12 minute read
Beautifully Active
Beautifully ACTIVE The Reserve on Lake Macatawa — A Covenant Development
TEXT BY RJ MEINDERTSMA PHOTOS BY ASHLEY AVILA Inthe early 2000s, the endearing line of “If you build it, they will come” applied to the development of residential retirement communities across West Michigan. Buyers, who were empty nesters eager to unshackle themselves from the drudgery of home upkeep, flocked to these neighborhoods. As this market has matured, however, buyers have become more discerning and sophisticated in their needs; and developers have upped their game to accommodate. While locale continues to be a primary motivating factor, innovation in individual design processes have allowed owners to veer away from the cookie cutter communities that pervaded the past. Discriminating design features allow customers to comfortably settle into their new, unique, forever home. A prime example of this evolution is The Reserve on Lake Macatawa, an Active Adult Community offered by Covenant Development, located near Holland, Michigan. This nearly completed lakeside community, which is just minutes by car or boat from the scenic beaches of Lake Michigan, features a blend of 75 high end villas and free standing condominium homes. The Reserve on Lake Macatawa is built on nearly 39 acres. It was formerly known as the Hazelbank Estate which dates back to the 1920s as a Gatzbyesque destination for the wealthy and famous. The private, elegant retreat, with roughly 800 feet of prime lake frontage on Pine Creek Bay, featured a polo ground, stables, and unique coastal architecture. The Reserve reignites the spirit of that former time.
The open concept kitchen, considered the hub of any home, is stylish but comfortable and inviting. Walk-in pantries are the answer to keeping a kitchen beautiful. With an abundance of storage and space for small appliances, the pantry keeps the kitchen clutter free. Today’s buyer typically has a long list of wants in terms of site amenities, and Covenant Development delivers. The Reserve on Lake Macatawa offers all owners lake access with an option of a private boat slip promoting a true lakeside lifestyle. The luxurious lakefront Community Clubhouse offers a 24/7 fitness center, a well appointed casual gathering area, private meeting room, restroom/changing facilities, a waterside pool and sun deck with walkways meandering down to a fire pit and the waterfront facilities. The indoor gathering area features a complete kitchen, massive fireplace, topshelf appointments, vaulted ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows allowing for a panoramic view of the lake and the immaculately landscaped grounds. The site plan includes a nearly 1.5 acre central park that serves as another community gathering space. The Holland area also offers close proximity to fine dining, boutique shopping, museums and galleries, as well as wineries and breweries.
Recent home buyers in the Reserve, Chuck and Karen shared, “It has been our experience that Covenant’s commitment to building communities begins long before any foundation is poured. Through a variety of social events, Covenant Development provides opportunities for neighbors to meet and socialize.”
Developers, like Covenant, also optimize their marketing through sophisticated, promotional websites. The Reserve on Lake Macatawa’s site
includes drone videos of the community, detailed unit floor plans, site plan map and 3D interactive programs. Julie Gabala, director of sales for Covenant Development, explained, “The Covenant website helps buyers to understand that we offer a variety of home styles and acts as the impetus for the beginning of their wish list for their next home.” Gabala added, “While the site provides information that drives interest, once they tour the community we hear that everything is greater than they expected compared to what they saw online.”
It is not surprising that developers have begun to offer numerous floor plans for consideration featuring bonus rooms, four season spaces and additional storage. Covenant offers nine spacious configurations ranging from the 1,800-squarefoot Willow to the 3,100-square-foot Highview at an array of price points. Varied exteriors are done in a resort/coastal style with hints of a storybook cottage motif reminiscent of the early northern cottage enclaves in the Charlevoix/Petoskey area. They feature a mixture of shake siding, sea wave pattern roof lines, incised decorative wood trim elements, arched entries and custom ceilings with large windows allowing for abundant natural light. “In designing the homes, we focus on providing the elements and spaces that we found our buyers are most often looking for and not finding elsewhere.” Gabala continued, “Our goal is to provide a variety of flexible spaces that allow buyers to select a home that matches their needs and how they live — buyers aren’t forced to make their life fit their condo.”
Covenant Development has professional interior design services on staff to guide clients through the interior finishes. Buyers go through a series of meetings hosted by lead designer Heather Hoekstra onsite at the studio in the Reserve Clubhouse during this process. Client’s individual needs are assessed leading to recommendations for every knob and detail. Prior to breaking ground, a detailed drawing set is created replete with modified floorplans, color palettes, cabinetry layouts, hardware choices, and lighting selections. Also added are visual renderings of each living space. During actual construction,
Covenant offers nine spacious configurations ranging from the 1,800-square-foot Willow to the 3,100-square-foot Highview at an array of price points. The numerous floor plans for consideration feature bonus rooms, four season spaces and additional storage.
Navy Lane's interior design has helped Reserve buyers see how all the rooms and spaces can be truly lived in well. The model showcases both the beauty and entertaining capabilities these homes can offer. this process continues with walkthroughs for personal selections confirmation, electrical placement and a “white glove” inspection before closing. No other West Michigan developer follows such a meticulous protocol; the ultimate goal is to make the process simple for clients.
Covenant President, Peter Engles, commented, “Heather Hoekstra works with home buyers to select all the new construction finishes for their home from our curated selection of finishes that reflect current design trends for cabinets, countertops, flooring, lighting and plumbing fixtures, appliances, trim work and built ins. Heather's specialty is her ability to work hand and hand with buyers to understand their personal style preferences to ensure we turn their new house into a home designed just for them. Heather's ability to understand our homeowners needs and style is truly awesome.”
