When did you move into your home?

August 2016

What home plan do you have?

Hearthside

What is your decorating inspiration?

I love interior design and I find a lot of inspiration by following other designers on Instagram and Pinterest. I’m an avid antique collector and I enjoy combining old and new things to create a truly unique space. Our house is brand new, but I Iove giving it some old school charm through the decor pieces that I add and the things that I hang on the wall. I would describe my style as very eclectic. I’m inspired by so many different styles including farmhouse, Bohemian, Scandinavian, modern, industrial.. the list goes on. Somehow, it all comes together to create something that works and something that I truly love. I work with a lot of neutral colors and natural wood tones. I love to add texture and bring in pops of greenery as well. I own a business called Ann Marie & Co. and have an antique booth at Not So Shabby Marketplace in Holland. A lot of the things from my home can be found in my booth and you can follow me on Instagram at @ann.marie.co for design inspiration and see what I’m up to next!

What are your favorite features in your home?

There are a few upgrades that we made to our plan that I cannot imagine living without. The first is the Michigan Room that we added off of the dining area. It is my absolute favorite place in the house and the place we spend the most time when we have company over and even when we are just relaxing at home. It brings so much natural light into the space and gives us an incredible view of the golf course. It was a sizeable investment, but it’s one that I would make over and over again.
My other favorite feature is the custom built-in shelves and cabinets that we had installed in the living area on our main floor. The Hearthside plan has a very tall blank wall in the living room. We wanted to fill that space with something practical, but also appealing to the eye. We found the perfect solution with the built-in that we chose.
The design center was so good about helping us come up with a plan and the skilled carpenters brought it to life. It is the main focal point in the room and provides ample storage space, along with tons of shelving to put my favorite decor pieces on display. We get so many compliments on it and it brings so much warmth and coziness to the space.

What was your building process/Eastbrook experience like?

We had a great experience with Eastbrook. Our main reason for making the decision to build at Macatawa Legends was Maureen. She was available to us throughout the entire process and provided us with incredible guidance.
Not only did we end up with a beautiful home, but we gained a great friend in the process.

Do you have any tips or tricks for new homeowners?

My biggest piece of advice is to stay involved throughout the process. In the end, this is your home and you are going to enjoy it for years to come! Stay involved and keep yourself informed about everything that is going on during the construction process.
I would also strongly suggest creating some sort of a mood board or inspiration board before you visit the design center. Whether you create something on Pinterest or bring in pictures from your favorite magazine, this will help your designer understand your vision and the style you are going for. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and don’t be afraid to make changes.

What is your favorite memory so far in your new home?

We built our house in August of 2016, but it didn’t truly become HOME until we welcomed our son in October of 2017. I will never forget walking through the door and being at home with our baby for the very first time. I get a little teary eyed just thinking about it! This will always be his first home and the first home that we shared as a family.

What does home mean to you?

Plain and simple, home means FAMILY. It’s a place of comfort and a place to make memories with the people that you love. We have made so many incredible memories in this house and ones that we will cherish for a lifetime. Surround yourself with things that you love and fill your house with the people you hold dear. Once you do that, HOME just happens.