Architectural Tutorial: The American Farmhouse

When you think of the word "farmhouse," does your mind immediately go to a picturesque rural landscape with the sun setting behind a field of shoulder-height corn, bare-footed children running around and John Deere tractors parked nearby?  Not all farmhouses are straight out of The Little House on the Prairie.  They have classic design elements from a variety of architectural styles, including Cape Cod, Georgian and Victorian, that can fit in just about any American neighborhood.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Some of the core elements of the American Farmhouse style include dormers, covered porches, and white paint with floor plans that are both practical and pleasant for a growing family.  Originally, more formal spaces were placed near the front of the home, but in modern day, formal spaces are being left by the wayside to gathering spaces with an overall feeling of welcome and comfort.  One thing that can be said about this style is that it gives an general feeling of nostalgia of a simpler time, with a sentimental connection to the land surrounding it and our country's rich architectural history.  Come to think of it, maybe a home design straight out of The Little House on the Prairie wouldn't be all bad!<br /><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few of <a href="http://www.visbeen.biz/">Visbeen's</a> farmhouse designs....</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvM3tbdQM9qcF2wYmz8ZTCSOewDGjI_83sRCGKb1xnDJRurlYoXnDYs2xYGgYQlZF2TsxQALOfcP6sJ-eBzPjwu-dixlJ_avbKiFD9GZ6P79ryP59fExPYqOuFFOp4f_iD9nneT6kgOd-B/s1600/FrontExterior2.Jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvM3tbdQM9qcF2wYmz8ZTCSOewDGjI_83sRCGKb1xnDJRurlYoXnDYs2xYGgYQlZF2TsxQALOfcP6sJ-eBzPjwu-dixlJ_avbKiFD9GZ6P79ryP59fExPYqOuFFOp4f_iD9nneT6kgOd-B/s320/FrontExterior2.Jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Packed with plenty of farmhouse flavor, the design of the Madison was inspired by the past but features the best of the present. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmHOfe_DUahNmFZx6LXd7w-4Ll1JM_OcUCEZbO8VcVYYxFxtqTawvjBIoB4HcsQbVZNyf-dSbRTUge-95rVEGp4ZDLAFYjWrmzYZf4p3qCfYkI0cKjqcZzzratLkYlGOR1pZA0LECR9Nl/s1600/Color+Sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmHOfe_DUahNmFZx6LXd7w-4Ll1JM_OcUCEZbO8VcVYYxFxtqTawvjBIoB4HcsQbVZNyf-dSbRTUge-95rVEGp4ZDLAFYjWrmzYZf4p3qCfYkI0cKjqcZzzratLkYlGOR1pZA0LECR9Nl/s320/Color+Sketch.jpg" width="320" /></span></i></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Farmhouse meets Four Square in Valley Ridge's classic four bedroom, 4 1/2 –bath American design.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'American Typewriter'; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcL7pGbiM1cDBWANULa3w9SSKCf6ZVX8JYLtX5H1Oiu7idmi0kbiykiRqhdqgUvghc58ODLoDOZZadvmy0CwqSMmmMk57f6Ct2wrx68NUsauvLhiIdiVPqdlx5j2DfPT6kBh3ZaFPnr8pE/s1600/9039_Front_SideView.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcL7pGbiM1cDBWANULa3w9SSKCf6ZVX8JYLtX5H1Oiu7idmi0kbiykiRqhdqgUvghc58ODLoDOZZadvmy0CwqSMmmMk57f6Ct2wrx68NUsauvLhiIdiVPqdlx5j2DfPT6kBh3ZaFPnr8pE/s320/9039_Front_SideView.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i> Classic yet comfortable, the Hillsborough draws upon a long tradition of American farmhouses and captures the ease and elegance of a simpler time. Like the farmhouses it emulates, the house looks as if it has been added on to through the years, giving it a variety of interesting angles and additions perfect for a long, narrow lot. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-n8F1gWlYz0OYYp1Nh7juYJwvEttWHzS4p8akGY7V5k_0KXdhwaGc4MNKHNA40EzRLG2BCRWI90Q6xBmQP-yYzbuPFsW5OrogqZ4N3qb5mgDUWsoiWX5Z-7E3TRPQ4hXj8rZOgVHKwhRM/s1600/01_Farmhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-n8F1gWlYz0OYYp1Nh7juYJwvEttWHzS4p8akGY7V5k_0KXdhwaGc4MNKHNA40EzRLG2BCRWI90Q6xBmQP-yYzbuPFsW5OrogqZ4N3qb5mgDUWsoiWX5Z-7E3TRPQ4hXj8rZOgVHKwhRM/s320/01_Farmhouse.jpg" width="320" /></span></i></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mulford</span></i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYY6pmh9UhENBYTEzZDlCy58dGeZBIgyT3rR_c3q8JWj90n8FgOQ3s3jwgFneY2zmrrynhTGg4r78s8_DyLLCwMfIzZcyyN6KWCL57-BGJzEDl8dDWI9D3VCzhf3UQ0qalcwxZaMKxtLc/s1600/S1.1+-+Front+Persp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYY6pmh9UhENBYTEzZDlCy58dGeZBIgyT3rR_c3q8JWj90n8FgOQ3s3jwgFneY2zmrrynhTGg4r78s8_DyLLCwMfIzZcyyN6KWCL57-BGJzEDl8dDWI9D3VCzhf3UQ0qalcwxZaMKxtLc/s320/S1.1+-+Front+Persp.jpg" width="320" /></span></i></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Another classic American farmhouse design with all of the amenities and floor plan flow of modern day.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;">Sources:</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farmhouse</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;">http://www.trustile.com/findyourstyle/farmhouse.asp?cid=389</span></i></div></div>

