Style Guide: Cottage

A term that originated from the Middle Ages, a "cottage" referred to the dwellings of agricultural workers, or cotters, and their friends a family.  Cottages were smaller peasant units, usually on the property of larger plantations or estates.  Today, cottages most often refer to buildings used as second homes or weekend getaways for city dwellers.  The architectural style aspects of cottages were inspired by medieval styles of the English countryside and became popular with American architects in the 1920s and 1930s. <br /><br />Although not required characteristics, the common features of a cottage style home may include...<br /><ul><li>Steep roof pitches, often gable or <a href="http://visbeen-associates-architects.blogspot.com/2012/05/architectural-tutorial-gambrel-roof.html">gambrel</a> with cross gables</li><li>Arched doors</li><li><a href="http://visbeen-associates-architects.blogspot.com/2010/11/architectural-tutorial-windows-windows.html">Casement windows</a> with small panes</li><li>Brick, stone, stucco, or natural shake siding</li></ul>The look of a cottage can vary greatly, since a variety of styles can fit into the "cottage" category.  The local vernacular often determines which materials and style features are emphasized, so location can have a look of it's own:<br /><br /><i style="font-weight: bold;">1.  Nantucket: </i>Rustic meets elegant in Nantucket style cottages.  Utilizing mostly natural architectural elements on their exterior, their natural colors of greys, whites and blues make a striking statement against the bright blue sky, lush green landscape and white-capped waters of the surrounding ocean.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nX96vj38nCarbfZhkAQ_cEuvfGxyTncjWEpgss6HEAAB1ipmqADWNHI0bbrko9V8SDbRh02Vj4AZF-Nwkgu7xKRfukKUtMLurM2Fgvdx_bymrVny0p0onxcF3effIUctdRQlYsHTNeJi/s1600/Nantucket+cottage+HC+and+G.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nX96vj38nCarbfZhkAQ_cEuvfGxyTncjWEpgss6HEAAB1ipmqADWNHI0bbrko9V8SDbRh02Vj4AZF-Nwkgu7xKRfukKUtMLurM2Fgvdx_bymrVny0p0onxcF3effIUctdRQlYsHTNeJi/s320/Nantucket+cottage+HC+and+G.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><a href="http://hydrangeahillcottage.blogspot.com/2011/09/nantucket-shingled-cottage.html">via</a></i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKB3IWt00UDz_IdGkFxvQYOg7tfivxFUzgXUiJgMDaUzPTpTC1R1YC5S2M-Lxk3UbKlQA-ZuN6HAUWA1CDIZwSMGiUobYljFBj5PnJVnEdAN-JBiFOggJLoSZLgA82lHR-AyXrWg4UxQEM/s1600/nantucket_cottage-gone-crazy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKB3IWt00UDz_IdGkFxvQYOg7tfivxFUzgXUiJgMDaUzPTpTC1R1YC5S2M-Lxk3UbKlQA-ZuN6HAUWA1CDIZwSMGiUobYljFBj5PnJVnEdAN-JBiFOggJLoSZLgA82lHR-AyXrWg4UxQEM/s320/nantucket_cottage-gone-crazy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><a href="http://relaxshax.wordpress.com/2010/11/14/nantucket-smalltiny-stilt-house-updated-and-more/">via</a></i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVjmSS1rbZe2A590cyf4OB72SK3T2xPrHW-wWa9rw3QN6aSUglG9Mbbfu6sjrwQxbEpryWteu5yXmZG-m4hVHfRrfogsaOKrKkXGCuCKRIA20fwzHPRT_ehBNzS8JcEmjZtN-QMBGwLhT/s1600/1+House+Stripes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVjmSS1rbZe2A590cyf4OB72SK3T2xPrHW-wWa9rw3QN6aSUglG9Mbbfu6sjrwQxbEpryWteu5yXmZG-m4hVHfRrfogsaOKrKkXGCuCKRIA20fwzHPRT_ehBNzS8JcEmjZtN-QMBGwLhT/s320/1+House+Stripes.