Grand Rapids-based designer Jean Stoffer says she has a special place in her heart for renovations. She’s worked on hundreds of them throughout her career, and says her clients are about evenly split between new-builds and remodels. “I love both,” she enthuses. “There are special things you can do with a new-build that you can’t with the restraints of a remodel.”
Remodels offer different benefits, Stoffer notes. “In addition to really enjoying the uniqueness of each of these homes, I get satisfaction from restoring and redeeming something that others would discard,” she says.
A project she recently worked on for a suburban Grand Rapids family is a great example. Built 20 years ago, the home “is on a wonderful piece of land with woods and rolling hills,” the designer explains. “The windows all across the back have a great view and it’s exceptionally beautiful year-round. The house also had gracious-sized rooms in good locations.” That’s the good news. The bad news is that the finishes were very dated, and the floor plan included many angled hallways and rooms — something that’s typical for homes built in the late ’90s and early 2000s. Stoffer says the angles created wasted space and difficult room shapes, and points out that over-scaled moldings and interior columns also dated the home.
The busy family — which includes two teenage boys and two yellow labs — purchased the 6,000-square-foot Ranch-style home in 2009 when they moved to Grand Rapids from the East Coast. “We loved a lot of things about the house, starting with the location,” says Jill Conrad, who purchased the house with her husband, Chris. “It sits on about 8 acres across from a horse farm. It’s quiet and secluded, yet just a few minutes from downtown Ada and another 20 from downtown Grand Rapids.” The couple also “really liked the footprint of the house,” she says. “It doesn’t look very big from the street, but it opens up once you’re inside.”
The family lived with the house for 12 years before deciding to renovate. They knew Stoffer was right for them after following her on social media. “We particularly loved the English influence in her work, along with her transitional style — something we felt was timeless. While we wanted the house to look updated and relevant, we didn’t want anything that was trendy. Our goal was to pick a designer and style we’d love in five, 10, or 20 years as much as we loved it on day one.”
The original plan was to start with the kitchen and primary bathroom, but once the couple met Stoffer, the project grew. “Ultimately, it was Jean’s vision for the entire main floor that convinced us,” Jill Conrad explains.
Stoffer’s goals included updating the home’s aesthetic and changing the layout of the rooms that get the most use, including the kitchen, mudroom, and master suite. The renovation also included reworking the floor plan, as well as changing every finish in every room on the main floor.
The family was inspired by another project Stoffer completed in a similar home. “It opened their eyes to what could be possible with their own home,” the designer says, adding that both she and the Conrads “were very inspired by eclectic interiors that have a combination of classic and modern elements.”
“First and foremost, we wanted an awesome kitchen,” Conrad explains. “That’s where we spend so much of our time, and it’s the center of our home and our lives. We wanted it designed for both the cooks and guests — thoughtful design, plenty of room to move around, and great appliances.” Stoffer delivered on all fronts, she says. “It’s all great space and modern in convenience, while timeless in design. We love the mix of materials (including) nickel, unlacquered brass, soapstone, and quartzite, along with the light fixtures. While it’s a big space and there’s a lot going on in the room — a large island, coffee bar, breakfast nook, range alcove — it all fits together so well.”
The primary bathroom and closet were also reimagined. Both had a small footprint and the bathroom lacked a bathtub, which is something the homeowners wanted. Stoffer borrowed space from an office and the primary bedroom. “It’s amazing how efficiently Jean used the space,” Conrad says. “We got everything we needed.”
Stoffer says her favorite areas are the kitchen, the primary bathroom, and the dining room bar. “The way the kitchen is laid out provides a great workflow for our client, who loves to cook and have people over for dinner. It’s also aesthetically very pleasing with its quiet, mid-toned finishes and beautiful light fixtures. It’s a triumph of elegance and efficiency of space,” she says, adding that there “was a lot we wanted to fit in this footprint, and we were able to do it with architectural interest and interesting finishes. The dining room bar is filled with gorgeous details; the brass grills, leather-shaded sconces, and fully integrated appliances make it a handsome, well-used area.”
The family moved out for seven months during the renovation, which took about a year. “We love so many aspects of the house,” Conrad says, adding that she and her husband are “beyond thrilled” with the results. “We love it as much today as the day we moved back in, and I think we’re going to love it in another 10 years. It’s better than we could have hoped for, and we’re so thankful we get to call this house our home.”
Behind the Design
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Jean Stoffer, Grand Rapids, stofferhome.com
ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTOR
Contractor – Kenowa Builders, Ada
1. Liaison Linear Chandelier, Stoffer Home, Grand Rapids, stofferhome.com
“I love how it makes a statement while also perfectly blending in with the rest of the home.”
2. S|H Moss Velvet, Designer Pillow Cover, Stoffer Home, Grand Rapids, stofferhome.com
“Pillows soften any space, even a breakfast nook. The moss velvet color is a beautiful sage/gray that perfectly complements the colors in this space,” says designer Jean Stoffer. “I also chose this pillow because both the front and back fabrics are performance fabrics, so it can handle everything daily life will throw at it. Finally, I’m proud to share that all of the S|H designer pillow covers are made in Michigan.”
3. Jane Double Arm Library Light, Stoffer Home, Grand Rapids, stofferhome.com
“Lighting transforms a space. The sconces that flank the grand fireplace illuminate the Conrads’ art collection. I have a very special art collection, and I inherited many of the pieces from my grandfather, so selecting a special light fixture to bring the artwork to life was important to me.”
4. Odette Quilt in Natural, Stoffer Home, Grand Rapids, stofferhome.com
“Bedding can be difficult to layer in a way that feels elevated but approachable. I chose to layer the Odette Quilt in natural over our oatmeal duvet set for a monochrome look that brings in a new texture. This room has warm tones and is rich in texture, so the bedding had to match.”
5. Transitional Study 8, Stoffer Home, Grand Rapids, stofferhome.com
“This piece ties in so many of the colors in this home that it felt like it was meant to be here!”
6. Cleo Orb, Accent Table Lamp, Stoffer Home, Grand Rapids, stofferhome.com
“The office was designed with a rich, green color, and the Cleo Orb Accent Table Lamp in antique white has an interesting shape and offers a contrast to the room. While small, it has a big impact, and I love the warm glow it has when it’s turned on.”
7. Wesley Side Table, Stoffer Home, Grand Rapids, stofferhome.com
“I designed this side table, which is handmade in Michigan and lovingly named after my grandson. Made with solid wood, it is a design-conscious choice that is both modern and classic.”
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