Architectural Tutorial: The American Farmhouse

When you think of the word "farmhouse," does your mind immediately go to a picturesque rural landscape with the sun setting behind a field of shoulder-height corn, bare-footed children running around and John Deere tractors parked nearby?  Not all farmhouses are straight out of The Little House on t…

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Cornerstone Rounding Third with the New Baseball Stadium

<a href="http://www.cornerstone.edu/">Cornerstone University</a> is rounding third with the new baseball stadium we designed, according to a recent article published on <a href="http://MLive.com/">MLive.com</a>.  Construction is progressing nicely and the stadium should be completed in August.  Here are a few aerial photos taken last week of the construction, as well as <a href="http://www.mlive.com/">MLive</a>'s article from last month that includes our watercolor rendering of the project.<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1YyHJvcKXQUMAER_iKeEUXNtHTJMVWzKis7gctyh9JKS0DiI1JFCRedG_b9YCPTeGGoDCM7tr5yaMx0NNAYOCtD_5heyEI67OuPjsGxqE5L30SPPrGzETjHhjMUqfqIg5JkxgYVY2oz8/s1600/116.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1YyHJvcKXQUMAER_iKeEUXNtHTJMVWzKis7gctyh9JKS0DiI1JFCRedG_b9YCPTeGGoDCM7tr5yaMx0NNAYOCtD_5heyEI67OuPjsGxqE5L30SPPrGzETjHhjMUqfqIg5JkxgYVY2oz8/s320/116.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoQ6GNw3UqRr3kUw9cwI2R2a7WK4lJH1AIrpnRYtSfcB5Wew5g89kjzYbzdjVwfPZUqMMHUNPCeN0ovTkSK0TZ0LaVdq0PWy4b-ST2xcZI1xqF_7mKGNCRSjeX5pTzs8LX6FakCePA_Bw/s1600/131.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoQ6GNw3UqRr3kUw9cwI2R2a7WK4lJH1AIrpnRYtSfcB5Wew5g89kjzYbzdjVwfPZUqMMHUNPCeN0ovTkSK0TZ0LaVdq0PWy4b-ST2xcZI1xqF_7mKGNCRSjeX5pTzs8LX6FakCePA_Bw/s320/131.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntBpgOG_dr_fUd2fVQ9clDh9UmcgnoO77TzF2UcPxzANUhXpT1Jj01XpEoQmJyOAcIEtlyMRkvELhhc5NT7B1BpY2LdPlhPW-ZwYsoFEVrIzHRfzKpRRbJlCa-aJXtwURjHzj14JGfTRb/s1600/142.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntBpgOG_dr_fUd2fVQ9clDh9UmcgnoO77TzF2UcPxzANUhXpT1Jj01XpEoQmJyOAcIEtlyMRkvELhhc5NT7B1BpY2LdPlhPW-ZwYsoFEVrIzHRfzKpRRbJlCa-aJXtwURjHzj14JGfTRb/s320/142.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmantkR27-yNDuKVDrHOUp6D128VQhPA5vm7HxoWF4aKJYCSamLX2s9VfXm4pe2Gk6L-E83Bd8E1GOn4m7mQUtsygoBmCBZspRuRVq0jA9i-X2hVv-5iqfhRUsLhRjJWJRdFfPKvbkOf6/s1600/151.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmantkR27-yNDuKVDrHOUp6D128VQhPA5vm7HxoWF4aKJYCSamLX2s9VfXm4pe2Gk6L-E83Bd8E1GOn4m7mQUtsygoBmCBZspRuRVq0jA9i-X2hVv-5iqfhRUsLhRjJWJRdFfPKvbkOf6/s320/151.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /><i>Design Architect: <a href="http://www.visbeen.biz/">Visbeen Associates, Inc.</a></i><br /><i>Architect & Engineer of Record: <a href="http://www.gmb.com/">GMB Architects+Engineers</a></i></div><div><h1 class="entry-title" style="color: #293546; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;"> Local university rounding third with new baseball program and stadium</h1><h5 style="color: #293546; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"> Published: Wednesday, May 16, 2012, 11:43 AM     Updated: <span class="updated" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2012-05-16T16:00:40Z">Wednesday, May 16, 2012, 12:00 PM</span></h5><div class="author_info" style="color: #444e5c; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; height: auto; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 8px; min-height: 40px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://connect.mlive.com/user/pwalln/index.html" style="color: #305cb6; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Peter J. Wallner | pwallner@mlive.com" height="40" original="http://media.mlive.com/avatars/3375.png" src="http://media.mlive.com/avatars/3375.png" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 40px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 40px;" width="40" /> </a><span class="author_byline" style="display: inline-block; font-size: 9pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 610px;">By <span class="author vcard" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a class="fn" href="http://connect.mlive.com/user/pwalln/index.html" style="color: #305cb6; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Peter J. 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text-align: left; text-decoration: none; width: auto;">Enlarge</a><span class="byline" style="display: block; float: right; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: right; width: 220px;"><a href="http://connect.mlive.com/user/ezoladz/photos.html" style="color: #305cb6; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Emily Zoladz | ezoladz@mlive.com</a></span><span class="caption" style="clear: both; display: block; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Cornerstone University baseball coach Dave Mitroff stands in the area that will eventually be home plate at the construction site for Cornerstone's new baseball facility on Monday. The new stadium will be attached to new dorms. Crews are aiming to complete the field by the end of the summer. (Emily Zoladz | Mlive.com)</span><span class="gallery" style="clear: both; display: block; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><span style="color: #293546; font-size: 9pt; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://photos.mlive.com/4469/gallery/cornerstone_universtiy_breaks_ground_on_new_baseball_field/index.html" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://media.mlive.com/design/baseline/img/icons/icon-photo.