2011 ReDesigning Home Chapters by Robin Vargo

GRAND RAPIDS MAGAZINE

DESIGN HOME

REDESIGNING HOME 2011

Reclaiming the past PART ONE

Based in Europe, Steve and Karen Patterson* placed the extensive six-month renovation of a 1950s’ house on Reeds Lake into the indelible care of a skilled East Grand Rapids team — and came home to a French-inspired haven. This month through September, Grand Rapids Magazine shares highlights of this historic makeover. BY LISA M. JENSEN

epicting many architectural styles built at the turn of the century, no two homes are alike in East Grand

they admired in the French countryside. The Realtor came to recognize that what they wanted wasn’t on the market — yet.

Rapids. But veteran East GR Keller Williams

Hidden in rolling, wooded acreage along

Realtor Katie Karczewski (Katie K) says their

the shores of Reeds Lake, a European-styled

owners share a common trait.

farmhouse had stood vacant for seven

“Generally, residents here are highly

years, closed up by the grown children of

educated people who have a deep appre-

a GR engineer who had built it in 1950.

ciation for history,” she noted. “They tend to

view themselves as stewards of the homes

derblock home’s original wall coverings,

they buy.”

sinks, tiles, light fixtures, flooring and all

European residents for 12 years, Steve and Karen Patterson* searched patiently with Katie nearly two years, predominantly

other features had remained untouched for 60 years. That was about to change.

from overseas, to find what they were seeking in East GR: a home replicating those

Moving Forward Open to selling after Katie approached them, the brother and sister who grew up in the house expected it to be torn down. But beyond the home’s idyllic waterfront setting, the Pattersons loved its not-too-big, not-too-small size and simple lay-out. “Structurally, the bones and lines of this home provided an authentic framework and blank canvas for the French farmhouse Steve and Karen envisioned,” said builder/ designer Jeffery Roberts, who resides and works in East GR and Chicago. With a goal of moving in by September 1, 2009 — in time for their son to start school — the Pattersons knew a complete interior renovation including all-new electrical, HVAC and other technical systems was needed. Already, they had selected local architect Jim Karczewski, engaged by his passion for historical East GR properties

Wilcox Gardens A place whose time has come, again

“R

and extensive experience remodeling period homes. Referred by Jim, Roberts — who had studied in Europe and specialized in period work — also earned the Pattersons’ confidence. “As a designer as well as builder, only Jeffery really understood what this house was telling us it could be,” Steve noted, adding he interviewed several contractors. “Because we were still living in

and Jeffery fit that bill, too.”

Europe, we also needed to rely on someone

Opportunity suited Roberts’ philosophy

who could handle for us all the details,

of recycling, reusing and reclaiming exist-

responsibilities and issues in budget as

ing space and architectural elements to a T.

they arose during the remodeling process,

“Although this home wasn’t built new from the ground up, it is a total home renovation,” he said. “It also illustrates perfectly how the past can be infused into

Located within immediate proximity to schools, shopping and recreation, Wilcox Gardens will offer the rare opportunity to build within the land-locked community of East Grand Rapids. This site-condominium development will be a combination of existing and new single-family homes. Jeffery Roberts Homes, in conjunction with Visbeen Associates, Inc., has developed several design concepts for these exceptional historic home sites. Don’t miss this opportunity to build in one of America’s most livable communities. To inquire about available lots in Wilcox Gardens please contact Katie Karczewski at (616) 575-0119.

modern living environments.” Read more of the Pattersons’ journey to home in the May issue of Grand Rapids Magazine. *Homeowners’ names have been changed to protect their privacy

JEFFERY ROBERTS HOMES

INC

REDESIGNING HOME 2011

The exterior PART TWO

From the outside in, Steve and Karen Patterson* wanted their new home on Reeds Lake to feel like those French farmhouses they and their son often passed in the European countryside. The basic structure of the 1950s’ cinderblock house they had bought in East Grand Rapids lent itself to exterior updates that could make the transformation possible — and so did the home’s hilly, wooded lakeside surroundings. BY LISA M. JENSEN

“O

ur charge was to be as green,

and-batten shutters for every

authentic and timeless as pos-

window. These were sand-

sible,” said builder/designer

blasted for an aged look.

