Great Lake Story: Final Chapter

The Spring issue of Michigan Blue Magazine just came out and is jam-packed with good stuff! Read the final chapter of the 2011-2012 Great Lake Story with a pictorial tour of the model home in Harbor Shores. Check out our newest Lakestyle Cottage, the Chatham. And did you catch our latest ad on the back cover?

We have posted the full article on our website for ease of reading.

Cottage & Lakefront Living Show - Detroit

Visbeen Associates, Inc. has a booth at the Cottage & Lakefront Living Show in Novi, MI this weekend! The show opens TODAY and goes through Sunday, so if you are in the area and want to meet with Wayne, he is there sketching LIVE! He will also be speaking on the seminar stage of the show at 7:00pm on Saturday evening on the topic of waterfront design challenges & opportunities.

Show hours are as follows...

Today, Feb 23.............2:00pm - 9:30pm

Friday, Feb 24.............2:00pm - 9:30pm

Saturday, Feb 25.........10:00am - 9:00pm

Sunday, Feb 26...........10:00am - 5:00pm

We look forward to seeing you there!

Homes of our Forefathers

Since it is President's Day, we thought we would pay homage to our forefathers and their residences. Some are humble abodes and others are grand estates, but they are pieces of architecture that represent the people that have paved the way for this great country we live in and the freedoms we enjoy.

George Washington, Mt. Vernon

Now the most popular historic site in the US, George & Martha Washington called Mt. Vernon home for more than 40 years. Located along the Potomac River in Northern Virginia, this beautiful plantation, it's gardens and farms covered roughly 8,000 acres in the 18th century and is a lasting reminder of the life and legacy of the Father of Our Country.

Sources:

http://www.mountvernon.org/#fragment-4

Image Source:

http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Counties/Fairfax/029-0054_MountVernon_VLR_4th_edition.jpg

John Adams, Peacefield

Located in Quincy, Massachusetts, Peacefield was home to John Adams (2nd President) and John Quincy Adams (6th President). The oldest portion of the home was built in 1731 by a sugar-planter from Jamaica and was purchased by the Adams in 1787.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peacefield

Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Old_House,_Quincy,_Massachusetts.JPG

Thomas Jefferson, Monticello

Situated on a mountaintop outside Charlottesville, VA, Monticello, a 5,000-acre plantation was the home of Thomas Jefferson. It is the only historic house in the US on the United Nation's World Heritage List.

Source: http://www.monticello.org/

Image source: http://www.virginiaisforkids.com/2008/thomas-jeffersons-monticello/

Abraham Lincoln

A place Lincoln called home for 17 years, this Greek Revival residence in Springfield, IL was the only house Lincoln ever owned. He was residing there when he was elected to the House of Representatives in 1846 and when he was elected to be the 16th President of the US in 1860.

Sources: http://www.nps.gov/liho/index.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Home_National_Historic_Site

Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lincoln_Home_1.jpg

Ulysses S. Grant

This brick Italianate residence, designed by William Dennison, was originally constructed in 1860 for Galena, IL's former city clerk, Alexander J. Jackson, but was purchased for Grant by a small group of local republicans. The purchase prices was $2,500.

Sources: http://www.granthome.com/

Image Source: http://www.dwhike.com/History/Galena-IL-7-8-08/20/356641386_jttCi-S-1.jpg

Theodore Roosevelt, Sagamore Hill

Located in Cove Neck, NY on Long Island, this Shingle-style, Queen Anne home was designed by New York architect Lamb & Rich for the Roosevelts and was completed in 1886. It was known as the "Summer White House" and Roosevelt died there in January 1919.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagamore_Hill_(house)

Image Source: http://www.theodore-roosevelt.com/trsahi.html

John F. Kennedy

JFK used the main house of the Kennedy Compound in Hyannis Port, Mass. as the base of his 1960 presidential campaign. Originally constructed in 1904, Joseph Kennedy (JFK's father) purchased and remodeled it to suit his family. Two weeks ago, it was announced that the compound would be donated to charity.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennedy_Compound

Image Source: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/08/26/home_for_a_big_family/

Gerald R. Ford

Our hometown hero resided in this humble abode with his mother from 1913-1917 after moving from Omaha, NE, where he was born Leslie Lynch King, Jr. It wasn't until his mother remarried Gerald Rudolff Ford in 1916 that they started calling him Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr. This bungalow is on Prospect Ave on the Southeast side of Grand Rapids.

Source: http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/avproj/hseries/homes.asp

Image Source: http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/avproj/hseries/homes.asp

I wonder which future president is living in one of our homes right now? ☺

Room Guide: Gourmet Kitchens, Part 1

Our facebook poll from Valentine's Day determined that the #1 feature people would love to have in their dream home is a gourmet kitchen. Here are a few of our all-time favorite Visbeen Associates' designed kitchens with fun features to keep in mind when designing this valuable space. Stay tuned to our blog as we continue part two of this room guide next month!

