Reflections of Home | Blog

A while back I wrote about the importance of the back entry experience of a home. Well, we just completed a new home on Lake Michigan that epitomizes the Front Entry Experience! This is a custom designed home on Lake Michigan. As background, our client owned an old cottage that they replaced with their new "dream home". Working with our in-house architect, Paul Harloff, they created the views and living spaces that fit their lifestyle and family (including visits from the grandkids). ...

It’s been about 5 years since the peak of real estate in 2005, and many people are asking the question – “Is now REALLY the best time to buy real estate?” Everyone knows that it is virtually impossible to time the market perfectly. Even the savviest of all investors doesn’t get it right all of the time. For example, Warren Buffett is considered to be one of, if not the smartest investors of all time. However, here is a quick example of one of his most recent investments: In September...

When we design homes, we always discuss the importance of the front entry experience. What we mean is – What do you see and how do you feel once you open the front door of your home? Is the home inviting? How are the views? While the front entry experience is very important, many builders seem to ignore the back entry experience. If you’re like most people, the back door (via your garage) is the primary entrance to your home. How is this entry area? Do you have coats hanging from every...

Did you know that we’ve been recycling our job site cardboard for over 15 years? Even if we don’t have a recycling container on the job site, our crews will load up cardboard in their truck and bring it back to the recycling container at our office. Here is Randy unloading his truck just a few days ago. Thanks Randy for helping us become a more sustainable organization!

On Tuesday, several of us from David C. Bos Homes listened to a presentation by Andy Wells, an internationally recognized designer for Master Brand cabinets. Although he represents a cabinet company, he didn’t talk much about cabinets. Rather, he discussed design concepts and ideas such as… Nostalgia is not a trend…it is expected Furnishings must be in step with trends and fashion Don’t be afraid of color Each color used in kitchen design (whether...

This weekend I was talking to a friend who recently changed jobs. At his new job, he is not offered a 401k, but this didn’t bother him as he has become disenchanted with the idea of investing in the stock market. “I’m tired of putting my money in the stock market, watching it fluctuate up and down, and not getting any enjoyment out of it. I’m looking for some land to purchase. At least I can enjoy the land and it certainly seems like a much safer investment than...

Have you noticed David Bos walking around with his new water bottle? A few months ago we eliminated all plastic water bottles from the office, and he has adapted with a very cool and sustainable new water bottle. Well done David!

I grew up on a large chicken farm, and I remember elementary schools taking field trips to our farm. To the students, it was fascinating to see where an egg really comes from. For a chicken farm to be successful, they learned that: You need lots of chickens The chickens need lots of food The chickens lay lots of eggs, but also generate tons of manure The smell of chicken manure can be overpowering, especially on a hot day Every egg is cleaned, sorted by size, packaged...

USA Today has finally discovered what we’ve known for quite a while – West Michigan is a great place to live!   In a recent article , the Holland-Grand Haven area was ranked #2 (only behind Boulder, Colorado and just ahead of Honolulu, Hawaii) of all US cities as the happiest and healthiest place to live. Here are just a few things we've done in the last month that confirms this ranking: Luging Speed skating Cross country skiing Cardboard sled race at the Grand...

Did you know that West Michigan ( Muskegon Winter Sports Complex  to be exact) has 1 of only 4 luge tracks in the entire United States (the other  courses are located in Lake Placid, Salt Lake City and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula)? Well, last weekend my kids and I tried luging for the first time, and we had a ton of fun! Imagine going 20 mph and only being 6 inches off the ice. Now imagine doing that at 8 years old like my son. I don’t think he’ll forget it for...

10. Cheap light fixtures and fans that will not last 9.   Kitchen cabinets have very few drawers and are too small to even fit your utensil tray 8.   Garage is so small you can’t fit your SUV, both cars, or your toys/tools 7.   Not enough or improperly installed insulation which can cause major problems with water and ice buildup 6.   Undersized water heater 5.   Master closet only has room for hanging space on one side ...

Have you noticed that homes seem to be getting cheaper and cheaper? I don’t mean the price…I mean the quality of the materials. A few days ago, my mind wandered to the Yugo. You may remember the Yugo. It was the cheapest car on the market for $3,990 in 1986, it was a horrible failure, and oh yeah, one of these cars was even blown over the side of the Mackinaw Bridge! Why do I bring up the Yugo? Well, just like it is was a bad idea to purchase a Yugo in 1986 based solely on...

Here at David C. Bos Homes we often ask the question “What is HOME?” It’s certainly more than 2x4s, windows, cabinets, appliances… HOME is about good memories…and bad memories, loud gatherings…and quiet moments, funny stories…and sad reminders, laughter…and crying. Since I like quotes, here are a few I recently found about HOME: “Home is a shelter from storms - all sorts of storms.” - William J. Bennett “There is...