Home Entertainment Spaces: In Home Bars

A growing trend is in home design is having ample entertainment spaces indoors and out. Having a bar in your home can help bring the party to life by mixing up cocktails. Why go anywhere else for adult fun when you can enjoy a homemade cocktail in the comfort of your own home with a full stocked bar with the ingredients of your choice.

The granite countertops and wood finishes can be seen throughout the home and it created an seamless flow between the levels of the home.

This Craftsman style bar is finished with dark wood cabinets and coffered ceilings for a traditional look.

A built in bar can provide all of the in home fun without increasing the footprint of the home. 

A contemporary take on a home bar with a tile backsplash and mis-matched pendant lights as a unique, artistic feature. 

 This boat inspired bar is decked out complete with a keg tap, wine cooler perfect for the captain of your own ship.

Tap into this wine cellar/ bar and break out a bottle of your favorite wine to make each get together a fun and unique experience. 

AIBD American Residential Design Awards

This past week, staff from Visbeen Architects attended the American Institute of BuildingDesign’s (AIBD), annual, National Convention in Columbus, OH. During the convention, the winners of the 2014 American Residential Design Awards (ARDA)are announced at a banquet celebration. 
We were honored with 15 awards this year including the prestigious Best in Show and Global Choice Award with thirteen of our projects being awarded in their respective categories.

Georgetown – First Place – Custom Luxury 5001 sq ft – 6500 sq ft

Architect:  Visbeen Architects, Inc.

Collaborator:  Sam Liberti

Builder:  Custom Classics

Interior Design:  Custom Classics

Developer:  David Weekly Homes

In addition to winning in its category, the Georgetown Design won Global Choice and brought home this years Best in Show.

Tricklebrook – First Place – Published Design 2500 sq ft & Under

Architect:  Visbeen Architects, Inc.

Builder:  Falcon Custom Homes

Interior Design:  Gallery Interiors

Laurel – First Place – Published Design 2501 sq ft - 4000 sq ft

Architect:  Visbeen Architects, Inc.

Collaborator:  Sam Liberti

Builder:  Custom Classics

Interior Design:  Custom Classics

Developer:  David Weekly Homes

Sturbridge – First Place -  Published Design 4001 sq ft & Above

Architect:  Visbeen Architects, Inc.

Driftwood - Conceptual Design 2500 sq ft & Under

Architect:  Visbeen Architects, Inc.

Interior Design:  Gallery Interiors 

Whinton – First Place - Conceptual Design 2501 sq ft - 4000 sq ft

Architect:  Visbeen Architects, Inc.

Sheridan – First Place - Model Home 2500 sq ft & Under

Architect:  Visbeen Architects, Inc.

Builder:  Mike Schaap Builders

Interior Design:  Benchmark Wood Studio

Developer:  Chad Van Horn

Emmett – First Place - Model Home 2501 sq ft - 4000 sq ft

Architect:  Visbeen Architects, Inc.

Builder:  Mike Schaap Builders

Interior Design:  Benchmark Wood Studio

Developer:  Chad Van Horn

Harvey – First Place - Model Home 4001 & Above

Architect:  Visbeen Architects, Inc.

Builder:  Falcon Custom Homes

Interior Design:  Gallery Interiors

Breezy Point – First Place - Custom Luxury 3000 sq ft & Under

Architect:  Visbeen Architects, Inc.

Builder: Jorndt Builders, LLC

Allenwood – Second Place - Custom Luxury 3001 sq ft - 4000 sq ft

Architect:  Visbeen Architects, Inc.

Builder:  Ashby Builders

Interior Design:  Francesca Owings

Heartsworth – First Place - Custom Luxury 6501 sq ft & Above

Architect:  Visbeen Architects, Inc.

Builder:  Infiniti Custom Homes

Interior Design:  Lauren Greiner of Klingmans Design Studio

We would like to sincerely thank everyone that voted for us we truly appreciate all of your support because without you we could not have won the Global Choice Award. 

You can see full galleries for all of these homes on our website and on our Houzz profile. 