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 1px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; color: #305cb6; cursor: pointer; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 22px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Cornerstone Universtiy breaks ground on new baseball field</a> gallery</span> (8 photos)</span><br /><div class="slideshow_carousel" style="display: block; height: 62px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 368px;"><span class="ss_next11015864 next right" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://media.mlive.com/design/baseline/img/arrows_sm_gray.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -12px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; float: right; height: 19px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; margin-top: 20px; padding-bottom: 0px; 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border-right-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" width="60" /></a></li><li style="float: left; height: 62px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 62px;"><a class="abBrLink" href="http://photos.mlive.com/grandrapidspress/2012/05/cornerstone_universtiy_breaks_4.html" style="color: #305cb6; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Cornerstone Universtiy breaks ground on new baseball field" height="60" src="http://media.mlive.com/grandrapidspress/photo/2012/05/11015871-thumb_square.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" width="60" /></a></li><li style="float: left; height: 62px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 62px;"><a class="abBrLink" href="http://photos.mlive.com/grandrapidspress/2012/05/cornerstone_universtiy_breaks_2.html" style="color: #305cb6; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Cornerstone Universtiy breaks ground on new baseball field" height="60" src="http://media.mlive.com/grandrapidspress/photo/2012/05/11015869-thumb_square.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: inline-block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" width="60" /></a></li></ul></div></div></div></div><span class="photo-bottom-left" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f1f1f1; background-image: url(http://media.mlive.com/design/baseline/img/corners.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -28px -7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: block; float: left; height: 7px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: -7px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 7px;"></span><span class="photo-bottom-right" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f1f1f1; background-image: url(http://media.mlive.com/design/baseline/img/corners.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -35px -7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: block; float: right; height: 7px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: -7px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 7px;"></span></div></div></div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;"></div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">GRAND RAPIDS, MI. – Cornerstone’s Dave Mitroff longs to see his baseball team swing a bat, but until then, he’ll watch construction workers wield shovels instead.</div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">Cornerstone has a baseball program but doesn’t have a team – just yet. Mitroff has players recruited, but he doesn’t have a stadium or a season – just yet.</div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">But the Golden Eagles are rounding third and headed for home.</div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">“This has been an incredible time,” Mitroff said.</div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">Cornerstone announced in September it would revive the sport, last played in 1996, thanks to a $1.5 million donation from Jack and Mary DeWitt of Request Foods in Holland. A groundbreaking ceremony on a new stadium was held Nov. 2. It’s expected to be completed in August. The first game is tentatively set for Oct. 13, a Saturday, against Judson University in a fall game before the season starts in February.</div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">Mitroff, who has more than 800 games of coaching experience, was hired last October. Since, he has been busy throughout the season, even without playing a game.</div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">“Probably about 90 percent of our time has been spent on recruiting,” said Mitroff, 52, who, with assistants Ron Engels and Chuck Lowitzki, has signed 30 players with verbal commitments from five others. The goal is to have 40 players with 15 on a junior varsity team, he said.</div><div class="entry_widget_large entry_widget_right" id="asset-11029751" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 380px !important;"><span class="adv-photo-large" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f1f1f1; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; display: block; height: 264px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px; max-width: 380px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img alt="cornerstonestadium.jpg" class="adv-photo" height="216" original="http://media.mlive.com/college_gr_impact/photo/11029751-large.jpg" src="http://media.mlive.com/college_gr_impact/photo/11029751-large.