16 minute read
Flashback Fave
faveflashback Summer 2018
HomeHomeCOSMOPOLITAN Grand Rapids
2018: This timeless cottage, on the shore of northern Michigan’s, renowned Glen Lake, is a favorite without question. The shingle-style architecture transports us to another place and time yet its setting couldn’t be more perfect. It’s easy to imagine summers being filled with special memories in every room and around every corner. Designed by Sears Architects and built by Eastmark Builders, this lake home is sure to only get better with age. Enjoy!
BUILDING memories
TEXT BY LYNN BAKEMAN • PHOTOS BY ASHLEY AVILA
estled against the dramatic rise of Sleeping BearN N Dunes, local legend says that Glen Lake was recognized as “the most beautiful lake in the world” b y National Geographic magazine. Although that claim is debated, no one can dispute the appeal of its wooded sand hills and remarkably clear, vivid blue water. When generations of your family have been making weekend pilgrimages to its shores and your memories are deeply ingrained, how do you build a cottage for the generations yet to come?
After interviewing Chicago architects, the owners saw a home on the Sears Architects’ website and knew that Rob Sears and his team could design a Cape Cod-inspired cottage that paid homage to its surroundings.
Sears lived in Nantucket early in his career and his deep appreciation for shingle-style architecture significantly influenced his firm’s work. “Most of the work of our architects is traditional in nature,” Sears explained. “Even though the home’s exterior detailing is a reflection of life hundreds of years ago, we’ve brought the classic northern Michigan cottage current with modern technology and a dramatically different open floor plan to reflect how people live today.”
The Sears Architects’ team sought to strike the right balance between classic and casual with a timeless design that will never be associated with a discernable decade. From its river rock base and wood shingle cladding to the gambrel roof, there are many small touches that read and work well together offering an approachable respite.
The gambrel roof comes from 18th-century Dutch colonial architecture and offers a wider roof span with the advantage of increased interior space to accommodate many friends and family who will gather there. “From the beginning, Sears Architects understood the look we wanted while including features that would be needed at a lake house. This proved to be invaluable since we had never built a lake house before,” shared the homeowners.
Since the owners were challenged with making project decisions from over 300 miles away, it was also helpful that Sears and his team were adept at working with clients across the U.S. Although FaceTime provides a great platform for some decisions, nothing compares to initial meetings in person for programming and design. Sears explains that the key to good design is getting to know the client and how they live and interact with their family so their personality translates into the project.
The homeowner selected the build/design team who were so instrumental in creating the look of the home they admired on the architect’s website and coincidentally, they also had many special memories growing up vacationing at Glen Lake.
Both Amy Darooge of Villa Décor and Eastmark Construction’s Eric Darooge appreciated being a part of the project in its early stages.
“Starting to work on the design concept and layout of the floor plan sooner than later helps keep everyone on the same page,” commented Amy. “This was very much a collaboration to create a home that was uniquely the owner’s. Villa Décor determined how the interior spaces would live based on the homeowner’s wants, needs, and inspirational image selections, so we could periodically tweak spaces. With everyone communicating, it made the process easier in the long run.”
The owner’s original family cottage had the potato-sized tumbled stone popular in the early Glen Lake cottages and this historic element helped make the new structure fit seamlessly in place. The roof has old-growth, Western red cedar shingles which will naturally weather to a soft grey; flashings and gutters are dark brown color clad steel for architectural contrast; and the Northern white cedar siding is very durable since it grows in swamps and has a natural defense mechanism from rot and decay.
Glen Lake is the main focus of this home, so even though the home is perched on a high bluff, solid surface landscaping brings the residents close to the action with meandering steps leading to a lower level fire pit and exclusive beach. A great deal of thought went into other lakeside living spaces including a screened-in porch, private owner’s suite porch, and a kitchen easily accessible from the outdoors.
THE MAIN FLOOR HAS A CIRCULAR ENTERTAINING FLOW FROM THE KITCHEN TO DINING ROOM TO THE DECK. THE EXPOSED, RUSTIC BARN BEAMS EMPHASIZE THE CASUAL, LIVED-IN LOOK.
