20 minute read
Escape from the City
Scandinavian design and a minimalist approach provide pleasing spaces that encompass comfort in this vacation home by MEISTE HOMES ...
Black fiber cement siding gives vertical linearity and modern styling to the exterior while the rich tones of the Brazilian teak wood add warmth and a welcoming feel.
EscapeEscape
FROM THE CITY
TEXT BY LYNN BAKEMAN IMAGES BY DAVID SPARKS
Both dramatic and welcoming, this home’s first
impression is hard to forget. The two-story façade features black vertical board and batten siding but is warmed by a striking horizontal run of cumaru wood. The clean lines of the metal roof reflect light, and these color and texture variations add dimension and set the tone for this inviting vacation home.
Kevin and Ellen Metz had rented summer homes for several years in Southwest Michigan and this experience gave them a clear vision for the layout flow and entertaining spaces needed for the larger groups they wanted to host in their new vacation home.
“I’ve always admired Scandinavian design with its minimalist, modern aesthetic and effortless interiors, so we wanted to capture that with every decision we made,” stated Kevin. “We did our best not to chase trends as we wanted the house to feel and look just as good in 10 years as it does today. Additionally, we wanted there to be a direct connection from inside the house to the outdoors with the trees and foliage that surround the property, while capturing as much natural light as possible.”
Scandinavia, like Michigan, is known for its bleak winters, so creating a modern living space that still encompasses comfort, pleasure, and warmth, with a touch of indulgent luxury bundled into the experience, was the ultimate goal.
Since Kevin and his wife were building remotely from Chicago, they researched architects familiar with lakeshore building requirements, and John Allegretti, of Allegretti Architects, was a willing partner to make their efficient, modern aesthetic concepts a reality.
Scandinavian architecture is an open-ended way of thinking and does not have many style constraints. Architects focus on creating warm, fluid spaces that capture precious daylight and are not built in isolation, but in relation to the surrounding landscape.
Before an excavator blade is put to soil or pen to paper, homeowners need an architect sensitive to how all the desired components could best be arranged within the setbacks of the lot. John embraces the 3 principles of good architecture established by the Roman engineer, Vitruvius, during the 1st century BC: Firmness (structural integrity), Commodity (efficiency of function), and Delight (visual beauty). The views, prevailing winds, and the path of the sun must all factor into the design.
John explains further: “I select materials on the strength of their characteristics and purpose. Unnecessary layering and cladding with ersatz finishes don’t speak to truthful, functional design, and I like truth. Often the space between structures is the most important; the dialogue between separate structures should be consistent and harmonious to fit organically within the site.”
Using a topographic drawing, the pool was placed to capture sunlight, the screened porch offset to enjoy 3-sided views, and the rest of the home organized to maximize privacy and an efficient flow of family and guests. With working plans completed, Kevin sought the right team to execute the build and flesh out the design.
Meiste Homes has been creating custom residential homes along Michigan’s lakeshore for almost 30 years, and with Brian Meiste’s attention to detail, excellent craftsmanship, and intuitive vision, he was the best choice to make the homeowners’ vision a reality.
“After more research and interviews, we found Meiste Homes,” remarked Kevin. “I knew from my first conversation with Brian that he was someone I wanted to work with. The entire Meiste team — both in the office and in the field — was world-class, they delivered an amazing product, on time and on budget, with incredible communication along the way. What more can you ask for from a builder? I really can’t say enough about how effortless the Meiste team made the journey.
Kevin’s father was a general contractor by trade so in addition to having a crystal-clear vision of what he wanted, he was very attuned to making efficient and timely construction decisions to
keep the project in motion. “We were always able to arrive at reasonable decisions along the way, whereas sometimes it was budget-influenced or execution-influenced, he explained. “Brian and the other members of the team running the project were wonderful. Every change was presented with defined options and costs, and it seemed as if they were building the house down the street from our residence in Chicago.”
According to Amber Meiste, “We have really dialed in and streamlined the workflow of a remote build process to best accommodate busy families and business professionals. We use Buildertrend software to centralize all communication with homeowners, share progress updates, and manage selections. Our clients have immediate access to their projects and can see the progress of their home with updated photos.
