Architectural Tutorial: Tudor Style

8:00 AM – by 0
The Tudor Style is a post-Victorian Revival Style that, along with five other styles (Norman, Chateauesque, Colonial Revival, Mission, and the Classic Revival Styles), revives form and methods of the past. This style was previously known as Elizabethan (1890-1910) because it was inspired by English cottages built during the reign of Queen Elizabeth (1558-1603). When it emerged in America it was actually a Medieval Revival Style based on the English Elizabethan and Jacobean Styles adapted to the Queen Anne house. It became known as the new English Tudor Style as it evolved and began to master imitating the English historical style more accurately.

The most common exterior characteristic of the Tudor house is half-timbering. In this type of construction, the timber framework of the building is left exposed and the spaces between the timbers are filled or "nogged" with brickwork and often covered with white stucco. Other features of this style include:
  • Cross-gabled, medium to steeply pitched roofs, sometimes with clipped gables
  • Dormers and overhangs are common
  • Arrangements of tall, narrow windows in bands
  • Small window panes either double-hung or casement
  • Oversized fireplaces; chimneys with decorative brickwork and chimney pots
  • Asymmetrical plan
Here are a few examples of Visbeen Associates' Tudor style homes...

Traditional Tudor styling blends with modern comfort and convenience in this design, the Kingston. From the dramatic barrel-vaulted living room to the light-filled octagonal sun room, this well-appointed design includes a spectacular master suite, a gourmet kitchen with large pantry, even a charming potting shed.

The elegant four-bedroom, five-bath Chesterfield boasts the best of Tudor design as well as a floor plan tailored to modern living.

Inspired by the great Tudor estates, this dramatic home called the Livingston features fine details throughout.


Here are a few notable examples of Tudor Style residences...

Castle Lodge in Ludlow, England was pictured in the 1965 film Moll Flanders

Old Mill Farm is the former residence of Mel Gibson in Greenwich, CT. Built in 1926, designed by architect Charles Lewis Bowman, this lovely tudor estate was sold by Gibson in 2010 for over $20 million.

The home in next two photos is where the wedding scene in the movie "The Godfather" was filmed. This Staten Island tudor is available for sale and can be yours if you make them an offer they can't refuse (as long as its around $2.9 million).

Sources:
Walker, Lester. America Homes: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Domestic Architecture. New York: The Overlook Press, 1981.
http://www.antiquehomestyle.com/styles/tudor-revival.htm
http://www.antiquehome.org/Architectural-Style/tudor.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Lodge,_Ludlow
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/826664
http://hookedonhouses.net/2009/06/30/mel-gibsons-tudor-style-mansion-in-greenwich/
http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2010/12/02/staten_islands_godfather_house_hits_the_market_for_29m.php

Man Space fit for a Dad

10:07 AM – by 0
With this weekend being Father's Day, we got to thinking about what today's dads want. From our experience, their own space in the home is ideal. Whether that is the perfect man cave, a garage with room for their toys or workbench, a home theater with surround sound that can shake the walls or a trophy room to showcase their prize-winning catches and adventures, they deserve a place to call their own in the home. Here are a few examples of great man spaces in a few of Visbeen Associates' designs.

So if you are looking for ideas for dad on his day, maybe he would like a space to call his own. Happy Father's Day!

Here is a room for this man-of-the-home's hunting equipment storage

What about a room like this one to organize all of his gear? That seems like a gift to the man AND woman of the house!

Here is a great example of a trophy room displaying this homeowner's hunting adventures

Theater room complete with theater seating and surround sound

A perfect hangout for dad and his buddies during football season, or any sport season for that matter

Your typical billiards game room, right?

Not so much - behind those doors was an indoor golf range perfect for dad!

Old Woods Manor

10:00 AM – by 0

A large circular driveway and serene rock garden welcome visitors to this elegant estate. Classic columns, Shingle and stone distinguish the front exterior, which leads inside through a light-filled entryway. Rear exterior highlights include a natural-style pool, another rock garden and a beautiful, tree-filled lot.

Interior spaces are equally beautiful. The large formal living room boasts coved ceiling, abundant windows overlooking the woods beyond, leaded-glass doors and dramatic Old World crown moldings. Not far away, the casual and comfortable family room entices with coffered ceilings and an unusual wood fireplace. Looking for privacy and a place to curl up with a good book? The dramatic library has intricate paneling, handsome beams and a peaked barrel-vaulted ceiling. Other highlights include a spacious master suite, including a large French-style master bath with his-and-hers vanities. Hallways and spaces throughout feature the level of quality generally found in homes of the past, including arched windows, intricately carved moldings and painted walls reminiscent of Old World manors.

This home was built by Douglas Sumner Builder, Inc. with landscaping by Windscapes Landscaping.

Man's Best Friend or King of the Castle?

11:12 AM – by 0
Do you have a special pet that rules your roost? Check out these fun home features that Visbeen Associates designed especially for the man's best friend that has a very special place in their owner's castle (not to mention their heart).

The team of Visbeen Associates and DeHaan Homes created these first three doggie elements of the Duneside (currently in the Spring Parade of Homes - don't forget to check it out!)...

Built-in kennels under the coat closet of the rear entry for the two canines of this home

A pocket dog gate keeps the pooch from certain areas of the home without having to resort to those unsightly baby gates!

Pocket door into the kitchen with an open window upper portion keeps doggies in without blocking the view

A built-in bed and dutch door turns this laundry room into a doggy sanctuary while the owners are out

This carriage house is complete with a dog shower fit for the king or queen pup of the home

A Summer Retreat: The Traverse

8:00 AM – by 0
As summer begins, we think of all of our lakeshore clients, hoping they are enjoying the relaxation of their retreats. We imagine that as the warm, summer sun sets into the clear, blue waters of the lake, our clients are sitting on their expansive porch, intimate patio or in the comfort of their favorite living room chair, savoring a cup of their beverage of choice and taking in the views and tranquility of each summer night.

Here are a few photos of just one of those lakefront get-aways - the Traverse.

Contact our office today if you are interested in starting the design of your very own residential sanctuary and next year, this could be you enjoying the tranquility of each summer night from the comfort of your porch, patio or living room.

To view more photos of this home, visit the gallery of our website (www.visbeen.biz > gallery > residential projects > cottages > traverse). And in case you missed this home featured in Michigan Blue Magazine's Great Lake Story last year, click the links below to read our clients, Jim & Susan Buda's journey through the design and build of their summer escape:

Be sure to follow this year's Great Lake Story at Harbor Shores in St. Joseph, MI - the first chapter is out in the current issue of Blue.

This home was built by David C. Bos Homes with interior architecture by Visbeen Associates, Inc. and interior design by Melisssa de Alvare.

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)