Happy Memorial Day

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdQ31tpfxx6iGt_OD_vEACRoL-EepW8cPjOsuOO9Lr83l0P3cJX0y25ZiMc9RF5ddEzr34dEzS5Qm7cXgbYC2RIRWId34xIe6zTFMC1AfYtFrMfWZQ0NQEnBgwgpIqm2Ya4W6ApuXun9T/s1600/memorial-day-flag.bmp" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611042551617812130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdQ31tpfxx6iGt_OD_vEACRoL-EepW8cPjOsuOO9Lr83l0P3cJX0y25ZiMc9RF5ddEzr34dEzS5Qm7cXgbYC2RIRWId34xIe6zTFMC1AfYtFrMfWZQ0NQEnBgwgpIqm2Ya4W6ApuXun9T/s320/memorial-day-flag.bmp" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 242px; height: 320px;" /></a><br />On this Memorial Day, we remember our servicemen - those currently serving, those who have served in days and wars past and most of all, those who have given their life in our nation's service. You are not forgotten and we thank you for defending the freedoms that we enjoy every day.<div><br /></div><div>Have a blessed Memorial Day.</div>

Happy Memorial Day

On this Memorial Day, we remember our servicemen - those currently serving, those who have served in days and wars past and most of all, those who have given their life in our nation's service. You are not forgotten and we thank you for defending the freedoms that we enjoy every day.Have a blessed …

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The Duneside in the Spring Parade of Homes

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxiFelqdunjm2RkEWQLXTmcAhjvqmauMCnDW6F_5LsCPmMblAx9SyrgeJnjh6BemALAjbrN4s8d9H7o9iUrMG22xSfHssOIXhu44wxff3Z8KZU24iwicYYDxM4xlirLZHoLdRpg70yble/s1600/Vryhof+Front.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611036494208427650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxiFelqdunjm2RkEWQLXTmcAhjvqmauMCnDW6F_5LsCPmMblAx9SyrgeJnjh6BemALAjbrN4s8d9H7o9iUrMG22xSfHssOIXhu44wxff3Z8KZU24iwicYYDxM4xlirLZHoLdRpg70yble/s320/Vryhof+Front.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 170px;" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Take a trip to Michigan’s coast and see our masterpiece showcased in the </span></span><a href="http://www.hbaggr.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">HBA of Greater Grand Rapids</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">' Spring Parade of Homes, which opens </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">tomorrow</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">! </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Classic 19</span></span>^{<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">th</span></span>}<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">-century Shingle-style cottages provided the inspiration for this surprisingly spacious design. Outside, wood siding, transom windows and a hipped roof add cottage charm. Inside, more than 2,500 square feet on the main floor, including an unusually shaped living room and a large, open-plan kitchen that looks out over an outdoor deck, provide plenty of room to relax. Nearby, a large master bedroom, office and study provide privacy when desired. The second floor includes two bedrooms, one an unusual octagonal shape, and a large craft room. Billiards, an exercise space and a large family room complete the lower level. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">As you tour this lakeshore retreat, you will notice outstanding craftsmanship, built by </span></span><a href="http://www.dehaanhomes.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">DeHaan Homes</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">. DeHaan Homes has been building finely crafted homes for four generations and with that experience comes mastery of the trade. They have a passion for delivering the very best home to discriminating clientele. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Cabinetry throughout was done by </span></span><a href="http://www.spacesunlimited.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Spaces Unlimited</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">. Spaces has been in the business of custom cabinetry, interior design, window treatments, as well as unique gifts and accessories for 11 years. Their selection, expertise and services are exceptional and turn the ordinary to extraordinary. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Don't miss touring this get-away, retreat, and priceless gift from one generation to the next! Hours for the Spring Parade of Homes are as follows:</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">May 27 - June 11</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">: Fridays, Saturdays & Wednesdays, 1:00p-9:00p</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">We hope to see you there!</span></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->

The Duneside in the Spring Parade of Homes

Take a trip to Michigan’s coast and see our masterpiece showcased in the HBA of Greater Grand Rapids' Spring Parade of Homes, which opens tomorrow! Classic 19th-century Shingle-style cottages provided the inspiration for this surprisingly spacious design. Outside, wood siding, transom windows and a …

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Great Lake Story: Chapter One

