Winter 2017 RENOVATE Grand Rapids

RENOVATE

GRAND RAPIDS

THE 2017 RENOVATION OF THE YEAR

timeless AGAIN

BY KENOWA BUILDERS a NEWVIEW publication

3850 29th Street SE Kentwood, MI 49512 616.532.4131

2410 28th St. SW Wyoming, MI 49519 616.532.3626

www.gerritsappliances.com

Mike Rozzano • miker@CreatedControl.com

timeless AGAIN THE 2017 RENOVATION OF THE YEAR Renovations are happening everywhere. It's nearly impossible to turn on our TVs and not catch a glimpse of an outdated home's transformation. People are utilizing what they like and ejecting what they don't. The older the home, the bigger the challenge this becomes as condition and function are added considerations. Timeless character and the charm of decades past are nearly impossible to replace yet modern conveniences are painful to live without. Melding the two is one of today's new art forms and this feature renovation showcases the best of it all.

RENOVATE magazine has awarded it the first annual “Renovation of the Year� and it's easy to see why.

WRITTEN BY SARAH PUPEL PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOHN STOFFER

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hat began nearly a century ago is now reborn with its best characteristics preserved. The modern luxuries of today blend seamlessly with the most desirable historic elements of the home. The good bones of this timeless house now support something beautifully refreshing yet true to its original form.

Cory Wyma headed up this immense undertaking with his team from Kenowa Builders. Wyma, along with interior designer Jean Stoffer and architectural designer Jeff Visser, comprise the wellrounded selection of experts. Wyma has been a part of Kenowa Builders his whole life. “My dad started doing this right out of high school,” said Wyma. “And has done it for 35 years and his father-in-law before that, so we’ve been around for about 50 years.”

Over those years, Kenowa Builders has built a reputation on great quality and seamless execution.

The key to their success is their attention to detail on every project. This extensive renovation, with most of the finishes coming from the Chicago area, was no exception. As a Parade home, it was crucial to stay on schedule with no margin for error. That is a tall task for most but, the exquisite details within this beauty, make it obvious that Wyma has “attention-to-detail” down to a science.

Jeff Visser's architectural designs consist of mostly new construction. However, this home was exceptional. “The house overall had good bones,” said Visser. “It had built-in character but we had to try to do everything we could within the walls that are here — trying to capture everything we could within that space. We wanted great detail but still make it feel live-big.”

Stoffer was hired based on a tour of her own home during a block party the homeowners attended.

They hadn’t been able to define the feeling they wanted for their new home, but they felt it immediately at Stoffer's. Fairly new to Michigan, Stoffer has a strong resource base for design in Chicago which partly explains some of the home's finish choices (not often seen in West Michigan).

The approach to the design of the home was not to make drastic changes to the floor plan but to make each room have a purpose and layer it with detail.

The team had a goal of preserving the architectural integrity of the house while modernizing it — most of the home can be controlled from the owners' smart phones when home or away.

From the outside, the home makes a subtle statement. Although the white siding with classic shutters is more traditional, the addition of copper gutters and rainspouts adds a whimsical element to the exterior. A lot of work went into clearing away overgrowth in order to create a circle drive and more tailored landscaping.

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The kitchen includes unique features including a mix of walnut and Cambria Quartz (that looks like Carrara marble) for the countertops, both with waterfall edges on the island. The navy cabinets are unexpected yet suit the design. The bar transitions to a richer look with a vintage mirror backsplash.

With the open concept to the dining room and family room, large-scale features help define each space.

The entry has a simple herringbone tile, but don’t let that fool you. The use of color and pattern in the flooring creates a fun surprise around every corner. The main living areas have custom, wideplank European white oak floors to keep a serene and cohesive feeling, but there is no shortage of fabulous tile work throughout the rest of the home. The use of bold color and pattern keeps one wondering what's next.

The formal living room is the first space to command attention. Deep charcoal walls with rich velvet sofas make this room feel luxurious and inviting.

The original fireplace is still intact, but it has been converted to be two-sided. The dark walls are balanced with the natural light that flows from the main living space and the sunroom.

The sunroom is a fun surprise around the corner.