OUTSIDE, THE ROOF HAS OLD-GROWTH, WESTERN RED CEDAR SHINGLES THAT WILL NATURALLY WEATHER TO A SOFT GREY; FLASHINGS AND GUTTERS ARE DARK-BROWN, CLAD STEEL FOR ARCHITECTURAL CONTRAST; AND THE NORTHERN WHITE CEDAR SIDING IS VERY DURABLE SINCE IT GROWS IN SWAMPS AND HAS A NATURAL DEFENSE MECHANISM FROM ROT AND DECAY.
THE KITCHEN IS BRIGHT WITH WHITE SUBWAY TILE AND THICK, ENGINEERED QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS THAT OFFER THE LOOK OF MARBLE WITHOUT THE MAINTENANCE.THE LUXURY APPLIANCES, FROM BEKINS APPLIANCE, BLEND SEAMLESSLY. THE DISTINCTIVE EUROPEAN OAK WOOD FLOORS HAVE SURFACE SCARS AND EDGE MARKINGS MAKING IT INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM VINTAGE HARDWOOD.
INSIDE THE FRONT DOOR, WHITE SHIPLAP WALLS STRETCH FROM FLOOR TO CEILING, AND A STUNNING, CUSTOM STAIRCASE WITH WROUGHT IRON AND NATURAL WOOD BANISTERS CAPTURES ATTENTION.
THE EXTERIOR’S RIVER ROCK BASE AND WOOD SHINGLE CLADDING OFFER A TIMELESS DESIGN AS WELL AS THE GAMBREL ROOF THAT PROVIDES A WIDER ROOF SPAN WITH THE ADVANTAGE OF INCREASED INTERIOR SPACE.
Eric’s goal was to present cost-cutting options where it made sense, but also ensure build quality incorporating the latest technology to keep the home in good stead for future generations. The owners agreed to use a highperformance building system of insulated foam core sandwiched between structural facings called Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS). “It’s almost like building the house twice because you skin the original structure to add the panels, but it results in an amazingly well-insulated, energy-efficient home,” explained Eric.
“Eric had many ideas on how to value engineer the project without sacrificing aesthetics and quality,” continued the homeowner. “He gave us real world knowledge of how certain aspects and features would play out in the Northern Michigan landscape. We had total confidence in him and his team after our first call with him.”
Step through the front door and you immediately appreciate how perfectly the home has been situated. Glen Lake is the focal point and its iridescent shades of blue will be reflected throughout the day from morning light to sunset. What’s also quickly apparent are the gifts of Villa Décor.
“As a builder, I’m focused on the minutiae of the project where Amy and her team looks at the big picture and brings an overarching artistic view. Sometimes you
GLEN LAKE IS THE MAIN FOCUS OF THIS HOME SO, EVEN THOUGH THE HOME IS PERCHED ON A HIGH BLUFF, SOLID SURFACE LANDSCAPING BRINGS THE RESIDENTS CLOSE TO THE ACTION WITH MEANDERING STEPS LEADING TO A LOWER LEVEL FIRE PIT AND EXCLUSIVE BEACH.
can easily identify an interior designer’s ‘look’ in any house, but Villa Décor’s style is casual, easy to understand,” shared Eric.
“The interior design process with Amy and Alex at Villa Décor was wonderful,” said the homeowner. “We’re so happy they were brought in during the design process as Amy really thought through how we would use each space and suggested architectural changes that we haven’t regretted. She and Alex found the perfect paint colors for each space and furniture that can accommodate a house full of people.
Once inside the front door, you’re met with cheery white shiplap walls stretching from floor to ceiling, and a stunning custom staircase with wrought iron and natural wood banisters. “The staircase is such an important part of the vertical circulation in a house and we like to get that right,” commented Sears.
It wouldn’t be right without the custom millwork of Eastmark Construction’s master finish carpenter, Mark Andres, who took the house from drywall to finish with custom cabinetry and liveedge sink vanities. In addition to being skilled with the adze used to craft the exposed rustic barn beams used throughout the home, Andres created a teamwork atmosphere and kept a steady hand on the tiller in a calm, reliable way.
The home’s casual lived-in look is due to its distinctive European oak wood floors which undergo convincing surface scarring and edge marking making it indistinguishable from vintage hardwood. Discovered by the homeowner, the tongue and groove planks were shipped overseas from France. Villa Décor was able to use their worn, dull surface as a canvas to create a home where textures and colors add pop, but carefree living is welcomed.
