Style Guide: French Country

French Country is an Old World style of design that emerged in the US after the first world war when soldiers were coming back from Europe and building homes inspired by the cottages and manors of the French countryside.  French Country style homes have steeped pitched rooflines and place the main entrance of the home front and center.  Such symmetry is a common element both in exterior elevations and floor plans.  The materials used in this style reflect pastoral elements, like stone, wood, straw and botanicals.  Even the colors are naturally inspired, like lavenders, blues, oranges and reds.  The style combines the rustic and the refined, which can.  Ceilings may have rustic wood beams while wood furniture and elegant architectural elements may have hand carved details.  Its partly the dichotomy of those two ideas that make this style so sophisticated, yet comfortable and inviting.

A few Visbeen Architects' designs with French pastoral flair...

Montrose:  This incomparable Old World European home sets a new standard for design details and construction artistry.  Inspired by the palace halls of French royalty, this masterwork is unique in every way.  From the rugged permanence of the stone and brick walls to the decorative copper and wrought iron accents, the curb appeal of the home is immediately apparent.

Claremont:  The charm of this single-level country-inspired design begins with the covered porch and continues as you step through the welcoming front door.

Muirfield:  Luxury reigns in this French-inspired estate, with its distinctive Mansard roof, European-style stone façade and copper detailing.

Parkland:  The best of European cottage style is apparent in this charming five-bedroom, 3 1/2 bath home.  The exterior features stone accents, dormer windows and picturesque wooden shutters.

Penhill:  This picturesque yet luxurious design exhibits Old World details including stone, shingle, a charming cupola and wooden shutters similar to those found in cottages throughout the countryside of Europe.

Barrington:  Pitched and gabled rooflines and shuttered French doors point to this distinctive design's French origins.  Close your eyes and you may think you're in the south of France.

Oakhurst:  Built around a stunning central courtyard, the three-bedroom, four-bath Oakhurst is a stand-out when it comes to style.

Hot off the press: This stunning European-inspired residence boasts stone archways, wooden architectural details and steeply pitched rooflines that pay clear homage to manors of the French countryside.

If you are looking to achieve the look of a French Country manor, here are a few products to consider...

• Roofing:  GAF Roofing has a Sienna line of shingles with rich appearance and clean lines that add distinction to any home at a fraction of the cost of traditional slate or wood shakes.  It has a custom color palette, stain guard protection and a lifetime ltd. warranty called Smart Choice.

• Shutters:  One of the key elements that give many French County homes their distinctive style is wood shutters.  Timberlane offers a variety of custom made, wood shutters that fit perfectly with this style, especially, their board and batten designs. 

• Doors:  Craftsmen in Wood has been blending old world craftsmanship and original design for over forty years, creating some of the finest custom wood doors and hardware in the business.  Their products represent quality and timeless beauty.

• Exterior Lighting:  Since 1945, Bevolo has been manufacturing the highest quality traditional, antique, and custom designed hand-made lighting fixtures out of the French Quarter of New Orleans.  Today, they are the largest manufacturer of hand-made, open-flame copper lanterns in the world.  We have been spec'ing their lights for years because we know they add an authentic touch of style to the exterior of our French Country designs.

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Michigan Blue: A Great Lake Story Preview & Lakestyle Cottage

The Spring issue of Michigan BLUE Magazine is out.  That's right, SPRING!  Ah, I can almost smell the daffodils now.  Get into the season with this lovely new issue, featuring our lakestyle cottage, the Tamlane.  This modest sized stone and log cabin is a beautiful retreat, with rustic, fairytale style.  Also included in this issue is a little sneak peak of the next Great Lake Story that begins in their cottages issue.

Want more information on how Carlton Shores pushes the limits in lakefront living?  Check out our blog post feature on this contemporary twist to the American lodge.

