Entire cottage in Charlevoix, Michigan

6 guests
3 bedrooms
4 beds
3 baths

Hosted by Shawn

Superhost
10 years hosting

Listing highlights

An Earl Young mushroom house

The final home architect Earl Young built for himself, with original stone fireplaces and hidden cabinets throughout.

A stay guests call magical

Guests describe staying here as magical and unlike anywhere else, with many planning return visits.

Built on a knoll that inspired its design sits a house of stone overlooking Lake Michigan, its architect Earl Young called it home for over 30 years. Young designed and built this mushroom house and he chose the best spot in Charlevoix to do so! You will feel like you’re at a private retreat on your back deck up two stories high. See the sky changing colors from the front window and hear the lake rolling too, 2 gas fireplaces, tile work and Young’s original dining table! New AC in July 2026!

The space
A Living Work of Art Across from Lake Michigan

One of Charlevoix’s most distinctive homes—and the final house Earl Young built for himself and his wife, Irene.

Earl Young is the architect behind Charlevoix’s iconic “mushroom houses,” celebrated for their organic shapes, native stone, low-slung profiles, and imaginative details. While many of his homes can be admired throughout the area, this house is especially meaningful: it was Young’s own final residence, built after refining his signature style and mastery of stone construction.

Because it was designed for himself and his wife, the home offers a particularly personal expression of Young’s work. Its original, unaltered design reveals the thoughtful details, craftsmanship, and playful surprises that define his architecture. From the beautifully crafted stone fireplaces and distinctive U-shaped layout to the hidden cabinets tucked throughout the house, every room invites you to look more closely. It feels less like a vacation rental and more like staying inside a living piece of architectural history.

The home sits high on one of Charlevoix’s most beautiful bluffs, directly across from Lake Michigan and the iconic red lighthouse. The beach is just minutes away on foot, and downtown Charlevoix—with its boutiques, restaurants, bars, and parks—is also within easy walking distance. Guests often describe the setting as “completely ideal.”

The home has three bedrooms and three bathrooms. One end of the house has a bedroom with two twin beds and its own bathroom. The other end has a queen bedroom and a king bedroom, with a bathroom between them. The queen bedroom is a walkthrough room to reach the private king bedroom, and a privacy curtain can be drawn to separate the queen bedroom from the hallway leading to the king bedroom. A third bathroom adds extra convenience for guests.

Large front windows bring Lake Michigan into the living space, while the private back deck feels like a treetop retreat—three stories above the street and sheltered among the trees. It is the perfect spot for morning coffee, an afternoon glass of wine, or simply enjoying the quiet.

Inside, you’ll find everything you need for an easy and comfortable stay: a fully equipped kitchen with coffee, spices, and cooking essentials; beautiful linens and beach towels; high-speed WiFi; Sonos; a Samsung Frame TV with streaming; and two original stone gas fireplaces that make the home especially cozy.

The house has been lovingly maintained and thoughtfully prepared for guests. It is polished and comfortable without losing the character, craftsmanship, and individuality of Earl Young’s original design.

The beach is across the street. Downtown is a short walk. And the house offers a rare opportunity to stay inside the final mushroom house Earl Young created for himself.

A Note About Availability

This home books quickly. If your dates aren’t available, click our profile to explore our collection of 12 distinctive cottages in Charlevoix. We’d love to host you at one of them.

Other things to note
Our house was recently featured in a Washington Post article as the journalist stayed in our home. (10/2026)