Jeffery Roberts, who oversaw the exten-

“Today most shutters are

sive renovation project. “We painstakingly

purely decorative and don’t

removed, restored and reinstalled all of

match the windows’ width,”

the home’s own copper eaves troughs

said Terry Pfeiffer, a sales

and downspouts — they had an incredible

consultant for Standale. “But

patina, and were a great original element

these were done to scale, and

we felt was important to keep.”

shutter dogs (hardware used

But Roberts replaced the old shingles

to hold them open) were even

with a new cultured slate/cement roofing

added for authenticity’s sake.”

product that added a 6.0 R-Value. Several

Chocolate-brown, French

other new features key to capturing the rich

casement-style windows from

character desired were achieved through

Jeld-Wen trimmed in a char-

Standale Lumber in Grand Rapids.

coal hue add another splash

Equipped with a full-service mill shop,

of Old World flair against the

Standale’s craftsmen worked from Roberts’

home’s exterior, which was

drawings to make French-inspired, board-

revived with creamy, puttycolored paint. “These windows are quite European and old-fashioned — you have to unlatch them, push them open and tighten

carriage-style doors from Clopay’s Coach-

a knob,” Pfeiffer noted. “Each was custom-

man Collection were installed by the Over-

built to spec to fit the home’s cinderblock

head Door Company and Calumet Building

openings.”

Group, Ltd. in Grand Rapids. “These doors

Outdoor Spaces Standale Lumber also provided durable, maintenance-free PVC (plastic) trim, decorative detailing and beadboard ceiling from AZEK for the Pattersons’ screened porch. A beadboard ceiling crowns the three-stall garage’s interior, as well, which Roberts outfitted with an entire new floor, drainage system, and woodwork-trimmed walls. Outside, insulated steel and composite

Wilcox Gardens A place whose time has come, again

“R

views over the updated bluestone patio’s lowered original stone wall lead through a pergola to a French garden with raised stone planting beds, potting shed and a fountain the couple reclaimed. Neatly layered in varying heights, manicured boxwood, lavender and yellow roses define the have an R-Value of 9.0, which helps keep

formal entertaining patio, which features a

this heated garage warm,” noted Over-

two-ton table cut from Blue River stone. Red

head’s Keith Keen.

buds, dogwoods, perennials, low shrubs

Decorative wrought iron accents and the appearance of swing-out design add to

and other native plantings also augment the home’s relaxed, pastoral character.

the doors’ nostalgic appeal, while nearby,

“Working with Jeffery, Steve and Karen

Roberts’ team crafted from reclaimed barn

was just an incredible team opportunity,”

wood a recycling/trash shed. “It looks like

Brian said. “Collaboration is what made this

an antique chicken coop,” Roberts said.

project so special, and successful.”

Throughout the property, Brent and

This series about the Patterson home

Brian Diemer from Everett’s Landscape in

renovation project continues through Sep-

Grand Rapids worked with Roberts and the

tember. Read about reclaimed treasures and

Pattersons to create their French country-

other interior design elements in the June

inspired terrain.

issue of Grand Rapids Magazine.

While a naturally-laid outcropping of Blue River ledgerock cascades from the home’s steep perch down to the shore,

*Homeowners’ names have been changed to protect their privacy.

EDESIGNING HOME” is being presented as a special prelude to Design Home 2012, the ﬁrst custom residence to be built at Wilcox Gardens in East Grand Rapids. In sharing Steve and Karen Patterson’s renovation journey — which culminates in a photographic tour of their French farmhouse on Reeds Lake in the October issue — Grand Rapids Magazine introduces readers to the expert team that is also crafting distinctive, European country-style homes in Wilcox Gardens, as well as the ingenuity and attention to historic detail that will set Design Home 2012 apart. Located within immediate proximity to schools, shopping and recreation, Wilcox Gardens will offer the rare opportunity to build within the land-locked community of East Grand Rapids. This site-condominium development will be a combination of existing and new single-family homes. Jeffery Roberts Homes, in conjunction with Visbeen Associates, Inc., has developed several design concepts for these exceptional historic home sites. Don’t miss this opportunity to build in one of America’s most livable communities. To inquire about available lots in Wilcox Gardens please contact Katie Karczewski at (616) 575-0119.