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-width: initial; display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 380px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="380" /><span class="photo-data" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(213, 213, 213); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(213, 213, 213); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(213, 213, 213); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; display: block; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;"><span class="byline" style="display: block; float: right; line-height: 1.35em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: right; width: 220px;">Photo courtesy of Cornerstone</span><span class="caption" style="clear: both; display: block; line-height: 1.25em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;">An artist rendering of Cornerstone University's future baseball stadium.</span></span><span class="photo-bottom-left" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f1f1f1; background-image: url(http://media.mlive.com/design/baseline/img/corners.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -28px -7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: block; float: left; height: 7px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: -7px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 7px;"></span><span class="photo-bottom-right" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f1f1f1; background-image: url(http://media.mlive.com/design/baseline/img/corners.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: -35px -7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; display: block; float: right; height: 7px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: -7px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 7px;"></span></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">“We started behind the eight ball because we got a late start after a lot of early guys had committed before October,” said Mitroff, who had been the assistant varsity baseball coach at Prairie Ridge High School in Crystal Lake, Ill. “So we’ve literally been all over the country, networking and trying to establish a connection with a lot of Christian schools, a lot of scouts and college coaches and let them know what Cornerstone is all about.”</div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">The team will be diverse, Mitroff said. The Golden Eagles have recruits from New Jersey, Florida and British Columbia, along with five from Cornerstone who survived a tryout. Mitroff will also have his son, also named Dave, who will transfer from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill. and play his last season with Cornerstone.</div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">“It’s just a unique opportunity to play for my dad,” said the young Mitroff, a 22-year-old catcher who will convert to pitcher. “I can save money at the same time, so it just made sense.”</div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">As the first season nears, Mitroff hopes to avoid the pitfalls of other first-year programs, such as Lourdes University, from Sylvania, Ohio. The fellow WHAC member won just one conference game and went 8-45 overall this season.</div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">“Pitching and defense wins championships, so you have to be strong up the middle,” Mitroff said. “And I’m pretty certain we have some guys who can swing it. But like any coach, I’m concerned about pitching.”</div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">When Mitroff isn’t on the recruiting trail, he is on campus where construction began earlier this month on the new stadium.</div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">“I’ll be out there every day giving them doughnuts and coffee,” he said.</div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">The stadium, located in the middle of the campus and adjacent to the soccer field, will have seating for about 500, with an outfield berm where another 1,000 can watch.</div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">The dimensions are 325 feet along the left and right field lines and 400 feet to center.<br />It will also have lights, a clubhouse, batting cages and be covered by a Field Turf synthetic surface.</div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">But most interesting, the stadium will be connected to two dormitories, to be built next year. Rooms will overlook the stadium – with shatterproof windows and strategic netting.</div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">“I’ve been around and talked to lot of people, and no one has seen anything like it,” said Dave Grube, Cornerstone’s athletic director. “It will be unique to Cornerstone and certainly very beneficial to us as well as summer camps.”</div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">Mitroff has kept tabs on the competition in the WHAC this season, and watched a number of games while waiting for next season to begin.</div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">“Oh, yeah, I’ve been following,” he said. “Not having a team, I’ve been around the country but I’ve also had a chance to watch, and I was at the conference tournament.”</div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">The Golden Eagles’ first official game is Feb. 15 in Memphis, Tenn. against Victory University. The first home game will be March 15 against Taylor University.</div><div style="line-height: 1.55em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 17px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 3px;">“I really feel honored to be in this position we’re in,” Mitroff said. “We have great support. We’re going to get there. But it’s been killing me to just watch all this baseball.” </div></div></div></div>

