Alissa Ditta caught our attention on Instagram with gorgeous photos of the Western Michigan lakefront and her beautiful home. High on the dunes near Holland, Michigan, Alissa and her family share a lakeside home that is the stuff of dreams. With her background in interior design, it should be no surprise that her home is perfectly appointed in Michigan coastal style. Alissa was kind enough to give us a tour and offer a few decorating tips.
What’s your background and how did you come to own this beautiful lakeside home?
I’ve always been interested in architecture and interior design. After graduating from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Art in Interior Design, I started working for an architectural firm. For the last 16 years, I’ve worked on designing commercial spaces – everything from schools, to churches, to offices. Residential design is also a passion of mine, so in my free time, I help people create homes they love with my own business, Willow Green Interiors. My Dad, sister, and I built our home on Lake Michigan in 2013. We loved the design and building process and enjoy living here.
How would you describe your decorating style?
I love so many different design styles, so it’s hard to narrow it down! When it comes to choosing things for my own home though, I tend to lean toward a traditional style. I think a home should be comfortable, so no stuffy rooms here!
Your favorite color is green. There are so many different greens so it can be a tricky color to work with. Do you have any favorite green-toned paints or fabrics you can recommend?
Yes, I love green! A few of my favorite green paint colors: Benjamin Moore ‘Georgian Green’ HC-115 (a happy green shade that works well with lots of other colors), Benjamin Moore ‘Caldwell Green’ HC-124 (a darker dramatic green that would be really pretty in a powder room or a formal dining room), Sherwin Williams ‘Willow Tree’ SW7741 (A softer grey-green that would be perfect for a bedroom). I didn’t paint any rooms green in my home this time, but I did incorporate touches of green with pillows and accents. Two green fabrics that I just love are ‘Swaying Palms’ in color Aloe by Tommy Bahama and ‘Strie Ikat’ in color Malachite by Robert Allen. I think every room looks better with a little green! Houseplants are another one of my favorite ways to incorporate my favorite color.
Your home has a spectacular view of Lake Michigan. What choices did you make in designing your home to take advantage of the location?
The floor plan of our home was designed to take advantage of the lake views. You see the lake from the moment you enter the front door and in almost every other room in the house. We made sure to include a screen porch on the main floor as well as a porch on our second floor. Both have amazing lake views and are our favorite spots to be in the warmer months. It’s all about the lake around here!
Inspired Design
Can you share a few tips for creating a coastal-inspired interior appropriate for the Great Lakes Region?
Natural elements that you might find on the beach help to create a coastal-inspired interior. Things like shells, stones, and driftwood. I like to use soothing colors to replicate the beach and water. The color palette for our home was inspired by the lake and the beach surrounding us. The quartzite floor in our foyer is a good example of this – all the different natural colors remind me of the beach. Wood tones are also essential to create a warm feel.
Follow Alissa online through her personal blog, 33shadesofgreen.com, business website, willowgreeninteriors.com and on Instagram @33shadesofgreen. The summer is sure to bring many spectacular images from her home on the Lake Michigan coast.
