Fixer Upper: NL Kotting Co. turns old barns into homes

The photo of the barn above (located north of Northport) was taken by Michael Hicks this summer I believe. The photo to the right was taken maybe 10 years ago – it’s amazing how fast these old barns can crumble into ruin.

It doesn’t have to go like this. Check out this article from Lake Magazine titled From Hayloft to Home about Leelanau resident and historical preservation expert Nancy Kotting and the process of turning a barn into a house. Nancy explains the feeling of living in a barn that’s been converted:

It’s been a joy for me – the loft, the feeling of virgin timber, the sense of strength and permanency that you walk into. I feel like I’m walking into a European cathedral. It’s got a verticality that gives you a sense of walking into a sacred space. And a sense of security: This is a building that was here long before I arrived and a building that will be here long after I leave. I never had that feeling in a home.

Leelanau.com built their web site – check it out at nlkotting.com!