“Love at First Sight” is really the only way to describe the effect that this old cottage had on Jay and Gwen DeBruyn. The cottage is perched above the Kalamazoo River in picturesque Saugatuck and is surrounded by amazing Azalea gardens. Gwen immediately saw past the tiny, dated kitchen and the knotty pine that covered nearly every surface from floor to ceiling and was anxious to implement her vision for the cottage. 

Months of planning and dreaming and building ended with a bright, cheerful home that is completely customized and optimized for the DeBruyns’ lifestyle and casual aesthetic. Creamy and soft colors on the original pine walls and ceilings brightened the home, while still keeping the overall feel warm and welcoming. Original details of the home were left intact wherever it made sense: dutch doors, wood ceilings and walls, and of course, the unique bed-in-the-wall (now a favorite of the grandkids).

Attention to the details was important for the project as well: the added architectural salvage that they insisted remain chippy and aged, the imperfect wood that would cover walls and ceilings in the addition (every care was taken to make the addition indistinguishable from the original home), the oversized light fixtures and the dramatic black interior doors and windows together give the home a balanced eclectic feel. This 1950’s cottage has been modernized, customized, and accessorized, but with the utmost respect for its history and the DeBruyn Family is happy at home.