“The divine is in the detail,” says Minnesota-based builder Meteek & Co. of the stunning staircase standing at the center of the North Shore Retreat. Hand-crafted of locally grown and sustainably harvested Eastern White Pine by Minnesota Timber and Millwork (MTM), the staircase was custom-made for the space and features a delicate stencil pattern drawing inspiration from Scandinavian scroll work design, a motif that is echoed throughout the home.
“Each of these giant white pine treads measures 4 inches thick and 12 inches deep,” says Meteek. “We used Rubio Monocoat in clear to preserve the golden hue of the pine.”
The wood was harvested from Northern Minnesota forests and sawn in the historic Rajala Bigfork sawmill before being dried slowly in the plant’s own kilns. Rajala Companies is the longest continually running sawmill in the state. We previously wrote about Jack Rajala, the “legendary lumberman” who planted 3.5 million Eastern White Pine trees in Minnesota, and the wonderful legacy he left behind.
Meteek gives us a peek at the rest of the home, too, which is cozy as can be. They used a mix of modern and classic Scandinavian design to fit out the interiors with warm woods and hand-finished metal accents. The stunning hearth is framed by a stone mural created by stone artisan Larry Beaumont of Beaumont Stoneworks in Duluth.