<a href="http://www.mibluemag.com/">Michigan Blue Magazine</a>'s Great Lake Story is back! This year's story takes place in the neighborhood called The Fairways at <a href="http://harborshoreslife.com/">Harbor Shores</a> in St. Joseph, MI. Read Chapter One for an introduction to this delightful tale of home design and the good life - stay tuned as this story unfolds to see Visbeen Associates' designs for Habor Shores!<div><br /></div><div>For ease of reading, <a href="http://www.echobox.com/visbeen/publication_assets/2011/michigan_blue/michigan_blue_summer_2011_great_lakes_story_chapter_1.pdf">visit www.visbeen.biz</a> to view the full story.<br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghk9AJLIMcukkr3LtcTY1U1U0fd9Llnx2I8_8NI5v-h0_eltpaw325Qiqy4QTvXAFSYAjTPaBeP9z0pi_KomOxRgHuTFvaKQpwXX5R2j2_scOsS4bYt0_6aWX2xh1_N32yUGGJG8SjFHqq/s1600/Cover.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609975547788868770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghk9AJLIMcukkr3LtcTY1U1U0fd9Llnx2I8_8NI5v-h0_eltpaw325Qiqy4QTvXAFSYAjTPaBeP9z0pi_KomOxRgHuTFvaKQpwXX5R2j2_scOsS4bYt0_6aWX2xh1_N32yUGGJG8SjFHqq/s320/Cover.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 320px;" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7plK79xnt92yzgTTVjaspPSP2sUYpn0s14XHUXnK_8xjDN_Uzf8pf-S-NWIV1mZATcWkoacFH4AVXCkw1uNyt2OLwA7b-pHO0pvgoBDk-jLSvF2i3sbxV1zZ0un_YngK4dnJ5Bdgg8_Nm/s1600/p1-2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609975535552418546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7plK79xnt92yzgTTVjaspPSP2sUYpn0s14XHUXnK_8xjDN_Uzf8pf-S-NWIV1mZATcWkoacFH4AVXCkw1uNyt2OLwA7b-pHO0pvgoBDk-jLSvF2i3sbxV1zZ0un_YngK4dnJ5Bdgg8_Nm/s320/p1-2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 203px;" /></a>

Great Lake Story: Chapter One

Michigan Blue Magazine's Great Lake Story is back! This year's story takes place in the neighborhood called The Fairways at Harbor Shores in St. Joseph, MI. Read Chapter One for an introduction to this delightful tale of home design and the good life - stay tuned as this story unfolds to see Visbeen…

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Architectural Tutorial: Victorian Style

