There is a special lifestyle that comes with waterside living. It’s a sense of connection that, for some, calls to the soul. From Michigan’s small and Great Lakes to its rivers, streams, creeks and ponds, each one creates its own Great Lake Story.
For the past year, Michigan BLUE Magazine has taken readers along as builder Dave Morren, owner of Insignia Homes, has brought to fruition a custom-built family home in Greater Grand Rapids/Cascade Township’s Manchester Hills.
On the lower lawn, Adirondack chairs encircle an inviting family fire pit, the centerpiece of a circular blue stone flagging patio designed by Tom Rooks, owner of Rooks Landscaping. Rooks placed hardy perennial native plants to enhance and further define this outdoor-living space, which he notes are also attractive to the pond’s abundant wildlife.
The wooded site includes an almost five-acre pond, along which local architect Jeff Visser of J. Visser Design tailored a plan to enhance views and the active lifestyle of the outdoor-loving homeowners and their six children.
A testament to Morren’s reverence for exceptional quality, Insignia Homes enjoys a well-established, collaborative history with J. Visser Design. The architect, whose designs can be found all along Michigan’s West Coast, has a particular affinity for creating shoreline homes that fulfill each client’s wishes while integrating each unique site’s best aspects: His goal is to enhance lifestyle by designing a sense of order in every home that carries through to the smallest detail.
Mere steps from the dining room and a back entry mudroom equipped with refreshment fridge, a sweeping circular patio overlooking the pool and pond provides an ample gathering space for family and entertaining guests. “It’s a low-maintenance choice that’s not only handsome, but budget-friendly,” says Rooks.
Craftsmanship and basic good taste are also characteristics of Visser designs, ensuring homes that look better with age, grow more loved over the years and add value to their communities. To harmonize with the existing vibe of the Manchester Hills neighborhood, Visser infused elements with Old World influences, yet modern-day panache.
Throughout the three levels of this 6,654-square-foot home, daylight windows optimize natural sunlight and play up picturesque views. It includes seven bedrooms, four-and-a-half bathrooms, living and recreational gathering spaces with open-room designs, private individual retreats, outdoor living areas and entertainment patios that incorporate a family-size swimming pool/hot tub, plus an attached four-stall garage.
With easy access from both the kitchen/dining area and the master suite, the expansive back deck is the perfect perch for surveying backyard activities. Courtesy of cable-lined railing, views are unobstructed, encompassing everything from the pool and the pond to the patios and family fire pit. Furnishings were chosen for their modern, resort-style comfort.
Exceptional craftsmanship is a top priority for Morren. He assembled a team of Grand Rapids’ foremost quality craftsmen to transform Visser’s thoughtful design into this stellar family home — including local, independent Interior Designer Francesca Owings, who worked in collaboration with the family to ensure the realization of their dreams.
Beyond expertise, Insignia Homes is recognized for an astute ability to keep high-quality construction projects on track and in budget. The company’s top industry partners play key roles.
While the hot tub tile is all glass, the pool is accented with frost-proof 6 x 6-inch porcelain tile, installed by Acme Pool Construction. The finish of the pool itself is actually white cement with sparkling crushed marble, which takes on its blue illusion from the sky’s reflection.
This home on Manchester Pond showcases superior building materials sourced from Zeeland Lumber & Supply. The local, independently-owned company — still headquartered in downtown Zeeland on its original 19-acre site with more than 200,000 square feet of warehouse — has earned over nearly 70 years its renown for servicing the needs of builders and homeowners alike.
Today, Zeeland Lumber & Supply’s customers’ needs are being met in three showrooms, located in Grand Rapids and Hamilton, Mich., and Elkhart, Ind. The company’s on-going mission is to provide quality materials at a fair price, backed by experience and expertise.
The 18 x 40-foot splash-attraction is a combination shotcrete pool and spa, expertly installed by Acme Pool Construction. The pool and eight-jet hot tub duo is controlled electronically with a hand-held remote, notes Acme’s Peter Folkringa. “You can read the remote from the house to determine when the water reaches the temperature you prefer,” he says, adding, “A little fresh water is always entering the hot tub when it’s on pool mode to keep the water fresh.”