Ingleside

The carefully crafted kitchen of the Ingleside was designed to recapture the character of the past with every convenience available of the present.

Two Creeks

Curves make a dramatic statement in Two Creek's traditional kitchen. The range hood's sinuous lines complement the adjacent window's graceful arch. The alder wood of the island and custom cabinetry plays off the cherry ceiling and walnut floors for a warm, comfortable feel. Rich granite countertops offer a beautiful surface for prep work and entertaining. The windows above the sink - on an east-facing wall - capture sunrise views. Even the island prep sink contributes decorative elements to the traditional kitchen. A niche behind the range offers storage for spices, oils, and other cooking essentials. A light color scheme and an earthy mix of materials help the kitchen reflect the traditional style found in the rest of the home.

- Excerpts from Better Homes and Gardens,

Kitchen and Bath Ideas Magazine, Nov/Dec 2009,

"Golden Glow" written by Khristi Zimmeth

Pemberley

Through a series of openings and intriguing angels, key living spaces unfold from the elongated, unique octagonal shaped space, which literally serves as the hub of the home. A quartz topped split island anchors the room, while a butler's pantry with additional sink and dishwasher to assist during entertaining.

Sunset View

The open flow of Sunset View's kitchen into the adjacent spaces makes for easy entertaining. This kitchen has a view of the dining room, lounge area, formal dining and hearth room, not to mention a great view of the lake!

Old Woods Manor

The Kitchen of this grand estate boasts coffered ceiling, abundant windows overlooking the woods beyond, dramatic Old World crown moldings and an adjacent catering kitchen to allow ample prep space for large party entertaining. A kitchen of this grandeur features the level of quality generally found in homes of the past.

Modern Wall paper murals 2012

You can go for exotic cool Wall paper murals to give the room a totally novel look. Do you find pyramids and Egyptian architecture exciting? Wall paper murals with a golden color to give it an Egyptian air. Enhance the feel by Wall paper murals painting Egyptian images A  lot of space, then you can go in for a Roman or a Greek theme. Wall paper murals  favorite shade, then you can go in for the Gothic theme. Wall paper murals is an art. Not necessary to have the same wall color on all the Wall paper murals partner and both of not agree on a single color, then Wall paper combination of the colors. But, the combination has to be a contrast, rather than combining two colors like black and white. Wall paper a dark color on one wall and its contrasting color on the remaining three walls. Wall paper for bedroom in which there is ample sunlight coming in, then color the wall that reflects the sunlight with a different color. A find Wall paper shows off different shades, as the sunlight varies.

God Wall paper murals

Another option for décor Wall . wall cover the wall exactly behind the header of the bed, with Wall paper. A wide variety of wallpapers available in the shops Nature lover, go for some scenery. Wall paper designs like polka dots, will add a modern touch to your bedroom walls
Modern and Amazing Wall paper murals bedrooms a tranquil look, alternative. Wall paper murals for home tired from the office, let this calming color welcome choose from classy ocean blue, topaz blue, sky blue, powder blue or hot electric blue shades. Highest shade of blue is a good idea Wall paper murals Combination of blue and gray is one of the famous bedroom color trends. Hanging window and door stripped curtains in color .

Room tree decor and Front Door Tree Decor

Budget Room Green ideas Front Door Tree are custom they are scientifically tested as well as engineered by the artificial Door Tree manufacturers. Home Outdoor Door Tree can stand tall in extreme weather conditions like freezing temperatures, wind, heat and humidity. Door Tree quality makes them very much functional. Best way that they seem like and become more user-friendly too. Outdoor Door Tree are mostly used in Home,Hotel,office etc. artificial Door Tree are made up of plastic and such durable substances. trees are also made using real Front Door Tree Decor.Front Door Tree Decor very different way, can opt for an artificial lighted Door Tree with a backdrop of nativity scenes. A lighted on Door Tree is the best alternative for a tropical real Door Tree. Well, a trivia says that more Real Door Tree in than sharks Full explains of Door Tree under an artificial lighted Door Tree and relax like a real coconut Door Tree without having.

Room tree for sale are available in various types of Room tree Bamboo Room tree are the most popular ones due to their natural appearance Room tree. Modified Room tree are also sought after due to their dense foliage. Room trees are a favorite for decorating commercial establishments. Besides, Wall Room tree, Kitchen Room tree, USA Room tree, Australian Room tree, Coconut Bark are some other varieties of artificial Room tree that are popular. Indian  Room tree are made from plastic, silk or other materials like polyester. Room tree look as good as real ones. The difference until you can touch it. Room tree are many retailers who specialize sealing tree.

