Design Project: Whole Home Design
By Peg: I recently had the privilege of helping clients design their new home from scratch, and I’m taking you along for the ride!
Starting over, especially when it was not anything you ever imagined doing, requires flexibility. That was one objective with this floorplan. Going from a home with a finished basement to one where a basement is no longer an option required a floorplan and furnishings that can live large but still feel cozy when it is just the 2 of them. Plenty of saturated color in the furniture and accessories will bring a sense of joy and relaxation with them.
EXTERIOR: Quite often we find that the exterior of the home, as well as the location, influence our interior finish selections. That is true of this project as well. The setting overlooks the water and the exterior colors are a combination of black board and baton along with smoky off-white siding and natural wood-look trim.
FLOORING: Natural but dramatic, the hybrid flooring from Karastan used throughout the great room, den and hallway has a durable baked-on finish yet is truly water resistant. The natural hickory finish has movement and character but is still somewhat simple. The tumbled natural stone on the fireplace looks great with the views of nature seen through the large expanse of windows.
GREAT ROOM: The great room is indeed large. However, we laid it out in a way that allows for smaller conversation areas within that space. An intimate cluster of 3 chairs around a shared ottoman invites coffee and conversation. The leather Natuzzi chairs swivel, to allow for viewing the water and are supremely comfortable with a built-in lumbar feature. The Smith Brothers sectional will seat a big crew. It has a deeper seat and loose pillow back for those Sunday afternoon naps. The triple cocktail group has 2 tables that can pivot closer to the guest for easy reach and an ottoman that tucks neatly into the tables when not in use. The Hooker leather recliner has a great view of the fireplace, TV, and of course the huge windows overlooking the lake. It is not only triple power, that includes lumbar, but also features a pair of tastefully hidden stainless steel cupholders.
DINING ROOM: The dining room is generous and allows for an Amish-made table and upholstered chairs that seats 10 easily. The finishing process makes it family-friendly since the catalyzed varnish cures over time helping to block out moisture and stains. A bookshelf neatly curves back into the corner for splashes of colorful accessories and photography.
KITCHEN: Knotty alder kitchen cabinets in a rich nutty brown are topped with a matte black Cambria countertop. A ribbed black backsplash tile surrounds the black metal windows.
DEN: A cozy den was part of the plan as well. If someone wants to curl up and watch a movie during football season it is no problem at all. A modular sofa with chaise from HF Custom is in a fabric that resembles a mohair jacket but has all the practicality that the polyester fibers bring with it. A pair of curved bookcases flank the fireplace where family pictures can smile back from between the books. The fireplace in the Den has a playful wood texture to tie in with the curved wooden bookcases that flank it. The fresh colors of the landscape art reinforce the casual, welcoming feeling of this lake home.
BEDROOMS: The primary bedroom is carpeted in a subtle windowpane plaid, as is the guest room. The 2 bedrooms are completed with solid Amish bedroom sets. The drawers have full extension glides so you will never be battling a stubborn drawer again. The styling and finishes are as clean and stylish as today’s modern homes. The stains and finishes are smooth as glass, durable, and available in anything from matte to soft sheens. Each design style is uniquely its own when customized in wood type and finish selection. The wide sides on the bed itself cover the box spring and allow any bedspread or comforter to lay out beautifully each time you make that bed.
PRIMARY BATHROOM: The primary bath is awash with color! The handcrafted look of the blue tile is used as the shower walls and the base of the tub deck, and a blend of colors in the natural stone used as the shower floor. Cambria creates the top of the deck surface as well as the countertop surface. The striking coloration of the veining is enhanced by the hand-blown pendant lighting above the counters.
GUEST BATHROOM: The guest bathroom has floor to ceiling porcelain tile mural panels as the back wall of the shower, earthy colored tiles for the shower floor, and fresh green wall tiles.
GARAGE: It will come as a bit of a surprise to some that even the garage floor is tiled in a graphic design, combining companion porcelain tiles with a terrazzo look. This will not only hold up to vehicle traffic and moisture that accompanies our winter weather, but can be hosed down and serve as an attractive background when hosting a REALLY large group.
Whether you’re building a new home, are ready to update one room in your home, or anything in between, the Designers are Vander Berg Furniture are here for you!
Our Design Services are free of charge for all of our customers, and we bring a ton of experience in room layout, selecting flooring and paint colors, finding furniture pieces that fit well in your space and your life, and finishing touches to mix with your personal items. We’ll help you select comfortable, durable furnishings that will create a welcoming home for decades to come.
Click here for more info about our design services, then stop in, call or email us to set up an appointment with one of our Designers!