JEFFERY ROBERTS HOMES

INC

REDESIGNING HOME 2011

Interior elements PART THREE

Between fixtures and products both new and reclaimed, gathered European treasures and innovative techniques, Steve and Karen Patterson’s* extensive Reeds Lake renovation feels like the timeless French country farmhouse it was intended to be. BY LISA M. JENSEN

fter spending 12 years in Europe

custom-made, Woodland Harvest Shutters

along with their now school-age

by Lafayette Venetian Blinds.

son, Steve and Karen Patterson

“Shutters on windows are extremely

accumulated more than their share of cul-

French,” Roberts noted. “The Shade Shop

ture. During the duration of their residency,

was really great about pre-installing them

the couple had collected a prized diversity

in all the bathrooms and private areas of

of French and Belgian antique furniture, art

the home so we could be sure they fit, then

and décor — and a strong desire for their

taking them off so our painters could finish

“new” home back in Michigan to suit these

them to match the woodwork in these vary-

keepsakes’ Old World flair.

ing spaces.”

“We’d also been busy acquiring antique

Roberts worked, too, with Trish Keyzer

architectural elements like the French lime-

from Infusions By Etna on 36th Street in

stone fireplaces and much of the lighting,”

Grand Rapids to select fixtures and faucets

Steve shared. “But if it was a challenge to

that would further enhance the Patterson

create the impression of a French farmhouse

home’s rich, French vintage charm. Products

on the exterior, it was even more so to give

from both Jado and Jaclo lines were ulti-

a 1950s’ American interior that European

mately chosen.

feeling.” East

tile floor and designing heavy, Grand

Rapids-based

builder/

knotty alder wood French

designer and “reclaim” specialist Jeffery

doors which Zeeland Archi-

Roberts couldn’t have been more enticed by

tectural

such a mission if it had been gift-wrapped

hold French iron grills the Pattersons

— which is exactly why the Pattersons

brought back.

chose him to oversee the authentic refurbishing of their Reeds Lake dream home. “In our ‘wish file,’ we had some photos of an old Belgian house that combined old-

custom-built

“We finished these front doors off with

“Jeffery provided a clear idea of what

the home’s original hardware,” Roberts

the homeowners wanted to accomplish as

noted, “as one of many ways to honor the

far as style,” Keyzer said. “He was also able

home’s integrity.”

to reuse existing elements and blend them

wood, wide-plank flooring with slate floors,” Steve said.

with new products to create exactly the look

Sharing The Vision

they wanted.”

Roberts found reclaimed oak timbers,

While the Pattersons communicated

“We found a kitchen faucet from an Ital-

had them sawed into wide-plank floor-

product dimensions and installation ideas

ian maker in Belgium, and Jeffery fit it in,”

ing and added for interest in some por-

primarily from overseas, Roberts paired

Steve illustrated.

tions Montauk slate insets. Other of the

European artifacts he uncrated with new

While brand-new exterior light fixtures

builder/designer’s visionary interior addi-

products that lent always-been-there

chosen from Kichler, Minka, Troy and Hud-

tions included a tin ceiling in the mudroom,

appeal. From The Shade Shop on Leon-

son Valley purchased through Grand Rapids

repurposing several original sinks, a triple

ard Street in Grand Rapids, Barry McKey

Lighting punctuate the home’s Old World

application of dark wax to “age” a new hex-

assisted in the selection and installation of

character outdoors, specialists at Bridge

Wilcox Gardens A place whose time has come, again

“R

Street Electric in Grand Rapids meticulously

heirlooms to their original patinas, replace

refurbished and restored antique light fix-

missing parts with authentic pieces, and

tures the Pattersons and Roberts had collected. “All chandeliers, sconces and lamps imported from Europe needed to be

ultimately, use and enjoy. “My role as an interior designer was to interpret the information and pictures Steve and Karen gave me, and then

rewired (or in some cases,

push the vision beyond what

completely electrified),” Steve

they saw in their mind’s eye,”

shared. “We also needed to

Roberts said. “The vendors we

obtain new shades that would

worked with were all right in

complement some fixtures.”

sync. It’s this team effort that

Since 1929, Bridge Street Electric’s restorative arm has only grown stronger,

resulted in a home that’s so personal and unique, on so many different levels.”

noted owner Deb Dagley, as more customers like the Pattersons are wishing to return recycled lights and family

*Homeowners’ names have been changed to protect their privacy.

