Living Bigger in the Not-So-Big House

TEXT BY LAUREN CARLSON PHOTOS BY VIA DESIGN

When Scott and Sue Sikkema made the decision to downsize from their 3200-square-foot house on the Northeast side of Grand Rapids, neither imagined the complex, threeyear project that would ultimately see them content and cozy in a renovated 1650-square-foot home in East Grand Rapids.

Or, that their perfect place would take shape out of an existing rental property that Scott has owned for the past 30 years.

“We thought it was going to be a lot of sacrifice,” said Scott, who found that this new project — and his family's new lifestyle — actually allows them to live bigger by maximizing storage space, prioritizing the things that really matter and intentionally crafting a home that fulfills the need to live with purpose.

REAL ESTATE BACKGROUND In 1989, when Scott had freshly earned his undergrad, he purchased the home on Wealthy near Eastown and lived there for the subsequent 12 years with a series of roommates. Even after moving out, he maintained the income property without making any major renovations over the next two decades. Meanwhile, he was building his career in design and manufacturing within a series of local companies.

Thirteen years ago he founded Cleo, a commercial cabinetry company that, for the majority of its 13 years, focused on the office segment for local businesses.

However, when COVID-19 all but halted commercial development as quarantine mandates forced office workers home, Scott and his staff began to shift into creating custom looks for residential consumers. These residential cabinets, adapted from commercial solutions in the same Europeanmodular inspired design, offer a higher-value option and a quicker turnaround than most custom companies. Scott accomplishes this by staying local, fabricating at a nearby factory in northeast Grand Rapids. “We aren't trying to sell outside of Western Michigan,” said Scott.

In addition to expanding into the residential market — which now makes up 90 percent of their business — Cleo recently added a new collection of materials and finishes to their designs. This nimbleness and recent success has positioned the company to quickly reenter the commercial business when it eventually returns. “We're eager for the office segment to come back,” said Scott.

A FAMILY AFFAIR In their new/old East Grand Rapids home, Sue and Scott utilized Cleo cabinetry in almost every space to account for the decrease in square footage and need for storage. Much of this is reflected in the kitchen, where clean, white, floor-to-ceiling cabinets take center stage. By integrating custom solutions, "We were able to be really carefree and deliberate with storage," said Sue.

The simple, open design — featuring an island topped in Quartz and illuminated by bronze light fixtures — makes the kitchen seem larger than its square footage. Sue, who did all of the painting herself, chose to incorporate warm taupes, engineered oak flooring and plenty of bright whites throughout the home, accomplishing a warm and inviting atmosphere.

“I really wanted it to be neutral,” said Sue. “And,to be easily updated with accessories and furnishings.”

In addition to pleasing aesthetics, “This kitchen is so functional,” said Sue, whose home office is just steps away. The kitchen opens onto the home's back deck, letting in plenty of natural light and making it extremely inviting — the true heart of the home. “It's just so central to everything,” she added.

Understanding the needs of this family of four was essential to this unique downsizing project, which is why a partnership with Scott's sister Valerie Schmieder, founder and principal interior designer of Via Design, was a no-brainer for this project. "I knew their lifestyle already," said Valerie.

Valerie founded Via in 1990 as a singular interior designer with no employees. Within the first year, she had hired an intern and a receptionist, and steadily added at least one employee per subsequent year.

"I knew the company would change and I love working with people," she said. In 2010 she and co-owner Brian Barkwell joined forces with Scott in the founding of Cleo Cabinetry. "We have a lot of overlap, of course," said Valerie about her brother, who also serves as Via's CFO. Each of their unique skillsets — as well as their shared knowledge in both residential and commercial construction, design and finishings — strengthen each company's offerings and successes.

"Working with family is super fun," said Valerie.

"It's been an outstanding partnership," added Scott.

MAKING INTENTIONAL SPACES But before this family team even started crafting

The simple, open design of the kitchen features an island topped in Quartz from Great Lake Granite Works and is illuminated by bronze light fixtures. The space opens to the back deck making dining alfresco very convenient. Engineered oak flooring complements both the warm taupes and bright whites found throughout the home. Just steps from the kitchen is a space that functions as the home office and is flooded with natural light.

their new living space, Sue intentionally decreased her family's possessions by 70 to 80 percent. "It felt so good," she said. Inspired by the Marie Kondo method of removing items from your life that don't bring you joy, Sue and Scott both felt unburdened by removing the clutter. Sue learned, “I don't want all of this stuff.”

Cutting down on possessions was the first step to transition from 3,200 square-feet to 1,650; then came a design that made the smaller living space functional for the Sikkemas' four-person family, a process that Valerie calls "The decluttering of your life," while at the same time, “Accommodating all the functions of your life.”