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Lake Home & Cabin Show: Chicago

It's the start of trade show season for us over here at Visbeen, and we are kicking this year off at Chicago's Lake Home & Cabin Show, which begins TODAY!  Now in its 9th year, the Lake Home & Cabin Show is Chicagoland's only show that specializes in vacation homes and the second home lifestyle.  If you own a lake home, cottage or cabin or you want to own one, this is a truly unique event you'll want to visit.  Exhibitors include builders, custom products, accessories and publications, sporting gear, outdoor and marine equipment, landscaping and lakeshore maintenance, and of course architects, like us!  Wayne will be there sketching LIVE, so if you are in the area this weekend, please stop by for your chance to have a design consultation with our firm.  The show details are as follows:

Visbeen Architects' booth: #404

Hours
Friday, February 22:  2pm-8pm
Saturday, February 23:  10am-6pm
Sunday, February 24:  10am-4pm

Location
Schaumburg Convention Center  |  Schaumburg, IL
1551 Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg, IL 60173

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

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Bathroom design for kids

 

Bathroom design for kids

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Interior wallpaper design flower motif

 

Interior wallpaper design flower motif

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Classic looks kithchen in white colour

 

Classic looks kithchen in white colour

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Classic style living room interior design

 

Classic style living room interior design

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Shore Magazine: Gull Lake home designed for lakeside living and entertaining

Shore Magazine did a nice piece on our Gull Lake design, the Highfield.  If you haven't heard the story behind the design yet, check it out here...

GULL LAKE HOME

Gull Lake home designed for lakeside living and entertaining

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February 19, 2013 12:00 am  •  Jane Ammeson

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When it came time to design the house replacing the 3,000-square-foot summer home they’d enjoyed for 15 years, Mary and Kevin Beyer knew they wanted to take full advantage of their waterfront property on scenic Gull Lake in Hickory Corners, Michigan. But Mary Beyer wanted a home with a street presence while her husband opted for a home with a definitive lake presence.

“They talked to different designers before working with us,” says Angela Mulder, director of sales and marketing for Visbeen Associates Inc., a Grand Rapids and Chicago based architectural firm which won 12 American Residential Design Awards (ARDA) last year.  “They weren’t happy with their ideas.”

Wayne Visbeen, the AIA and IIDA certified president and founder of Visbeen Associates, was able to combine both visions to design Highfield, a $1 million 5,297-square-foot summer home built by Falcon Custom Homes and featured in the2012 Home Builders Association of Greater Kalamazoo’s 22nd Annual Parade of Homes.

“The home was created for entertaining and to maximize the view of the lakes,” says Mulder about the five bedroom and four and a half bath house. “The couple have adult children so to give them privacy there’s a two bedroom   apartment over the garage.  Outdoor living is enhanced with screened in porches and Wayne designed a boat bar that literally looks like the rear of a boat complete with a fog machine where smoke comes out of a pipe. There’s also another boat bar outside.”

The boat bar, with its rich mahogany features, is a homage to the vintage watercraft of yesteryear before the advent of fiberglass. Other special touches include five stall and three stall garages as well as one with space enough to accommodate the necessary toys of lake living such as boats, fishing gear and watercrafts such as jet-skis. Two of three bedrooms have walk-outs and the master bedroom features a private deck overlooking the landscaped garden fronting the water. A screened in porch connects the dining room to the lakefront without impeding the view.  The kitchen, with its two level island, is great for entertaining and a walk-in pantry with its sliding door can hold all the viands necessary for feeding large crowds.

The yard fronting the water has a stone pathway leading to the docks and almost every room in the home’s upstairs has a view of the lake. High ceilings, large windows, granite counters, white trim and warm toned colors accented with nautical themes which tie into the owners’ love of water make the home inviting rather than baronial. Heated hickory wood floors are a stylish way to keep feet from getting cold.

Though the original property was a heritage home, it also was definitely just for warm weather having no central heating and, awkwardly because of the way the ground slopes down to the water, access to the front meant walking down steps. The new home instead is multi-leveled with an indoor bridge providing easy access from the guest quarters and main street entrance to the lakeside living and entertainment areas.

