Bringing Home Six Best in American Living Awards

Over the last couple days our firm has been featured in the Grand Rapids Press and on MLive in both the Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo areas for our success in winning 6 national awards in the Best in American Living Awards (BALA) competition. We are very proud of the work our team was able to accomplish in designing these homes and we would like to thank all of the talented building and design teams that worked on these projects. 

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Decorating a tiny Apartment

Interior bedroom apartment idea

For those of you who have a large apartment, do not need to be so hard to organize the pattern and space requirements. But for other small-sized apartments that matter. It is a bit tricky to organize the vast space requirements in order to impress but the functions are met. For it may be the following tips useful:

The use of a glass / mirror will provide a broad space to be redoubled. Glass / mirror can be mounted on walls, furniture, or even just like a window opening. The use of glass / mirror will make the room as if the volume is doubled. This is in accordance with the laws of reflection of light. With mirrors, the room will feel more spacious.

The play of light will greatly affect the impression of space. Dim light will make the room feel warm and make a view would wander to the corners of the room. So the room will feel destined narrow as the original. Similarly, the use of floodlights (spot lamp) mounted on the ceiling or wall, will give the feel, charm and atmosphere of the room is very different. The light is indeed a powerful moment to make space so different atmosphere.

 

Decorating a tiny apartment

Use the short-sized furniture. Short table, short sofa, a low bench, will make the room airy due to the reduced volume of the furniture-furniture yet so functions can still be met. Great Selection of furniture is not recommended. Use small-sized furniture. If you use a large sofa, a chair that put the long-legged and slender.

 

Interior bedroom design for small apartment

Leave the installation of curtains in the old way. Try to put up new curtains in a way that is full up to the ceiling. Fitting in this way can give the impression of space is high. Of course curtain motif coupled with the vertical stripes for example. The room will look more spacious.

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Lake Style Cottages

The warm up yesterday gave me hope that spring will be here soon, however, as I am watching it snow (again) I cannot help reminiscing about warmer days spent at the lake...

When it comes to lakefront living there are few things to consider. Waterfront: Take advantage of the views provided by mother nature. Lot size and slope:  Both can impact the decision of the size of your cottage and the style. How will you use the cottage: Will it be a private retreat or are you interested in hosting large groups of people, will it be a single family home, have room to entertain or will it be a multifamily cottage? 

The Vision you have for your lake cottage will be executed perfectly when working with the team at Visbeen Architects. Your dream home will be drawn out on paper in detail and you will know exactly what you are getting before your home is even built. Check out these before and after images of lake style cottages designed by Visbeen Architects. 

Emmett:  Detached Garage to fit the narrow lot.

 Allenwood:  Multi-family cottage with dual master suites and room for guests.

Stoney Pointe:  The perfect size with plenty of outdoor entertainment space.

Tupelo:  Built on a steep slope resulting in a 20 foot drop from the front door to the second lower level.

Hasserton:  Single-Family modern lake home that takes advantage of the panoramic views.

West Wind:  Sitting on a narrow lot this home lives large by taking advantage of every square foot.

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With the never ending fall of snow it is difficult to think that sumer will ever come... I am sure many of you have been dreaming of warmer days where the sun is shining and we don't have to wear our parkas and boots. Hopefully our home design Inverness can give us all a little hope to last us until summer comes. Go ahead, dream of those warm sunny days on the beach with your toes in the sand and nights spent sitting around a crackling fire. Enjoy!

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Simple way to arrange the interior small bedroom

Simple small bedroom decor

For those of you who have a small size room interiors are simple and certainly very tough to organize a large variety of furniture or furnishings inside. Here are a few tips to organize the interior of the bedroom For small and simple to be pleasant atmosphere of the bedroom.

• Making of beds

The bed was made close to the wall, then we can put on the table opposite the bed. Leave space between the two objects to the bedroom window. If you are not using a bed just using the mattress, use a foam mattress or spring bed easy to clean and collapsible. After getting the position of the bed, then you can put furniture or other furnishings that were smaller in the room based on your habits.

