Room Guide: Outdoor Living at it's Best

Spring is here (for the most part) and that means summertime is right around the corner.  People are dusting of their grill tools, cleaning off their decks, washing the patio furniture and getting ready for a new season of adding the outdoors as an expansion of their home living space.  Outdoor living can be overlooked as just an added bonus or a "plus" in a home design only if there is room for it in the budget, but sometimes these spaces are where the most enjoyable time at home is spent with family and friends.

Here are a few fun porches and patios we designed that are sure to bring the party to the out-of-doors...

Nothing foils plans for a summer get-together like bad weather, a scenario we Michiganders know all too well.  Consider retractable screens by companies like Phantom Screens, making the porch more versatile for a variety of weather conditions.

These spacious porches not only offer ideal entertaining and dining space, they also give the rear elevations of these homes charm and interest.

 Complete with a built-in grille, this stone patio has plenty of space for entertaining and enjoying the expansive view of Lake Michigan

You don't have to have hundreds of square feet to create a welcoming space - this quaint screened porch adds miles of charm to Traverse's design.

 Multi-leveled stone patios add beauty and elegance to the exteriors of these designs

This beautiful terraced patio gives a bit of shade from the hot summer sun without completely blocking the rays we wait all winter to enjoy

Turned 45 degrees off the kitchen from a glass vestibule for maximum air circulation, this outdoor room extends residential living space and makes the most of seasonal ambience. The homeowners loved to cook and entertain, so we turned this space into the ultimate screened room and dining experience, a place that allows them to live outside, inside.

Doesn't this outdoor fireplace just make you want to snuggle down in one of the comfy chairs, put up your feet, open a book and enjoy a chilly summer evening in front of a roaring fire?

 This gives a whole new meaning to the term "wrap-around porch"

Room Guide: Gourmet Kitchens, Part 2

We are continuing our room guide from last month with a few more beautiful gourmet kitchens and some design tips on how these looks were achieved...

Inverness

This kitchen is much more than just a place to prepare meals. The large island, with seating for four and views of both the lake and the woods, provides the ideal spot for impromptu get-togethers. Each element in the dazzling kitchen was chosen for elegance and ease. The island is topped with Cambrian Cream sandstone providing unbeatale looks and easy clean up. While select appliances are paneled to match the cabinets, others stand out with a bold splash of Viking blue. Rather than a traditional backsplash, all-over tiles lend a satisfying visual texture and pull together the home's color palette as they sparkle with blues and greens.

-Excerpts from Grand Rapids Magazine,

Design Home 2009,

written by Brenda Cooke

Kearney Hill

Situated at one end of the home, with access to the centrally located living area, this kitchen gives the wide-open spaces feel of an old farmhouse. Clean, white board and batten ceilings and built-in cabinetry balance the rich walnut-stain of the floor. Expansive counters provide ample preparation space, with a sink at each end. Tiles line the back wall bringing a splash of color to the room, while large windows line every wall, taking advantage of bright natural light and gorgeous lake views. Ideal for entertaining, the island features barstool seating and a nearby serving hutch provides a wine cooler, icemaker and additional sink. Beautiful stained glass china cabinets are backlit to enhance displays, and custom-designed appliance paneling adds to the elegance of the space.

Wainsborough

Design inspirations drawn from Western mountain residences and Heritage Hill lend distinctive, textured character to this home' gracious kitchen. Having a kitchen that feels more like a gathering space, with furniture-like characteristics, was important to the homeowners. Raised-panel, hand-finished cabinetry - mirroring the dining bay and music room - have inset doors. Lower perimeter cabinets - distressed alder with Tuscan glaze - are complemented by cream-hued, mullioned glass upper units echoing the home's retro transom windows. An appealing argyle backsplash offers visual interest, and the large island, topped by ivory, black, and deep coppery gold-tone granite, which complements the cabinets - serves as the kitchen's focal point. The island offers custom-designed features including a pull-out bookshelf for the homeowners' collection of cookbooks, as well as a pull-out table for extra seating. Panels conceal the kitchen's commercial-grade, state-of-the-art appliances.