“It’s a unique design even for us in the custom home business,” says Mulder. “It certainly is perfect for what the couple wanted.”

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Houzz Ideabook: 10 Ways to Entertain Kids on Rainy Days

Have you ever experienced kids "bouncing off the walls" when the weather outside is less than desirable?  In Michigan, we know this too well and let's be honest, it's not a pretty sight.  Here is a fun Houzz.com ideabook with options for indoor activities and locations in the home that will cure your kids cooped up feeling on a rainy day.  Be sure to check out our very own Kearney Hill stair nook that landed on this list!

10 Ways to Entertain Kids on Rainy Days

Houzz- Kitchen Remodel, Bathroom Remodel and More »

Browse Furniture on Houzz- For Example:

Armchairs · Bar Carts · Chairs · Coffee Tables · Dining Chair Cushions · Dining Chairs And Benches · Dining Tables · Ottomans And Cubes ·

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Room Guide: Master Suites that Up the Romance

It's Valentines Day, which means most people are turning up the romantic volume in their life.  Does your master suite reflect that same va-va-voom?  A romantic room doesn't have to be filled to the brim with flowers and candles (although keep in mind, guys, those are always a good idea).  Here are few tips on upping the atmosphere of your master sanctuary.

"I'm going to surround myself with wood.  Wood, Jerry! Wood!"  (please tell me there are some Seinfeld lovers out there who know what I'm talking about)

Ok, so we aren't really talking about wall to wall, floor to ceiling wood, although that could work in the right circumstances.  We are referring to the power of wood architectural details and trimwork in a master suite design. Granted, we are an architectural firm, so perhaps we are a little biased, but we believe the introduction of wood textiles to the pallet can have a very calming effect.  Plus it looks gorgeous, and what's more romantic than that!

Curvaceous-ness

We love a curved wall or barrel ceiling.  We especially love a curved wall or barrel ceiling in the master suite.  They add an element of whimsy, which can feel very fairy-tale-like and enchanting.  Now there's a way to live happily ever after!  

Take advantage of the views

If your master bedroom or bath have great views, embrace it!  Position the bed to make the most of the view and let nature make the ambiance.  The hues of a sunset are some of the most romantic light God created.

Textures 

From mirrors to wallpaper to fabrics to furniture, the texture of the decor can reflect a sense of sophistication and relaxation.  Using a mixture of woods, natural fibers, and leathers all evoke a calm that turns the master suite into a retreat.  Metallics can often reflect beautiful light patterns in the room which are especially gorgeous by candle light. 

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Welcome to Grand Rapids, Bekins!

If you have been following us on our Facebook page, you already know that our friends over at Bekins are now officially in Grand Rapids!  In December, they opened the doors to a new location we had the pleasure of designing.  This state of the art showroom features the latest in home appliances, entertainment electronics and home automation technologies.  Since it's founding in 1975, Bekins has grown to become the #1 electronics integrator in the state of Michigan and we were happy to partner with them on this new venture over in our neck of the woods!

Haven't had a chance to visit their showroom yet?  Check out these photos from the trade professionals open house they held last month. 

For more photos from this great event, please visit Bekin's blog.  You can also check out a virtual tour of the entire showroom.

For more information about Bekins, check out their website and our vendor spotlight on this quality company.

Built by Mike Schaap Builders

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Cabin Life: Do you need an Architect?

 

Cabin Life's March issue is on the stands and features a great article titled "Do you need an Architect?" The article poses the question that, as you may have guessed, we would respond in most situations a resounding "yes!"  But don't just take our word for it, check out this unbiased article to read about the advantages to the services an architect provides, a general look at our profession and some tips for working with an architect.

Also in this issue, you will find a sweet little Dogtrot log cabin of ours in the Dreams on Paper section.  This Appalachian-style log cabin built with square-hewn logs is designed to become a classic dogtrot structure (a roofed passage similar to a breezeway; esp: one connecting two parts of a cabin) with an optional addition to the original building.

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