Blackbirch Cabin: Explore This Stunning Up North Getaway

Anyone who has scrolled through Instagram long enough knows that the A-frame has become the ultimate representation of “a peaceful getaway in [insert idyllic outdoorsy destination].”

A-frames are rustic yet architecturally sharp, a piece of history from America’s post-World War II architectural boom that cuts a unique silhouette against Michigan’s bounty of outdoor beauty. If you search for one Up North, you’ll find plenty of options for your next vacation in an increasingly competitive market.

In a crowded field of A-frame getaways, Blackbirch Cabin, just outside of Boyne City stands alone. That’s high praise considering it’s new to the vacation rental scene, first opening to guests back in December 2024.

What makes it a standout is the taste of lead designer Michelle Fazecas, who bought and built Blackbirch with her husband, Gabriel, his brother Adrian, and Adrian’s wife, Esty.

Based out of Saline, it’s a true family affair, with Gabriel and Adrian working as business partners for 25 years under the banner of BC David Inc. (Michelle holds the title of in-house designer and purchaser).

Michelle wanted to imbue the property with an Old World European feel. It wasn’t by flipping through magazines with pictures of properties across the pond. It was through firsthand experience. Back in 2022, the couple built an A-frame in the Apuseni Mountains of Romania. They used that experience, plus inspiration they acquired while traveling throughout Europe, to create a similar home in Michigan.

The Old World feel is in the materials and details, like a hand-carved marble bathroom sink built by an artisan in Turkey. Or the stunning three-story stone fireplace that acts as a centerpiece for Blackbirch, capped off with a chandelier seemingly pulled straight out of a European castle. And, of course, floor-to-ceiling windows that define the A-frame style itself.

There are some Midwest cameos, too, like the 120-year-old wood walls in the bathrooms, built with wood reclaimed from an old barn in Ohio.

“I wanted a sense of history, an Old World presence, while still offering all the modern amenities that make a stay comfortable,” says Fazecas.

Some of those amenities include a sauna and hot tub — which admittedly made it tough to leave the property at all — and a master bedroom with its own bathtub, fireplace, and panoramic views of the property, including nearby trails. You don’t have to go far to get your nature fix.

Sitting on 109 acres and accommodating up to 12 guests, Blackbirch clocks in at six bedrooms and 5.5 baths. With a spacious kitchen and a walkout basement built for entertaining, it’s perfect for hosting friends, families with kids, or special occasions.

In fact, the first “guests” the couple hosted at Blackbirch were a very special wedding party.

“We worked incredibly hard to have the cabin finished in time for my daughter to get ready there and leave as a bride,” says Fazecas. “It was a moment that made the space even more meaningful to our family.”

Her hope is that Blackbirch’s guests feel a similar sentiment when they visit.

“We created this cabin for an experience, in hopes that it feels like time has slowed down and connects with those there,” says Fazecas. “Be present. Take a slow hike. Relax in the sauna.”