 

Simple small bedroom design

• Cabinets

Use cabinets with a width of about 40 cm because in order to save space, use cabinets to store clothes or anything else. No matter the size of a closet essential that can function properly.

• Small dresser

The presence of a dresser in the bedroom is no less important. Especially when the bedroom occupied by women. Dressers should not always great. The important thing is you can make up yourself to taste. Place the dressing table near the wardrobe. Arrangement between a wardrobe and a dressing table is intended to allow you to indulge in the morning.

 

Simple small bedroom idea

• Set your interior bedroom paint colors

Color paint enough to affect the impression of broad or narrow is shown by a narrow room space. To give the impression of a wider try to match the frame color with wall color, because the color contrast between the walls and the frame will give the impression of fuller and narrower. For small rooms, use neutral colors and avoid using two contrasting colors or flashy.

 

Simple small bedroom remodel

Hopefully some tips on how to organize and narrow bedroom with this simple for you.

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Choosing a color for Minimalist Simple Bathroom

 

Minimalist Modern Bathroom

 

Minimalist Modern Simple Bathroom

 

Minimalist Simple Bathroom

The selection of interior colors for the bathroom is very necessary because it would create a sense of comfort and relax if was in the bathroom. Currently the bathroom is not only clean but also need to be beautiful and comfortable.

Many sources to look for the interior design of the bathroom such as books, magazines or the internet. 

Then why the bathroom interior design also need to be considered? Yes, because the bathroom including a private room where you replenish your physical needs such as clean the body after the move. There are some who think that the bathroom is the second bed. If you have bathup in your bathroom, of course you can relax after a hot bath beraktivtas day. To that end, preferably supported by interior design proper bathroom.

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Paint color or wallpaper suitable for children's rooms

 

Interior design for children's rooms

 

Simple design for children's rooms

Paint colors or wallpaper that is suitable for the baby's room is pastel colors are the result of a mixture of primary colors with white. Pastel colors create the impression of a soft and quiet as well as to stimulate the motor nerves of children. Colors that are too dark or too bright like red, purple, dark blue, orange should be avoided because it can make the baby fears.

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Earlier this week, the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) featured our home design Hasserton in an article called "How They Did It:  Cleanly Executed". Working with Bekins of Grand Haven, MI gave these home owners a leg up on the competition with the technological side of their home and integrated it with good design. Featuring the media room in the lower level of this contemporary home, the article takes you through some of the ins and outs of the technological side of this home. Hasserton has also recently been featured in the Electronics Lifestyle Magazine and was recognized for winning Silver for technological design. To read that article follow the link here. To learn more about the technology that has gone into this custom home read the article below. 

How They Did It: Cleanly Executed

CEDIA

Feb 10, 2014

The idea of this media room was to make sure that the technology stayed consistent with the contemporary aesthetic of the space. Function and quality were important, but the audio and video had to blend with the look of the room.

CEDIA member Bekins of Grand Haven, Mich., used careful room layout and equipment selection to ensure that needs for both style and performance were met. The resulting media room earned the Silver Technical Design award for Media Room in CEDIA’s 2013 Electronic Lifestyles® Awards competition.

Technical Highlights:

To meet the client’s request for a clean aesthetic, Bekins selected all in-wall and in-ceiling speakers and remotely located the equipment in an adjacent closet.

The Crestron system allowed Bekins to customize the iPad interface. The customer wanted an app that worked like other apps that he was familiar with. Bekins’ programming skills enabled them to provide the swipes and scrolls the customer was used to.

Challenges:

The main wall on which the television and speakers were mounted, which was the focal point of the room, was made of tile. Bekins needed to find a speaker that not only performed well but also could be blended in with the tile. The television needed to sit as flush to the wall as possible, and there was no room for a traditional subwoofer. The system design process included more consultation with the designer than most projects, but in the end, the extra time paid off with a sleek, contemporary look.

