Vote for Paul Fikse!

Our Vice President, Paul Fikse, is currently running for Byron Center Public School Board in the upcoming election on May 3, 2011. Paul is involved in the community through his three children currently attending Byron Center schools. You may have seen him at one of many equestrian, swimming, volleyball, baseball and other sporting events that he has been involved with and attended over the years. Fikse has most recently added participation in the Watch Dog Dads program to his contribution to the school district. According to Fikse, "it is undeniable how important the education of our children is. The knowledge and skills they learn in the classroom and in extra curricular activities will serve each student in developing the framework for the rest of their life. This is noteworthy both as a parent and for the community at large." He has always been a big proponent for public education after growing up in a large school district in the suburbs of Chicago. Fikse says, "I've always worked towards excellence, and given the opportunity to join the school board, I will work with that same goal in mind while also being a positive influence on the education system in Byron Center." Vote for Paul Fikse on May 3, 2011!

Architectural Tutorial: Shingle Style

The Shingle style is an architectural style that is uniquely American. Simply defined, it a style in which the entire building is covered in shingles. It developed in the late 1800's out of the Stick and Queen Anne styles because of a revived interest in colonial American architecture from the 17th century. The style is characterized by having a picturesque or rustic look, with irregular roof lines including hipped, gabled, or gambrel, free-flowing floor plans, open porches, and less variety in color and materials.*

Over the years, we have become known for our work in traditional residential architecture, including the numerous shingle style homes we have designed. Take a look at a few of our designs as well as some of our uniquely original variations.

This dramatic design, called the Westchester, takes its inspiration from the past but retains the best of the present.

Our most recognizable design - the Ingleside. The challenge of this modern version of the shingle-style was to recreate the classic look while avoiding the pitfalls of the original materials.

Touches of the ever-popular Shingle Style – from the cedar lap siding to the pitched roof – imbue the Wainsborough with all-American charm without sacrificing modern convenience.

Filled with traditional accents, this Shingle-style design, called Cypress Pointe, features a stylish exterior and a thoroughly livable interior.

The Blaine was inspired by both the relaxed aspect of the Shingle Style and the all-American Four Square found around the country.

Ideally suited for property across the street from a lake, this distinctive, shingle-style home is designed for primary viewing from its expansive wrap-around porch and myriad front-facing vantage points.

*sources: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/540781/Shingle-style,

http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/dictionary/index.asp?action=view&term_id=9251&term_type_id=3&term_type_text=things&letter=S

Room Guide: Laundry Rooms That Work For You

For many people, laundry day is the most dreaded day of the week. Sorting, washing, stain fighting, folding - it can be an exhausting task. But what if your laundry room could take some of that dread away by simplifying this household chore? Visbeen Associates designs laundry rooms for living - functional, cheerful and organized so that wash day becomes just another day of the week. According to Wayne, here are few key elements of a successful laundry room...


1. Systems: Develop a system for the coming and going of your laundry and make sure the storage in your laundry room properly adapts to that system. Baskets, cubbies, hanging space and plenty of counter space for folding are key elements of an effective laundry system, so be sure your laundry room accommodates.

The Wainsborough's laundry room has ample storage space and having a front-loading washer/dryer allows for additional counterspace.

Inverness' laundry room includes closed cubboard space, open shelving for cute touches and even a space for hanging clothes above the washer & dryer. This proves you don't need to have a lot of space to include key elements of a successful laundry room!

2. Multi-use: If you can have your laundry room serve multiple functions, it will be a more effective space. You can literally "multi-task" and get multiple chores done at the same time as doing the laundry when you have a home management system built right in. For some of our clients, we have incorporated sewing space so that their clothes would never again be lost in mending never-never-land. Or we have built in pet accessories into the space so that they aren't taking up floorspace. Constantly tripping over a doggie bed under toe can make any task less enjoyable!

The laundry room for Two Creeks is a great example of multi-use. This room has a built-in doggie bed in the corner to keep the home's kanine out of the working area.

Sunset View's laundry space not only displays great storage solutions, but the wrapping paper station under the open shelving also shows another way of creating a multi-functional space. Why not get your wrapping done while waiting to switch a load?

3. Windows: If your home allows for it, we recommend having a window in your laundry room. No one wants to feel cooped up while they are working, so why not have a nice view of the outdoors while you sort and fold? And if you are able to put a window, that means that your laundry would be on an outside wall of the home, making it much easier for venting to go to the outside. Efficiency, efficiency, efficiency!

Pemberley's laundry room has a large window, allowing for ample daylight to illuminate the space at the same time as providing a great view of the home's beautiful surrounding landscape.

In this laundry room, using the sink also means being able to enjoy the outdoors through the window.

4. Workspace Adjacency: The age old question of where to place the laundry - do you put it on the main floor, next to the master bedroom or upstairs by the other bedrooms? Our answer - place it near where you work. If you spend a good portion of your time cooking, place it near the kitchen. If you spend the majority of your time in your upstairs living spaces, then place it near your favorite spots upstairs. Your laundry experience will be more efficient and enjoyable if you do not have to travel so far from where you work to the laundry room.