Aside from the bold flooring in black and white, this room is the beneficiary of the two-sided fireplace shared with the formal living room. The heated floors make it even cozier during many of Michigan’s chillier months.

Across the main hall is the office, also featuring a charcoal wall color but balanced with more natural light and white wainscoting. The furnishings are clean and simple but functional for two. The character spills back out to the foyer through the use of an 8-foot-wide sliding barn door that was salvaged from Chicago. Simple in style, it provides privacy when needed but also introduces the fun, large scale consistent throughout many of the home’s features.

The kitchen received much well-deserved attention during the Parade of Homes. Very unique features such as the vintage-mirror clad refrigerator panels and a grand, custom hood add plenty of personality.

With the open concept to the dining room and family room, the large-scale features help define each space. The mix of walnut and Cambria Quartz (that looks like Carrara marble) combined with modern elements like the waterfall edges on the countertops shows how beautifully different styles can meld. The navy cabinets are unexpected yet suit the design. An innovative feature of the cooktop area is the addition of secret sliding panels in the backsplash that hide the spices. No detail was missed with this kitchen.

The butler’s pantry is crisp white with a playful fixture that casts fun shadows on everything. The bar is across from the pantry and transitions to a richer look with deep tones in the cabinets and vintage mirror backsplash.

The family room is part of the open living space, and provides a more intimate feel without the use of walls. Wyma and Stoffer both tell the story of the doubt that arose with the installation of the gigantic pendant in the center of the space. No furniture was in place yet and equipment and workers still utilized the space. The homeowners started wondering if the wrong size was ordered.

But Stoffer assured them that once everything came together it would make perfect sense.

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came together it would make perfect sense.

“If the homeowners had doubts about anything throughout this process, I would assure them that it was the right thing, and they never questioned it again. I’m grateful they had complete confidence in me,” said Stoffer.

The true testament to a great team built on trust is when a homeowner lets go of the reins and allows the experts to do what they do. Now that the room is finished with some classic upholstered pieces, nothing else could have felt as right. Since no one wants to see the TV with a design like this home has, it is hidden in a cabinet and will surface via remote.

The entire open space showcases reclaimed barn beams from the Civil War that span the entire space.

The dining room is understated and set to entertain with a long dining table and classic Danish chairs.

A cozy double bed hangs from thick nautical rope on the screened porch. It is a great spot to relax yet still be part of the party outside, as the backyard is set up perfectly to entertain. The potential of this home’s outdoor space was shrouded in overgrowth and stagnant water, but the team had vision. After cleaning up the brush and installing bubblers in the water, the entire landscape began to become a feature instead of an eyesore. The backyard was designed to not only fit the family’s lifestyle but also to provide privacy where needed.

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From the outside, the home makes a subtle statement. Although the white siding with classic shutters, painted by Meulenberg Painting, is more traditional, the addition of copper gutters and rainspouts adds a whimsical element. The use of concrete and cedar not only unifies the outdoor living spaces but also adds a modern twist.

The sunroom features bold flooring in black and white and is heated giving the room a cozier feel during Michigan’s chillier months. This room is also the beneficiary of a two-sided fireplace shared with the formal living room.

A cozy double bed hangs from thick nautical rope on the screened porch.

It is a great spot to relax yet still be part of the party outside, as the backyard is set up perfectly to entertain.

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The hot tub is tucked behind and below the cozy fire pit area through the strategic placement of built-in bench seating that houses the firewood.

The grill area is another testament to how seriously the homeowners take their cuisine. The use of concrete and cedar were the perfect selections to not only unify the outdoor living spaces but also add a modern twist without taking away too much from the original style of the home.

The back of the home features a playful tile flooring that carries throughout the entire space. The “mud room” is unique in that it is very open and offers all the storage one could ever need while also housing a washer and dryer and a large laundry sink. The bold tile flows into the powder room, simply appointed with a large Kohler sink in a vintage design. The absence of cabinetry allows the white-tiled wall with dark grout, in a classic herringbone pattern, to run from floor to ceiling beautifully.

The bonus room is a spacious playroom where the kids can go and play in so many ways. There is a custom rock wall, a loft space for reading or hiding, and an area for watching a movie in cushy beanbags. This space will easily transition as the boys grow up.