Builder Dave Morren brought on more of the same through Tru Kitchens in Grand Rapids and the creative talents of kitchen designer Todd Wiley. Working in conjunction with both the homeowners and Owings, Wiley made certain both the kitchen and bathrooms performed all of the utilitarian functions the bustling family needed. Innovative design provided by Tru Kitchens is supported by premier, made-to-order cabinetry, as evidenced by this home’s spacious, hardworking family kitchen, spa-like retreat in the master bath and savvy storage in the home’s additional three-and-a-half bathrooms.
The home’s exterior stone was supplied by Belden Brick and Supply Company. With locations in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Saginaw, the business has been a leader in providing quality masonry, hardscape and hearth products to customers throughout Michigan for over three decades.
With an eye toward preserving ecological integrity and emphasizing its natural serenity, Tom Rooks of Rooks Landscaping helped coordinate pool placement and embellished the property with natural elements. Stone steps slope down from the circular patio to the pool area, accented by hardy Michigan native perennials and non-invasive plants, while the pool’s minimalistic concrete surround — also created by Rooks — allows nature to take center stage.
Partnered with seasoned architects, masons, hardscapers and hearth installers, Belden is renowned amongst Michigan’s preeminent builders for its vast styles and colors of brick, natural stone and concrete-based building materials — apparent with a visit to its outdoor Grand Rapids showroom, which offers innovative outdoor-living spaces to experience on a personal level, and a proven advantage in experience and service.
Because outdoor living was essential to this project, Morren also called upon Tom Rooks of Rooks Landscaping, founded in 1977. The Ada-based, full-service design, consultation, installation, nursery and maintenance business services both residential and business communities.
The company is underscored by a strong “green” environmental focus that includes growing and promoting the use of native plants and trees, and using the most eco-friendly products paired with least intrusive methods of solving common garden issues. In addition, Rooks’ five-acre nursery is an ever-evolving source of landscape inspiration.
The open space that encompasses the kitchen, dining and living rooms is anchored at the far end by a marble-fronted linear fireplace. “It kicks out a lot of heat,” notes Interior Designer Francesca Owings, “and its low profile brings the TV down lower into the room for easy viewing.” Through a bank of daylight windows, the space is wrapped by outdoor views and sense of serenity. Defined by an artfully coffered ceiling, the main level’s spacious great room flows into relaxed kitchen and dining spaces.
And, as a swimming pool was a must-have for this family, Morren turned to Acme Pool Construction. Established in 1993 by Peter Folkringa — whose expertise includes more than 30 years of experience in the pool business — the company specializes in building custom shotcrete/concrete free-form pools and spas and using top-of-the-line equipment and materials. A full-service company, Acme ensures care of every detail, from design and installation to ongoing chemical needs.
On Manchester Pond, the pool’s rectangular shape lent itself well to an Auto Cover system. “All they have to do is turn a key and within 30 seconds, it opens or shuts,” Folkringa notes. “It’s not only a great safety feature, but also helps protect the pool from debris. This pool has a Caretaker self-cleaning system built into the floor, too, so it hardly ever requires vacuuming.” Rated to keep pools at least 99-percent clean, this system, he praises, adds up to low maintenance and maximum fun.
Insignia Homes relied on Tru Kitchens Designer Todd Wiley to assure a masterfully designed space for this heart of the home. “This kitchen was designed to make food preparation easy,” he says. “It is efficient and sets the stage for family and friends to share quality time together.” Wiley selected Grabill Cabinet Company from Indiana’s Amish country to craft the home’s made-to-order kitchen and dining room cabinetry, expertly installed by Insignia Homes to incorporate an oversized, top-of-the-line SubZero refrigerator, a professional-grade Wolf cooktop range and built-in microwave.The generous kitchen island is made from the same special rift-cut white oak as the elegant, yet practical dining room hutch. The ceruse finish of both pieces takes its cue from time-honored European finishing techniques, but exudes a contemporary twist: The island is topped with marble-mimicking, durable Donna Sandra granite. It also conceals a pair of stainless steel-fronted dishwashers. While the rest of the kitchen’s countertops are made of hardworking Caesar stone quartz, its multi-dimensional backsplash in sparkling white 13- x 36-inch tiles lends the illusion of multiple mini squares. “The bright, textural backsplash offsets the cabinetry and pulls it forward,” notes Owings. The kitchen’s commanding, custom-crafted exhaust hood with inset stainless steel trim work makes another defining design statement. On the other side of its wall, a walk-thru butler pantry provides an abundance of easily accessible