The Stafford's laundry room keeps in mind all of the key elements of a successful space - ample counterspace, systematic storage, a place for hanging clothes and it is located on the main level of this home, close to the kitchen and with a great view of the backyard pool. This homeowner can complete the laundry chore, enjoy the view and still keep an eye on the kids playing out back - a true multi-tasker!

We cannot talk about laundry room placement without including Two Creek's laundry room. This room is located on the main level of the home with a dutch door to the back hallway directly across from the home management center and a pocket door to the right which leads to the pantry connected to the kitchen. A great way to stay connected to the kitchen workspace without guests being able to view directly into the laundry room.

So with just a few key elements, instead of your laundry putting you to work, you can have a room that works for you!

Waterfront Design: Challenges & Opportunities

Next week Thursday, April 28, Wayne Visbeen will be leading a free educational seminar hosted by the Grand Valley Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Wayne will present a pictorial essay on the design challenges and opportunities of waterfront living. Topics will range from site considerations and restrictions to functionality and aesthetics. Whether you're an architect or a waterfront enthusiast, you will find this presentation educational and entertaining.

Location: UICA, 41 Sheldon Blvd SE, Grand Rapids, MI

Time: 6:00p - Cocktail social hour with appetizers

7:00p-8:00p - Lecture

Cost: FREE so don't miss it!

Church Design

Did you know that in addition to the residential and retail projects that we do here at Visbeen Associates, we also design churches? Check out these images from our church portfolio and contact our office today if you have any new construction or remodel design needs for your church!

Brookside Christian Reformed Church • Grand Rapids, MI

Georgetown Christian Reformed Church • Hudsonville, MI

Remembrance Reformed Church • Grand Rapids, MI

Westminster Presbyterian Church • Rock Tavern, NY

Central Park Chapel • Holland, MI

Wellspring Community Church • Georgetown Township, MI

WZZM 13 and MLive features on "MoDiv" Retail Incubator

Wayne Visbeen was featured in a piece on WZZM 13 and an article on MLive.com regarding the retail incubator called The Shoppes at Monroe and Division, or "MoDiv," that Rockford Construction is looking to open this fall in downtown Grand Rapids. Check out the features here!

"Planned incubator seeks to bring more retailers to downtown Grand Rapids"

http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2011/04/planned_incubator_seeks_to_bri.html

Vendor Spotlight: Diane Hasso, Faux-Real, LLC Decorative Painting

Visbeen Associates has worked on numerous projects with Diane Hasso, of Faux-Real, LLC, a decorative painting business specializing in creative surface design of interior spaces, furnishings, fixtures, and accessories. Since 2001, Faux-Real, LLC has offered a complete range of design and finishing services from wall and ceiling treatments, to cabinet artwork and murals, to fireplace, mantel and stove hood treatments. As the owner and chief designer, Hasso works directly with clients, architects and builders on unique designs that enhance existing architecture and can take a space from ordinary to extraordinary. Her work can be seen in commercial and office spaces as well as high-end homes, including Visbeen Associates' designs like Legacy Woods, Two Creeks, Westchester, Reynard and Wiltshire, as seen in the photos below. Her decorative painting and creative finishes have also been featured in the "Parade of Homes" in Grand Rapids and in such publications as Better Homes & Gardens and Grand Rapids Magazine.

Hasso has studied with world renowned Master Artists and also has training in specialty product lines. She currently teaches faux painting classes and is an instructor for Just Once Classes. She has enjoyed volunteering to teach classes for Home Repair services and donating her time for the Boys & Girls Club of Holland Showcase Homes in 2007 and 2009.

Visit Faux-Real, LLC's website today to learn more information about their services or to contact Diane Hasso.

Legacy Woods kitchen with Old World Italian Plaster wall finish

Legacy Woods great room skipped trowel with soft vanilla metallic paint for light reflection with soft brown glaze

Two Creeks kitchen cove ceilings

Two Creeks master bathroom ceiling in custom color metallic plaster

Westchester dining room ceiling custom finish

Reynard living room custom multi-colored and multi-layered metallic plaster on barrel ceiling

Reynard custom finish on MDF block wall in back entry

Wiltshire hand painting work on boy's playhouse

Panache Partners Press Release: Perspectives on Design

As we had previously shared here on our blog, Visbeen Associates was included in the Great Lakes edition of Panache Partners' Perspectives on Design. Panache recently posted a press release promoting this book and here are the kind words they had to say about our firm...

"In addition to experiencing captivating residences designed by highly regarded architects like Wayne Visbeen and John Allegretti and built by firms such as Easling Construction Company, readers will savor viewing the fine elements that make these luxury homes so magnificent. "

To read Panache's full press release, click here, and to view our feature in this fabulous book, click here.

Shore Magazine: Master Planners

Visbeen Associates was honored by being included in Shore Magazine's "Master Planners" article from their Architecture Issue. The article featured five "world-class" architects in the Shore region and we were thrilled to be highlighted as one of those five. Read our excerpt here!