-Excerpts from Grand Rapids Magazine,

Design Home 2007,

written by Wade Rouse

Clareville

Attention to detail combined with the artful incorporation of modern appliances make the Clareville kitchen a perfect example of beauty and functionality working flawlessly together. This room manages to be cozy and inviting, while still providing ample space for entertaining large parties. Exquisite granite surfaces serve as prep areas as well as extra seating. Appliances are flush within the design of custom cabinetry. Quaint meets sophisticated in an oval porthole window surrounded by a diamond-tiled backdrop. In contrast with the neutral tones of the walls and cabinetry, the center island and craftsman-style oven hood are stained in a warm cherry. Adjacent to the circular island seating is the formal dining table, allowing the kitchen and dining areas to function as one large gathering space. Large windows surround the room, supplying natural light and beautiful lake views during dinner.

Muirfield

Inspiration for this impressive and spacious kitchen came from the client's desire for a beautiful, comfortable place to cook, spend time with family, and entertain. With a penchant for the past, and a need for all that modern technology and kitchen trends have to offer, the client's every requirement was met in this design. Intricate woodwork dominates the scene. No detail was overlooked, evidenced by hand-carved pilasters and delicate motifs gracing heavy ceiling beams. Arched pelmets accommodate valances and soften windows without compromising the exterior structure. The room is centrally located, making it the perfect place from which to run the home, entertain guests and gather as a family. Despite the large parameters (16'x20'), a smart layout and old-world detailing allow this country-style kitchen to maintain a homey feel. Adjacent to this space is the formal dining room. The client expressed frustration with layouts that inhibit access between the two. Subsequently, a pass-through buffet was designed to oblige effortless service at meal times. In order to keep the opening optional, custom doors were added to hide all evidence of this novelty when closed.

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.

Room Guide: Kid's Spaces

"If I could see the world

through the eyes of a child

smiling faces would greet me all the while.

Like a lovely work of art,

it would warm my weary heart

just to see through the eyes of a child"

~ Patsy Cline, "If I could see the world"

Some of the most enjoyable places we get to design are children's spaces in the home, because it means that we get to see the world through a kid's eyes. These are spaces where caution can be thrown to the wind and imaginations can run wild. Here are a few things to keep in mind...

1. Let them be who they are: A kid's space can be an extension of who they are, what they like, and what their passions are. Make their room an environment that encourages their creativity and interests. That may mean redecorating in a few years if their passions change, but hey, that will just give you the opportunity to try a new design!

This playroom gives the grandchildren of this household a place to be who they are, with space to play and areas for imagining.

The sky's the limit in this aeronautical themed room.

A room fit for a little princess, complete with canopies and a whimsical starry night scene.

Yes, a teenager lives in this pad, fit with a dj turn station, hanging bunk beds for slumber parties and interchangeable posters adorning the walls.

These parents have a gamer on their hands!

This room's teenage inhabitant can literally "hang" out in her room, display her awards and photos and enjoy the psychedelic colors and decor of her space.

2. Embrace the outdoors: Is your child an avid outdoorsman? Embrace it! Why not bring the outdoors in?

Do you live in the city, but have a child that belongs on a farm? No problem! This barn-themed room leaves a place to study, watch TV (hidden at the top of the silo) and house the play animals for your little farmer.

Inside the barn, you will find original murals done by the kiddos themselves! A great way to let their artistic talents run free.

Does your child love outdoor playhouses? Well they can make a great home for your child's bed, complete with a loft above for playspace.

This bedroom feels like sleeping in the woods, minus the bugs, dirt and creatures!

3. To share or not to share: Ah, the age old question of families with multiple children. Here are some ways your kids can share without having to share too much.

Half walls between the beds create separate spaces for each child to call their own while the overhead loft is a common play area.

The above two photos show a sister's retreat - each girl has their own bedroom and bathroom space that is adjoined with a common play area. The dutch doors offer each child the ability to have semi or full privacy from the other.

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!