A house on a lake.

Just outside Grand Rapids, Minnesota, this 1955 mid-century modern lake house rests on 33 private acres. It is a place shaped over generations by a love for architecture, conservation, and deep care for nature. It is a place for family and friends to gather for shared meals, walks in the woods, paddles around the lake, and evenings in the sauna.

The House

Built with love
in 1955.

DESIGNED TO IMMERSE YOU IN LIGHT AND NATURE.

This house reflects the principles of Midwest mid-century modern design: strong bones, open sight-lines, natural materials, and a deep connection to the surrounding landscape. The main living spaces are open and light-filled, with vaulted ceilings, expansive windows, and a dramatic double-sided stone fireplace that anchors the home. Multiple gathering areas, indoors and out, allow groups to gather without feeling crowded. With four bedrooms, several shared spaces, and room to move at an unhurried pace, the house is well-suited for families, longtime friends, creatives, and anyone who values design, quiet, and time together.

    • Bedrooms:

      • Bedroom 1 - main level: King bed, lake view, private workspace

      • Bedroom 2 - main level: Queen bed, forest view, private workspace

      • Bedroom 3 - lower level: Queen bed, lake view

      • Bedroom 4 - lower level: Two twin beds, forest view

    • Bathrooms:

      • 2 full bathrooms

      • 1 half bath

      • Towels, robes, slippers, shampoo, conditioner & body wash provided

    • Two fireplaces (wood & gas)

    • Fully stocked kitchen with lake views

    • Game room with board games and smart TV

    • Fiber WiFi, full laundry, and self-check-in

    • Semi-private non-motorized lake, access with private dock

    • Cedar sauna for 8 people

    • Fire pits, hammocks, and patio seating

    • Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, paddleboat & fishing gear

    • .75 -mile private forest trail

  • Originally designed in 1955 by Minnesota architects Eino “Jerry” Jyring and Richard “Dick” Whiteman, this lakehouse is a rare example of early mid-century modernism thoughtfully adapted to the Northwoods landscape. Jyring, a Finnish-American architect known for his sculptural use of masonry, and Whiteman, who studied under Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius at Harvard, brought together strong natural materials, clean modern lines, and an intentional sense of movement through space. Their influence can be felt in the home’s dramatic double-sided stone fireplace, vaulted volumes, and carefully framed lake views that draw the outdoors in. Rather than imposing on the land, the house was designed to live gently within it by balancing architectural clarity, warmth, and connection to nature. Today, it remains both a preserved design landmark and a livable retreat.

What our guests have said

  • MidMod is truly a magical place. My husband and I went on an early April rainy weekend. We did a little hiking, used the sauna, read our books and cozied up by the fireplace. A great place to rest, restore, and explore. The Rapids brewery close by had great food and live music on our first night there. After that we stayed by the lake. Thank you for a great retreat!

  • The home, the character, the property, the seclusion (but yet closeness to a town), the lake, the views and its pet friendly - we couldn’t have asked for anything more! The beds were comfortable, the kitchen had more than everything you would need. We enjoyed the stillness winter offered and all the wildlife. Daily hikes on the hiking trail and coffee by the fire. We can’t wait to come back!

  • The MidModern retreat is breathtakingly beautiful inside and out. We enjoyed the clean lines, open spaces, beautifully stocked kitchen and relaxing games space. In addition, Mother Nature provided amazing sunrises, clear starlight and even a visible Milky Way.

  • Our entire group just raved about how beautiful and incredible this cabin is all weekend. The lake is gorgeous, the woods are gorgeous and the cabin is gorgeous. 5 stars again and again. Thank you to Maria and her team for being incredible hosts.

  • Mid-century modern design tucked in the Northwoods. Relaxing sauna, private trails, and gorgeous lake views!

  • What an incredible location! We felt right at home from the moment we arrived. The views are stunning from every window. Whether it is waking up to a peek of the sunrise from bed, or star gazing in front of the house before going to bed, you can’t go wrong. We enjoyed gorgeous walks on Blackberry Loop after lunch, and observing the trumpeter swans and loons - all of it while taking in the fall colors. There are many thoughtful touches throughout the house that help you decompress and relax. We hope to come back!