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><i><a href="http://www.theartoftheoccasion.com/2011/10/nantucket-realized-part-i.html">via</a></i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0erA9AAV7csjoiW58WYcNFXWRXxA7AO2KNlD_f-R6Cr2sPES-teBAh3NagjBBkPA7MRgN74VMdNRQ2ToiVTczmKYSBW2hX3VsIfZmiGsKNM12DUvyNEC1DqdbDX72y3YhnTU3s91wqls/s1600/front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0erA9AAV7csjoiW58WYcNFXWRXxA7AO2KNlD_f-R6Cr2sPES-teBAh3NagjBBkPA7MRgN74VMdNRQ2ToiVTczmKYSBW2hX3VsIfZmiGsKNM12DUvyNEC1DqdbDX72y3YhnTU3s91wqls/s320/front.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://www.theperiwinkle.com/cottages/"><i>via</i></a><br /><br /><br /><b><i>2.  The South: </i></b> The image that the words "Southern cottage" calls to mind is one of a wrap-around or double stacked porch.  Often called Low-country, a major influence on this this style is the hot and humid weather of the Carolinas and deep South.  These cottages often have a raised first floor to accommodate floodwaters and to allow breezes to circulate throughout the home.  Architectural elements like louvered shutters and metal roofs are also indicative of this style.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-8UCxTRV_u4K4Cm-NUua1dJLXcRnnkLq6YakwW83lAjCedjS3-E6UJWJH20kMFUEUKd8zC85ngyFFDNO_NfUTw45AzhZ_8R5Qov-1Fc4OWtdJ6h9WtdB7nRFDZBZ1WT6QeK_bjMB9PsM/s1600/Laurel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-8UCxTRV_u4K4Cm-NUua1dJLXcRnnkLq6YakwW83lAjCedjS3-E6UJWJH20kMFUEUKd8zC85ngyFFDNO_NfUTw45AzhZ_8R5Qov-1Fc4OWtdJ6h9WtdB7nRFDZBZ1WT6QeK_bjMB9PsM/s320/Laurel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i>Our low country cottage design, the Laurel</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWZQ--av36dIAjLolMAmOKKrUlzpjEfIIYbWPi1o7RcCoNcyz7Lyug3O4b1AiDMkYZDHaUWv-NfKYVuHC3FYQUptzHEvIr4rG7vrVHgEcqofiGg1URwMAqeZdUmqXp3xiKGgovmx7T-kf/s1600/mld104004_0808_savannah_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWZQ--av36dIAjLolMAmOKKrUlzpjEfIIYbWPi1o7RcCoNcyz7Lyug3O4b1AiDMkYZDHaUWv-NfKYVuHC3FYQUptzHEvIr4rG7vrVHgEcqofiGg1URwMAqeZdUmqXp3xiKGgovmx7T-kf/s320/mld104004_0808_savannah_xl.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/275224/home-tour-riverside-cottage">via</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiD-hFGKnRv-DhjVWxl7h_U0Z82vLPX-OR_A6r_-hWR9LBIj-y4KtrN1ker-lVQxWnHBtTTHXQigUG_AbdMH-U9AEgvHx-DpZETxYGcYqoAMttU2jrKO-du1K5c_Cy9RTLdTl05ESx7mLn/s1600/1898285-exterior2-l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiD-hFGKnRv-DhjVWxl7h_U0Z82vLPX-OR_A6r_-hWR9LBIj-y4KtrN1ker-lVQxWnHBtTTHXQigUG_AbdMH-U9AEgvHx-DpZETxYGcYqoAMttU2jrKO-du1K5c_Cy9RTLdTl05ESx7mLn/s1600/1898285-exterior2-l.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.myhomeideas.com/specials/home-giveaway/habersham-south-carolina-00400000049149/">via</a><br /><br /><b><i>3.  Michigan:</i></b>  For us Michiganders, a cottage usually is a summer residence up north near or on a lake.    This is a style for which we here at Visbeen are very familiar, since it is a good portion of our custom residential business.  We combine a variety of styles to create our Michigan cottages, from Shingle and Victorian, to Arts and Crafts and Bungalow.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LhIy4NyOKsI8f778s4HeOHsRv3EO-_dqext9J4h5PFfhfKixl9gM9yGAVlNoWWSaIkvKzaLplcvS3sZiPSgaNciimWP-vZIn5wlkkAgz38D2lpkdifEl8kbq90LukC06OCfHsY08JQPn/s1600/Clareville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LhIy4NyOKsI8f778s4HeOHsRv3EO-_dqext9J4h5PFfhfKixl9gM9yGAVlNoWWSaIkvKzaLplcvS3sZiPSgaNciimWP-vZIn5wlkkAgz38D2lpkdifEl8kbq90LukC06OCfHsY08JQPn/s320/Clareville.