The design started as a quick sketch by Valerie and Sue over a glass of wine, and blossomed into a fully fledged renovation that transformed the former rental property, including removing a few walls to open up the main floor.

A two-story addition added 500 square feet to the home — the keystone in this transformative project. The renovation also included a new kitchen, laundry room, office and distinctive powder room on the main level and a primary suite on the upper level. The two-stall garage also increased in size, while the lower level was altered to make room for distinct hobby stations for each family member.

The powder room itself is a striking feature because it departs from the classic neutrals of the rest of the home. With Palmetto Inkwell Blue/Khaki wallpaper accenting an almost antique Alape Sink and mirror, this room offers a welcome retreat for would-be guests.

Valerie also incorporated wallpaper into the home's main entry. Here, a neutral Serena & Lilly design in Feather in Bone is as inviting as it is unique, accented by a large pendant light fixture in bronze and antique brass. By adhering to the Sikkemas' desire to express transitional design — a combination of traditional and modern styles — Valerie achieved an organic representation of their blended preferences.

"Val nailed it," said Sue.

Scott and Sue were most impressed with the deck, onto which visitors first enter the home. "When people come over, they're welcomed in right away," said Sue.

"It's really inviting," added Scott.

ENJOYING OUTDOOR LIVING At their previous property, the Sikkemas lived in an old house with a large yard and a pool. Upkeep for the outdoor spaces was “Extremely time-consuming," said Sue, and Scott noted that fall clean-up typically took as long as three weeks to complete. This extra work decreased the family's enjoyment of their outdoor spaces, which led to designing an easy-to-use, accessible dining/living area in their new backyard. “It’s our

OPPOSITE PAGE: Cleo Cabinetry was utilized in almost every space to account for the need for storage. The closet-size cabinets just off the kitchen and dining area keep the family of four easily organized.

The powder room departs from the classic neutrals of the rest of the home with Palmetto Inkwell Blue/Khaki wallpaper accenting an almost antique Alape Sink and mirror.

The home's main entry features a neutral Serena & Lilly design wallpaper in Feather in Bone.

THIS PAGE: An essential part of the family’s lifestyle, the wood burning fireplace, by Brixstone Masonry, is a Petite Rumford, real masonry fireplace in exterior black.

most used living space in warmer months.” The raised platform is large enough to house an entire six-person dining table and chairs, as well as an additional seating area. Located directly off the kitchen and accessible by a sliding door, this dining feature is ideal for outdoor entertainment.

Sue and Scott created the landscaping feature themselves, building a full-length boxwood privacy wall featuring easy-to-care-for ornamental grasses. The green, wood and black accents of this outdoor feature contrast neatly with the James Hardie board and batten siding, a hardy material carefully chosen by Scott. "It's a cement product. It lasts forever," he said.

FINDING HOME One element that the Sikkemas sought to maintain from their previous lifestyle was the wood burning fireplace. Making room for a fireplace on the main floor, Scott chose Brixstone Masonry to build the Petite Rumford, real masonry fireplace in exterior black. "He did a phenomenal job on that," said Scott.

“At our old house, we loved the fireplace,” said Sue. “Now,” she added, “we have a fire almost every night in the fall and winter."

Aside from the fireplace, much of the family's lifestyle has changed ... and for the better. “We have no plans of even shopping or looking around," said Scott. “[This house] completely fulfills all our needs."

He added that the family has much more free time due to decreased maintenance, and fewer expenses due to the home's smaller foot- print. The couple's two children, now 16 and 13, enjoy the walkability of their new home's location, and frequently visit local favorites like Reeds Lake and Wilcox Park. Initially unsure about the transition from suburban to village living, “Now they've really embraced it,” said Sue.

The couple was also happy to renovate a rental property in long need of some TLC. “It felt good to repurpose it ... and give it a new life,” she added. ❂ “This house will now serve the way people live for generations to come, or the ‘next 100 years.’”

The two-story addition added 500 square feet to the home that includes a new, primary suite on the upper level with a spacious bathroom designed with classic style and yet a contemporary vibe.

Warm taupes, engineered oak flooring and clean whites are found throughout the home, accomplishing a warm and inviting atmosphere. The neutral palette is a perfect backdrop for favorite furnishings and accessories. RESOURCE INDEX

ARCHITECTURE & INTERIOR DESIGN Via Design,

CABINETRY & MILLWORK CLEO COUNTERTOPS Great Lakes Granite Works

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.

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West Michigan’s leader in quality assurance and customer satisfaction. Offering full service design, fabrication and installation.

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