohesive,” Serba says.

Because the home is used year-round, the designer opted for warm wood tones along with expanses of glass, using the same cedar from the exterior on walls and accent ceilings. “We’re there in the winter as well as summer,” he explains, noting the destination is 2.5 hours from the couple’s main home in Birmingham, as well as 2.5 hours from where Tamer works part of the week in Chicago. “We enjoy all the seasons; it’s really beautiful with the snow.”

Warm neutral tones are found in the fabrics and furniture, and don’t distract from the year- round views showcased throughout the home’s four-bedroom, 4.5-bath open floor plan. Serba’s favorite spaces include the kitchen and dining area, as well as the stunning living room, where he’s especially fond of the large fireplace. “We love to build fires in the winter,” he says.

The couple has many friends in the area, and they rotate who hosts gatherings during the warmer months. “The screen porch is a great place to entertain,” Serba says, adding that summer, fall, and winter are his favorite seasons. Recent additions include an outdoor bar, kitchen, and pergola designed to make the most of al fresco opportunities and show off the couple’s natural and planted landscape. “My husband loves to work in the yard,” Serba adds.

Ironically, the couple had put an offer in on another lot when they heard that their current lot had become available. They backed out of the first deal and put an offer in on this lot, which was accepted the same day. After designing hundreds of second homes for clients, it’s surprising to hear that this is the first time the couple has worked on their own project. “It’s always fun to design for myself,” says Serba. “I’ve been doing this so long, I had everything selected long before we got started.”

Serba designed every detail in the home, including the custom kitchen, baths, bar, wine room, and numerous built-ins. The living room’s dramatic steel fireplace wall has doors behind the art to hide a television for movie nights. Furnishings include neutral pieces, both vintage and custom, as well as an extensive art collection gathered during years of travel. The primary bedroom features custom, hand-painted de Gournay panels above a custom wood-and-leather bed and custom nightstands.

The home took 14 months to build, and Serba reports that everything went according to schedule. He and Tamer moved in at the start of the summer in 2019, and have happily spent almost every summer and many weekends there since. “When we’re not in Palm Springs, we’re in Saugatuck,” the designer explains.

Serba says there were no major challenges, and he has no regrets. “It was the best thing we could have done. The house itself is even better than I expected,” he says, noting that the property’s value has increased. “The end results were worth the early unexpected change in plans. It’s so quiet. That’s what I love about it. It’s truly an escape.

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