Interior Designer Jennie Deming was on staff with Covenant Development since 2007 before branching out four years ago to create Navy Lane Design & Consulting. During her time with Covenant, Jennie learned the detailed building process literally from the ground up. Out on her own, Deming uses her listening and psychology skills to read her clients enabling unique designs to meet specific needs. In essence, Jennie does the legwork seeking the best in high end products bringing the showroom to the client. Having designed over 500 homes in her career,
Clients’ individual needs are assessed leading to recommendations for every knob and detail. Prior to breaking ground, a detailed drawing set is created replete with modified floorplans, color palettes, cabinetry layouts, hardware choices, and lighting selections the designer is not only proud of the finished product, but also the relationships garnered.
Deming, who still consults with Covenant and selected the interior features for both the Reserve Clubhouse and model, is open to all design styles striving for fresh and updated looks.
“We are also delighted to have Jennie Deming with Navy Lane Design & Consulting further bring our model homes to life. Jennie’s professional interior design work and beautifully chosen furnishings have been applauded by all who now call The Reserve on Lake Macatawa home. Navy Lane's interior design furnishings have helped buyers see how all the rooms and spaces can be truly lived in well. Jennie’s attention to detail and style is amazing!” remarked Engles.
Satisfied owners Chuck and Karen agree, “The opportunity to meet with a professional designer provided us with valuable assistance during the
selection process. They carefully listened to our preferences and guided us with making selections that reflect our lifestyle.”
Open concept kitchens, considered the hub of any home, need to be stylish but comfortable and inviting with adequate, functional space and ample storage. Beyond this, Deming recognizes most customers want a space that is “durable, gorgeous and easy to maintain.” Bold elements are suggested and often readily accepted.
The same principles are applied to clean, flexible bath construction. Detailed consideration to needs are incorporated into the configurations, and bold looks create a beautiful, functional design. Freestanding soaking bathtubs and large, walk-in showers are routinely included. While Covenant sources materials from Etna Supply and Ferguson Supply, Navy Lane also recommends the showrooms of Williams Kitchen & Bath and Richards Plumbing and Heating Supply.
Deming looks to West Michigan vendors to provide top level appealing finishes. Lakeside Surfaces is her go to for countertops. While product choices pivot back and forth, warm tone quartz continues to be her choice for beauty, durability and cleaning. Virginia Tile Co. provides material for the kitchen and baths, while for quality flooring, DeGraaf Interiors has been an excellent dealer. The choice of many in floor-
ing, due to warmth and durability, is Cortec Luxury Vinyl Plank with cork underlayment. The Home Studio, which is primarily geared for designers, and David Israels at Klingman’s Furniture and Design are primary sources for furniture and finishes. Business partnerships cultivated over time have made Navy Lane a preferred customer of many small companies.
Deming is not shy about having a real passion for two particular elements. First, she is a lighting fanatic, a key part of home cohesion. Visual Comfort, Hudson Valley and Currey & Company are favored products. Specific color bulbs are also utilized to create a desired home atmosphere. Unique lighting options are often chosen to challenge the customer’s taste. She concedes that it is not that risky given fixtures can be easily swapped out down the road. An example would be her use of an Arteriors Tilda Chandelier in the primary bedroom. While there may be some initial reluctance, all have, over time, warmed to this inclusion.
Her second unique signature element is the use of art in the home. Not only is wallpaper included on every storyboard, but also commissioned artwork. Traverse City landscape artist Rebecca Deneau’s work is part of the Reserve’s Clubhouse, and the model home features work by Nashville’s Lauren Dunn. The Reserve Clubhouse features beautifully chosen furnishings with interior design by Jennie Deming of Navy Lane Design.
The indoor gathering area includes a complete kitchen, large fireplace, vaulted ceilings and an abundance of windows allowing for a panoramic view of Lake Macatawa and the immaculately landscaped grounds.
READY TO TRANSFORM YOUR LIGHTING DESIGN
A recent design element that has continued to evolve in 55-plus communities is the incorporation of universal design in new builds. The subtle changes like zero entry thresholds, increased hallway widths, and wider doorways are essentially invisible to the eye but prove to be very practical in the future. Deming suggests designing a main floor bedroom and full bath that are able to be made ADAcompliant. In some cases, hidden structural elements can be added now for future needs. Julie Gabala concurred with Deming; Covenant Development has a decade plus experience in building stage of life homes.
Engles just recently announced, “The response has been so incredibly positive at The Reserve, we have been asked to bring these same zerostep, standalone homes to Grand Rapids Township and are currently working on the site plan and approvals for the proposed Reserve at Knapp Bluff.” Interested parties are urged to contact Covenant to receive further information.
Developers like Covenant, along with designers like Navy Lane, have distinguished themselves by offering clients unique, individual collaboration in interior and exterior design. Discerning home buyers have grown to appreciate these services in creating their next forever home, proving that, “If you build it right, with innovation, quality and individualization in the design, they will come.” ❂
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BUILDER Covenant Developments ARCHITECT Create 3 INTERIOR DESIGN Navy Lane - Jennie Deming
APPLIANCES Gerrit’s Appliance BUILDING MATERIALS Standale Lumber DECORATIVE HARDWARE Modern Hardware FINISH HARDWARE Modern Hardware FIREPLACE Williams Distributing FLOORING DeGraaf Interiors FURNISHINGS Klingman’s & Dwellings LANDSCAPING Summit Landscape LIGHTING The Lighting Corner