With friends and family filling the home every weekend, the main floor has a circular entertaining flow from the kitchen to dining room to deck with built-in bar. Sunbrella became the logical fabric of choice plus a custom raffia-finish coffee table cured for durability.
THE GAMBREL ROOF OVER THE GARAGE MADE FOR THE IDEAL KIDS’ BUNK QUARTERS WITH QUEEN SIZE TRUNDLE PULLOUTS AND SECTIONALS DESIGNED TO SLEEP UP TO 14. THE KIDS’ BATHROOM IS SPLASHPROOF WITH A MASSIVE TROUGH SINK, ANTIQUE LIFE PRESERVER, AND VINTAGE CHILDREN’S BATHING SUITS.
Although minimalistic, the kitchen is bright and cheery with white subway tile and thick engineered quartz that offers the look of marble without the maintenance. Stainless steel highlights and balances out material finishes. Allweather bar stools are tough but add character to the space. Villa Décor designed a transom feature to add light and reduce the tunnel-like feel of entering the hallway with its high ceilings.
Thinking forward to busy weekends, the team provided a spacious main floor laundry room directly off a lake entrance. On the second floor, they borrowed space from a guest walk-in closet to create a brilliant solution for crucial linen changeovers when all five bedrooms are bursting with guests. Two sets of stacked washers and dryers are housed behind barn doors.
The gambrel roof made the area over the garage the ideal place to sleep boisterous children, and Mark Andres crafted bunk beds with queen size trundle pullouts and sectionals designed to sleep up to 14. The kids’ bathroom is splash-proof with a massive trough sink, antique life preserver, and vintage children’s bathing suits. In case the rules weren’t clear, penny round tiles were laser cut for increased legibility.
THE OWNER’S SUITE SHARES THE FLOOR WITH THE OTHER BEDROOMS. THE INTERESTING ROOF LINES ALLOW FOR A VAULTED CEILING ADDING CHARACTER REMINISCENT OF AN OLDER ERA. FRENCH DOORS OPEN ONTO A PRIVATE DECK FOR PEACEFUL CONTEMPLATION OF THE LAKE. on the same floor with the other bedrooms. Although original plans called for flat ceilings, the design team used the interesting roof lines to vault the ceiling adding character reminiscent of an older era.
French doors open onto a private deck for peaceful contemplation of the lake. A private bathroom oasis was created for the adults with a dream steam shower, blue-honed Carrara marble counters, and hexagonal marble tile floors.
The lower level recreation area accommodates adults with a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, full bar with stained oak cabinets and granite countertops, a pool table, and poker table. There’s kid-friendly activities as well with a Pac-Man arcade, built-in game storage, and direct access to the outdoors.
Due to the efforts of all involved, this home exceeded the owner’s expectations and will stand strong for future generations while it weathers gently into its surroundings. ❂
RESOURCE INDEX
BUILDER Eastmark Construction ARCHITECT Sears Architects INTERIOR DESIGN Villa Decor
APPLIANCES Bekins MOULDING & MILLWORK
Philip Elenbaas Millwork
APPLIANCES, EQUIPMENT AND HARDWARE
Gerrit's Appliance, Inc. (616) 532-3626 www.gerritsappliances.com
ARCHITECTS & DESIGNERS