<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The Victorian Style is defined as "a style of architecture used in Britain during the reign of Queen Victoria from roughly 1840 to 1900, characterized by massive construction and elaborate ornamentation." The architecture of this era was considered to be a new kind of modernism, which is why it had such instant popularity. People were tired of simplistic residential designs of the past, so the highly decorative features of this era fulfilled their new found love for exquisite design.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">This style is a complex topic because it includes several styles, each with their own distinctive characteristics. Here are just a few of the styles that were conceived in the Victorian Era and their main features:</span></span></div><div><ul><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Queen Anne:</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> most predominate, had gabled roofs, shingles, angled bay windows and sometimes a turret (or tower), open/spacious porches with gingerbread trim, brackets, ornate spindles and spandrels, intricate sawn-wood baluster, fluted columns or turned and painted posts</span></span></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Italianate:</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> wings, towers, flat rooflines, corniced eaves, angled bay windows, Corinthian-columned porches & square tower or cupola</span></span></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Folk Victorian:</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> plain folks could afford these simple North American home designs, square/symmetrical shape, brackets under the eaves, porches with spindlework or flat, jigsaw cut trim</span></span></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Stick-Eastlake:</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> plain, simple & relatively modern, large ornamental truss under the gable eaves of a house, and often included square bays, flat roof lines & free-style decorations</span></span></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Gothic Revival:</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> steep rooftops, pinnacles, parapets, leaded glass windows with decorative </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">ornamentation & clover shaped windows</span></span></li><li><i><a href="http://visbeen-associates-architects.blogspot.com/2011/04/architectural-tutorial-shingle-style.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Shingle Style</span></span></a></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">: as defined in our last </span></span><a href="http://visbeen-associates-architects.blogspot.com/2011/04/architectural-tutorial-shingle-style.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">architectural tutorial</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">picturesque or rustic look, with irregular roof lines includ</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">ing </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">hipped, gabled, or gambrel</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">free-flowing floor plans, open porches, and less variety in color and materials.</span></span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Pictured below are some recognizable designs in the US from the Victorian Era....</span></span></div></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMrSBwsLf0D7oEDSgUtUeSodgd8aLvyVyjqGCZi1KTb5rK80Yxui0jC0rdIsGys1P4GbLvmy7jPYlRj22-8QwGR5T_S6YZb-FTOVnrxIW4CY6SPm8tLNwmeJQCr4CszIgnpKoP-Jn61U_/s1600/1-800px-PaintedLadies2010.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608432526805843410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvMrSBwsLf0D7oEDSgUtUeSodgd8aLvyVyjqGCZi1KTb5rK80Yxui0jC0rdIsGys1P4GbLvmy7jPYlRj22-8QwGR5T_S6YZb-FTOVnrxIW4CY6SPm8tLNwmeJQCr4CszIgnpKoP-Jn61U_/s320/1-800px-PaintedLadies2010.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" /></a><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The<b> "Painted Ladies"</b> in San Francisco, CA. I'm sure all of you Full House fans recognize these architectural gems!</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; "><i><br /></i></span></div></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWn_X19bmFF4eSzJYe1V8ABjobdEdhrs3BDtIeKmAO6WbZEukJmGxhFF0yexa5i1q945nbRIfPAfXl4G5BwawUanDmlZur-kLJehdM9fUN7SubTn9CIQbiyuVKhXDgolJ2d5iBRFgZ34fG/s1600/2-TwainM_fr.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608432523873722018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWn_X19bmFF4eSzJYe1V8ABjobdEdhrs3BDtIeKmAO6WbZEukJmGxhFF0yexa5i1q945nbRIfPAfXl4G5BwawUanDmlZur-kLJehdM9fUN7SubTn9CIQbiyuVKhXDgolJ2d5iBRFgZ34fG/s320/2-TwainM_fr.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Mark Twain's House</span></i></b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> in Hartford, CT</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Designed by New York architect Edward Tuckerman Potter, built in 1874</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClO-FPkKmck7HYH5VEy5PXU-8FmpunymB_-Y5qPerFnY4TUPGvR5lOSo56aKDlY1qLtkgHRaBRsfktRcm4Sc0KSF0CkcGQcjiGrvmDkDOiVlEYeP4-Fbcvd-3Zw9hBCJSlGZlhq0_5XZV/s1600/3-twainhouselibraryed1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608432516859710866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClO-FPkKmck7HYH5VEy5PXU-8FmpunymB_-Y5qPerFnY4TUPGvR5lOSo56aKDlY1qLtkgHRaBRsfktRcm4Sc0KSF0CkcGQcjiGrvmDkDOiVlEYeP4-Fbcvd-3Zw9hBCJSlGZlhq0_5XZV/s320/3-twainhouselibraryed1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Mark Twain's Library/Conservatory - while residing in this Victorian-style home, he wrote some of his more famous works including The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Prince and The Pauper, and </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>A Connecticut Yankee in King Aurthur's Court.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Twain said, "To us, our house had a heart, and a soul, and eyes to see us with; and approvals and solicitudes and deep sympathies; it was of us, and we were in its confidence and live in its grace and in the peace of its benediction." </i></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVNn0NaIrqZzGMOgs_qpf1-H84noYlCT28Zd0-FrHjOUw1dmOxO5grRcyJt9jFas675m6ZTu9NR0GcMIRhuANAoe7bPD-eVo3h8SiwTx6oGndcYnu6wf-su4_M4OYznQRtPVpfKjg5JL5/s1600/5-800px-Carson_Mansion_Eureka_California.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608432205367581202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVNn0NaIrqZzGMOgs_qpf1-H84noYlCT28Zd0-FrHjOUw1dmOxO5grRcyJt9jFas675m6ZTu9NR0GcMIRhuANAoe7bPD-eVo3h8SiwTx6oGndcYnu6wf-su4_M4OYznQRtPVpfKjg5JL5/s320/5-800px-Carson_Mansion_Eureka_California.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 216px;" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Carson Mansion</span></i></b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> in Eureka, CA - one of the most written about and photographed Victorian Homes, designed by Samuel & Joseph Newsom which took 100+ men over two years to construct</span></i></div></div><div><br /></div><div>The Victorian Era has inspired <a href="http://www.visbeen.biz/">Visbeen Associates</a>' designs, so here are a few of our Victorian homes....</div><div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_Ce0euLdtm7NB3UbceyZ6UGAbFkdjEuhsY3PFPpBgn_EVgBjz2xYChChlRviYdOha98f6tiBWXBAR6nUYU00tHaWA62Pfvqs0YXk01HTQLBP7pqjaSOtn9J1V8eV3XIzNLJC3Cl87Rbo/s1600/6-Winkle_2b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608432202985741826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_Ce0euLdtm7NB3UbceyZ6UGAbFkdjEuhsY3PFPpBgn_EVgBjz2xYChChlRviYdOha98f6tiBWXBAR6nUYU00tHaWA62Pfvqs0YXk01HTQLBP7pqjaSOtn9J1V8eV3XIzNLJC3Cl87Rbo/s320/6-Winkle_2b.