JEFFERY ROBERTS HOMES

INC

REDESIGNING HOME 2011

PART FOUR

Finishing touches While restructuring the Pattersons’ 1950s’ cinderblock home along Reeds Lake into the French farmhouse they envisioned was grand in scope, finding and factoring in the final interior details — some no bigger than a cabinet pull — elevated the finished project to a new level altogether. BY LISA M. JENSEN

uring the 12 years Steve and Karen

thought could find a place in the project.

himself, Roberts repurposed these vanity

Patterson resided in Europe, they

These included lots of old porcelain knobs

shelves, tissue holders and hooks in the

became inveterate visitors of the

and bathroom pieces.”

couple’s master bathroom.

Puces — flea markets.

The couple enjoyed sharing their trea-

“We blended such reclaimed antiques in

“These have a wonderful array of quite

sures with East GR builder/designer Jeffery

the home with new hardware from a nos-

nice old ‘junk’ and antiques,” Steve said.

Roberts, whom they hired to oversee their

talgic series at Modern Hardware in Grand

“When we knew we were going to reno-

intensive Reeds Lake home renovation.

Rapids,” he noted. “In the kitchen, a variety

vate the house here in East Grand Rapids,

Distinctively gifted when it comes to

of latches, knobs, long rod bars and exposed

we started collecting bits and pieces we

placing as well as uncovering such finds

hinges create a look that feels ‘collected’

REDESIGNING HOME 2011 essential to achieving the “authentic” aged appeal of furnishings made-to-order by Roberts’ team, and the home’s desired overall ambience. LTD Group owners Larry and Tim Doezema painstakingly applied timeless European hues including “muddy” taupes, greens, grays, creams and some blues in layers, then strategically hand-rubbed and distressed these. “Some rubs may go through to the third color, some down to the bare wood, so you see a natural progression of where human use over years would be. Larry has an eye for this,” Tim noted. “That’s one of over years, though all pieces were chosen

the reasons we love working for Jeffery —

in the same Old World finish.”

he attracts very unique clients, and allows

Prevalent throughout Europe, the natural beauty of quarried stone inspired Karen

you to use skills you’ve been working on for years.”

and Steve’s choice for their kitchen island

The Doezema brothers also custom-

and bar surfaces. Although the Belgian

finished knotty alder doors and moldings

Bluestone they loved overseas couldn’t be

that Roberts selected from Philip Elenbaas

replicated back in the U.S., they discovered

Millwork, Inc. in Grand Rapids. “Elenbaas

the honed, “worn” charms of soapstone at

has a great library of molding profiles,” Rob-

Top of the World Granite in Grand Rapids.

erts said. “While they may not be custom,

The company persistently searched until

combining them in various ways creates a

the perfect cuts were found in Illinois, then

look that is.”

custom-cut honed marble for the handcrafted master bath vanity. “It looks,” Roberts said of the results, “like a vintage piece of furniture.”

French Connections

Although much collaboration and skill throughout the Pattersons’ completed home infuses every space in some way with eyecatching character channeled from another era, modern-day amenities including stateof-the-art appliances from Gerrit’s in Wyo-

Combining the right paint hues, stains,

ming co-exist seamlessly. “To create an Old

waxes, oils and specialty finishes was

World kitchen,” Roberts illustrated, “we’ve concealed them behind wood.” What visitors notice instead are elements like the hand-painted backsplash. Found and selected by Roberts to echo tiles the couple saw in Brussels, each was installed in turn according to the designer’s