42 North - Architecture + Design (616) 340-8047 www.42northarchitects.com Brad Douglas Design www.braddouglasdesign.com David C. Bos Construction Co. (616) 842-2248 x116 Fitzpatrick Custom Design (616) 532-2000 J. Visser Design (616) 954-2509 www.jvisser.com Lucid Architecture, Inc (616) 741-0044 www.lucidarc.com Mathison Mathison Architects (616) 920-0545 www.mathisonarchitects.com Sears Architects (616)336-8495 www.searsarchitects.com Visbeen Architects, Inc. (616) 285-9901 x2 www. visbeen.com
AWNINGS
Action Awning LLC (616) 874-7400 www.actionawning.com www.facebook.com/pages/ Action-AwningLLC/479665515420452
BRICK, STONE & MASONRY
Belden Brick & Supply Co. (616) 459-8367
BUILDER
Ashby Builders (616) 893-6284 Aukeman Development Co. (616) 669-4363 B.D.D. Construction Co. LLC (616) 696-1226 BDR Custom Homes, Inc. (616) 458-8505 Berghuis Construction LLC (616) 217-6565 Celebrity Builders LLC (616) 291-1808 Christin Homes (616) 874-2694 www.christinhomes.com chad@christinhomes.com Colonial Builders LLC (616) 534-2030 Curt Moran Builders, Inc. (616) 293-0660 Daeco Builders, Inc. (616) 682-2422 Dan Vis Builders LLC (616) 293-3597 Dan Vos Construction Co., Inc. (616) 676-9169 Dave Dusendang Custom Homes, Inc. (616) 874-7085 www.dusendanghomes.com Dave Visser Builder LLC (616) 791-8899 David C. Bos Construction Co. (616) 842-2248 x116 DBC Custom Homes (616) 878-5400 www.dbccustomhomes.com www.facebook.com/DBCcust omhomes/ www.instagram.com/dbccustomhomes
Diephuis Builders, Inc. (616) 956-7441 Eastbrook Homes, Inc. (616) 988-1324 Epique Homes, Inc. (616) 437-1767 Falcon Custom Homes, Inc. (616) 682-1700 Forest Hills Homes LLC (616) 940-9015 Habitat For Humanity of Kent County (616) 588-5220 Infiniti Custom Homes, Inc. (616) 322-3005 Insignia Homes (616) 940-1703 Interra Homes (616) 862-1292 J & J Concepts LLC (616) 540-3560 J. Peterson Homes LLC (616) 291-1816 Jim Tibbe Homes (616) 916-8895 John L. Koetje Builder, Inc. (616) 538-4241 Kenowa Associates, Inc. (616) 531-0069 KLH Custom Homes LLC (269) 823-8041 Koetje Builders, Inc. (616) 457-3450 Let Us, Inc. (616) 893-2341 Lown Homes LLC (616) 366-3436 Makuski Builders, Inc. (616) 299-1725 Maplewood Homes (616) 499-5054 www.maplewoodhomes.com Mike Schaap Builders, Inc. (616) 399-9925 www.mikeschaapbuilders.com Mosaic Properties & Homes (616) 235-0711 x201 Muston Construction, Inc. (616) 887-9088 www.mustonconstruction.com www.facebook.com/mustonconstruction www.houzz.com/pro/muston/__public office@mustonconstruction.com
New Urban Home Builders LLC (616) 401-5669 Nugent Builders, Inc. (616) 866-7663 P.A. DeHaan LLC (616) 299-1329
Raymar Homes (616) 299-7664 Schultz Builders LLC (616) 405-9316 Scott Christopher Homes (616) 784-4500 Scott Lamaire Custom Homes (616) 802-8850
Sherwood Custom Homes LLC (616) 891-1865 www.sherwoodcustomhomes.com jeff@sherwoodcustomhomes.com
Snellink Builders (616) 437-4527 Snowden Builders LLC (616) 299-8455 Solomon Homes LLC (616) 437-1179
Sytsma Construction LLC (616) 437-4966 www.sytsmaconstruction.com sytsmaconstllc@gmail.com
Tim Schollaart Builder LLC (616) 890-1381
Tim VerStrate Custom Homes, Inc. (616) 677-6062 www.timverstratecustomhomes.com Whitmore Homes LLC (616) 446-3482
BUILDING MATERIALS
Eikenhout Building Supplies (616)-459-4523 Foundation Building Materials (616) 534-4903
CABINETRY
Benchmark Wood Studio (616)994-7374 benchmark-studios.com
Closet & Room Solutions (616) 785-1021 www.closetandroomsolutions.com sales@closetandroomsolutions.com
Houtnerf Cabinet Co. info@houtnerf.design www.facebook.com/HoutnerfCa binetCo/ www.instagram.com/houtnerfcabinetco Rivershores Building Products, Inc. (616) 738-8440