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 266px;" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>The <b>Belmont</b> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>features all the charm of a bygone era combined with the conveniences of modern life. </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i> </i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0usQ1dgulSL-LCyfP7GYrjW5NBb32BiXGlhcPspso4wKR4LzFbmC2IPy9hhv2uZEpqGIdyCdS0kvQAdSp5imi9amw8QRmEnfT10citlNO_9Z9-oLhaIdDn0xlBNmaWapnz0maJfVIAgNk/s1600/7-English+Front+copy.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608432195671379378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0usQ1dgulSL-LCyfP7GYrjW5NBb32BiXGlhcPspso4wKR4LzFbmC2IPy9hhv2uZEpqGIdyCdS0kvQAdSp5imi9amw8QRmEnfT10citlNO_9Z9-oLhaIdDn0xlBNmaWapnz0maJfVIAgNk/s320/7-English+Front+copy.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Echoes of the 19</span></span></i>^{<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">th</span></span></i>}<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-century Queen Anne style give this spacious four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath home called the <b>Brindley</b> </span></span></i></span><span style="line-height: 115%; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">its nostalgic charm.</span></span></i></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkHLEYCoBLKwsWvbfrfSe0TnepisaEhCstgQJtYslQ2Nk70HPcogLEK9qwLZFcm6zHAef3FWJhW-TmSZ3zbpb-WCf7xKCdgwyOqNoVPgFF2tcVXUn-zkk2nJysoA1xyTpet4Sq4E5LnSl/s1600/8-Queen+Anne+Cottage.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608432190680940322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkHLEYCoBLKwsWvbfrfSe0TnepisaEhCstgQJtYslQ2Nk70HPcogLEK9qwLZFcm6zHAef3FWJhW-TmSZ3zbpb-WCf7xKCdgwyOqNoVPgFF2tcVXUn-zkk2nJysoA1xyTpet4Sq4E5LnSl/s320/8-Queen+Anne+Cottage.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 201px;" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><!--StartFragment--><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>Traditional trusses, brick accents and large bay windows give it plenty of character outside to this compact, yet charming <b>Queen Anne style cottage</b></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; font-size:small;"><i>Located in the city of Montegue, MI on White Lake, <a href="http://www.ravenswoodresort.com/"><b>Ravenswood Resort</b></a> will be a community of custom designed waterfront homes. We have a vision of the homes being designed in the Victorian style, so here are a few of the conceptual images we developed for this project.</i></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1v0TSgORcy5vgGfWzSMrJQmeyI4-UHiBb6TrqTygQxsx1RrFNO5lcVB_JzG0Jt0FBDFRw1DWYET0yy4FvZMuF7DMPgeZzTnW2wKoZT6l2imkFigwT0VyxcHG9SAF37ExrcSMNPSK8igw-/s1600/9-R1.3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608432182907708130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1v0TSgORcy5vgGfWzSMrJQmeyI4-UHiBb6TrqTygQxsx1RrFNO5lcVB_JzG0Jt0FBDFRw1DWYET0yy4FvZMuF7DMPgeZzTnW2wKoZT6l2imkFigwT0VyxcHG9SAF37ExrcSMNPSK8igw-/s320/9-R1.3.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 244px;" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYDudl6ZngSmTJrUOx5hSVEjjF3JtDneLRLjt8ySTJUoYpe8VfiS9DidtPWpHa1MIUQHchWEF8N1x6dXqG40PYnUWnUzd9F_dX3DfT2f3LBqkDBsKmfnxKRpq7hGLrgFRCXO9-VmCroXR/s1600/10-R1.4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608431774667676434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYDudl6ZngSmTJrUOx5hSVEjjF3JtDneLRLjt8ySTJUoYpe8VfiS9DidtPWpHa1MIUQHchWEF8N1x6dXqG40PYnUWnUzd9F_dX3DfT2f3LBqkDBsKmfnxKRpq7hGLrgFRCXO9-VmCroXR/s320/10-R1.4.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 210px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oUiwAgmCVyMdN_6F18fDp7rtOj42Tjh8gpwCIdkVF1fMaw7pSNoYzmSPhcpk2o5KQpP-yvOjbTt3V7aqmU98ZYH4cVWQUb19IZpaBjsho9uVEXAtAZ8Rjr62k-1i6mJu0N5biu-519pI/s1600/11-Design+Sketch+1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608431762260600994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oUiwAgmCVyMdN_6F18fDp7rtOj42Tjh8gpwCIdkVF1fMaw7pSNoYzmSPhcpk2o5KQpP-yvOjbTt3V7aqmU98ZYH4cVWQUb19IZpaBjsho9uVEXAtAZ8Rjr62k-1i6mJu0N5biu-519pI/s320/11-Design+Sketch+1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 187px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriogIypWtKULhml5seaXz9a8rsh3VF14sTg_syk9QcGahmJCRvqSnDv3IYMztiTvWj1IoQeNhKB_8XIO0YsmjoFyJEJLtO5-Sf4drFyp9N1PymWuOLFahx2O66QKnrv4NhZWqRuuDEMIl/s1600/12-Design+Sketch+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608431758970565634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriogIypWtKULhml5seaXz9a8rsh3VF14sTg_syk9QcGahmJCRvqSnDv3IYMztiTvWj1IoQeNhKB_8XIO0YsmjoFyJEJLtO5-Sf4drFyp9N1PymWuOLFahx2O66QKnrv4NhZWqRuuDEMIl/s320/12-Design+Sketch+2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 274px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGCBzfLfztzKfQ9KFwH-EpYe9LBl4KfpA3sIoQZLCEieMLf4yktV_6hLNZUjGxaPUMHJxEgEoi9ornBpDX1YtK-qYTTy9ZynDA8_dPY82vy4gfl4jspAM3sk8S39E0PybKPUboq1_fHZ9/s1600/13-Design+Sketch+6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608431751574966754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGCBzfLfztzKfQ9KFwH-EpYe9LBl4KfpA3sIoQZLCEieMLf4yktV_6hLNZUjGxaPUMHJxEgEoi9ornBpDX1YtK-qYTTy9ZynDA8_dPY82vy4gfl4jspAM3sk8S39E0PybKPUboq1_fHZ9/s320/13-Design+Sketch+6.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 219px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepG86dDe4wCr9wibssL3pqi8lwz0VtjCVsLTeKZ6WRsn7LIF57rI3ZB9VsZWkxhmxZBUk19e8Pbs3pAbl6-sLtE7entHYKsQm1fwmRVcgLSYYERgEhR7Iok-QiJw7uChPCHC-_k0a0v20/s1600/14-Design+Sketch+7.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608431748242129618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepG86dDe4wCr9wibssL3pqi8lwz0VtjCVsLTeKZ6WRsn7LIF57rI3ZB9VsZWkxhmxZBUk19e8Pbs3pAbl6-sLtE7entHYKsQm1fwmRVcgLSYYERgEhR7Iok-QiJw7uChPCHC-_k0a0v20/s320/14-Design+Sketch+7.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" /></a><div><div><div><br /></div><div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">Sources:</span></span></i></div></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Victorian+architecture</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">http://www.fredbecker.org/News%20Letter/Vict%20Arch.htm</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_architecture</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_ladies</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">http://www.erasofelegance.com/arts/victarchitecture.html</span></span></i></div></div></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">http://www.marktwainhouse.org/</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">http://www.eurekaheritage.org/the_carson_mansion.htm</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://aballoon.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/twainhouselibraryed1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://aballoon.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/mark-twain-house-other-news/&usg=__-lMgimJNB8OdG3b7TpC6KyuRzVk=&h=936&w=1259&sz=184&hl=en&start=12&zoom=1&itbs=1&tbnid=MPGy8ulpNO9ehM:&tbnh=112&tbnw=150&prev</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">=/search%3Fq%3Dmark%2Btwain%2527s%2Bhouse%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Den%26tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divnsm</span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#C0C0C0;">&ei=LyDVTcxqxtbRAZj0nZIM</span></span></i></div></div></div>