  • We had the most amazing weekend at the MidMod Lake House. We reserved it for the setting, an amazing private 30 acres, but left loving the house itself just as much! The upscale furnishings (particularly in the kitchen--real knives and pans!!), the comfortable beds and the local art were favorite touches that really added to our Northwoods experience. We swam, hiked, went into town and ate/shopped. All around perfect. We cannot wait to come back.

  • This house was an absolute treasure. Dog friendly, sauna, and hiking trails in the back yard. Easy drive to hidden gems around Grand Rapids to visit and hike. We will be staying here again!

  • Gorgeous house with luxurious kitchen items, bedding, and furniture. Great windows with a panoramic view throughout the house. The semi-private, motor-free lake was a dream for floating, kayaking, and fishing. Even though the lake is shared with one other home, we never saw anyone else. Had a great hammock nap after a few hours in the water. Will definitely come back in the winter for the sauna. Super close to town for groceries but feels far-away and secluded. We loved the separate cabin/bunkhouse for the teenagers and they loved having a separate space too. Very responsive host.

  • Rented this house for a friends' getaway in August. We were completely delighted with it! The house itself is beautiful - it's been recently and very tastefully updated to match the mid-century modern aesthetic. It had two levels of bedrooms and living space to give everyone room to spread out. The views were amazing, and it offered the best equipped kitchen I've ever had in a rental. Books, games, a downstairs TV, wood burning and gas fireplaces... we were so content we barely left the property.
    Outdoors was excellent too! The lake was, as another reviewer wrote, dreamy. There's only one other house and we never saw the occupants, so you feel like you have it all to yourself. There are kayaks, paddleboards, and other toys to play with, and loons and a pair of swans to watch. Finally, there's a small trail system to walk on, a fire pit, and a wood-burning sauna.
    Maria is a very helpful and responsive host.
    We could've happily stayed here a week. Highly recommend it!

Architecture, Light, Land, and Ritual

The experience of this home is in the details: light moving across wood floors, steam rising after the sauna, firewood stacked for evening warmth, and quiet water just beyond the trees. This gallery highlights the architecture, landscape, and lived-in moments that define a stay here.

Stewardship
& Values

Conservation
Forward

This land and lake have been cared for intentionally for generations. That care continues today. Staying here means participating in a shared ethic of stewardship. We request that all guests respect the quiet land, the living water, the wildlife, and the rhythms of this place. Guidance around lake use, sauna rituals, and house care is offered not as restriction, but as invitation.

    • We request that this lake be used only for catch and release fishing practices.

    • We request that no motors ever be allowed on the waters of this lake. We provide canoes and paddle boards for you to enjoy.

    • We request that the driveway be the only place for motor vehicles to drive on. There is a beautiful walking trail and lawn to enjoy.

    • We request that guests only use the firewood necessary for their experience and do not leave any fires unattended.

Paul Bunyan Chair in Grand Rapids, MN

Explore
the Area

Just ten minutes from the house, downtown Grand Rapids offers a mix of culture, history, and everyday pleasures. When you feel like venturing out, it’s easy to explore at an unhurried pace, and then return to the quiet of the woods.

 

Events &

Gatherings

Intimate Gatherings, Thoughtfully HosteD

MidMod Minnesota Lakehouse is available for a small number of intimate events that align with the scale, rhythm, and values of this home. This is not a traditional event venue. Instead, it’s a place for meaningful gatherings where design, land, and presence matter as much as the occasion itself.

WE WELCOME

Elopements and micro-weddings

Simple, beautiful ceremonies centered on connection, landscape, and shared experience. Best suited for small guest counts and unhurried celebrations.

Small retreats and gatherings

Creative, wellness, or family retreats that value quiet, togetherness, and time spent in conversation.

Creative or editorial location scouting

The house is available on a limited basis for photography, film, and creative projects that respect the home and its setting.

Select events by inquiry

Occasional events that fit the character of the house and can be held gently,  without impact to the land, lake, or surrounding community.

To preserve the experience of the house and the care of the land, these offerings are intentionally limited and reviewed individually. Additional details, guidelines, and pricing are shared by inquiry.

Reviews and press features are shared as available.

Spend Time Here

If this place is speaking to you, we invite you to take the next step and explore availability below. Stays here are designed to feel easy and well-held from the beginning, with clear details, thoughtful pacing, and a booking process that leaves room to arrive unhurried. When the timing feels right, you’re welcome to choose your dates and settle in.