Meiste Homes has developed a close working relationship with Kristine Kay, principal designer, of Kristine Kay Interiors. Brian hands the architectural drawings to Kristine for material selection, then he handles pricing, orders, and installation. “I do the selections from windows to siding to roofing, plus the interior electrical, OPPOSITE PAGE:The dining room features floor-to-ceiling windows that wrap both corners to maximize the sideyard view. THIS PAGE: The kitchen has a minimalist style with thin profile, white quartz countertops and low backsplash. Frameless cabinets with slab, wood fronts achieves the clean, modern directive while avoiding a stark, cold look. The refrigerator and pantry read as a single tall wall. Above the cooktop, the range hood and vents are hidden inside the cabinets. The cabinets were mounted above the standard height to keep a strong straight line.
Staying with a crisp black and white theme, the powder room captures interest with a unique tile shape and pattern with contrasting black grout.
To add a little drama to the dining room, a wet bar features a thin, black quartz countertop and tile in a chevron pattern with black grout for extra texture. A custom floating shelf was built and stained to match the cabinetry. plumbing, and cabinetry layouts; we take those prints and run!”
“Kristine was perfect for this project,” said Amber. “She is an excellent communicator, very organized, and knows her products very well. We work cohesively together because she understands our process and how we document everything. She’s had a 15-year relationship with our project manager and all the subcontractors that we use. Design is never about her agenda or taste; she is very good at discovering and incorporating the features that the homeowner wants in their home.”
Kristine explained, “A remote build is a fun challenge since we really need to define what the client needs to see, touch, and feel to make the best decision. We work with clients all over the country and often we ask the manufacturer and vendors to ship samples for approval. We might also search for stores located near our clients that carry the materials so they can physically see the selections. This job was unique because Kevin had a very, very clear vision for what he wanted, and we helped him bring that to life.”
“Kristine Kay, who wears many hats for Meiste — including handling interior/exterior design decisions — was a joy to work with and quickly understood our vision and always seemed to do everything with a smile and an amazing attitude!” Kevin added.
“John did an incredible job on the architectural design giving it really clean vertical linearity and modern styling and the vertical black fiber
Oversized tile with a decorative wood stacking area perfectly wedged between two oversized window views was inspired by a fireplace the homeowner had remembered seeing.
An engineered wood floor in white oak with its clean grain patterning and light color keeps the main floor light and airy.
The upper level can accommodate many over night visitors and family. The bunk room includes two sets of bunk beds framing each side of the room with ladders and railings custom designed and built by the Meiste trim carpentry team. Each has a personal niche with a phone charger and reading lamp.
Floor-to-ceiling tile adds pizzazz in the bathroom while the wood veneer cabinets bring warmth to the space. cement siding was ideal,” noted Kristine. “We worked with the Meiste team to define what wood species would achieve the right warm tone on that wall distinguishing the front entry yet wouldn’t require a lot of maintenance.” The build-design team recommended cumaru lumber, or Brazilian teak; a beautiful, environmentally friendly wood that grows in the dense tropical forests of Brazil. The wood is naturally mold, rot, and fire-resistant; extremely hard, and rated highly in both durability and workability. “It’s a great product to use outside,” continued Kristine. “It’s a bit of a budget splurge but pays for itself over time because it requires such little effort.” You don’t have to seal it and cumaru preserves its natural beauty for decades. A contemporary line of Pella windows was perfect for this home. “For instance, the oversized window next to the front door is one fixed pane, but its simple, minimalist frame perimeter offers an expansive viewing space,” explained Kristine. “The way John designed this home takes perfect advantage of the beautiful, wooded lot. From the front entry and window, there’s an unimpeded view straight through the home and out the back through a large wall of slider doors toward the pool and the woods. This gives the home a voluminous, indoor-outdoor feel.”
This house was designed to entertain well, and its open entry and floor plan make the living spaces all usable. Easy maintenance was key, so the home has drama-free main floor finishes such as an engineered wood floor in white oak. The clean grain patterning and light color keep the whole space light and airy. In the kitchen, the homeowner wanted a bright minimalist style which was achieved with thin profile, white quartz countertops, and low backsplash. Using frameless cabinets with slab door fronts achieves the clean, modern directive and the addition of the warm ash tone in the cabinetry avoids a stark, cold look. Kristine designed the refrigerator and pantry space to read as a single tall wall. Above the cooktop, the range hood and vents are hidden inside the cabinets. The cabinets were mounted above the standard height to keep a strong straight line. The home’s trim work is quite striking for its absence of woodwork. “We chose a flush base with a reveal detail and drywall-wrapped windows,” explained Kristine. “There's not a lot of
tolerance so it demands extra work and skill from the Meiste trim carpenters to get things absolutely perfect, but they are totally up to the challenge. This subtle detail adds a little shadow definition and it’s a sharp look that fits in with the rest of the minimalist design.
