Cosmopolitan Home Grand Rapids: Lakefront Luxury & The Test of Time

The late Fall issue of Cosmopolitan Home Magazine - Grand Rapids is chock full of Visbeen Architects' designs!  The cover story titled, "Lakefront Luxury," gives a pictorial tour and the story behind the extensive renovation of an award-winning summer cottage on Whitefish Lake we call the Meadowview.  We were brought into the project by Creeekside Construction to turn the exterior areas into premium outdoor living spaces.

You will also find one of our oldie-but-goodie designs standing "The Test of Time."  Although it was built eleven years ago, the exterior and interior details as well as handcrafted features of Torrey Pines still have the timeless appeal as the day it was built.  And we agree with the writer - "well crafted" is an understatement for this home!

Check out both articles in the publication on our website here.

Architectural Tutorial: Stairs

“There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs.”

-anonymous

(http://thinkexist.com/search/searchquotation.asp?search=stairs&page=3)

But which type of stairs lead to success? In today's architectural tutorial, we will be outlining the various types with pictorial examples from Visbeen Associates' home designs so you can judge for yourself!

1. Straight Run Stairs: have no turns, as the name implies. (http://www.build-home-building-house.com/stair_types.html)

The Sinclaire's straight run stair with open tread

2. L Stairs: has one landing at some point along the flight of steps.

(http://www.build-home-building-house.com/stair_types.html)

The Westchester's L stair

3. U Stairs: may be constructed either as wide U or narrow U stairs. Both have two flights of steps parallel to each other with a landing between. (http://www.build-home-building-house.com/stair_types.html)

The Amblewood's U stair with some great details

The Blaine's U stair with a built-in booth on the landing - a detail like this really sets a common type of stair apart

4. Spiral Stairs: wind around a central pole. They typically do not have an inner handrail, just the central pole. (http://www.allwords.com/word-spiral+staircase.html)

The Pentwater's spiral stair with open tread

The Leland's spiral stair with open tread - what a great way to get up to the tower level!

5. Circular Stairs: do not have a central pole and there is a handrail on both sides. These have the advantage of a more uniform tread width when compared to the spiral staircase.

(http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Stairs)

Torrey Pines' circular stair makes for a grand entrance

The Pinehurst's circular stair takes you from the basement all the way to the upper level

Two Creeks' stair circles around a fantastic chandelier in the entry

Torrey Pines

Torrey Pines is a stately European-style home. Patterned brick, arched picture windows, and a three-story turret accentuate the exterior. Upon entering the foyer, guests are welcomed by the sight of a sweeping circular stair leading to an overhead balcony.

Filigreed brackets, arched ceiling beams, tiles and bead board adorn the high, vaulted ceilings of the home. The kitchen is spacious, with a center island and elegant dining area bordered by tall windows. On either side of the kitchen are living spaces and a three-season room, all with fireplaces.

The library is a two-story room at the front of the house, providing an office area and study. A main-floor master suite includes dual walk-in closets, a large bathroom, and access to the lower level via a small spiraling staircase. Also en suite is a hot tub room in the octagonal space of the home’s turret, offering expansive views of the surrounding landscape.

The upper level includes a guest suite, two additional bedrooms, a studio and a playroom. The lower level offers billiards, a circle bar and dining area, more living space, a cedar closet, wine cellar, exercise facility and golf practice room.

This beautiful home was designed by Visbeen Associates and built by DeHaan Homes