Cornerstone Rounding Third with the New Baseball Stadium

Cornerstone University is rounding third with the new baseball stadium we designed, according to a recent article published on MLive.com.  Construction is progressing nicely and the stadium should be completed in August.  Here are a few aerial photos taken last week of the construction, as well as M…

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Cabin Life: Dreams on Paper

In August's issue of <a href="http://www.cabinlife.com/">Cabin Life Magazine</a>, our design Copper Harbor is featured in their Dreams on Paper section.  The strategic layout and outdoor spaces of this clever and comfortable getaway keep you in touch with nature and maximize the views.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzTYy0oCvq0qEz1AhkPhJEo2xmconBZJcNrrFE2ArABKD0qfpQD0Pg9hfOE7_bPFveP9rOch7IgpNEvPbGZwJTgHWQviA-6X0LPvcyQH0fN44onHuG4qz7-JP4aWktaNU2s5-IkMmczl3/s1600/Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzTYy0oCvq0qEz1AhkPhJEo2xmconBZJcNrrFE2ArABKD0qfpQD0Pg9hfOE7_bPFveP9rOch7IgpNEvPbGZwJTgHWQviA-6X0LPvcyQH0fN44onHuG4qz7-JP4aWktaNU2s5-IkMmczl3/s320/Cover.jpg" width="246" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLv5Qc9Z80ZeneMV1BKS7eOE4EqdUYzFzLW-CgNycIuvO9Vys_28iznGDm5tu-zbNOrV39rqruntNa7NXIwR06UcjLQxCzKhmpj4HgbT0feNqkDtqyjP1S3KSreoc17dZ6YTAOX74DEpqb/s1600/CabinLife_p1_Aug_2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLv5Qc9Z80ZeneMV1BKS7eOE4EqdUYzFzLW-CgNycIuvO9Vys_28iznGDm5tu-zbNOrV39rqruntNa7NXIwR06UcjLQxCzKhmpj4HgbT0feNqkDtqyjP1S3KSreoc17dZ6YTAOX74DEpqb/s320/CabinLife_p1_Aug_2012.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxKW_Asly1O3gCySCKCemmzLp8pOfwESmf4sOY1wJSYl4_g69MQdz-A8_lVyrHFvu0QEWbEDqUwHM0vPFJZ45iwxDPlaSg_Sm4a3RfFy_reIOgNqKmyq-uUfVkdTxfyLLHGaYlnz0zffc/s1600/CabinLife_p2_Aug_2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxKW_Asly1O3gCySCKCemmzLp8pOfwESmf4sOY1wJSYl4_g69MQdz-A8_lVyrHFvu0QEWbEDqUwHM0vPFJZ45iwxDPlaSg_Sm4a3RfFy_reIOgNqKmyq-uUfVkdTxfyLLHGaYlnz0zffc/s320/CabinLife_p2_Aug_2012.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br />For ease of reading, please <a href="http://www.echobox.com/visbeen/publication_assets/2012/cabin_life/CabinLife_Aug_2012_CopperHarbor.pdf">click here</a> to view the article on our website.<br /><br />

Cabin Life: Dreams on Paper

In August's issue of Cabin Life Magazine, our design Copper Harbor is featured in their Dreams on Paper section.  The strategic layout and outdoor spaces of this clever and comfortable getaway keep you in touch with nature and maximize the views.For ease of reading, please click here to view the art…

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The Highfield Brings Home Four Awards!