River House Condo for Sale

Recently, a Visbeen Architects designed condo has been put on the market and this River House condo separates itself with a Tuscan flare. 

This tailor-made luxury home, features original built-ins and custom cabinetry. The 3000 square-foot main level is home to everything from the kitchen to the master suite. The combined dining and living space makes entertaining easy, while a private den and study allow for more privacy. A guest room, complete with its own bathroom and closet space make this the perfect place to host friends and family.

 Enjoy panoramic views of downtown Grand Rapids from the rooftop patio. 

You can read the full listing article online at MLive and find the property listed by Robert Ortiz here. 

Architect:  Visbeen Architects. Inc

Builder:  Falcon Custom Homes

Interior Design:  Gallery Interiors

Laurel Houzz Tour

In case you missed it…Late last week, our home design, "Laurel" was featured on Houzz in the traditional architecture idea book. Becky Harris, a Houzz contributor had a chance to interview Wayne Visbeen of Visbeen Architects to get an insider look at how he prepared for designing the Laurel in the traditional community in Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton South Carolina. 

 The Laurel was designed to be a traditional Lowcountry home and to fit in with the surrounding homes in the community. To read more about this traditional southern home and the homework that went into designing it, read the Houzz Tour:  Lowcountry Style With an Eye on Entertaining. 

Cornerstone University Chapel Construction to continue

Earlier this week a semi truck ran into a part of a US-31 overpass near Holland, MI and it needs to be replaced. This may take a while due to high demand and a very limited supply of steel in Michigan. 

The shortage is stemming from the Tappan Zee Bridge project in New York and the Ohio River Bridges Project on the Kentucky/ Indiana border. These projects are eating up a large supply of the available steel in the area causing building projects that involve steel to be put on hold.

Photo Courtesy of WZZM13

After learning of the shortage and seeing the impact it has been having on building and road projects in the area, WZZM13 set their eye on Cornerstone University's new chapel construction. The rising concern with the steel shortage had people wondering what is happening. WZZM interviewed the architect of the project, Wayne Visbeen of Visbeen Architects, asked his opinion on the matter. "I think what's happening with steel is just a little lead time. So there's supply and demand issue". 

Fortunately the builder, Christman Company was thinking ahead and ordered the steel 12 weeks in advance and only paid the going price rather than the 14-16% price increase that builders are having to pay now. This planning was a result of a change in the original plan from wood beams on the interior to steel in the design, "the effect was giving the structure that radial pattern. They're crossing in the center from all four corners" says Visbeen.   

 To read the full article and to watch the video interview with Wayne Visbeen visit WZZM13. 

2014 Spring Parade of Homes

The Spring Parade of Homes kicks off tomorrow, May 23 at 1pm. The homes will be available to view until 9pm each day. The parade of homes is a great opportunity to see the fine craftsmanship and design trends of local builders, architects and interior designers. 

We have two homes in the Grand Rapids Parade of Homes this year. The first home is a mediterranean style and was built by Mike Schaap Builders. Located in East Grand Rapids this home was designed by Visbeen Architects with a perfect balance of warmth, luxury and functionality throughout. 

The second home is located in the Waterford Heights neighborhood and is built by White Birch Builders. This Visbeen designed craftsman home offers artfully crafted custom cabinetry to reflect the charming neighborhood it is located in. 

We are proud to share that our East Grand Rapids design was chosen as an Editor's Pick in Grand Rapids Cosmopolitan Home. 

We hope that many of you will get the opportunity to see the craftsmanship and design talents that have gone into creating these beautiful homes. 

To learn more about these projects you can visit the Parade of Homes website and search for Visbeen Architects or search the builder. 

The homes will be available to tour on the following dates and times:

Friday, May 23, 1pm-9pm

Saturday, May 24, 1pm-9pm

Monday, May 26, 1pm-9pm

Wednesday, May 28, 1pm-9pm

Friday, May 30, 1pm-9pm

Saturday, May 31, 1pm-9pm

Wednesday, June 4, 1pm-9pm

Friday, June 6, 1pm-9pm

Saturday, June 7, 1pm-9pm