Architectural Tutorial: Victorian Style

The Victorian Style is defined as "a style of architecture used in Britain during the reign of Queen Victoria from roughly 1840 to 1900, characterized by massive construction and elaborate ornamentation." The architecture of this era was considered to be a new kind of modernism, which is why it had …

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Professional Builder Magazine Cover

One of <a href="http://visbeen-associates-architects.blogspot.com/?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Professional%2BBuilder%2BMag%2BPost">Visbeen Associates</a>' designs, the Hampshire, made the cover of <a href="http://www.housingzone.com/pb/pubhome">Professional Builder Magazine</a> last month. Check out the cover photo of the Hampshire's beautiful kitchen! To see more photos of this home design, visit the gallery of our website (<a href="http://visbeen-associates-architects.blogspot.com/?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Professional%2BBuilder%2BMag%2BPost">www.visbeen.biz</a>) > Residential Projects > American Neighborhood > Hampshire. <div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GoGA8upm6KB4N_c9Mdj3out5Cl8_y9gktmfHwHyznDq4MJMPbBFuQ_LozTA675XBXJrE0mmeRJZYeDMsEsIa3e6WVowpLN322H2vnxcwpXMrZi0gIeUWlIP2tOS6JwGkO_tP-WuDXd_G/s1600/Cover.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607386998566549074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0GoGA8upm6KB4N_c9Mdj3out5Cl8_y9gktmfHwHyznDq4MJMPbBFuQ_LozTA675XBXJrE0mmeRJZYeDMsEsIa3e6WVowpLN322H2vnxcwpXMrZi0gIeUWlIP2tOS6JwGkO_tP-WuDXd_G/s320/Cover.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 320px;" /></a></div>

Professional Builder Magazine Cover

One of Visbeen Associates' designs, the Hampshire, made the cover of Professional Builder Magazine last month. Check out the cover photo of the Hampshire's beautiful kitchen! To see more photos of this home design, visit the gallery of our website (www.visbeen.biz) > Residential Projects > American…

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Become a Blog Follower/Subscriber!