“As a designer working with Meiste Homes, I appreciate the breadth of home styles they have adapted to and taken on over the years. We are seeing more and more modern homes lately and I love the shared challenge of transitioning from working on a very traditional home to one with super-contemporary features ... all in one day. It’s all about learning what feels best for the homeowner and amping it up a few notches to make it the best we can for them.”
In the dining room, floor-to-ceiling windows wrap both corners to maximize the side-yard view. To add a little drama to a smaller space, the wet bar features a thin, black quartz counter and tile in a chevron pattern with black grout for extra texture. A custom floating shelf was built and stained by the Meiste team to match the cabinetry. The detached 2-stall garage doubles as a pool house. Glass overhead doors allow for transparency when entertaining poolside and privacy from the driveway. During the winter, a car can be sheltered, but during summer’s heat, all the doors are opened to use as a pool house with extra entertaining space including a kitchenette, bar, ping-pong table and a bathroom.
Upstairs guest bedrooms including this kidsgalore bunk bedroom can accommodate many visitors and family. The bunk room consists of two sets of 4 bunk beds framing each side of the room with ladders and railings that were custom designed and built by the Meiste trim carpentry team. Each has a personal niche with a phone charger and reading lamp.
The detached 2-stall garage doubles as a pool house. It is intentionally glassed-in providing privacy on one side and transparency for entertaining facing the pool. In the dead of winter, the car can be sheltered, while during summer’s heat, all the doors can be opened to use as a pool house with extra entertaining space. There’s a kitchenette and bar, a ping-pong table, and a bathroom.
There’s an outdoor shower with a surround of cumaru wood for beach sand rinse off before using the side door to the home for a more casual home entry. This accesses the mudroom and convenient laundry room; perfect for unloading luggage, groceries, or coming in from outdoor adventures.
How does this home feel after escaping the hustle and bustle of big city life? Answered Kevin, “I don’t have a favorite spot. Several distinct areas provide the solace and relaxation that we were seeking in the design. If I had to pick favorites, the first is the oversized screened porch that is perched on the shoulder portion of the woods. It feels more remote than it is, with birds chirping and leaves rustling. Plus, although we are a few hundred feet from Lake Michigan, when there’s a westerly wind, you can hear the waves lapping on the shore which is really relaxing. A close second would be the pool house, where you can take a break from swimming and get out of the sun, watch a sporting event, play ping pong, and relax with your favorite beverage.”
The Danish word “hygge” has roots to the ancient Norse word “hugga,” which means to give comfort or console; the source of the English word “hug.” Remember, hygge — it’s all about finding a space where you can be yourself, and feel loved, connected, and warm with other people — spending intimate moments in cozy environments is good for the soul. ❂
RESOURCE INDEX
BUILDER Meiste Homes ARCHITECT Allegretti Architects INTERIOR DESIGN Kristine Kay Interiors STORAGE Closet Design
Crafting Quality Spaces since 1987
Closets • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Showers • Decorative Hardware
616.298.2506 588 East 40th Street • Holland, MI 49423
SOD INSTALL. RETAINING WALLS. FIREPITS. MULCHING. TEAR OUTS/HAUL.
With 24 years of experience, we are West Michigan’s most respected audio/video company. Working alongside builders, architects, interior designers and homeowners, we’ll bring your home into the 21st century ... ENGAGE BEYOND LIMITS.
N“Nature has always been my first and main fascination,” said Tom Rooks. “I knew I wanted to make my living outdoors.”
After over 40 years running his namesake landscape company, Rooks Landscaping, Tom Rooks has established his expertise and passion for plants, animals and outdoor spaces. His wealth of knowledge is only surpassed by his unquenchable curiosity for new information — a foundation upon which he strives to be a responsible steward of nature while at the same time accomplish his clients' goals of creating beautiful landscaping features for their homes.
Rooks sat down with Cosmopolitan Home Magazine in October, before the chill of Michigan winter set in, to explore his journey to becoming one of the most sought after landscape designers in West Michigan.
Rooks may have been the first member of his family to pursue forestry and gardening, but his parents and siblings were also artistic thinkers. His father was an advertising photographer and he described mother as a passionate reader, a thinker and an old soul. "They both very much encouraged whatever interests and talents we had," said Rooks. Taking their children on numerous outdoor vacations, Rooks' parents encouraged the explorative thought that encouraged their daughter's music pursuits and their other sons' work in architecture and real estate, respectively.
