What surprises first-time visitors to the western Lake Michigan shore is the towering sand dunes, tall enough to rival those in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. But western Michigan is a much more verdant region than the seashore, and over time, the forest has overgrown the inland dunes. This house takes full advantage of that setting. Sprawling over five distinct levels, it climbs from the base of a steep, ancient dune into the treetops, with abundant full-length windows and decks to make the most of its architectural drama. Yet the magic of its mid-century design is that it so perfectly compliments, rather than competes, with its setting. The home's stark lines and exposed maple frame the views, the flowers, the ferns and mature trees and make them, rather than itself, the focal point. Yet this is no shack in the woods. A flight up from the entryway is a study and a storage room for beach gear, with balcony. A level above is a landing equipped with a small sitting area -- a quiet getaway in a forest-floor setting. Up yet another flight is a library, TV and game room, and a master bedroom -- each with its own balcony -- plus two more adult bedrooms and a pair of bunk rooms for children, each sleeping four in built-in beds, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking directly into the middle level of the beech-oak-maple forest. It's like something out of the "Swiss Family Robinson" -- a perfect adventure for any child. Up another flight is a second landing, this one larger than the first and with more seating and dramatic, elevated views. At the top is the expansive living/dining area, with the main master bedroom and a graciously equipped island kitchen -- no dull vacation home knives and mismatched china here. A deck in the treetops wraps around three sides of the house and gives access the top of the dune, where black squirrels and woodpeckers frolic. There is a top-of-the-line gas grill and abundant outdoor seating and dining areas. Throughout, the decor is perfect -- and perfectly understated. Just four of us shared this ethereal retreat, but the house could have easily accommodated three times as many without feeling overcrowded. Add in the nearby private beach, easy access via car or bike to charming downtown Holland and the resort communities of Saugatuck, Douglas and Fennville, and you have the best of just about everything. It's a place you'll never stop talking about. Enjoy!