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwWS_FFTgb3Z4iSbmYuEqtze4yQp6pKYA8A7840OfpDXkU_dbVzpv9MTCwlgdraaJhS0aa6gfgAGX_18OxPLhoW798LtjiyoMHfg3_rGsp2GwzMcZv-5osakKdMKejdy5O3zFHV6t9_d5/s1600/Dune+View+Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwWS_FFTgb3Z4iSbmYuEqtze4yQp6pKYA8A7840OfpDXkU_dbVzpv9MTCwlgdraaJhS0aa6gfgAGX_18OxPLhoW798LtjiyoMHfg3_rGsp2GwzMcZv-5osakKdMKejdy5O3zFHV6t9_d5/s320/Dune+View+Front.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWub5UOASD5Ei9ygNFe_6rzw_FfbWtmAgCYoE9KJm26rvYapsycne0XYYAsiT_-90FJq7SLgwy591YyxbcFMSeTqq-db-e1BvDnq-3df2BAm0gyxCjV4c8lN3LkFVEL2aEhhzSBJk7VUck/s1600/Ext+Front+-+1508-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWub5UOASD5Ei9ygNFe_6rzw_FfbWtmAgCYoE9KJm26rvYapsycne0XYYAsiT_-90FJq7SLgwy591YyxbcFMSeTqq-db-e1BvDnq-3df2BAm0gyxCjV4c8lN3LkFVEL2aEhhzSBJk7VUck/s320/Ext+Front+-+1508-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpvd4Pf9SLQyapqGeKd9gEFhQfSMXQk0OLf4fHxeQGOJpkUboQbMRxqFljvGBFfzmM-0ANjRcU0nm1yni_jDwIXCFzLFYZ5tKeNgmdjktfNumuC3YNUncu8OnrvD8wJloTSaEjuAcZENl/s1600/Rylestone.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/AVvXsEjWpvd4Pf9SLQyapqGeKd9gEFhQfSMXQk0OLf4fHxeQGOJpkUboQbMRxqFljvGBFfzmM-0ANjRcU0nm1yni_jDwIXCFzLFYZ5tKeNgmdjktfNumuC3YNUncu8OnrvD8wJloTSaEjuAcZENl/s320/Rylestone.jpg" width="206" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpvd4Pf9SLQyapqGeKd9gEFhQfSMXQk0OLf4fHxeQGOJpkUboQbMRxqFljvGBFfzmM-0ANjRcU0nm1yni_jDwIXCFzLFYZ5tKeNgmdjktfNumuC3YNUncu8OnrvD8wJloTSaEjuAcZENl/s1600/Rylestone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJBHoXnCmy3uzfVZoIAWl33YMq0WUUligYAAnkWu8UH3M4dsGuSfpbE-ouRNy0NxCgxJihf0Co8RIFeyn5itcU5w3L8_StehLzhyP_Sc-Cn_IuS74HTUJrs-Xi8QlLtEdDGtNsms8irKw/s1600/IMG_9667++Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJBHoXnCmy3uzfVZoIAWl33YMq0WUUligYAAnkWu8UH3M4dsGuSfpbE-ouRNy0NxCgxJihf0Co8RIFeyn5itcU5w3L8_StehLzhyP_Sc-Cn_IuS74HTUJrs-Xi8QlLtEdDGtNsms8irKw/s320/IMG_9667++Final.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEl4KKZrC9WLnBtSv-O8DmigoKQRcZnsiLJzDtyJRi-4hsDIyMEHMJE3WLChcC1PbnSMT-9Oh42HlW7MwgtYloJ8tTDIAPC143Uvcd2oVF7WCqLDrCZTNG4gXX1Ts3H62LJNovEXIDKry-/s1600/Summer+HavenRendering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEl4KKZrC9WLnBtSv-O8DmigoKQRcZnsiLJzDtyJRi-4hsDIyMEHMJE3WLChcC1PbnSMT-9Oh42HlW7MwgtYloJ8tTDIAPC143Uvcd2oVF7WCqLDrCZTNG4gXX1Ts3H62LJNovEXIDKry-/s320/Summer+HavenRendering.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />Here are a few products that we often use in cottage-style residences...<br /><br /><b><i>Roofing</i></b>:  <a href="http://www.gaf.com/">GAF Roofing</a> has a great product called Camelot II Lifetime Designer Shingles, which add a luxury look to a cottage style residence for only pennies-a-day more than standard architectural shingles. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpNM8hpd5-4ELd2RgQsSckklxJlSpgVdBEVJFR3_ojiwv_ldTW7K_m_fenEqPdVVUWuwnGWbafM5uehV5Uy1QbGbpKpR2L1DoWmRnvuYJvQopKb7Jjt8xRc_sM6yi5T-6qXLwsZzXbePR/s1600/GAF_2011.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpNM8hpd5-4ELd2RgQsSckklxJlSpgVdBEVJFR3_ojiwv_ldTW7K_m_fenEqPdVVUWuwnGWbafM5uehV5Uy1QbGbpKpR2L1DoWmRnvuYJvQopKb7Jjt8xRc_sM6yi5T-6qXLwsZzXbePR/s1600/GAF_2011.