Above all, Rooks' parents taught him "To always leave every situation a little better," he said.
This lesson, combined with his natural curiosity, led Rooks to experiment in his childhood garden. "I did a lot of work in my parents' yard," he said, and, laughing at the lessons he's learned since, "Sometimes transplanting the wrong things."
Failed transplants, though disappointing, built a foundation for understanding the importance of intentional plant care and the role of native plants. This ultimately grew to a passion that became the center of his business. “We're big on trying to [use] native plants ... or non-invasive plants,” he said. “Our native wildlife depends on native plants.” As a member of the Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association, the Perennial Plant Association and the Audubon Society — among other land conservancies — Rooks remains a consistent student of nature and sustainable practices.
“There's a lot to know,” he said lovingly about his education in international plant life. He started by explaining a brief history of landscape design — “Japan started doing gardening way before we did,” — and explored some cultures' fascination with cultivating flora from foreign lands: “The British were big collectors of rare plants.”
Rooks' knowledge reaches across the world, but settles here in West Michigan, where he works to foster plant life that not only looks pretty, but thrives and lives in harmony with the surrounding plants and animals.
To ensure access to the right plants year round, Rooks runs a working nursery on his 75-acre Ada property that includes a hoop house, wood lot, stone yard and vegetable garden. On any given day when not consulting with a client or working on a project off-site, Rooks can be seen putzing around the property on his golf cart, engaging with staff that assist in cultivating plants and determining the best project materials for various landscaping features. The company even makes its own soil, compost and mulch.
All of this self-sufficiency guarantees that at least 60 percent of the plants that Rooks' provides for his clients are grown right on his property, with just 40 percent purchased primarily from other local nurseries. “It takes a lot of plants to do what we do for clients,” he said.
After four decades, Rooks has evolved his business into a multi-faceted machine, for which he services multiple parts. “My responsibilities within Rooks Landscaping are as manager, designer and grower,” said Rooks. “I also oversee nursery crews involved in propagation and maintenance [and] I am [the] primary designer of nursery display gardens and natural areas.”
In his daily tasks, Rooks obviously doesn't mind getting his hands dirty, and enjoys working hand-in-hand with staff who share his passion for plants. “People should be excited about what we do,” he said.
Over the years, Rooks Landscaping has become a company of about 30 people. “There is so much talent here,” said Rooks. “I learn a lot from them.”
In 1977, a young Tom founded his business with a flyer and a bicycle. He began offering landscaping services to any local within riding distance who owned a mailbox. In the beginning, “I would basically do anything for my clients, including home repair and odd jobs,” said Rooks.
Over time, he narrowed his focus to plant life and landscaping while he built his business as a sole proprietor. “It was just me for like, four years,” he said. His first big break finally came when he was hired to design landscaping for the Franciscan Life Process Center in Grand Rapids. “That was a really big project,” said Rooks. “We really knocked ourselves out.”
This work led to bigger and bigger projects that established Rooks' business over the subsequent decades. “I have designed and installed residential landscapes ranging from large estates that take several years to develop to small city gardens and starter homes,” he said, naming projects for the Cascade Museum Gardens, the village of Ada, the city of East Grand Rapids, St. Adelbert's Basilica, and Kennedy’s Floral.
After forty years of designing landscape projects for clients, much of what Rooks does is second nature, designed in his head using his extensive knowledge of plants and their interaction with manmade structures. He noted that he balances his left brain with his right, applying the analytical with gut feelings about what works best for each client.
“I have a strong sense of vision and am a keen observer,” he said. “My goal is to work with existing elements to make a harmonious transition from the building to the site.”
As Rooks looks to the next chapter, he remains a proponent of wildlife education. “We try to, as much as we can, teach clients and kids about nature,” he said.
“We open our gardens to the public during business hours and have done tours for the Lowell Schools career week, local garden clubs and other interested groups. We have made our grounds available for fundraisers for [Frederik] Meijer Gardens and Gilda's Club of Grand Rapids. We use habitat plantings to teach clients, students and the general public on how gardens can be beautiful, fascinating, beneficial to wildlife and the environment and a joy to experience in all seasons.”
At heart, Rooks is still that kid with a love of nature, exploring his environment and above all, trying to “Be helpful and good to everyone.” ❂
Rooks runs a working nursery on his 75-acre Ada property that doubles as his home. Steps from his front door, he has access to his own hoop house, wood lot, stone yard and vegetable garden.
