Behind This Home’s Private Facade Is an Expansive Wall of Windows

A slate-covered home in rural Michigan proves there’s always more than meets the eye.

Nestled among the rolling meadows of western Michigan, the Slate House by husband-and-wife team Nathan and Becky Vandenbroek of Hygge Design+Build is a reflection of dualities.

"I always like to do some kind of a darker cladding, just so it pops against the greenery in the summer and then in the winter with the snow. It just brings a nice dramatic contrast," says Becky.

The property favors privacy on the front, road-facing side of the house, while offering expansive windows and unobstructed views on the back side. The exterior is stone-clad with a matte gray standing seam roof, while the interior remains neutral and airy. And the land itself feels bucolic, neighboring a goat farm and lush greenery, while also sitting only 15 minutes east of bustling downtown Grand Rapids.

"In developing the site plan for this home, we intentionally oriented all of our windows and the views to take in as much nature as possible out to the east of the house," says Nathan. "It faces the road to one side and then intentionally has all of the glass and views facing out towards the east to take in all of the forest and fields and everything that is out in that direction."

See the full story on Dwell.com: Behind This Home’s Private Facade Is an Expansive Wall of Windows