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEgb9ytcD6LohDe3hNvayQO27TXm1pX14SGokhjLD7Zw89B0SHapIS0QznD3ZoICp_HHCUwXHNzCBT_KzRGg39q-jRQaKzFxYDQ5FqzJ7PaUiMx15WmLH9d49d784dOzs4V0EqIfhCZCt/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-04-29+at+7.17.28+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEgb9ytcD6LohDe3hNvayQO27TXm1pX14SGokhjLD7Zw89B0SHapIS0QznD3ZoICp_HHCUwXHNzCBT_KzRGg39q-jRQaKzFxYDQ5FqzJ7PaUiMx15WmLH9d49d784dOzs4V0EqIfhCZCt/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-04-29+at+7.17.28+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><i style="font-weight: bold;">Retractable Screens:  </i>Nothing ruins a summer night like mesquites here in Michigan.  We would all love to sit on open porches overlooking a sunset on the water, but sometimes that is not possible.  And then there are some evening that are perfect for it.  Great solution for this debacle? Retractable screens.  They turn an open porch into an enclosed screened porch in moments.  Companies like Phantom Screens make the top of the line in retractable screen products.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rnYN-rNjMJbbMfQiqn_m6mlzGJQskAheqUrJgUlS8vuXORqEGeq9aZJfTD1CAXaLcRCTPnYyka_BOtv9yZG4scBnPDzXy-2QwA21R4NHxLKSkl7mswQId0v0lccI7aBNEQVa6DC7eoEa/s1600/Phantom+Logo+Back+Blue+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rnYN-rNjMJbbMfQiqn_m6mlzGJQskAheqUrJgUlS8vuXORqEGeq9aZJfTD1CAXaLcRCTPnYyka_BOtv9yZG4scBnPDzXy-2QwA21R4NHxLKSkl7mswQId0v0lccI7aBNEQVa6DC7eoEa/s320/Phantom+Logo+Back+Blue+2.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SzoSi82V8d_nU_raTWNidL95YQSLE-zSnT0nEQfmYamc39G-HfG5Nk6YMrqruKLGMqjOKK90xJXPMDHHji62kIg7yjfS5LW4PYR-i8bQM3M5eG8CdqcwIgffJasD8rOBiDXKzVY0m1Qf/s1600/IMG_9871+Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SzoSi82V8d_nU_raTWNidL95YQSLE-zSnT0nEQfmYamc39G-HfG5Nk6YMrqruKLGMqjOKK90xJXPMDHHji62kIg7yjfS5LW4PYR-i8bQM3M5eG8CdqcwIgffJasD8rOBiDXKzVY0m1Qf/s320/IMG_9871+Final.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i>Kearney Hill has a great example of Phantom Screens in use.</i><br /><br /><br /><i><b>Movable glass doors:</b></i>  On that same note, movable glass doors are another great way of turning a cottage into an open air oasis.  A company called Solar Innovations makes high-quality folding glass walls at a fraction of the cost of some of the other big name companies making similar products.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLl5zNx9FFTCngIN_HMvOxkKuLsq-ryZRTPrDlejaySw5lXs7D1KQp7OfiR7dw1KlR0lvtrdLxY7uhAeF4f3wvINXHQU8zoKkL4W6sci5n_tCDRuihs4mOLztlHCEHEomwgc8yUqjecG-/s1600/New-Logo-2011-Green-500x300.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLl5zNx9FFTCngIN_HMvOxkKuLsq-ryZRTPrDlejaySw5lXs7D1KQp7OfiR7dw1KlR0lvtrdLxY7uhAeF4f3wvINXHQU8zoKkL4W6sci5n_tCDRuihs4mOLztlHCEHEomwgc8yUqjecG-/s320/New-Logo-2011-Green-500x300.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;"><i>Sources:</i></span><br /><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;"><i>http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/exteriors/curb-appeal/house-styles/#page=8</i></span><br /><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;"><i>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cottage</i></span><br /><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;"><i>http://www.ehow.com/about_6371669_cottage-style-architecture_.html</i></span><br /><br />

Style Guide: Cottage

A term that originated from the Middle Ages, a "cottage" referred to the dwellings of agricultural workers, or cotters, and their ...