<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:Georgia, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If you haven't done so already, we encourage you to follow/subscribe to our blog by submitting your email address in the space just to the right of this post. You will be kept up to date on anything new we post here on our blog with a simple email.</span></span><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Why subscribe, you ask?</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Here are a few reasons...</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1.</span></span></b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">All things VAI:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> you will be kept up to date on all things related to our firm - where you will find us when we are in the news, trade shows where we will have a booth, our award winning designs, the social side of our firm (we have one, we promise!), any happenings with our staff members as well as many other items of special interest regarding our firm.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">2.</span></span></b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Extensive view of our projects:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> we post renderings, sketches and photos of projects recently started, currently in progress or already completed. See the variety of styles and types of work we do on a regular basis and how we might be able to help with any design needs </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">you</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> may have!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">3.</span></span></b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It's educational:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> we not only post items of special interest regarding our firm, we also try to offer an educational spin on the architecture we do. Learn the meaning of architectural terms you never knew you didn't know in our monthly Architectural Tutorial. Get design tips from Wayne Visbeen on a variety of topics that will make your house a home. Read about local vendors we work with regularly during the design and construction process.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">4.</span></span></b><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Contests:</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> we have contests/quizzes on items posted on our blog, so if you subscribe and participate in them on our </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/visbeenassociates" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">facebook page</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, you will be sure to win some prizes!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Here are a few things NOT to expect from subscribing to our blog...</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1. </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Spam emails: you will not be signing up for emails from anyone but us. We have never and will never share your information with any company outside of Visbeen Associates.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">2. </span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Emails asking for something: this blog is meant to offer information </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">to you</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, its free and meant to be fun, so we hope you just sit back and enjoy. The only thing we will ever ask for is your participation!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If you would like to keep up to date on all of these fun items of interest, enter your email address in the blank on the right side of our blog and click 'Subscribe.' You will be sent an email within minutes from FeedBurner to verify your email address before your subscription is activated, so be sure to check your inbox and spam folder for the email. Click on the link in the email that is sent to you and you will be all signed up. It's that easy!</span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div></span>

Become a Blog Follower/Subscriber!

If you haven't done so already, we encourage you to follow/subscribe to our blog by submitting your email address in the space just to the right of this post. You will be kept up to date on anything new we post here on our blog with a simple email.Why subscribe, you ask? Here are a few reasons...1. …

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Licensed in 6 States

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizedAbsZYiQtC-DCAAOKUpBTda77rcW66nbyVESMESeAmWxpQQ5ukwefLnF0GsnF1r0byq1JUYG_Fqd9jqPkHxT3cHics-qSF_lQ-GP-zJVqEan8AEtTtV3myGo0JQ_IYXMsxGCnpB-3LE/s1600/USA522letterBWPrint%28cropped%29.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603316239109625730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizedAbsZYiQtC-DCAAOKUpBTda77rcW66nbyVESMESeAmWxpQQ5ukwefLnF0GsnF1r0byq1JUYG_Fqd9jqPkHxT3cHics-qSF_lQ-GP-zJVqEan8AEtTtV3myGo0JQ_IYXMsxGCnpB-3LE/s320/USA522letterBWPrint%28cropped%29.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 320px;" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">Did you know that Wayne Visbeen is a licensed architect in 6 states? Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin, New York, New Jersey and, most recently, Illinois. We regularly work with clients on projects out of state and have never found distance to be an issue during the design process. One of our out of state clients recently said,</span><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">"The high level of accuracy and detail in the project documents avoided many of the issues that often raise questions, cause delays and result in extras.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">When questions did arise, Paul Fikse and the rest of Wayne’s team presented solutions that met the design intent, supported the project budget, and were provided in a timely fashion.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">As a result, we never found the geographic distance between us to be an issue.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">In fact, </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">we often commented that we got faster results from Michigan than we were able to get from our local architects<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">"</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;">If you or someone you know is in need of architectural design services locally or outside of the state of Michigan, please contact our office today!</span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>

Licensed in 6 States

Did you know that Wayne Visbeen is a licensed architect in 6 states? Michigan, Florida, Wisconsin, New York, New Jersey and, most recently, Illinois. We regularly work with clients on projects out of state and have never found distance to be an issue during the design process. One of our out of sta…

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So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu!