Redesigning Home is being presented as a special prelude to Design Home 2012, a Jeffery Roberts/Wayne Visbeen collaboration. Supportive artisans, craftsman, vendors and suppliers that make Redesigning Home possible are: Jeffery Roberts www.jefferyroberts.com, (616) 454-9490 Katie Karczewski www.katie-k.com, (616) 575-0119 Standale Lumber www.standalelumber.com, (616) 453-8207 Gerrit’s Appliance www.gerritsappliances.com (616) 532-3626 EPS Security www.epssecurity.com, (616) 459-0281 Infusion by Etna infusionshowrooms.com, (616) 245-0808 The Shade Shop www.theshadeshop.hdwfg.com (616) 459-4693 Top of the World Granite www.topoftheworldgranite.com (616) 791-7444 Everett’s Landscape www.everettslandscape.com (616) 698-8064 Overhead Door Company of Grand Rapids www.overheaddoorgr.com, (616) 261-0300 Grand Rapids Lighting Center www.grandrapidslighting.com (616) 949-4931 Elenbaas Millwork www.elenbaasmillwork.com (616) 791-1616 LTD Group (Painting & Specialty Finishes) (616) 299-6563 Bridge Street Electric www.bridgestreetlighting.com (616) 458-4209 Modern Hardware www.modernhardware.com (616) 241-2655 Please look for continuing stories on Redesigning Home in Grand Rapids Magazine. The home will be open for a showcase tour in mid-September with ticket proceeds to beneﬁt the Grand Rapids Chapter of the American Red Cross. More details are soon to come.

plan. “We couldn’t be happier with the finished result,” Steve said. JEFFERY ROBERTS HOMES *Homeowners’ names have been changed to protect their privacy.

INC

REDESIGNING HOME 2011

PART FIVE

A sense of security Nestled into a wooded landscape along Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids, Steve and Karen Patterson’s newly renovated, French country farm home is sheltered by what’s seen and unseen. BY LISA M. JENSEN ome dusk, after the sun casts its

To complement the couple’s French

ids Lighting with nostalgic, square car-

last shimmers of gold across Reeds

country home character, builder/designer

riage lights from the Berkeley Collection by

Lake, an effervescent realm of light

Jeffery Roberts had stacked-stone piers

Minka-Lavery.

emerges throughout Steve and Karen Pat-

built at the driveway’s entrance, while

An evening visit following the gravel

terson’s hilly, wooded landscape. “There’s

reclaimed beams echoing those used else-

stone drive up to the Pattersons’ home is

a long gravel drive from the street to the

where within the home also were posted

further enhanced by strategically placed,

house, and we wanted lighting to guide

along the drive. Both the stone piers and

long-life LED lighting mounted in treetops.

visitors along it,” Steve said.

beams were outfitted through Grand Rap-

Equipped with special blue filters, these

tersons’ home is further monitored

constantly

by EPS for smoke/heat and carbon monoxide, as well as environmental conditions. “A dip in temperature can indicate furnace

failure

while

water-level detection can be an indication of basement flooding,” said David Hood, EPS cast a natural “moonlight” glow through

director of sales and marketing. “Profes-

branches onto key landscape features such

sional monitoring of a smoke alarm system

as the fire pit, water fountain, parterre (for-

also provides peace of mind that the fire

mal) garden and a stone stairway leading

department will be dispatched if needed

down to the beach.

while homeowners are away.”

“Hidden up in the trees, this lighting

Roberts noted that professional monitor-

illuminates the yard below with a soft, full

ing against mayhem of this kind is reward-

moon glow effect,” noted Todd Yonkers,

ed by most insurance companies with

designer for Grand Rapids Lighting, a pre-

substantial credit. “It’s essential to protect

mier supplier of state-of-the-art task and

your lives as well as your investment on all

LED products. “The blue lenses we added

of these different levels,” he said.

also make vegetation look more vibrant, so

A custom system such as the Pattersons’

at night when this light hits, the landscape

is easy to manage as well as cost-effective,

appears lush.”

Hood added. Homeowners can simply arm/

Additional lighting on the property —

disarm their system with a keyfob or be

including low-voltage glows emitting from

able to monitor and control their security

polished copper fixtures by Kichler — is

system — including video surveillance —

set on timers and sensors as well to give

from their cell phone or an Internet source

the homeowners flexibility and individual

through EPS Total Connect.

control.

“EPS utilizes the latest in communica-

“Outside lighting is important to the

tion technologies with a cellular/Internet

appearance of the home and grounds at

communication path, rather than standard

night,” Steve noted, “but also to a feeling of

phone lines,” Hood said. “This provides the

well-being and security.”

quickest, most efficient means of communi-

Extra Measures of Protection

“R

eDesigning Home” is being presented as a special prelude to Design Home 2012, the first custom residence to be built at Wilcox Gardens in East Grand Rapids. Since 2003, Grand Rapids Magazine has been showcasing the region’s premier custom home builders, architects, designers and suppliers via our Design Home program. While open houses and VIP events have helped raise more than $120,000 in charitable contributions to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, DeVos Children’s Hospital and Camp Blodgett, proceeds from a special tour of the Pattersons’ French farmhouse at Reeds Lake on Sept. 22, 2011 will benefit the Grand Rapids Chapter of the American Red Cross. This spring, the American Red Cross launched 41 large disaster responses across 28 states in the wake of devastating wildfires, flooding and tornadoes. Since March 31, the nation’s largest independent, non-profit humanitarian organization: •Deployed more than 11,000 trained disaster relief workers from all 50 states. •Served more than 2.6 million meals and snacks. •Opened more than 260 shelters and provided 28,000 overnight stays. •Provided more than 60,000 mental health and health consultations. •Handed out more than 1.2 million relief items and clean-up supplies. The American Red Cross of Greater Grand Rapids also offers community services to help the needy; provides support and comfort for military members and their families; collects, processes and distributes lifesaving blood and blood products; provides educational programs that promote health and safety; and offers overseas relief and development aid. To learn more, visit www.redcrossgr.org or call (616) 456-8661.

cating with our central station.” This series about the Patterson home

While a home alarm system from EPS Secu-

renovation project concludes with a special

rity in Grand Rapids warns against intrusion

photographic tour in the October issue of

— and new innovations from glass-break

Grand Rapids Magazine.

detectors to activation of various home JEFFERY ROBERTS HOMES

devices such as stereos and televisions can be built into a system that’s customized by EPS’s in-house design team — the Pat-

*Homeowners’ names have been changed to protect their privacy.

INC

REDESIGNING HOME 2011

PART SIX

Keys to authenticity Design ingenuity, creative collaboration, expert craftsmanship and quality products merge in Jeffery Roberts Homes’ distinctive French farmhouse-themed home on Reeds Lake. BY LISA M. JENSEN oted for her discerning knowledge

Combining unique skills, insights and

com) crafted the home’s authentic, French-

of historic homes in East Grand

ingenuity as a builder and a designer with

inspired board-and-batten shutters, as well

Rapids, veteran Keller Williams

an unparalleled ability to recycle, reuse and

as provided Old World-styled casement

Realtor Katie Karczewski (Katie K, www.

reclaim existing space and architectural

windows from Jeld-Wen and decorative,

katie-k.com) recognized in a vacated, 1950s’

elements, Jeffery Roberts (www.jeffery

maintenance-free trim and ceilings for the

cinderblock house along Reeds Lake the

roberts.com) oversaw every aspect of the

screened porch and garage.

foundation for Steve and Karen Patterson’s

Pattersons’ extensive home renovation and

dream home: a farmhouse that authentically

landscape design.

replicated those they admired in the French countryside.

Family-owned and operated since 1948, Gerrit’s Appliances (www.gerritsapplianc

Equipped with a full-service mill shop,

es.com) offered the Pattersons an extensive

Standale Lumber (www.standalelumber.

product selection, added savings through

Nationwide buying group, and delivery and

style doors from Clopay’s Coachman Collec-

installation of their state-of-the-art choices,

tion were installed by the Overhead Door

which are concealed behind wood in the

Company of Grand Rapids (www.over

kitchen to promote Old World appeal.

gheaddoorgr.com). Providing an R-Value

The in-house design team at EPS Secu-

of 9.0, these doors lend nostalgic charac-

rity (www.epssecuirty.com) created the

ter while helping to contain this heated

Pattersons’ comprehensive custom security

garage’s warmth.

system, which the homeowners can easily

Grand Rapids Lighting Center (www.

monitor and control from a cell phone or

grandrapidslighting.com) enhanced the

Internet source. EPS’s central station also

farmhouse’s Old World appeal with “old”

constantly monitors the home for smoke/

looking, brand-new exterior fixtures includ-

heat, carbon monoxide and environmental

ing square carriage lights and outfitted the

conditions.

landscape with innovative products such as

Infusions By Etna (www.infusion showrooms.com) worked in tandem with

blue filtered LED “moon” lights mounted in treetops.

