Blog

  The Abide Cottage was built in 1938 and is one of the most “fairytale looking” of all the Mushroom Houses. Earl Young had traveled to Europe at this point and started designing with a much more English Coltswald feel.  This is a great example of his transition on stone shape and sizes….he used Onoway…

Boulder Manor

      “THE SUCHER HOUSE” The beautiful Sucher House….located in one of the most fabulous locations of all the Mushroom Houses……. atop a hill overlooking beautiful lake Michigan.  Its also I would have to say, one of the most expensive of all the Mushroom houses simply because of the property, amount of land, and the expansive design. The Sucher House was built in 1949 by Earl Young.  He was commissioned to do this house by the Sucher family who also owned “Speedway 79” gas and oil at the time.  In other words, they were not hurting for cash.  This was a BIG job for Earl Young and probably his biggest money making house commissioned at that time.  I think that made him a tad nervous….also considering the owners told him to go ahead and do whatever he wanted with…

“Boulderdash” or the actual “Mushroom House” I cannot tell you how many times I get asked during our 45 min. tour of why on earth all these houses are called “Mushroom Houses?!”  When the tour starts out and for most of the first half, they simply look like fairy-tale houses and Gnome Homes no doubt…… but a “Mushroom House”?  What’s the reason they want to know?! It’s simple I say, and if you can hang on a bit longer….the 2nd to last house we see will explain everything. As we make our descent down Clinton street and turn left onto Grant….all becomes clear, like a beacon in the dark.   I like to tell everyone that in my opinion….this is Earl Young’s most famous house and voila…the reason we call these Mushroom Houses. Keep in mind one thing……..Earl Young NEVER called…

Earl Young Half-House   The Half-House is one of the most beloved “Mushroom Houses” and one of the most recognizable.  Its beauty and intrigue has garnered it numerous awards for color placement of the stones, style and structure.  This house to me….represents everything Earl Young was trying to portray in his work and has all…

    This is the Story of Irene Harsha “Behind every good man is a great woman” so quotes the bible in not so many words.  That couldn’t be more true in the case of Earl Young’s life and career.  Not to say that Earl Young wasn’t an absolute creative genius, but without his better…

The Thatched Roof House I will be blogging about each one of Earl Young’s houses separately as each one is so unique and so interesting!  If you need a background on the architect Earl Young…please visit my previous post aptly named “The Evolution of Earl Young.”   The Thatched Roof House is the most visited…

Everything Earl Young Earl Young has arguably become one of the most influential and beloved characters in the little town of Charlevoix, Michigan.  One would have never known the significance of  having the “Mushroom Houses” would become in the day.  I can tell you that it makes an already cute and whimsical town, even that much more fantastic.  The folks who reside here will be forever grateful to this wonderful architect, builder,designer and overall genius! Earl Young was born in 1889 in Mancelona, Mi., located about 30 miles from Charlevoix.  He and his family moved here when he was just 11 years old.  His parents owned and operated an insurance agency in town and tried desperately to make their marriage work.  They soon realized it was doomed and unfortunately….divorce was in their future.  Earl had his way of getting through…

I was so excited this summer to be asked to re-design and paint a fish sculpture for a client in Bay Harbor. The fish had been a part of the Red Cross fundraiser where local artists paint whatever animal sculpture is chosen for that year. When the fish were being done years ago, I was not involved with the program. I was however involved with the “Turtle” project where I managed to come up with “Lilly Pulitzer Prize Winner” as my design for that year. I got a hugely popular response and was thrilled when the owner of a fish decided that they MUST have a Lilly Pulitzer themed fish of their very own. Took it upon myself to go through fabrics and samples of Lilly Pulitzer fabric until I found the perfect fit. Being the client loved aqua, turquoise…

Fall Tours Are Still Going Strong!!!   This year has brought us record breaking, fabulous weather and the fall leaves are just hitting peak in good ole’ Charlevoix, MI!!   For the past 7 years, we have offered daily tours and are the “original” Mushroom House tour company. We were also voted “Best Tour in Town”…. Can’t beat that!! Since this is our own business….we offer only the highest standards of customer service and have an impeccable record of fantastic reviews.  So many that we actually have had 30% of our clients come back for a second tour with friends or guests!! Its a great way to showcase Northern Michigan and a wonderful way to spend an otherwise boring afternoon! Meet the tour guides: Edith Pair and Alex King We are both artists and creative types with an extreme passion…

APPLEFEST in Charlevoix is one of the most popular times of the year to visit!! The city and wonderful Chamber of Commerce put their heart and soul into this wonderful weekend!!! We had over 30,000 visitors this year and heard great comments and reviews….. think caramel apples, hot cider, fabulous artwork from local and statewide artists….and of course…the fabulous ‘Mushroom Houses” of Charlevoix!! We try and give the best tour we possibly can to show these fabulous stone structures. “GG”…our always popular GEM car, worked her little “buns” off this weekend and we managed to do 19 GEM car tours and 3 complimentary walking tours. As luck would have it….the weather seems to be working in our favor and we will be providing daily tours until the snow gets too high to drive through.  Go ahead and book your tour…

Edith Pair and her Mushroom House Tours are happy to be featured tonight on Hometown Tourist on TV channel 9&10 News at 6 pm. The segment is called Tourism in Northern Michigan. See Boulder Park!! Tour Michigan is the only tour company offering fabulous tours of the famous Boulder Park section of Earl Young’s houses!!   Tour Guide Edith Pair with her GEM car! Feel free to schedule your fall tour! Just click the button below!