DUNEDrift

IT IS NEAR THIS TIMELESS, scenic beach in Olive Township that Meiste Homes built their latest 5,400-square-foot offering on Dune Drift Drive which has already garnered both professional praise along with popular appeal as a showcase property in the 2023 Lakeshore Parade of Homes. Meiste Homes, which is conveniently located in The Crossings in Holland, Michigan, is where Brian and Amber Meiste have been dedicated to building quality homes in West Michigan earning them numerous accolades including several Lakeshore People's Choice Awards. Dune Drift, done in a unique modern farmhouse architectural style, has once again earned Meiste top honors.

Meiste Homes has worked diligently since 1991 to make their customers’ new home dreams come to life, making them leaders in the custom homebuilding industry. Their satisfaction as a company comes from their interaction and gratification of their clients while relentlessly maintaining a high level of professionalism and integrity.

Betsy Cech, a member of the Olive Township Historical Society, states that the township was, and still is, pretty rural. This is an area of stark contrasts from the trendy enclaves and tony, palatial estates along the pristine western Lake Michigan shorelines to the scenic rural farming homesteads and agrarian inland areas to the East.

Dune Drift is placed off a circular drive on a handful of acres in the transitional geographic rolling hind dune less than a mile leeward of the prominent slip face dune along the Big Lake. The private home is aptly named for its constantly changing landscape of sand, dune grasses and native pines. Dune Drift’s Modern Farmhouse design not only gives homage to the West Olive modern coastal lifestyle but also has rural ties that remain a bedrock of this community where actual turn of the century traditional farmhouses dot the current landscape. The owners and contractors agreed it would be authentic to recreate this architectural farmhouse style with modern upgrades.

When owners Lydia and Alex were looking for land, they wanted to stay near the Lake. “The area had to fit our criteria of being private and secluded to allow family exploring outdoors,” acknowledged Lydia. “I walked the land by myself, and it gave me a sense of peace and calm with spectacular natural sounds. I sensed in my soul it was the right place for us.” She returned with Alex, and he also fell in love. “We interviewed six builders on site hoping to find an interactive person that was willing to listen to our ideas and thoughts. Brian Meiste has a calm demeanor in communicating and is well versed.” Later, they, along with their two active children, met with the Meiste team and felt embraced as a family.

For the next year, Lydia spent hours figuring out the right look for the house making Pinterest boards focusing on both lifestyle and aesthetics. The design for the family of four needed to be functional and pretty, yet fun and durable. After some soul searching, it was decided the farmhouse design worked best for the family’s casual lifestyle and fit the timeless surrounding.

Interestingly, Meiste Homes owner Brian Meiste was raised on a generational farm in nearby Hamilton where he learned the value of hard work. Long days planting and harvesting alongside his father and grandfather ingrained the diligent work ethic which led to his success today and also fueled his passion for recreating homes reflective of his past.

Amber Meiste confirmed, “The modern farmhouse look is the heart of what we love. It brings us back to our upbringings of Brian on the farm, and for me being involved in my mother’s antique store. It’s important to us! We truly cherish the things of the past and love to incorporate them with modern functionality to make a beautiful house a home.” In fact, one of their first personal homes was built in this style. She continued, “Dune Drift’s European modern farmhouse architectural style, built with warmth and old character, fits Olive Township.”

While “modern farmhouse” sounds like a contradiction, the combination of styles serves the best of both eras. The exterior of Dune Drift reflects the traditional with its rectangles, gabled roofs with faux decorative vents, symmetry and large windows. A tribute to a traditional wraparound porch is given with multiple outdoor living spaces and entry porches on three sides of the home. Further, the early farmhouse construction element of a stone foundation presents as a weather edged lower natural stone accent skirt that fits perfectly with surrounding dunes. The interior goal is to comfortably serve as a cozy and stylish family home that prioritizes practicality, simplicity with an organic, rustic charm. This charm manifests itself in the large kitchen and living spaces, multiple bedrooms, beamed ceilings, functional staircases, wood flooring and varied metal accents. These timeless features in Dune Drift meld with its modern luxury.

Dune Drift’s exterior is done in a board and batten style in a custom dark Benjamin Moore “Cheating Hearts” with Smart Trim fascia accented with wooden soffit, raw headers and natural beams complete with recessed outdoor lighting. The stainless steel shed roofs over the windows and porches, a three-stall garage, and a soaring three story front window that looks through to the back of the house present stunning contrasts between the traditional and modern interior appointments.

The front foyer leads into a vaulted great room, naturally illuminated by expansive windows and featuring a stunning kitchen, a dining area and a cozy gathering place with a paneled bookshelf feature wall. Wooden beams, white oak flooring and stained wood ceilings, exude both warmth and texture throughout the open floor plan.