Rivershores Hardwood Flooring & Cabinetry Company (616) 243-7000 -EGR (616) 738-8440 - Holland www.facebook.com/RivershoresH ardwoodFlooringCompany/ www.houzz.com/pro/rivershoreshardwoodflooring/rivershores-hardwood-flooring sales@rivershores.com
Standale Home Studio (616) 453-8201 www.standalehomestudio.com www.facebook.com/standaleinteriors www.houzz.com/pro/standaleinteriors www.pinterest.com/standaleint
TruKitchens (616) 957-1969 https://www.facebook.com/Tru Kitchens https://www.instagram.com/tru kitchens
The Williams Studio (616) 771-0530 www.thewilliamsstudio.com www.facebook.com/TheWilliam sStudio www.houzz.com/pro/williamsst udio1/williams-studio#8
CLOSET ORGANIZERS
Closet Concepts, Inc. (616) 913-9148 www.closetconceptsofgr.com info@closetconceptsofgr.com
Closet & Room Solutions (616) 785-1021 www.closetandroomsolutions.com sales@closetandroomsolutions.com
Sligh Closet & Glass (616) 422-4321 www.slighdesign.com www.facebook.com/SlighDesign/ www.houzz.com/pro/slighclosetandglass/sligh-closet-and-glass
DECORATIVE HARDWARE
Modern Hardware (616) 241-2655 www.modernhardware.com www.facebook.com/ModernHardware www.houzz.com/browseReview s/modernhardwaregr https://instagram.com/modernhardware
Progressive Hardware (616) 607-7373 www.pro-hardware.com prohdw@sbcglobal.net
FLOOR COVERING
Century (616) 988-4524 DeGraaf Interiors (616) 669-1621 Johnson Carpet One (616) 531-3100 Klingman's Furniture (616) 942-7300 Village Custom Interiors www.villageci.com (616) 878-5000 /www.facebook.com/VillageCI Standale Home Studio (616) 453-8201 www.standalehomestudio.com www.facebook.com/ standaleinteriors www.houzz.com/pro/standaleinteriors www.pinterest.com/standaleint
GARAGE ORGANIZERS
Closet Concepts, Inc. (616) 913-9148 www.closetconceptsofgr.com info@closetconceptsofgr.com Closet & Room Solutions (616) 785-1021 www.closetandroomsolutions.com sales@closetandroomsolutions.com
Sligh Closet & Glass (616) 422-4321 www.slighdesign.com www.facebook.com/SlighDesign/ www.houzz.com/pro/slighclosetandglass/sligh-closet-and-glass sarahc@slighdesign.com Studio G (616) 994-7050 https://www.instagram.com/ studiogwmi www.studioginc.com
GLASS & MIRROR PRODUCTS
Closet Design (616) 772-1119 Norbert's Glass & Mirror Co. (616) 531-1110 www.norbertsglassandmirror.com Sligh Closet & Glass (616) 422-4321 www.slighdesign.com www.facebook.com/SlighDesign/ www.houzz.com/pro/slighclosetandglass/sligh-closet-and-glass sarahc@slighdesign.com
Studio G (616) 994-7050 www.instagram.com/studiogwmi www.studioginc.com
HOME AUTOMATION
Created Control (616) 356-2660
Streamline Systems (616)457-5460 www.streamlinesystemsmi.com
HOME ELECTRONICS INSTALLATION
Bekins Audio/Video & Appliances (616) 957-2333 Created Control (616) 356-2660
Streamline Systems (616)457-5460 www.streamlinesystemsmi.com
HOME ORGANIZATION
Closet Concepts (616) 913-9148 www.facebook.com/Closetconce ptsofgr/
Closet & Room Solutions (616) 785-1021 www.closetandroomsolutions.com sales@closetandroomsolutions.com
Studio G (616) 994-7050 https://www.instagram.com/studiogwmi www.studioginc.com
Sligh Closets & Glass (616) 422-4321 https://www.facebook.com/Sligh Design/
ORG West Michigan https://www.facebook.com/ORG WestMichigan
INTERIOR DESIGN
42 North - Architecture + Design (616) 340-8047 Dwellings, Inc. (616) 532-7897 Rock Kauffman Design (616) 956-3008 Klingman's Furniture (616) 942-7300
Standale Interiors (616) 453-8201 www.standaleinteriors.com