<a href="http://www.homesbyfalcon.com/">Falcon Custom Homes</a> and <a href="http://www.visbeen.biz/">Visbeen Associates</a> took home four Awards of Excellence for the Highfield as part of the <a href="http://www.kalamazoohomepage.com/">2012 Home Builder's Association of Greater Kalamazoo (HBAGK)</a> <a href="http://www.paradeofhomesmi.com/">Parade of Homes</a>. Thank you to everyone who made it out to visit this residence!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofAXsW0J-AWFMtZPgEpNH-P8uAEK2UG-cvlg7pFq2O3gAS4RTcUkRmr23L2AUuiXQ-22i2cXk93xa64IMFA8rnL-LQT-cvGsjeL20rpRtpNvuikM2l-Osgkcn_Ld4n7Zf6SR-CfY5oxDI/s1600/IMG_0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofAXsW0J-AWFMtZPgEpNH-P8uAEK2UG-cvlg7pFq2O3gAS4RTcUkRmr23L2AUuiXQ-22i2cXk93xa64IMFA8rnL-LQT-cvGsjeL20rpRtpNvuikM2l-Osgkcn_Ld4n7Zf6SR-CfY5oxDI/s400/IMG_0578.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-family: 'tahoma Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i><b>Best Landscaping Elements (Over $700,001)</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-family: 'tahoma Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Best Interior Elements & Design Features (</i></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-family: 'tahoma Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Over $700,001)</i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-family: 'tahoma Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><b>Best Master Suite (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Over $700,001</i></span>)</b></i></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-family: 'tahoma Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i><b>Smart House</b></i></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-family: 'tahoma Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i><br /></i></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-family: 'tahoma Trebuchet MS', lucida, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Built by </i><a href="http://www.homesbyfalcon.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #999988; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><i>Falcon Custom Homes</i></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Exterior & Interior Architecture by </i><a href="http://www.visbeen.biz/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #999988; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><i>Visbeen Associates, Inc.</i></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Interior Design by </i><a href="http://www.ashleycoledesign.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #999988; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><i>Ashley Cole Design</i></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Landscaping by </i><a href="http://www.alfresco-landscapes.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #999988; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><i>Alfresco Landscapes</i></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Boat Bar crafted by </i><i style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #999988; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.dancarlson.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #999988; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Carlson Design</a></i></div><div><br /></div></div>

The Highfield Brings Home Four Awards!

Falcon Custom Homes and Visbeen Associates took home four Awards of Excellence for the Highfield as part of the 2012 Home Builder's Association of Greater Kalamazoo (HBAGK) Parade of Homes. Thank you to everyone who made it out to visit this residence!Best Landscaping Elements (Over $700,001)Best In…

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GAF Homeliest Home Contest

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFrICd-cJYFxWYJ99MZIRtsbtXRGjFSn6SSKhSmFtlBT5xfYM6VYH6LkaT5vZmmWOdE0ovrFQ54GtYDmWlhrVP8Y2wnxMWogxShueusA3mH9UHLrHT1a6r1qPMWeQRx_PwVWzTRkH-eM_/s1600/Intro-homeliest-Home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGFrICd-cJYFxWYJ99MZIRtsbtXRGjFSn6SSKhSmFtlBT5xfYM6VYH6LkaT5vZmmWOdE0ovrFQ54GtYDmWlhrVP8Y2wnxMWogxShueusA3mH9UHLrHT1a6r1qPMWeQRx_PwVWzTRkH-eM_/s400/Intro-homeliest-Home.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Do you have a home that needs some serious TLC?  Our friends over at <a href="http://www.gaf.com/">GAF</a> are holding a contest for "homely" homes to be entered for a chance to win an exterior home makeover worth up to $60,000. To enter, you can submit up to 5 photos of your residence, including a full photo of your house, as well as close-ups of the roof, siding, and any damaged areas. And don't forget to also include your story on how you became the owner of a homely home!<br /><br />The winning homes will receive an exterior makeover, including a roofing system, windows, patio doors, siding, and stone veneer, and they will be featured on the Fox & Friends morning show.<br /><br />Visit GAF's website for more information on the contest and form by <a href="http://www.gaf.com/Roofing/Residential/Promotions/12_06_01-Homeliest-Home/Homeliest-Home.aspx">clicking here</a>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOb0RDSHW6LmVYFHmkmAhf4Enn8PWotU5YyBv3Pof-Y6m4oBoLpSnfNtwL_Bh69fHI9mdj0ELnne-Y8G0Db3yA_5pkFiSIsv7mjtD4vTXkT4zLnLVMgDWLl9clDpHyWnYEdH43WJGqwNTq/s1600/GAF_2011.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOb0RDSHW6LmVYFHmkmAhf4Enn8PWotU5YyBv3Pof-Y6m4oBoLpSnfNtwL_Bh69fHI9mdj0ELnne-Y8G0Db3yA_5pkFiSIsv7mjtD4vTXkT4zLnLVMgDWLl9clDpHyWnYEdH43WJGqwNTq/s200/GAF_2011.jpeg" width="200" /></a><br /><br />

GAF Homeliest Home Contest

Do you have a home that needs some serious TLC?  Our friends over at GAF are holding a contest for "homely" homes to be entered for a chance to win an exterior home makeover worth up to $60,000. To enter, you can submit up to 5 photos of your residence, including a full photo of your house, as well …

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Spring Parade of Homes Award of Excellence Winners!

