Midgaard, also known as the Lautner Cottage, is a chalet style log cabin located on Middle Island Point, near Marquette, Michigan.

Over the next two years, the Lautners planned the construction and decor of the cottage, being heavily influenced by Norwegian folk architecture guides.

John Jr.'s early experience with construction and design of the Midgaard cabin heavily influenced his understanding of craftmanship and later architectural work.

[3] He studied in Frank Lloyd Wright's apprenticeship program at Taliesin from 1933 to 1938, then struck out on his own in southern California.

His work mainly focused on residential architecture, creating distinctly personal designs that took into consideration materials, the site location, and the preferences of his client.

Midgaard is a front-gabled, two-story log cabin with a low pitched roof, situated on a rocky promontory above Lake Superior.

[3] The cabin is constructed from spruce logs interspersed with chinking sitting on a rubble fieldstone and granite rock foundation.

The interior of the cabin contains furnishings designed in a Scandinavian peasant style, with colorfully painted chests and antiques.

[4] Textiles included curtains block printed by Vida Lautner to simulate Swedish weavings, striped rag rugs, and decorative embroideries on the walls.