Joseph Szymczak www.studioatslate.com
KITCHEN & BATH
DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Greater Grand Rapids (616) 632-2284 www.dreammakergr.com Granite Transformations (616) 726-1388
Great Lakes Granite Works (616) 785-3088 www.greatlakesgranite.com www.facebook.com/GreatLakes-Granite-Works www.houzz.com/pro/greatlakesgraniteworks/greatlakes-granite-works www.instagram.com/great_lak es_granite_works DBurgess@greatlakesgranite.com
Premier Granite & Stone (616) 647-5538 www.premiergranitetops.com
Standale Home Studio (616) 453-8201 www.standalehomestudio.com
TruKitchens (616) 957-1969
The Williams Studio (616) 771-0530 www.thewilliamsstudio.com www.facebook.com/TheWilli amsStudio www.houzz.com/pro/williams studio1/williams-studio#8
LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Alfresco Landcapes LLC (616) 453-2530 www.alfresco-landscapes.com
LIGHTING FIXTURES
The Lighting Corner (616) 534-8560 (616) 842-1650 (G. Haven) www.thelightingcorner.com www.facebook.com/thelightingcorner/?fref=ts www.pinterest.com/TLC_1984
MORTGAGE SERVICES
Adventure Credit Union (616) 243-0125 xx1207 www.adventurecu.org
Chemical Bank (616) 588-7438 www.chemicalbankmi.com
First United Credit Union (616) 532-9067 www.firstunitedcu.org
Independent Bank (800) 285-3111
Inlanta Mortgage (616) 581-2374 www.MoveUpMi.com Old National Bank (616) 802-3921 www.oldnational.com
PNC Bank (616) 446-9632 www.pnc.com
SHOWER & TUB ENCLOSURES
Closet Design (616) 772-1119
Norbert's Glass & Mirror Co. (616) 531-1110 www.norbertsglassandmirror.com
Sligh Closet & Glass (616) 422-4321 www.slighdesign.com www.facebook.com/SlighDesign/ www.houzz.com/pro/slighclosetandglass/sligh-closet-and-glass
SIDING & ROOFING
Eikenhout, Inc. (616) 459-4523
Standale Lumber & Supply (616) 530-8200 www.standalelumber.com www.facebook.com/standalelumber
SOLAR SCREENS
Action Awning LLC (616) 874-7400 http://actionawning.com https://www.facebook.com/pag es/Action-AwningLLC/479665515420452
SOLID SURFACE, GRANITE, FABRICATION/ INSTALLATION
Great Lakes Granite Works (616) 785-3088 www.greatlakesgranite.com www.facebook.com/GreatLakes-Granite-Works www.houzz.com/pro/greatlakesgraniteworks/great-lakesgranite-works www.instagram.com/great_lakes _granite_works DBurgess@greatlakesgranite.com
Premier Granite & Stone (616) 647-5538 www.premiergranitetops.com
Top of the World Granite, Inc. (616) 791-7444
Williams Kitchen & Bath (616) 771-0505
STONE & TILE
Great Lakes Granite Works (616) 785-3088 www.greatlakesgranite.com www.facebook.com/GreatLakes-Granite-Works109217255792578/ www.houzz.com/pro/greatlakesgraniteworks/great-lakesgranite-works www.instagram.com/great_lakes_ granite_works DBurgess@greatlakesgranite.com
Top of the World Granite, Inc. (616) 791-7444
STORAGE
Closet Concepts, Inc. (616) 913-9148 www.closetconceptsofgr.com info@closetconceptsofgr.com
Closet & Room Solutions (616) 785-1021 www.closetandroomsolutions.com sales@closetandroomsolutions.com
Sligh Closet & Glass (616) 422-4321
ORG West Michigan https://www.facebook.com/OR GWestMichigan
WINDOW COVERINGS
Klingman's Furniture (616) 942-7300 Standale Home Studio (616) 453-8201 www.standalehomestudio.com www.facebook.com/standaleinteriors www.houzz.com/pro/standaleinteriors www.pinterest.com/standaleint/
WINDOWS & DOORS
Eikenhout, Inc. (616) 459-4523
R J Raven Corporation (616) 245-5684
Standale Lumber & Supply (616) 530-8200 www.standalelumber.com
