Eye Candy of the Week: 1146 S. Grand Ave, Lansing

Tucked into the corner of Grand Avenue and South Street in the River Point Neighborhood near REO Town, this 1922 gable-roofed Craftsman style home is a garden oasis with a single center dormer and a handsome front porch. Sitting on a slight rise, the home’s clean, classic lines seem to command the attention of the neighboring properties. Grapefruit-sized roses, a profusion of bright yellow sunflowers, creeping vines and a rainbow of annuals and perennials create a profusion of color in the late summer sun.

Owner Josepha Diaz was unavailable to talk, but Lydia Nelson, a young woman visiting the nearby Blue Owl coffee shop, said she drives from Lansing’s far west side to enjoy the dining, yoga and energy of the neighborhood. “I love the freshness and colors that gardens like this create, and I come back frequently to see what’s growing!”  This simple yet stately home and colorful landscaping contribute energy and excitement to the resurgence of Lansing’s historic neighborhoods. This weekend’s “Below the Stacks” citywide mural festival will add colorful, vibrant and inspiring works of art to compliment REO Town’s streets, walls and neighborhood.

— JOHN STAVROS, (johnstavros@ykwc.net)