14 minute read
Lantern House
INSIGNIA HOMES • J VISSER DESIGN • CANNARSA STRUCTURE AND DESIGN
HOUSE Lantern
An Escape from the Ordinary on the Thornapple
TEXT BY LAUREN FAY CARLSON IMAGES BY ASHLEY AVILA
SSometimes history inspires a home. Other times, it’s the utility of the occupants. Even more nowadays, it is efficiency driving the design, determining factors like space, cost and materials. For the “Lantern House” in Ada, it was the lot itself that inspired a brand new home, replacing a formerly dilapidated farmhouse with a modern design in a stunning reorientation on Thornapple River. Though the property sat empty for years, hidden from site with overgrowth, this address now hosts a modern home that delights in its riverfront location, and still maintains the traditional flare of both the historic lot and the home's occupants.
“Everybody in Ada must have known this farmhouse,” said John Cannarsa, owner of Cannarsa Structure and Design and interior designer for the project. Cannarsa noted that the home was previously shielded with trees and the turn-of-the-century farmhouse that then occupied the grounds would have required a complete tear-down. “It was a real challenge for them,” he said, referring to the homeowners’ grapple with the decision to renovate or rebuild. “But it simply could not provide.”
The kitchen features a modern, custom hood in antique iron. The steel provides a welcome contrast against the white cabinetry from TruKitchens. The same steel is used on the island legs to add detail. The large island is topped with beautiful quartz from Great Lakes Granite Works. Narrower-style cabinet doors are another modern touch as are the Sonneman lights in clear recycled glass over the island.
“It was a cute old farmhouse, but it had undergone a lot of expansion that wasn’t in keeping with the Victorian style of the house,” said the owner. Due to the previous orientation of the home — sitting somewhat diagonal to the river and the road — “You just couldn’t see the potential,” she added.
From the very beginning of the project, the owners worked hand-in-hand with builder Dave Morren of Insignia Homes, architectural designer Jeff Visser of J. Visser Design, and Cannarsa in crafting a vision for a contemporary design that held true to the couple’s traditional aesthetic.
Morren, who has been building homes throughout Greater West Michigan for almost 25 years, said that the biggest challenge with this home was: “working on a relatively small site right on the Thornapple River in a tight neighborhood.” But through creative design and teamwork, Morren executed the design of a house that neatly fit in with nearby homes.
“We wanted the house to not look brand new, and not look overly large ... in scale and keeping with the rest of the neighborhood,” said the owner. This desire drove the design. The result is a classic home with a somewhat unassuming presence when viewed from the street. But, it’s the riverfront view that showcases the home’s spacious and grand appeal.
Two sets of glass-panel doors in the kitchen lead to very different spaces. One set opens to a cozy study. Here, a 360-degree bookcase with built-in desks and storage offer ample space for collections and other items of inspiration. The second set of doors leads to a butler’s pantry that is a true extension of the kitchen housing more appliances — keeping clutter from the main area at bay. The breakfast nook features a calming river view that is complemented by the carefully chosen wallpaper: Estrella by Galbraith and Paul in Marine. The color complements the waterside setting and offers a welcome contrast against the room’s white accents and built-in banquet window seat.
“The goal was to make it feel like it belongs to that street,” said Visser. The street view of the home offers a view of the upper level only, with neat, classic landscaping and an inviting wraparound driveway. Much of the classic look from the street view was accented with the design and colors chosen by Cannarsa, who collaborated with the team on everything from shades of sid- ing to a carefully selected mailbox. What resulted is a sleek yet humble mixture of grays that are subtly inviting.
The roof is a moire black landmark shingle accented by a standing seam copper accent roof on the shed and over the garage windows. This subtle use of copper — found also in the mailbox and the chimney flue and cap, expresses the home’s combination of both modern and tradi- tional elements.
Some of these warmer and more traditional touches are also achieved with the wood elements found on both the exterior and interior of the home. The three-panel, solid wood front door in walnut with a natural distress finish and the front porch ceiling in a walnut stain are beautiful examples on the exterior. And, inside, these warm elements are noticed in the expertly placed cupo- la in the home’s entry way. This unique feature — placed at the center of the home when viewed from the street — gives the home its nickname: Lantern House.
Upon entering, the interior of the cupola offers a refreshing wash of light accented by an artistic Marchfield Chandelier in wrought iron and con- temporary gold leaf. If visitors can tear their eyes away from this immersive feature, they’ll quickly find themselves in the main level of this open concept home that clearly celebrates its eating and dining spaces.
“The best space in the house is the main kitchen, dining room and living room,” said Visser, not- ing the space and natural light afforded in the main level. And, this area of the home is where the melding of traditional and modern ideas takes center stage. Here, a bright, mostly white kitchen is accented by warm grays, like the cus- tom architectural dormers bordering the main dining area.
The kitchen, dining and living room spaces showcase open concept design at its finest. Hardwood floors from Sparta Town & Country are a beautiful contrast to the bright, airy space. Custom architectural dormers frame the areas beautifully without compromising the natural light. The entire space is a grand melding of traditional and modern elements.
When crafting his interior design work, Cannarsa said that the kitchen “drives the feel of the whole home,” so this is where he begins: where families start the day with a cup of coffee, and cap off the evening with a midnight snack. Here in the “Lantern House,” food preparation is done beneath a modern, custom hood in antique iron. The steel provides a welcome contrast against the white cabinetry. The same steel is used on the island legs to add detail.
“You definitely see modern elements here,” said Cannarsa, noting the narrower-style cabinet doors and Sonneman lights in clear recycled glass over the kitchen island. “They’re higher than we would nor- mally put over an island,” he said. “We gave partic- ular attention to the shape and height because these also provide general lighting for the room.”