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MLive: Available Lakeside Living at its Finest

<a href="http://MLive.com/">MLive.com</a> featured an article last week about one of our lakefront designs going up in South Haven.  This spec home is available for sale, perfect for someone who is lover of lakeside living and beautifully crafted architecture.  Read the full article here...<br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #363636; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"></span><br /><h1 class="entry-title" style="color: #363636; font-family: prelo-slab, serif; font-size: 42px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 45px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 6px; text-shadow: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.496094) 1px 0px 1px;"><a href="http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2013/02/million-dollar_homes_about_2m.html#incart_river"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Million-dollar homes: About $2M gets you a great view of the big lake in Van Buren County</span></a> </h1><div class="clearfix"></div><div id="article_container" style="color: #363636; float: left; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; max-width: 620px;"><div id="Byline" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(218, 218, 218); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(218, 218, 218); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 10px; min-height: 40px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><a href="http://connect.mlive.com/user/ajones/index.html" style="color: #305cb6; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Al Jones | ajones5@mlive.com" class="Avatar" height="40" src="http://media.mlive.com/avatars/1172.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: block; float: left; height: 40px; padding-right: 7px; vertical-align: middle; width: 40px;" width="40" /></a>By <span class="author vcard" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; margin-top: 0px;"><a class="fn" href="http://connect.mlive.com/user/ajones/posts.html" style="color: #305cb6; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none;">Al Jones | ajones5@mlive.com </a></span><br />on February 26, 2013 at 8:00 AM, updated <span class="updated" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px; margin-top: 0px;" title="2013-02-28T14:19:21Z">February 28, 2013 at 9:19 AM</span><br /><div class="EmailPrint" style="clear: none; float: right; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 3px; margin-top: -7px;"><a class="PrintLink" href="http://blog.mlive.com/businessreview/western_impact/print.html?entry=/2013/02/million-dollar_homes_about_2m.html" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://media.mlive.com/design/baseline/img/icons/icon-print.png); 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width: 1px; z-index: auto;"><img class="OAS_counter" height="2" id="StoryAd/MICHIGANLIVE/Spacer_MI_RoS_09/Spacer_SpanMJX.html" src="http://ads.mlive.com/RealMedia/ads/adstream_lx.ads/www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/2013/02/million-dollar_homes_about_2m.html/L13/1646646320/StoryAd/MICHIGANLIVE/Spacer_MI_RoS_09/Spacer_SpanMJX.html/725130547356456a366d734142775143?_RM_EMPTY_&bt=&tag0=real%20estate" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle;" width="2" /></div></div></div><div class="entry-content"><br /><br /><div class="embeddedMedia entry_widget_large entry_widget_right" id="ss12315572" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 372px;"><div class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-photo" style="display: inline;"><div class="adv-slideshow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; display: block; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 5px;"><img alt="Van Buren County Home" class="adv-photo" height="444" src="http://media.mlive.com/kalamazoogazette/photo/2013/02/12319318-large.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="380" /><br /><div class="slideshow-data" style="display: block; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1.4em; margin-top: -2px; padding-top: 5px;"><a class="full-size-popup" href="http://photos.mlive.com/kalamazoogazette/2013/02/van_buren_county_home_10.html" style="color: #363636; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Enlarge</a><span class="byline" style="color: #666666; display: block; float: right; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-style: italic; line-height: 13px; margin-bottom: 7px; text-align: right; width: 223px;"><a href="http://connect.mlive.com/user/ajones/photos.html" style="color: #363636; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Al Jones | ajones5@mlive.com</a></span><span