2011 Best in American Living Award Winners!

The Best in American Living Awards (BALA) has been a competition recognizing design excellence in the building industry for over 25 years. At the BALA awards ceremony this year (during the NAHB Inernational Builders' Show), 81 winners were honored for their innovation and creativity in 39 different categories, ranging from best custom and spec homes to best remodel and community designs. Visbeen Associates was awarded two BALAs, including a silver award for One-of-a-kind Custom Home up to 4,000 square feet.

Silver Award, One-of-a-kind Custom Home (up to 4,000 sq ft)

Haverhill

Architect: Visbeen Associates • Builder: Falcon Custom Homes • Interior Designer: Gallery Interiors

Silver Award, Remodeling Entire Home (over $250K per unit)

Eagles End (Meadowview)

Hardscape Architect: Visbeen Associates • Architect: Bob Landman • Remodeler: Creekside Construction • Interiors Designer: Ashley Cole Designs

Roofing tips from GAF and Designing Spaces

As you know from Monday's post, Wayne Visbeen is currently working with GAF Materials Corporation as their National Spokesperson. He is offering expert architectural design advice at their booth at the International Builders' Show this week. GAF has some great roofing advice to offer us! They were featured in a segment of the TV series Designing Spaces. The show focuses on the many aspects of roofing and important factors that homeowners should consider when making decisions about their roofs. Check it out!

Don't forget to stop by GAF's IBS booth today or tomorrow 10am-12pm or 2pm-4pm to visit with Wayne!

International Builder's Show 2012

It's time for the big NAHB International Builders' Show! Wayne Visbeen has teamed up with GAF Corporation as their national spokesperson and will be sketching LIVE in their booth at the show. GAF is North America's largest manufacturer of commercial and residential roofing and professional installers have made it the #1-selling brand of roofing.

Visbeen Associates has designed these homes specifically for GAF products...

Sheffield

Evanston

Buckman

Come visit Wayne at GAF's IBS booth (see map)! He will be there the following times....

Wednesday, February 8 - Friday, February 10

10:00am-12:00pm

2:00pm-4:00pm

We look forward to a great show and seeing you there!

Architectural Tutorial: Eyebrow Dormer

eyebrow dormer [ayh-brou dawr-mer]

a dormer having a roof that is an upwardly curved

continuation of the main roof plane.

source - http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/eyebrow

Eyebrow dormers add a bit of distinction to a building's façade while providing a "curvaceous way to get some light" and ventilation to an upper level space. These types of dormers are not new to the architectural scene. They have been around since medieval times, seen on thatch-roofed cottages. Henry Hobson Richardson, "the father of the Shingle style," pushed this design element into the architectural limelight in the late 1800s. These days, they can be seen on homes and buildings outside of just the Shingle style and can be designed in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Here are some examples of Visbeen Associates' designed eyebrow dormers...

Ingleside

Cambridge

Traverse

Waverly

Clareville

Summer Haven

Sources:

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,357593,00.html

Room wall poster for kids

Room wall poster for kids with the walls ceilings can also be decorative hung on the wall iyou will typically be constrained to just under five feet for one of your dimensions striking and attractive center piece for any room. little work with Plaster of Paris to make a nice design on the ceilings make the room look quite interesting and beautiful.

Just remember the ceiling should be at a height while making use Decide how large the posters are going to be of Plaster of Paris designs as they add to the thickness of the walls.Various stores have these self adhesive wall decorations which look like embossed decorations once you put them paper used for posters There are various kinds of wall decorations for kids' bedrooms The finished size of the posters determines the resolution that the original such as butterflies digital photos need to be taken but the other can go up to 100 feet. A five by five poster framed and Due to the dimensions of high quality photographic bees and flowers.

Childern Room wall poster

Make Childern Room wall poster one wall of the bedroom the wall of fame Getting an extra larg wall in the shape of a frame, this hand-print frame can enclose all  extra high clarity digital poster made may not be as hard or expensive as you would think. Large digital posters are an excellent means of decorating your child's room,

with their image, their pet's image, family images or Color this wall differently. combination of the above. The new technologies in digital printing provide no limit to what If the rest of the room is pink make this one wall bright red can be done with digital photographs your child's artwork that he or she is proud of You can be precise, creative, or contortive in your digital layout. And the best part striped wall like yellow and green. You could have hand-prints of your child on the is that you do not need high priced software to do it this adds the personal touch to the room.

Living room lighting design

Living room lighting design suggested to think of bright lighting in your dining Whether you're undergoing a dramatic room makeover or room enhance your entertaining space wonderfully. Here are a few suggestions this will make you and your guests uncomfortable while having meals.

might have seen in restaurants that the lights are typically dull looking to quickly spruce up a space, Tiffany lighting will  yet everything can be seen clearly. Also while choosing dining room lights Tiffany lighting has been around since the late Nineteenth Century the most important thing you need to keep in mind is the and the style is not going away any time soon! Add one of these pieces to your dining room size of the dining and you'll make a statement that is truly timeless table and the possible space suitable for arranging the lighting fixtures.