Two of our parade designs are Spring Parade of Homes Award of Excellence winners!  Thank you to everyone who visited the homes we are so proud of designing and to the panel of industry judges who deemed them award-worthy!  The Warren & Pine Valley were given the following honors...<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKRUoeSGbGQgKEOZv40sIKACoO_pANuYUwK9fHaPf4LlJ0grKHfnwNWqmC4mCwgTb2aoy_P07x2ZlNn3Ituow5xcwqynSmZHPT0i0Kc-wHt6BKihK5tx0_t2lbRHN6b8VrztLcBM12d4b/s1600/IMG_3897-1(LR).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKRUoeSGbGQgKEOZv40sIKACoO_pANuYUwK9fHaPf4LlJ0grKHfnwNWqmC4mCwgTb2aoy_P07x2ZlNn3Ituow5xcwqynSmZHPT0i0Kc-wHt6BKihK5tx0_t2lbRHN6b8VrztLcBM12d4b/s320/IMG_3897-1(LR).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><b>Warren</b> • <i>Best Curb Appeal ($500,001 - $750,000)</i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Built by Insignia Homes  •  Interior design by Francesca Owings</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-z_0j124Ve1FV9r-idV3HbwoBdbJ6DRdQbldtxEgtIOJnLJbz1IpeZn8xTHMhRKST-GwykPTmWJricOC6VBojl6lH04798MvRhUtr_P0hzk2iAsl_HujQgBw-dznbjgRyi4LAo0LKngd/s1600/IMG_0021-1+(LR).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-z_0j124Ve1FV9r-idV3HbwoBdbJ6DRdQbldtxEgtIOJnLJbz1IpeZn8xTHMhRKST-GwykPTmWJricOC6VBojl6lH04798MvRhUtr_P0hzk2iAsl_HujQgBw-dznbjgRyi4LAo0LKngd/s320/IMG_0021-1+(LR).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Pine Valley • </b><i>Best Floor Plan ($400,001 - $500,000)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">Built by Tim Schollaart Builder LLC</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Congratulations to everyone involved!</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>

Spring Parade of Homes Award of Excellence Winners!

Two of our parade designs are Spring Parade of Homes Award of Excellence winners!  Thank you to everyone who visited the homes we are so proud of designing and to the panel of industry judges who deemed them award-worthy!  The Warren & Pine Valley were given the following honors...Warren • Best Curb…

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Hallo

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Kalamazoo Spring Parade of Homes: Highfield

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Rr3S1rn6NN0_tpHFT-MpIxVwJt90tvoRx6uypF_1kjE_YrQSER1rZoXzGgs-3jeCKvPMKqFC2ESoWIBrB8YRdgLry6waSKRh8-1tw9nLLe_Ay0_85pygha3bYt2paydwQdd33WwMcci8/s1600/Beyer+Front+LR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Rr3S1rn6NN0_tpHFT-MpIxVwJt90tvoRx6uypF_1kjE_YrQSER1rZoXzGgs-3jeCKvPMKqFC2ESoWIBrB8YRdgLry6waSKRh8-1tw9nLLe_Ay0_85pygha3bYt2paydwQdd33WwMcci8/s320/Beyer+Front+LR.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGBkJRJwtOQpKhnA5GIMk-1atNwG0xgpkyRzqmNQgreFnKVD96Z8SREBFGfGukV7ZV9REcuLIsB_c-Lr-8DhvqeCPsBVjHMVTVMTe02YaCRUMFHMs2um28s3eZxQmdbUA5MTei2bxk8YJ/s1600/Beyer+Rear+LR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGBkJRJwtOQpKhnA5GIMk-1atNwG0xgpkyRzqmNQgreFnKVD96Z8SREBFGfGukV7ZV9REcuLIsB_c-Lr-8DhvqeCPsBVjHMVTVMTe02YaCRUMFHMs2um28s3eZxQmdbUA5MTei2bxk8YJ/s320/Beyer+Rear+LR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The big kahuna, the top dog, the big cheese.  It's done.  It's ready.  It's fantastic.</div><div><br /></div><div>Open for touring during the <a href="http://www.paradeofhomesmi.com/">Kalamazoo Spring Parade of Homes</a>, the Highfield is a luxurious waterfront design, with all the quaintness of a gabled, shingle-style home.  The exterior combines shakes and stone, resulting in a warm, authentic aesthetic.  The home is positioned around three wings, each ending in a set of balconies, which take full advantage of lake views.</div><div><br /></div><div>The main floor features an expansive master bedroom with a private deck, dual walk-in closets, and full bath.  The wide-open living, kitchen, and dining spaces make the home ideal for entertaining, especially in conjunction with the lower level's billiards, bar, family, and guest rooms.  A two-bedroom guest apartment over the garage completes this year-round vacation residence.</div><div><br /></div><div>With just one of the many show-stopping features being the custom designed and crafted lower level bar taking the form of the back of a wooden boat (fit with dual exhaust pipes hooked up to a fog machine), this cottage is a must see!  The parade in Kalamazoo starts<b> </b>tomorrow<b>, June 8 </b>and runs through<b> June 16</b> with the following hours:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Mon - Thur........6pm - 9pm</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Fridays...............4pm - 9pm</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Saturdays...........1pm - 9pm</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Sundays.............1pm - 5pm</span></div><div><br />The buzz about this home has already started - check out this article in the Kalamazoo Gazette: <a href="http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2012/06/what_does_a_1_million_lake_hou.html">http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2012/06/what_does_a_1_million_lake_hou.html</a><br /><br /></div><div>Enjoy!</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Built by </i><a href="http://www.homesbyfalcon.com/"><i>Falcon Custom Homes</i></a></div><div><i>Exterior & Interior Architecture by </i><a href="http://www.visbeen.biz/"><i>Visbeen Associates, Inc.</i></a></div><div><i>Interior Design by </i><a href="http://www.ashleycoledesign.com/"><i>Ashley Cole Design</i></a></div><div><i>Landscaping by </i><a href="http://www.alfresco-landscapes.com/"><i>Alfresco Landscapes</i></a></div><div><i>Boat Bar crafted by </i><a href="http://www.dancarlson.com/"><i>Carlson Design</i></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>

