The Real Deal

One may pass an afternoon painting an image of what life was like in eras before, imagining gorgeous clothing and carriage rides, grand galas with calling cards and rules of etiquette in play. It's romantic, yet is a rare opportunity to step outside of our imaginations and emerge ourselves in history outside of a museum visit.

At this, I would like to introduce to you the Cartier Mansion in the beachside community of Ludington. This beautiful bed & breakfast not only calls the 1905 estate of lumber baron Warren Cartier its home, but it's 98% original. Let that digest for a moment. Ninety-eight percent of its wall coverings, flooring, rugs, fixtures are ORIGINAL: not recreated, not faked, but the real deal. When Kelly and I were warmly greeted by owner Sue Ann Schnitker, I was comfortably seated on the same couch that was there over a century ago.

This incredible fact became even more unbelievable when we began our tour. Each room in the mansion was exquisitely finished with a different species of wood (as any posh lumber would do), from white oak to black walnut, sycamore to mahogany. Even the different sides of the pocket doors are paneled appropriately. The light plates glittered while the thermostats boast of the cutting-edge technology the Cartiers used (each room could be set to its own temperature using a unseen-before heating and cooling system). Kate Cartier, lady of the house, even had a secret button on the dining room floor that she could use to summon staff seemingly by magic!

As a self-proclaimed history nerd, I nearly passed out from pure bliss as I entered the library. The wall paintings are the epitome of Art Nouveau design. I have this delicious fantasy that Alphonse Mucha, father of the art movement, vacationed in Ludington and created the walls as a favor for the worldly Cartiers. I could have stayed there for hours.

And the shower! Goodness, the cage shower in la Grande Suite is famous in its own right. This intricate skeleton of glistening pipes sprays you every which way, putting today's fanciest waterfall showers to the test. The Cartiers certainly had an eye for detail.

Luckily for today's guests, so do the Schnitkers. Experiencing the history of the mansion is breathtaking, especially with luxurious modern conveniences. Whether you're staying in one of the five distinct guest rooms, hosting a meeting, or planning the wedding of your dreams, the Cartier Mansion will surround you in comfort and elegance.

This Week's Giveaway

Everyone needs to experience the luxury and history of the Cartier Mansion, which is why we're giving away a two night stay in a room of your choice. Want to win? Just tell us why you should. It's that simple.

The winner will be drawn on Friday, January 14th.