The railings to the upper level are sculptural, custom created from wrought iron and brass in a classic motif. As you head upstairs, the black doors and white walls instantly add a fun element to the home. It is a unique detail that really works as a way to add modern personality to a space that would typically be all about function.

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The owner bedroom makes a big impact as you enter the vaulted space from its private vestibule.

The pleasant surprise of the openness along with the deep earth tones make this bedroom instantly feel like a serene escape. The vaulted ceiling originated from a ceiling-height issue for the tall homeowners. Visser had to structurally redesign the now-exposed ceiling while keeping the roofline the same. The oversized window seat is loaded with soft textures, the perfect place to start and end the day. The reclaimed wood shelving and exposed beams along with the grasscloth wallcovering warm up the entire space.

Around the corner is the owner bath, luxuriously decked out with a steam shower and elongated freestanding tub, a very sleek touch to the room in an otherwise narrow space. The tile selections are a nod to the 1920s with the black and white color scheme, mosaic floors, and subway tile in the shower. Dual vanities showcase inset cabinets and an entire wall of dramatic black tile set in a herringbone pattern. The spacious walk-in closet is situated between the vanities and features a large island surrounded by significant hanging space.

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The remaining bedrooms are all decked out with custom built-in storage and deep, rich wall colors, perfect for a nursery and children’s bedrooms.

The rooms were intentionally left on the small side during this renovation to encourage the

The back of the home features a playful tile flooring that carries throughout the entire space. The “mud room� is open and bright and offers ample storage. The powder room, simply appointed with a large Kohler sink in a vintage design. The absence of cabinetry allows the white-tiled wall with dark grout, in a classic herringbone pattern, to run from floor to ceiling beautifully.

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The owner bedroom makes a big impact with its openness and use of deep earth tones. The oversized window seat is loaded with soft textures.

Reclaimed wood shelving and exposed beams along with the grasscloth wallcovering warm up the entire space.

The owner bath is luxuriously decked out with tile selections that are a nod to the 1920s.

The black and white color scheme is dramatic with the mosaic floors and an entire wall of black tile set in a herringbone pattern.

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family to spend more time in the family areas of the home.

The kids’ bath is on par with the cool factor in the rest of the house. The color palette is tame and neutral, but the mix of modern geometric patterns with classic subway tile creates a playful juxtaposition. The creative dividing vanity wall allows privacy and keeps the commode out of view.

The upstairs laundry is a smart addition for any family, especially one with three boys. This space proves that good things really do come in small spaces. The bright and bold flooring along with the large window gives life to this utilitarian space, while the dark cabinets and simple white subway tile is ready for work.

The lower level shows a creative solution to a very common problem in old homes: low ceilings.

Since they were upgrading the utilities and would need better insulation, they furred out the walls and housed everything in that, leaving the ceiling height at its maximum. The casual living space provides a great place to entertain, but the bar is the real place to be.

The bar in the lower level features a show-stopping live-edge walnut countertop that appears to be floating between the columns. The walnut was actually harvested from the property during the renovation. The bar would not be complete without its enclosed wine cellar. The glass door with custom bottle display and upholstered seating are a tease to come relax surrounded by great wine.

The lower level bathroom plays with geometric patterns with a neutral palette.

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The general consensus of this team is that they all felt a dedication to enhancing the original home in a way that brought it into today. Stoffer sums up her feelings by saying, “I am so grateful to have worked with everyone involved, and it was really the best team I’ve ever experienced.” When someone feels that way about your home, you know that their heart will be in everything they do for you.

The success of this project is proof of that. ❂

RESOURCE INDEX BUILDER Kenowa Builders ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Jeff Visser INTERIOR DESIGN Jean Stoffer APPLIANCES Gerrit’s Appliance FINISH HARDWARE Modern Hardware FLOORING Century Flooring GARAGE DOORS Security Door PAINTING Meulenberg Painting

The formal living room commands attention with its deep, charcoal walls and rich, velvet sofas.

The original fireplace is still intact but has been converted to be dual-sided. The dark walls are balanced with the natural light that flows from the main living space and the sunroom.