Kalamazoo Spring Parade of Homes: Highfield

The big kahuna, the top dog, the big cheese.  It's done.  It's ready.  It's fantastic.Open for touring during the Kalamazoo Spring Parade of Homes, the Highfield is a luxurious waterfront design, with all the quaintness of a gabled, shingle-style home.  The exterior combines shakes and stone, result…

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EightWest Feature on the Warren

One of our three parade homes, the <a href="http://visbeen-associates-architects.blogspot.com/2012/05/gr-spring-parade-of-homes-warren.html">Warren</a> (#11), was featured on EightWest last week - check out this mini tour with Rachel Ruiz and Mark VerMerris from <a href="http://www.insigniahomes.us/">Insignia Homes</a>!<br /><br /><object data="http://www.woodtv.com/video/videoplayer.swf?dppversion=20361" height="340" id="video" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"><param value="http://www.woodtv.com/video/videoplayer.swf?dppversion=20361" name="movie"/><param value="&skin=MP1ExternalAll-MFL.swf&embed=true&adSizeArray=1x1000,2x40,3x1000&adSrc=http%3A%2F%2Fad%2Edoubleclick%2Enet%2Fpfadx%2Flin%2Ewood%2Fwildcard%5F1%2Fdetail%3Bdcmt%3Dtext%2Fxml%3Bpos%3D%25pos%25%3Btile%3D1%3Bfname%3Dtour%2Dtraditional%2Dto%2Dcontemporary%3Bloc%3D%25loc%25%3Bsz%3D%25size%25%3Bord%3D193676871480420220%3Frand%3D%25rand%25&flv=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ewoodtv%2Ecom%2Ffeeds%2FoutboundFeed%3FobfType%3DVIDEO%5FPLAYER%5FSMIL%5FFEED%26componentId%3D23977582&img=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia2%2Ewoodtv%2Ecom%2F%2Fphoto%2F2012%2F05%2F30%2FTour%5Ftraditional%5Fto%5Fco9100b0f8%2D59ec%2D4e2c%2Da3a9%2Dac0cf669831c0000%5F20120530115802%5F640%5F480%2EJPG&story=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ewoodtv%2Ecom%2Fdpp%2Feightwest%2Ftour%2Dtraditional%2Dto%2Dcontemporary%23%2ET8eEI8Vz3PA%2Efacebook&category=entertainment&title=Tour%20traditional%20to%20contemporary&oacct=dpsdpswood,dpsglobal&ovns=fim&headline=Tour%20traditional%20to%20contemporary&toggleVideoCode=0" name="FlashVars"/><param value="all" name="allowNetworking"/><param value="always" name="allowScriptAccess"/></object><br /><div style="width: 400px;"><a href="http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/eightwest/tour-traditional-to-contemporary#.T8eEI8Vz3PA.facebook">Tour traditional to contemporary: woodtv.com</a></div>

EightWest Feature on the Warren

One of our three parade homes, the Warren (#11), was featured on EightWest last week - check out this mini tour with Rachel Ruiz and Mark VerMerris from Insignia Homes!Tour traditional to contemporary: woodtv.com…

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