Residential architectural designer, Steve Nyhof of Steve Nyhof Designs, played an integral part in turning the owners’ concept of combining old and new into reality. Nyhof has forty years of experience in the construction industry with over five thousand plans drawn. Meiste Homes has collaborated with Nyhof for twenty years.

“We suggested Steve as the house plan designer for Dune Drift because the owners had a unique vision. We know he will listen to our customers in a very easy manner, while, at the same time, Steve understands the product we like to put out. We truly understand each other's expectations.”

Interior Designer Kristine Kay, owner and principal designer of Kristine Kay Interiors, who specializes in new construction and extensive remodels, was selected along with Nyhof for the project. Kristine and her knowledgeable staff keep their client’s lifestyle, work style and budget in mind as they guide their clients using a four step process of Preliminary Concept, Design Planning, Design Selections & Specifications and Project Implementation.

Meiste Homes has had a twelve year working relationship with Kristine Kay. Amber shares that Kristine is the consummate professional at what she does. “As a designer, Kristine is highly organized and talented; she really knows the potential product lines. She is a wonderful communicator who keeps every stage of the process easy, enjoyable and fun, not overwhelming.

The kitchen is modern in design with streamlined, clean simplicity. The crisp lines of the wooden ceiling, quartz back wall and dark island cabinetry, from Elevations Design Studio, add warmth, while the built-in paneled refrigerator from Bekins, prep spaces and custom cabinetry provide functionality.

The owner’s plant room sanctuary is located just off the kitchen area, along with a laundry room, walk-in butler's pantry and rear entry area with custom storage lockers and bench.

Kristine takes the time to listen to her clients, helping them to bring their vision to life.”

Kristine acknowledges, “Brian and Amber Meiste are a joy to partner with throughout the building process. Their trim and trade crews are able to customize to the homeowner’s preferences, giving a sense of continuity throughout the home.” She adds, “I have known Steve Nyhof for many years and find him very approachable. After getting to know the homeowners, he is more than willing to partner on refining architectural design elements.”

During Dune Drift’s fourteen month project, Kristine was impressed by the owner. “In short, from day one, Lydia, through a labor of love, spent many hours digging for inspiration, sourcing products and gathering samples. She boiled down her interests and brought things back to me to pull it all together, finalize a cohesive design plan, and translate her ideas into the reality of construction.”

Dune Drift has three levels serviced by the open, floating staircase sculpted against floor-to-ceiling windows. The upper level begins at the top of the soaring stairway with a cozy loft landing with a large built-in bookcase and reading area great for children. A hallway services three bedrooms with en suites. There are two personalized, airy children’s bedrooms and one guest bedroom which has an adjoining bunk room perfect for little ones. There is also a fourth room that serves as a playroom. All upper level rooms were designed to maximize the stunning exterior views. To further appreciate the panoramic dune vistas, an accessible upper deck was added with an intimate gas fire pit conversation area.

On the main floor, the front foyer leads visitors into a vaulted great room, naturally illuminated by expansive windows, and featuring a stunning kitchen, as well as a cozy gathering place with a dramatic floor-to-ceiling fireplace. The focal point of the room is a beautifully crafted, wooden, intermittently paneled bookshelf feature wall. The design was inspired by a photo from the owner who proudly displays both her beloved plants and items reflective of her African heritage. The bookcase, as well as wooden beams, white oak flooring and stained wood ceilings, exudes both warmth and texture. The owner’s plant room sanctuary is located just off the kitchen area, along with a laundry room, walk-in butler's pantry and rear entry area with custom storage lockers and bench. Off the butler’s pantry, underneath the aforementioned second floor deck, is a covered outdoor patio with an extensive cook station that includes a Green Egg Smoker. An adjoining veranda features a relaxing hot tub.

The ground level features the spacious primary suite, tastefully done with oak beams prominent in the soaring ceilings. The luxurious en suite bathroom features a large shower with groutless solid porcelain walls and fixtures from BJW Berghorst with installation by Tolsma Plumbing. The white oak entry doors and vanity provide a continuity with the ceiling treatments providing an organic, relaxing comfort.

Lydia’s plant room was designed as her special retreat. While looking for a hobby, she wanted to create something visual that was pretty. While exploring, she found she had a “green thumb” and found peace in plants. While designing Dune Drift, she made sure her sanctuary had adequate lighting and windows; a Southeast exposure was critical for natural light. Nearly 50 plants are tended throughout the house. The plant room design includes a velvet green sofa, books on plants, and personal trinkets. While perfect for a quiet cup of coffee, glass paneled doors still allow a seamless connection to the nearby living spaces.

