Mike and Amanda Habrat have created a warm and inviting family home on the shores of Big Detroit Lake. The couple, who are raising their three young children, resides in a spacious 3,734-square-foot residence located at 650 South Shore Drive. Mike works as a fisheries specialist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, while Amanda is a physician who founded Dermatology at the Lakes in Detroit Lakes.
The brick home, built in 1998 by Tomlinson, showcases a cozy aesthetic throughout. Amanda highlights the thoughtful design, stating, “We kept a lot of what they did with the house. The trim is all the same, and it’s a beautifully done kitchen, all cherry.” This design choice enhances the home’s flow, making it easy for family members and guests to move seamlessly from room to room.
Design Features and Amenities
A striking feature of the home is the vaulted-ceiling living room, which is filled with natural light from large north-facing windows that overlook the lake. It includes a cozy natural gas fireplace, providing a perfect gathering spot for the family. The kitchen, with its warm cherry wood cabinets and hardwood floors, serves as a focal point for family interactions. It features a beautiful granite countertop and a unique free-form induction cooktop that heats cookware placed anywhere on its ceramic-glass surface, providing safety and convenience for a household with young children.
Additional spaces in the home include a sunroom on the main floor, a sewing room adorned with colorful quilts, and a welcoming basement bar area designed to evoke the charm of an old-time saloon. The property also offers a three-car garage and a boathouse with a deck positioned above, allowing for stunning views of the lake.
The Habrats appreciate various amenities, such as heated floors in the sunroom, laundry room, and master bathroom, along with ample indoor storage. Since relocating from Pearl Lake in 2016, they have undertaken numerous renovations to enhance their living space.
Renovations and Improvements
“We redid the laundry room,” Amanda noted, explaining that they completely gutted it to better accommodate their family’s needs, including additional pantry space. The couple also opened up the staircase and transformed a small sitting area at the top into a functional creative space, adding much-needed cabinetry for towels. The sitting area has since been relocated to a small balcony just off the top of the stairs, further enhancing the home’s functionality.
The most significant renovation project involved finishing the basement, which had previously been an unfinished space with concrete block walls. This area has now been transformed into a family room, bar area, and exercise room, boasting professional renovations that ensure it is as comfortable and inviting as the rest of the home.
Through thoughtful design and ongoing improvements, Mike and Amanda Habrat have crafted a family retreat that blends modern comfort with a cozy atmosphere, making their residence on Big Detroit Lake a cherished home for years to come.