Visitors can pause at the island for a welcome respite, or turn right for an immersive view of blues; here the carefully chosen wallpaper of the breakfast nook and the calm river waters meet. Seeking a burst of color in a home of understated neutrals, Cannarsa noted that “We really wanted to make that special and inviting.”
The ethereal blue wallpaper, Estrella by Galbraith and Paul in Marine, complements the waterside set- ting, all while remaining dreamlike and offering a stark contrast against the room’s bright white accents and built-in custom banquet window seat. Casual breakfasts and quiet mornings are met with natural light from tall, wrap around windows and an unfettered view of the Thornapple River.
The couple finds tranquility in the owner suite, where inviting Sherwin Williams Repose Grey walls and Invincible wood flooring in Dark Lager offer a serene feel.
The owner bathroom contains a “Soho” Freestanding tub by
Wyndham, with classic marbled Vallelunga & Co Calcatta VI tile in various sizes on the floor and in the shower.
Just beyond one of two glass-panel wooden doors lies one of the owner’s favorite elements: the study. “It’s just inspirational,” said the owner, of the room that contains a 360-degree bookcase and built-in desk and storage. “You go in there, and you just feel smart,” he adds. “It feels grand yet cozy.”
The couple also finds tranquility in the owner suite, where three-panel walnut French doors open up to inviting Sherwin Williams Repose Grey walls and Invincible wood flooring in Dark Lager. The room’s sitting area is complete with a Kingsman fireplace with custom panelized wood wall in Sherwin Williams Guantlet Grey.
The owner bedroom and bathroom, noted the owner, “are really the sanctuary for us and one of our most loved parts of the house.” And it’s easy to see why. The bathroom contains a “Soho” Freestanding tub by Wyndham, with classic marbled Vallelunga & Co Calcatta VI tile in var- ious sizes on the floor and in the shower.
The main level houses much of the daily necessi- ties of life, but the lower level is where the owners pursue their hobbies. Here, a black, baby grand piano sits neatly adjacent to the stairs near the couple’s pool table, and a specialized craft room can be found just beyond French doors that, when open, allow for a perfect view of the river. The lower level also contains a full bar complete with custom hanging shelves, a Perlick undercounter beverage refrigerator and beer dispenser.
In addition to the home’s second living area, the lower level also contains two additional bed- rooms and a custom photo wall of the owners and their children. “I always look for an oppor- tunity to add an artistic family photo wall using black and white photos,” said Cannarsa.
Though the home has plenty of square footage, “There isn’t a lot of extraneous space,” said the owner. “The flow is perfect.”
A unique cupola, placed at the center of the home when viewed from the street (see page 15), gives the home its nickname: The Lantern House. Inside, warm elements are noticed within and around the cupola that highlight the entryway and stairway. There is a refreshing wash of light accented by an artistic Marchfield Chandelier in wrought iron and contemporary gold leaf.
The lower level is home to a full bar complete with custom hanging shelves, a Perlick under-counter beverage refrigerator and beer dispenser. This level also includes additional bedrooms, bathrooms, a craft room and a built-in walkway that connects to the boathouse as well as access to the outdoor amenities and property along the Thornapple River.
An important wildlife habitat, a river setting needs particular attention. Tom Rooks of Rooks Landscaping created the ideal, riverside back yard. By taking the unique ecosystem’s animal life into account, Rooks added native plants and removed invasive species and included low-impact features like a foot path through the woods.
Squarely facing the Thornapple River, the lower level of the home expresses the efficient juxtaposition of indoor comfort and outdoor living. With an additional dining area, hot tub, and yard just steps away from the water, the backyard serves as the main focal point of the home’s exterior.
The backyard is also where the home’s meticulous landscaping — completed by Tom Rooks of Rooks Landscaping — shines. “The property is not only for beautiful water views but also for nature,” said Rooks. Taking advantage of the home’s river setting, Tom worked to maintain existing wildlife, adding native plants while removing invasive species and creating lowimpact features like a foot path through the woods. He also took the unique ecosystem’s animal life into account.
“A river corridor is a very important wildlife habitat so we always try to plant things that animals love and that people love too,” said Rooks. Working hand-in-hand with the owners to choose plants that would complement the home and property all year long, Rooks was impressed with the end result.
"From what that lot was, and what it is now, is one of the biggest transformations I have ever seen,” he said.
ROOKS LANDSCAPING
Design
Installation
Maintenance
Combining traditional style with modern design and an innovative site layout, the team that completed the Lantern House — including its owners — saw potential in a property that could have easily remained empty and overgrown for years.
“It’s a piece of property that everybody drives by because it’s right by the bridge in Ada,” said Visser. “Nobody really thought it was much of a lot.” But with determination and teamwork, the Lantern House transformed its environment while seamlessly fitting into its surroundings.
“The harmony between the way it was constructed, the design, and the architecture ... the three groups that were integral to this place resulted in a very serene home ... and a very functional home,” said the owner.
“We really had a lot of fun working on this project,” said Morren. And this delight in exploration showed through, not just in the main structure of the home, but in the extra, unique elements of the design and construction — like the boathouse which will soon contain an extra studio/office/living space and the built-in walkway between the house and the boathouse that the owners have since finished with a wine cellar.
Described as “a more modern cottage look,” the Lantern House effortlessly combines history and style in a home that offers utility, peace and an escape from the ordinary. ❂
BUILDER Insignia Homes ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN J Visser Design INTERIOR DESIGN Cannarsa Structure and Design
CABINETRY TruKitchens COUNTERTOPS Great Lakes Granite Works FLOORING Sparta Town & Country GARAGE DOORS Overhead Door Company LANDSCAPING Rooks Landscaping MASONRY Ophoff Masonry MILLWORK Philip Elenbaas
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