storage while housing small appliances and offering ample prep space.The dining room’s modern-style farmhouse table in gray-washed white oak is in sync with the ceruse-finished rift-cut white oak of the built-in dining room cabinet. The custom cabinetry — topped with Donna Sandra granite — features storage space, creates accent lighting and serves as a working bar.Conveniently adjacent to the main front entry, the first-level home office features built-in bookshelves and a pitched ceiling beam, all walnut.While the mudroom is appointed with durable porcelain floors, built-in lockers, bench seats, oversized closets and vast storage space, the adjacent laundry room is an easy after-practice drop-off spot. “We designed the mudroom with six-foot-high wallboard and loads of hooks to accommodate family and visitors’ coats, backpacks, umbrellas and beach towels,” notes Owings. “The wallboard is good for an active family because it takes a lot of wear.”Another inspired design element: A generous “refreshment” refrigerator just inside the back door.“We wanted to give a shot of sophistication to the half-bath,” shares Interior Designer Francesca Owings, who achieved that goal with a tile-integrated mirror and Kohler faucet emerging directly from the wall. A floating shelf adds flair.In the foyer, a sweeping view of nature and inviting, modern stairway greet guests. “We designed the newel posts with clean-line details to preserve the home’s sense of openness,” Owings relates, “but it’s made with Old-World craftsmanship.”Located on the main level, the master bedroom suite presents a very special private haven. “We wanted to give the master suite the feel of a sleek, high-end hotel,” says Interior Designer Francesca Owings. It’s a look achieved with sumptuous bedding and sparkling, polished nickel light fixtures paired with textured beam detail in the ceiling. Expansive windows bring the outdoors in and provide unobstructed views to the pool and pond beyond, while a comfortable window seat beneath invites relaxation. A side door also lends easy, private access to the outdoor deck.Luxurious amenities create a Zen-like vibe in the en-suite master bath, with wall-mounted floating custom cabinetry in rich walnut from Tru Kitchens. “Walnut wood is naturally beautiful and it really sets the tone for that spa-like look,” says Todd Wiley, Tru Kitchens designer. This space also includes a window-flanked vanity and an impervious Kohler bathtub.The separate, oversized shower bench features a sitting bench and multiple rain heads with a clear glass enclosure. Beyond the shower, the room opens to a spacious walk-in closet/upscale dressing room, complete with chandeliers and furniture-like Chelsea Gray custom cabinets and shelving built in by Insignia Homes.After soliciting input from the children, Interior Designer Francesca Owings incorporated their favorite colors into each of their rooms and designed around their individual personalities: “All of their bedrooms are bright and cheerful, with a good place to study and plenty of storage space.” Featured amenities include built-in desks, spacious closets and cushy window-seats.At the top of the open stairway, a large kids’ loft overlooking the great room features a modern sectional and wall-mounted flat-screen television. “We kept the furniture low and simple so that your eyes are drawn beyond the windows and out to the pond,” Owings says. “It’s just a really comfy place for the kids to watch TV and gather between the four bedrooms.”The lower level — which smartly affords views to the pool and pond beyond — encompasses a combination media/recreation room that’s capaciously sized for everything from watching the big game to movies and a gaming area with an unobtrusive floating shelf for glasses and snacks. The far end of the room includes a full wet bar complete with wine cabinet, refrigerator, ambient lighting and ample storage. Another highlight: A custom-designed, fully-mirrored dance area complete with wood floor and wrap-around bar installed to precise height specifications. The lower level also features two more spacious bedrooms and another well-planned full bath.Offering ample elbow room and privacy on the lower level, a teenage daughter’s bedroom includes an eye-level pool view.
Steep-pitched gables and a deep roofline characterize this exquisitely designed Old-World style home built by Insignia Homes. Builder and company owner, Dave Morren, relied on Zeeland Lumber & Supply’s superior building materials to ensure longevity and structural stability. The home’s exterior custom blend of natural stonework — built to the most demanding standards by Insignia Homes’ team of construction specialists — was supplied by Belden Brick and Supply.Making the most of the property’s outdoor amenities, the home’s street-side façade belies its actual spaciousness. With strict attention to detail, distinguishing design features were crafted into the home to optimize functionality for this large family on-the-go. Its accommodating four-stall garage also allows an upper-level bonus room, creating a prime private space for visitors.
To read Manchester Pond’s full Great Lake Story beginning in Michigan BLUE Magazine’s Spring 2014 edition, visit mibluemag.com. Learn more about the exceptional skills and services provided by these Great Lake Story vendors:
