digital exclusive
ANNALEIGH™
GRATEFUL AND GROUNDED
Grace Start, design lead at Jean Stoffer Design, expands on the process of freshening up this historic Michigan home for modern buyers without sacrificing character or small-town sensibility. By M O N I Q U E K L E I N H U I Z E N | Photography by J O H N S T O F F E R
DESIGNER G R A C E S TA R T LIVED IN THE SAME HOUSE HER ENTIRE CHILDHOOD—BUT HER MOM, DESIGN MOGUL JEAN STOFFER, WAS CONSTANTLY RENOVATING. Seeing that process unfold and having it be a part of everyday life shaped how Start approaches design as well as life with her own young family. When she and her husband, Ted, took on the full remodel of a century-old home in their former hometown of Zeeland,
D-68 |
C A M B R I A
S T Y L E
Michigan, they wanted to create beauty and flow without letting go of the classic character of the home or the community that surrounds it. There were some structural, plumbing, and electrical issues. And the home needed new insulation. They channeled most of their time and budget into practical improvements that’ll allow the home to function well for the next 100 years. They stacked new staircases under windows
V I N TA G E C H A R M
The Cambria-clad range alcove is a mix of beauty and function, creating drama while masking a utilitarian exhaust hood. Grease and smoke are whisked away, with ample elbow room on either side.