Our controller for many years, Marcy Stellin, recently left her position at <a href="http://www.visbeen.biz">Visbeen Associates</a> for another great career opportunity. So we bid farewell to Marcy in true VAI style this week - with a party! Here are some photos from our little get-together at <a href="http://www.breweryvivant.com">Brewery Vivant</a>.<div><br /></div><div>Marcy - so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, adieu! We wish you the best in your future endeavors and thank you for your many years of faithful service here at VAI!</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawKzDwvYuQDvPw6XgqLSFg-NB3olonCMzdeWAW8CI7exvrQEl_vLh3LHHYPGX3gS2-PjooLX_hOnKjpVlifagRpbQ31QwX5NJEKTBfWmFcIlcPLjNJdMXB4WLU_2OqLqYxaCanJaz_HJd/s1600/IMG_0240-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603246547196067458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhawKzDwvYuQDvPw6XgqLSFg-NB3olonCMzdeWAW8CI7exvrQEl_vLh3LHHYPGX3gS2-PjooLX_hOnKjpVlifagRpbQ31QwX5NJEKTBfWmFcIlcPLjNJdMXB4WLU_2OqLqYxaCanJaz_HJd/s320/IMG_0240-1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Party just getting started</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYzIqf4VW1EUL4vR71mtJDHH2ePzkh112ggYct7L8lHkypZ0ZlOn3vNcN3rOQfcLObrmWVGslq1w-A7zYrcARNGKllQAgptVThLv7hnlpCTiBpJiUEBlMlqeM6QTOAdHpFwPlrOCQ75_5/s1600/IMG_0242-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603246544967378418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYzIqf4VW1EUL4vR71mtJDHH2ePzkh112ggYct7L8lHkypZ0ZlOn3vNcN3rOQfcLObrmWVGslq1w-A7zYrcARNGKllQAgptVThLv7hnlpCTiBpJiUEBlMlqeM6QTOAdHpFwPlrOCQ75_5/s320/IMG_0242-1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Getting ready to try some of Brewery Vivant's fantastic brews</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><i> </i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VCcZmu8OAwJxvsYd2TwqOZa_NQIFOYJaodKRHk6gg5ZI-qMZ33jB9GqosvFnwVwtxS8WnUQWC_QD9C_fYh6Xmxr6szcbUn_3oMwi-PzYgfFbgGWbspl_-wPRn2IGkBdhEeP2SumIX-xi/s1600/IMG_0244-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603246539075454850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VCcZmu8OAwJxvsYd2TwqOZa_NQIFOYJaodKRHk6gg5ZI-qMZ33jB9GqosvFnwVwtxS8WnUQWC_QD9C_fYh6Xmxr6szcbUn_3oMwi-PzYgfFbgGWbspl_-wPRn2IGkBdhEeP2SumIX-xi/s320/IMG_0244-1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Our venue for the party, Brewery Vivant, a new pub/brewery located in an old funeral chapel</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPpr2r0sAXO-_3UXia9wt7-U-YwMXDWTaMRJQqqxZRDeJvDhBa_JnV7Fg_0RCzEOPopg2GmfBhgbdy1KKKgEKPdjgwc7qrt17xMfCv0NSPnMwfX0hnwuDukf7e5n7jduDJjCsw0OkvbS2/s1600/IMG_0248-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603245725067857586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPpr2r0sAXO-_3UXia9wt7-U-YwMXDWTaMRJQqqxZRDeJvDhBa_JnV7Fg_0RCzEOPopg2GmfBhgbdy1KKKgEKPdjgwc7qrt17xMfCv0NSPnMwfX0hnwuDukf7e5n7jduDJjCsw0OkvbS2/s320/IMG_0248-1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Food, drink and fellowship!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yl9pVHuB76avL7kHzswCAGaGUMc78Y5Qd-vLMnb_IwIHtEXSa2fXBTmblTo4VXKKf2ifKIsdXN-j2FcU0b5_g8l_YJULL-4aDjA_nIRfXCcE4GlA-55fD4W4tNhHgtcGBQVLjPAWibrv/s1600/IMG_0250-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603245714620763138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yl9pVHuB76avL7kHzswCAGaGUMc78Y5Qd-vLMnb_IwIHtEXSa2fXBTmblTo4VXKKf2ifKIsdXN-j2FcU0b5_g8l_YJULL-4aDjA_nIRfXCcE4GlA-55fD4W4tNhHgtcGBQVLjPAWibrv/s320/IMG_0250-1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Hugs goodbye!</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYdEILvuYfmGcxfKMH48ZFRGir0a2AV3mCEJeJmAUC7ewbhLrx7QVCtqXfGD-PzEoQmbX4Kaq66uX3AyQUCR_yRlKje4uivlf8829c_uYOzlKqvQJkvxP4Qid6VA6uTm1gJX8M6SPxfLa/s1600/IMG_0251-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603245712058042770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYdEILvuYfmGcxfKMH48ZFRGir0a2AV3mCEJeJmAUC7ewbhLrx7QVCtqXfGD-PzEoQmbX4Kaq66uX3AyQUCR_yRlKje4uivlf8829c_uYOzlKqvQJkvxP4Qid6VA6uTm1gJX8M6SPxfLa/s320/IMG_0251-1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 310px;" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Farewell speech from Wayne</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZTtL3cJd02wm00m_PNqZR-rHH5jPP5NFrgez9QtSLsMPgzWhYxMNksfAVO7Q2mvadHPdj4PSWx0BpgVOvqfRAUlOoti5nG8p8eJQi8CZPCSo28mbAhoMT99uLhYWfn8tRT7h3TBE-xOk/s1600/IMG_0258-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603245701350608274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZTtL3cJd02wm00m_PNqZR-rHH5jPP5NFrgez9QtSLsMPgzWhYxMNksfAVO7Q2mvadHPdj4PSWx0BpgVOvqfRAUlOoti5nG8p8eJQi8CZPCSo28mbAhoMT99uLhYWfn8tRT7h3TBE-xOk/s320/IMG_0258-1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>We surprised her with a little going away present</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8an8W3UxcFaGY0wjDlZTYuvfMCyVxe2riGXLFUfYj25SvofRzOrIPm5bz7R_yCxPw3QeW_znj_Ku8Bhk15ijB0bwMv0M92kEyJq1pIu83d6kg0kRxD_AlcLFrm-4WSGTH73gGTlycF7f3/s1600/IMG_0260-1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603245698472230546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8an8W3UxcFaGY0wjDlZTYuvfMCyVxe2riGXLFUfYj25SvofRzOrIPm5bz7R_yCxPw3QeW_znj_Ku8Bhk15ijB0bwMv0M92kEyJq1pIu83d6kg0kRxD_AlcLFrm-4WSGTH73gGTlycF7f3/s320/IMG_0260-1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 242px; height: 320px;" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Framed renderings of her beautiful, VAI-designed home!</i></span></div>