Calibrations:

The Audyssey Room Correction & Calibration feature that comes with the Integra receiver was key to calibrating this room. Bekins’ CEDIA Certified technicians also used their knowledge base to tweak the calibration. In addition to the Audyssey Correction, Bekins used the Paradigm PBK, which allowed them better tune in lower frequencies and get the most out of the room.

Project Partners:

ArchitectVisbeen Associates
Grand Rapids, MI
(616) 285-9901

Interior Designer
Jeffery Roberts Design
Grand Rapids, MI
(616) 454-9490

Builder
Scott Christopher Homes
Grand Rapids, MI
(616) 784-4500

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Last week Builder Magazine featured our home plan, Winfield, for the unique storage solutions it has to offer to the homeowner. When building a home it would be wise to consider the amount of storage you will need in order to keep your home free of clutter. Big or small, everything should have a home in your home. Check out the article to see the unique storage solutions each of these homes has to offer.

FourPlans: Unique Storage Solutions

Think outside the closet. These one-of-a-kind designs will wow your buyers with highly unusual features: think hidden closets, floor-to-ceiling cabinets, and even a drive-through garage that would be the envy of mechanics.

By Aurora Zeledon

Ultimate Garage for Car Enthusiasts

Underneath this lovely country home, you'll find an unusual drive-through storage area that can provide parking for up to eight cars – yes, eight! Click through to see a photo. On the main level, country charm is emphasized with the wrap-around porch and roof dormers. The spacious kitchen offers a large walk-in pantry, an island with seating for six, and generous cabinet space. Don't miss the roomy breakfast nook, the master suite's bay window, and the ample laundry room. See more images, information, and the floor plans.

Boat Storage on Lower Level

Designed by Visbeen Architects, this is a fun plan for a lot that backs up to water. The lower level can be finished to hold boat storage, along with a variety of entertaining spaces. Highlights of the main level include the two-story, light-filled living room with a wall of windows, an adjacent dining room perfect for entertaining with its own deck, and the kitchen's central island. The master suite includes a spa-like bath and a private deck. Upstairs, you'll find two bedroom suites and a kids' study. See more images, information, and the floor plans.

Floor-to-Ceiling Kitchen Cabinets

Floor-to-ceiling cabinets offer an outstanding amount of storage in the kitchen of this design, along with an island and the nearby utility room. Just outside, an optional extended porch and fireplace create a large outdoor living room. The master suite includes a spacious bathroom and a handy island in the large walk-in closet. Secondary bedrooms feature their own walk-in closets next to the Jack and Jill bath. See more images, information, and the floor plans.

Secret Room in the Master Suite

A “secret room” inside the master closet is one of several unusual features of this home. The others? Two first-floor staircases merge at a landing and continue as one to the second floor. A study/library offers up a wet bar that opens to the media room – perfect for making coffee while working at home, or serving up drinks while watching a movie. The upper level overlooks the great room. See more images, information, and the floor plans.

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BALA 2013

We are proud to announce our 2013 Best in American Living Award (BALA) winners! 

Photography:  Dickson Dunlap

Laurel

Platinum for Detached Home 3001-4000 sq ft, Home Built for Sale

Best in Region, South Atlantic

Project Team:

Architect:  Wayne Visbeen

Builder & Designer:  Custom Classics, Bluffton, S.C.

Interior Designer & Merchandiser:  Low Tide Designs

Photography:  Michael Buck

Hasserton

Silver for One-of-a-Kind Custom or Spec Home, 4001-6500 sq ft

Project Team:

Architect:  Wayne Visbeen

Builder:  Scott Christopher Homes

Interior Designer:  Jeffery Roberts Interiors

Land Planner:  Stout Creek Landscapes, Inc.

