Dwellings
/Dwellings
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Photography by Ashley Avila Photography
For as long as she can recall, Laura Davidson has been in love with the art of design. She is, and always will be, a student of architecture and interior design, seeking knowledge of her craft whenever the opportunity arises. Laura is proudly self-taught, and has earned a BS in Mathematics, allowing her to design creatively while also being able to work cooperatively with architects and project managers. After years of dreaming, she and her husband, Jeff, opened Dwellings Inc. in 2003; today, it is a flourishing full-service design firm.
Dwellings is located in Grandville, MI, and is comprised of four creative designers and ten hardworking employees. Their design style is determined by each client’s unique taste, but as West Michigan is a very transitional area, the firm’s main focus is transitional design. This, however, does not stop the team from incorporating modern, coastal, or traditional elements into a space when the design calls for it. Laura’s main objective in creating spaces for her clients is to give them more than they could have ever dreamed: “I have such a love for interior spaces, and I want to make the process as seamless as possible.”
Atop a hill with a beautiful view of the Grand Rapids skyline sat an acreage of land beloved by locals as a historic landmark. When the landowners decided it was time to build their dream home amidst the miles of farmland, they hired J Visser Design for the architecture design, Colonial Builders for the construction, and Dwellings for the interior design. As a nod to the history of the land, the client wanted the home to authentically sit on the property with simple, traditional styling. They also wanted large floor-to-ceiling windows for sweeping views of the rolling hills.
The simple white exterior of the home stands proudly next to the dark, rich color of the pool house. Between the two structures sits the pool, an ideal location from which to relax and enjoy the gorgeous views. On the interior, Dwellings created a space with a classically traditional feel by using a mixture of materials and finishes in a soft, subtle color palette. Beautifully stained hickory floors set the foundation for the entire home, and a mixture of paneling and intricate woodwork established a base for Laura to lay the finishing touches of custom furniture and curated textiles.
Each paint color, piece of furniture, and light fixture was chosen by Dwellings for maximum effect and complete alignment to the client’s unique taste. The contrast of interior elements together with the impressive lighting strategy created a space where the attention to detail and design cannot go unnoticed. Laura, along with her design team, the architects, and the construction team, delivered one of the most awe-inspiring homes in West Michigan.