So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu!

Our controller for many years, Marcy Stellin, recently left her position at Visbeen Associates for another great career opportunity. So we bid farewell to Marcy in true VAI style this week - with a party! Here are some photos from our little get-together at Brewery Vivant.Marcy - so long, farewell, …

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2 East Fulton Design Concepts

What used to be the Junior Achievement Building on the corner of Fulton and Division in downtown Grand Rapids has been purchased by <a href="http://www.locusdevelopment.com/">Locus Development</a> with plans to fully renovate the property. <a href="http://www.visbeen.biz/">Visbeen Associates</a> is the design architect working with Locus and <a href="http://www.towerpinkster.com/">Tower Pinkster</a> (architect of record) on the design of this project - check out these conceptual watercolors recently rendered by the talented David Lorenz. We are very excited about the project and the potential for this downtown diamond-in-the-rough!<div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjas-kKTP-Cmm6E2gPwpXpU6NdToyt-JR3W7yZYzfx_-wLRIJOoC6BQjYiabdj2PQFJWCnR7mmIUNeReCqE1SyFRfnDky2wp4WlWjyQR6r0isSdMoM17sbsjSpoUs_fgv73r2OSVKAV87j6/s1600/R1.1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602205906559576386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjas-kKTP-Cmm6E2gPwpXpU6NdToyt-JR3W7yZYzfx_-wLRIJOoC6BQjYiabdj2PQFJWCnR7mmIUNeReCqE1SyFRfnDky2wp4WlWjyQR6r0isSdMoM17sbsjSpoUs_fgv73r2OSVKAV87j6/s320/R1.1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 218px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9hf8SrGfpL8rcOCQNOMdi2F6oOTMgodd7D_SXx6n1arLQLeD8aoxMJvst0yOvlHGQ7RY5Zb5OzNZSt6LVmb_fS1IOMw4o-yTaP8yA4kEf31j72JZQgDsAUDsJsIokycHF4RHMUqspNn2/s1600/R1.2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602205904566541314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9hf8SrGfpL8rcOCQNOMdi2F6oOTMgodd7D_SXx6n1arLQLeD8aoxMJvst0yOvlHGQ7RY5Zb5OzNZSt6LVmb_fS1IOMw4o-yTaP8yA4kEf31j72JZQgDsAUDsJsIokycHF4RHMUqspNn2/s320/R1.2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 218px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWp2e2-JHRigpV901_0xHzE0-W0xzUupg4leevkHZTI-kHoPLcHvqKTKSqjcu69QpA1kxhHIucAFDllykm60Oa-rlUiRwgEYAsdkCxOTgM-AOhIkCmAzQzSIadpbBfkyOVPjQkcI2m_Sf/s1600/R1.3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602205894264048818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWp2e2-JHRigpV901_0xHzE0-W0xzUupg4leevkHZTI-kHoPLcHvqKTKSqjcu69QpA1kxhHIucAFDllykm60Oa-rlUiRwgEYAsdkCxOTgM-AOhIkCmAzQzSIadpbBfkyOVPjQkcI2m_Sf/s320/R1.3.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 218px;" /></a></div>

2 East Fulton Design Concepts

What used to be the Junior Achievement Building on the corner of Fulton and Division in downtown Grand Rapids has been purchased by Locus Development with plans to fully renovate the property. Visbeen Associates is the design architect working with Locus and Tower Pinkster (architect of record) on t…

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