Roberts to select fixtures and faucets that

The diversity of ready-made, classic

blended with original elements to enhance

wood moldings offered by Ellenbaas Mill-

the farmhouse’s French vintage charm.

work (www.elenbaasmillwork.com) imparts

The long-established company specializes

in varying combinations on ceilings, wood-

in luxury plumbing products and guiding

work and doors unique yet united character

clients to options that best fit their needs.

from room to room.

Certified in the latest products and tech-

LTD Group Painting & Specialty

nology being innovated by Hunter Doug-

Finishes (616-299-6563) painstakingly

las, The Shade Shop (www.theshadeshop

applied timeless European hues in layers

hdwfg.com) assisted in the selection and

on furnishings crafted by Roberts’ team,

installation of French-inspired, custom-

then hand-rubbed and distressed these to

made shutters. Pre-installing the shutters

infuse “authentic” aged appeal. This team’s

to ensure a proper fit, then removing them

expertise with paints, washes, stains and

for Roberts’ artisans to finish, underscores

waxes throughout the farmhouse fuels its

a dedication to customer satisfaction that

century-old ambience.

began in 1935.

Specialists at Bridge Street Electric

Appreciating the love of stone acquired

(www.bridgestreetlighting.com) refurbished

by the Pattersons while residing for more

and restored antique light fixtures the Pat-

than a decade in Europe, Top of the World

tersons and Roberts had collected, including

Granite (www.topoftheworldgranite.com)

rewiring or newly electrifying all chande-

persistently searched for the perfect cuts

liers, sconces and lamps. Since 1929, the

of soapstone, finding them in Illinois, then

company’s restorative arm has only grown

custom-cut honed marble for the master

stronger as more customers reclaim family

bath vanity.

heirlooms and recycle lights.

Collaborating with Roberts and the Pat-

A nostalgic product series from Modern

tersons, Everett’s Landscape (www.ever

Hardware

ettslandscape.com) created the farmhouse’s

that includes a variety of latches, knobs,

inviting, French country-inspired terrain

long rod bars and exposed hinges lends a

using elements including naturally-laid out-

relaxed, “collected over the years” feel in

croppings of Blue River ledgerock, raised

the kitchen, and merges seamlessly with

stone planting beds, manicured boxwood,

repurposed antiques.

Insulated steel and composite carriage-

french farmhouse reception

and tour to benefit:

ince 2003, Grand Rapids Magazine has been showcasing the regions premier custom home builders, architects, designers and suppliers via our Design Home program. All the while, Design Home open houses and VIP events have helped raise over $120,000 in charitable contributions to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, DeVos Children’s Hospital, Camp Blodgett and now the American Red Cross. The current Design Home program couples builder/designer Jeffery Robert’s expansive vision of Wilcox Gardens with his acumen for re-designing a heritage Reeds Lake home. Homes in France blush at the authenticity he captured in his French farmhouse design. Grand Rapids Magazine invites you to experience Jeffery’s artistry ﬁrst-hand during an exclusive private tour September 22. All proceeds beneﬁt the American Red Cross. You’ll be wined, dined and exhilarated, all the while doing your part to help those who never question helping us.

French Farmhouse Reception and Tour Date/Time: September 22, 2011 6 PM – 9 PM Tickets: $125 each Special VIP Tickets (limited to 16): $225 each Authentic French Cuisine and Pastries provided by:

Special Live Auction to Benefit American Red Cross For tickets and more information please contact: Amanda Meldrum American Red Cross of Greater Grand Rapids (616) 456-8661 ext. 3608 Order tickets online at: american.redcross.org/redesigninghome2011

(www.modernhardware.com)

lavender and reclaimed items including a European fountain.

REDESIGNING HOME 2011

*Homeowners’ names have been changed to protect their privacy.

Learn more about Design Home at www.grmag.com

JEFFERY ROBERTS HOMES

INC