The Smiths’ purchased the charming waterfront home in 1980, and raised their family there— on the outskirts of Detroit, for years. Smith eventually sold it in 2017, after leaving the Midwest for NYC years earlier.
The “storybook” Tudor in Saint Clair Shores, Michigan is unbelievable in every way. Built in 1918, the home is a showstopper, yet at the same time, charming. The exterior is reminiscent of a castle, while the interior has unparalleled architectural detail. Every room has something special. There’s even a secret passageway (a revolving bookshelf) to a hidden wine cellar— especially popular during prohibition. (wink, wink) The property features lake views and it’s backyard is a canal.
My absolute favorite things about this house are: the outdoor entertaining areas off the canal-- the rooftop terrace, the wooded hamlet for casual gatherings + the boat access. The staircase was beautiful, with cathedral ceilings to match. I also loved the former boathouse, transformed into a Game Room, and the garden room-- filled with diffused sunlight, right off the main living space. The floors were awesome, aaand have my dream come true- radiant heat flooring! And for some reason, I can't stop thinking about the dining room, but honestly-- I think it was just the decor, hahaha, b/c it's basically a pass-through.
As if this home didn’t have enough history + stories tied to it, there’s another twist! The listing agent, who is well-versed [understatement] about this property and knows pretty much everything about this home— once lived here.
So if you're in the market for an early 20th century charmer- I guess that this might be the place.