Photography:  David Lorenz

Hawks Nest

Gold for On the Boards, Single-Family 

Project Team:

Architect:  Wayne Visbeen

Photography:  Ashley Avila 

Allenwood

Silver for One-of-a-Kind Custom or Spec Home up to 4000  sq ft

Project Team:

Architect:  Wayne Visbeen

Builder:  Ashby Builders 

Interior Designer:  Francesca Owings

Photography:  Megan TerVeen

Tupelo

Gold for Detached Home 3001-4000 sq ft, Home Built for Sale

Project Team:

Architect:  Wayne Visbeen

Builder:  Mike Schaap Builders

Interior Designer & Merchandiser:  Benchmark Wood Studio

Developer:  Chad VanHorn

Land Planner:  Debest Landscaping

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International Builders Show

We are excited to share that our home design Tupelo has made the cover of the International Builders Show program! In addition, Tupelo is being recognized as receiving the Best in American Living Gold Award for a Single Family Home, 3001-4000 sq ft. 

With the help of Mike Schaap Builders, the design team from Benchmark Wood Studio and Debest Inc. Landscaping company, we can say that this amazing lakefront cottage is truly one-of-a-kind. Tupelo is located on the shores of Lake Michigan in South Haven, MI and offers panoramic views of the water. This four story beach front cottage has been artfully designed to accommodate large families or groups of friends. 

Additional photos and information about Tupelo can be found at Pier View Cottages or contact Broker, Chad VanHorn of Real Estate Firm.

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The New American Home 2014

THE NEW AMERICAN HOME® is set to debut this week at the International Builders Show in Las Vegas, NV. Every year a team of talented professionals design, build and decorate the New American Home. Located at 2256 Sunrise Ridge Court, Henderson, NV, this years home and has been deemed "the greenest New American Home in history". At 6700 square feet the home is able to accommodate large groups without overcrowding one another while offering a contemporary home with green energy solutions. 

The New American Home was designed by Jeffery Berkus Architects and built in just 10 months by Element Building Co. With the design conscious technology this, stunning, one-of-a-kind home makes the living experience more luxurious while the green energy helps to make energy management and consumption, well, manageable. With home products from a multitude of suppliers, this home is decked out with the latest design trends and top of the line fixtures and appliances from the leading suppliers in the industry to create a one-of-a-kind custom home (Follow this link for a complete list of suppliers). To see more photos of this beautiful home visit the NAHB website.

Photos Via.

With a spacious two story floor plan, this New American Home is able to easily accommodate 12.  

First Floor Plan

Second Floor Plan

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Tips on Choosing Granite Colors For Interior Kitchen

Granite is believed to date as one of the stone used in both interior kitchen. The durability and beauty of the patterns of granite have been the main reason why granite granite to be the most popular choice for kitchen interior design. Granite is also one of the stone is resistant to heat, dirt and scratches.

Granite has a high level of security against heat and cracks, therefore the interior of the kitchen using granite usually has a smooth surface and arch so it can be easily cleaned to remove bacteria arising from food.

1. Colours

One element of interior kitchen granite is the most distinguished of the diverse color palette. Depending on the mineralogy of the stone, the color usually associated with a range of classical models of black granite and white to red.

Granite is instantly recognizable by the conspicuous spots or "gravel". Its texture is a clear sign of quality granite, triggering the interior beauty of a home kitchen.

2. Durability Granite

Choose granite that have longevity and durability is due to your use of this material forever.

3. Easy maintenance

To produce a good finish and glossy granite pilihlan easy to make it look shiny polished. Moreover, it can increase the resistance to moisture and chemicals commonly used in your kitchen.

Similarly Tips on Choosing Colors For Interior Kitchen Granite can convey inspiration to hopefully make you want to renovate or who are looking for ideas on the latest kitchen interior design in your home. Once you choose the color of the granite above models adjusted by staining the walls of your home kitchen. Can you see the previous article Designing a kitchen interior with the latest trend colors.

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Interior kitchen design with mini bar

 

Interior kitchen design with mini bar

 

Interior kitchen decorating mini bar

 

Modern kitchen design with mini bar

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