Life & Work with Amanda Coder of Michiana MI

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Coder

Hi Amanda, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always had a passion for restoring homes. The excitement for me lies in finding a space with great structure along with the vision to restore and transform something old that needs love, into something new while honoring its original character.

My husband and I bought Buffalo House in May 2020, during the height of COVID-19. The Village of Michiana on the shores of Lake Michigan is home to log cabin homes built in the 1930s that are found dotted throughout the forest. Our cabin was the first prototype for all of the logs in the village and it really is a special place. The previous owner was a Chicago fashion designer and the property was filled with incredible antiques they had collected (including 14 taxidermy animal heads!) and unique details that immediately caught our eye when we first saw it.

Renovating and restoring the Buffalo House became our passion project during the pandemic. We worked tirelessly throughout that year to bring the cabin back to life while preserving its 1930s charm. We curated and repurposed its original features while introducing modern conveniences, like SMEG appliances, an Italian-made ILVE stove, antique-style bathroom finishes, and restored vintage finds from Michigan antique markets.

Today, the Buffalo House is our summer happy place and a thriving Airbnb property that has welcomed over 1000 guests since we opened our doors.

Late last year we took on the challenge to build a tiny house in a weekend! The Buffalo Bunkie is a bunkhouse that sleeps five and inherited much of the design from the main cabin. The Pendleton blanket curtains to the antique wood finishes crafted from leftover build materials, the Bunkie will give us another beautiful space to enjoy everything that Michiana has to offer. Not to mention the deer who peek in the windows each day to say hi.

The cabin is a labor of love and we are happy to be the custodians of a piece of Michiana history.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Renovating a historic home is never without challenges, and the Buffalo House was no exception. The cabin required major structural updates, including a new septic tank, plumbing, and kitchen appliances. The bathroom was unusable, and we had to restore it from the ground up. We even discovered a wasp nest in rotted exterior logs, which required a specialist to repair.

Adding to these challenges was the timing—renovating during COVID-19 meant it was difficult to find contractors and source materials. On top of that, living in the forest near Lake Michigan brings its own set of issues, like frequent power outages, which required us to invest in a generator to keep our project moving forward.

For the Bunkie build late last year we had a week from start to finish to build and the Michigan weather was not our friend that week. It’s hard to get paint and stain to dry when the temperatures start to drop.

Despite these hurdles, the result has been incredibly rewarding. Buffalo House is more than just a cabin; it’s a piece of Michigan history that we feel honored to preserve.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Throughout my career, I’ve often been called an entrepreneur—not just because I launch businesses, but because I thrive on bringing ideas to life and turning visions into reality.

By day, I’m a strategic consultant, helping brands across industries refine, define, and scale. Beyond that, I run my own online business, host guests at my cabin on Airbnb, and take on renovation projects to create unique, intentional spaces.

Whether I’m advising executives, designing environments, developing product lines, or building a tiny house in a week, my work is fueled by creativity and a passion for intentional living. I’m always seeking new ways to innovate and inspire, bridging strategy and imagination to craft something meaningful.

How do you think about happiness?
What makes us happiest is the life we’ve built at Buffalo House. We love waking up to the sounds of birds chirping, the gentle swaying of the trees, and the soothing waves of Lake Michigan. The sense of peace and connection to nature is unmatched. Spending time with our family and friends in our happy place is priceless.

Summer days at the beach. Fall days when the leaves are changing color. Winter days when the snow is falling. Spring days when the daffodils appear.

Our neighbors and the tight-knit feeling of Michiana make this place truly special. We’re proud to share a piece of this magic with our guests and to provide them with an authentic, memorable experience steeped in history and charm.

And lastly our cat Earl Grey. Who walked up to our front door as a little grey kitten from the forest and never left.

Pricing:

• You can find our pricing to stay at the cabin on Airbnb

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.airbnb.com/h/buffalohousemichigan
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buffalohousemichigan
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buffalohousemichigan