Dune Drift has three levels serviced by an open, floating staircase. The upper level begins at the top of the stairway with a cozy loft landing with a large built-in bookcase and reading area great for children. A hallway services three bedrooms with en suites.

The upper level includes two personalized, airy children’s bedrooms and one guest bedroom which has an adjoining bunk room perfect for little ones. There is also a fourth room that serves as a playroom. All upper level rooms were designed to maximize the stunning exterior views.

The ground level also features the spacious primary suite, tastefully done with oak beams prominent in the soaring ceilings, luxurious bath and well appointed walk-in closet. The shower was done with innovative, groutless solid porcelain walls, and the white oak double entry doors and vanity provide a continuity with the ceiling treatments providing an overall organic relaxing comfort.

The aforementioned kitchen is modern in design with streamlined, clean simplicity. The crisp lines of the range hood, oak beams, wooden ceiling, quartz back wall and dark island cabinetry add warmth, while the built-in paneled refrigerator, prep spaces and custom cabinetry provide functionality. The kitchen is supported by a well appointed butler’s pantry featuring countertops and ample storage with dark custom cabinetry and open shelving. The pantry’s luxurious modern upgrades include a steam oven, microwave, sink, see through refrigerator and coffee bar to complete its functionality. An exterior doorway in the pantry allows service for the outdoor kitchen.

Dune Drift’s most unique feature is directly tied to the area’s history. Betsy Cech affirms Olive

Township is steeped in connections to the Prohibition Era of the ’20s, while nearby Robinson Township has a big moonshine and bootlegging legacy. Although the original Dutch communities considered alcohol “Verboten,” the Fidrich’s Point Resort, a popular destination for the Chicago elite since 1901, was retooled as a prohibition era dance hall speakeasy, located a mere 6 miles from Dune Drift, serving liquor to the local populace. Today, the twenty-one room structure is a venue known as the Weaver House in Pine Bend Park along the Pigeon River.

Even given the area's history, it is still an unexpected surprise that the lower level contains a unique 1920s “speakeasy” bar. Originally such Prohibition era bars were shrouded in secrecy with dim lighting and subdued colors hinging on a feeling of discreteness. Bars were dubbed “speakeasies” given drinking patrons were expected to speak softly to avoid alerting authorities to the illegal activities taking place. Dune Drift’s bar is awash in subtle elegance. A conversation area with a pair of deep brown, tucked leather couches near a black brick fireplace, meld into the dark, moody green emerald paneled walls with black custom molding on the fireplace and bar. Wall sconces dimly show both the gold patina ceiling and classic, gray polished concrete flooring. The full wet bar, replete with a requisite brass foot rail, provides comfortable stool seating with a clear view of the tempting libation display. Visitors wouldn’t be shocked to find in a dark corner of this afterhours joint old Al Capone perched at the end of the bar chomping on his cigar in a smoky haze or Hemingway pecking away with one finger on his Underwood Standard with something neat at his side. A dedicated wine cellar is conveniently placed off to the side, and guests will find a full bath done with black tile and sink matching the fireplace treatments.

To appreciate the panoramic dune vistas, an upper level deck was added with an intimate gas fire pit conversation area. Below the deck and off the butler’s pantry, an outdoor patio with an extensive cook station makes entertaining a dream.

The lower level contains a unique 1920s-feel bar. A conversation area features tucked leather sofas near a black brick fireplace that melds into emerald paneled walls. Sconces dimly show both the gold patina ceiling and classic, gray polished concrete flooring. The full wet bar, replete with a brass foot rail, provides comfortable stool seating with a clear view of the tempting libation display.

In a direct contrast to the historically fitting “speakeasy,” owner Alex included an adjacent modern, well-appointed, high-tech gaming room along with a separate soundproof home theater for family enjoyment. The game room became his pet project that includes custom lit Nano Tiles and gaming metal prints on the walls. Alex’s old school controller collection stands in contrast to the three custom gaming stations designed to pass on his passion to his daughters. The lower level also contains an exercise room, storage area and mechanical space.

While Dune Drift is a bit of a juxtaposition between old and new, the beauty of this combination fits seamlessly down to the details. Little things like cutting edge vintage wallpaper or old age bronze hardware on the dark cabinetry add personality, depth and texture embodying the soul of this classic modern masterpiece. With a nostalgic nod to local lore and lifestyle, the past meets the present to make possible a perfect place for this family’s future.

RESOURCE INDEX

BUILDER Meiste Homes

INTERIOR DESIGN Kristine Kay Interiors

APPLIANCES Bekins

CABINETRY Elevations Design Studio by Standard/Zeeland

PLUMBING FIXTURES BJW Berghorst

PLUMBING Bob Tolsma Plumbing

CUSTOM CLOSETS Closet Design

ROOFING American Supply

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