Yes, You Can Drive A Motorized Vehicle On Mackinac Island

A few years out of college Pete went to work for Stephanie Witt owner of Kitchen's by Stephanie in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Pete and Stephanie go way back, don't tell anyone, but Pete dated her youngest daughter in high school.

Stephanie is an amazing designer.  She was President of the NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association) when Pete worked for her.  She has designed for many prestigious clients, just Google her name and article after article about kitchen design will come up.

I'd have her design my kitchen if that cute guy was the installer!

He worked in amazing homes and put his God given talents for finish carpentry to work.  He once flew to Key West to install a kitchen.   I loved bringing him lunch on the job-site so I could check things out.
Here are just a few photos of projects I could find.  I don't have permission to use these so I hope I don't get in trouble.

Can you believe that staircase.  He did not work on the stairs, he did install the kitchen in this home.  

He created the coffered ceiling in this office.  This couple had us over for dinner when the project was complete.  I remember the owner saying to me how he loved coming home from work and finding Pete's notes with all the mathematical equations to figure out the angles for this ceiling.

Last year, as we were working on our floorplan for our new house, Stephanie's name kept coming up.  I knew Pete would never be happy if anyone other than Stephanie designed our kitchen. They had kept in contact and would talk every few years, but we weren't even sure if she still had her business.  She's a few years past the retirement age.  Pete called the only number we had for her and her spunky voice was on the other end of the phone.  He brought her up to speed on our house building and he asked if  she was still designing kitchens.  She informed Pete she no longer had her business, but told him, "I still design for friends and family and you qualify."

So, this fun process of designing our kitchen started.  She recommended Pennville Custom Cabinetry http://www.pennvillecabinetry.com in Portland, Indiana.  Pete and I visited their manufacturing plant over springbreak last year.  We were very impressed and I think the kids even had fun too.

Our Cabinets will arrive on February 8th, and I'm certain I will not sleep the night of February 7th.

Now, for the explanation of the motorized vehicle on Mackinac Island.  The Governor's Mansion on Mackinac Island was being restored in the late 90's, I'm not sure of the year, but I do remember John Engler was governor and Stephanie was asked to design and install the kitchen.   Mackinac Island is a very special place where no motorized vehicles are allowed.  As everything was getting coordinated there was concern about getting a LARGE commercial range and refrigerator up the huge hill to the mansion by horse.

Have you experienced that hill by the Governor's Mansion?  I had the pleasure (NOT) of running up that hill for The Great Turtle 1/2 marathon, that hill came at about mile number 7 and it was crazy hard.

Yes, that is Pete driving the truck off the barge.

Special permission was given by the Governor for Stephanie to bring all appliances and cabinets to the mansion by truck.  There is some magic date in April that this can happen.

 See the home to the left?  That's the mansion.

This is the back entrance to the kitchen.

Not a sight you see everyday on the Island.

Pete, myself, Chuck, Stephanie and Gill.
I can't remember Chuck's wife's name.

Here is where we stayed, our accommodation were exceptionally nice on the inside.

The beautiful view from one of the porches at the mansion.

I look forward to posting pictures of our kitchen in a few short weeks.
Here's a rendering of the cabinets.

Thanks Stephanie for still designing for "Friends and Family" and I am very grateful we qualify!