class="caption" style="clear: both; color: #666666; display: block; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Million-dollar homes: Here is a look at the highest-priced listing in Van Buren County, a 3,987-square-foot house that is under construction at 742 Monroe Boulevard in South Haven. It is listed for $2,685,000. --- Courtesy of Real Estate Firm</span><span class="gallery"><a href="http://photos.mlive.com/4472/gallery/van_buren_county_million-dollar_home/index.html" style="color: #363636; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Van Buren County Million-Dollar Home</a> gallery (10 photos)</span><br /><div class="slideshow_carousel"><span class="ss_next12315572 next right"></span><span class="ss_prev12315572 prev left"></span><br /><div id="slideshow12315572"><div class="show"><ul style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="float: left; list-style-type: none; margin-right: 14px;"><a class="abBrLink" href="http://photos.mlive.com/kalamazoogazette/2013/02/van_buren_county_home_18.html" style="color: #363636; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Van Buren County Home" height="60" src="http://media.mlive.com/kalamazoogazette/photo/2013/02/12319438-thumb_square.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="60" /></a></li><li style="float: left; list-style-type: none; margin-right: 14px;"><a class="abBrLink" href="http://photos.mlive.com/kalamazoogazette/2013/02/van_buren_county_home_17.html" style="color: #363636; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Van Buren County Home" height="60" src="http://media.mlive.com/kalamazoogazette/photo/2013/02/12319435-thumb_square.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="60" /></a></li><li style="float: left; list-style-type: none; margin-right: 14px;"><a class="abBrLink" href="http://photos.mlive.com/kalamazoogazette/2013/02/van_buren_county_home_16.html" style="color: #363636; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Van Buren County Home" height="60" src="http://media.mlive.com/kalamazoogazette/photo/2013/02/12319405-thumb_square.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="60" /></a></li><li style="float: left; list-style-type: none; margin-right: 14px;"><a class="abBrLink" href="http://photos.mlive.com/kalamazoogazette/2013/02/van_buren_county_home_15.html" style="color: #363636; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Van Buren County Home" height="60" src="http://media.mlive.com/kalamazoogazette/photo/2013/02/12319401-thumb_square.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" width="60" /></a></li><li style="float: left; list-style-type: none; margin-right: 14px;"><a class="abBrLink" href="http://photos.mlive.com/kalamazoogazette/2013/02/van_buren_county_home_14.html" style="color: #363636; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="Van Buren County Home" height="60" src="http://media.mlive.com/kalamazoogazette/photo/2013/02/12319368-thumb_square.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; 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: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; display: block; float: left; height: 7px; margin-top: -7px; width: 7px;"></span><span class="photo-bottom-right" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: -35px -7px; background-repeat: initial initial; display: block; float: right; height: 7px; margin-top: -7px; width: 7px;"></span></div></div></div><b style="font-weight: bold;">This is the third installment in a <a href="http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2013/02/million-dollar_homes_take_a_lo.html" style="color: #305cb6; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">six-part series showing the highest-priced homes for sale in Southwest Michigan.</a></b><br /><b style="font-weight: bold;">SOUTH HAVEN, MI</b> – Chad Van Horn and his firm are so confident in the market for high-end, lake front homes that they recently broke ground on two houses that will be priced in excess of $2 million.<br /><br />“What has happened in the world of luxury real estate is that the market has returned to days of the past," said Van Horn, whose company, Real Estate Firm, is involved in the development, rental and sale of homes in Southwest Michigan.<br /><br />He said that although it has been difficult for many people to sell homes in much lower price ranges in recent years, it is not tough to sell homes priced over $1 million as long as it is in a great location and priced correctly.<br /><br />He said location is of utmost importance and “There is plenty of demand in the marketplace for luxury real estate on Lake Michigan.”<br /><br />There was a significant uptick in sales activity last year for low-bluff waterfront property on Lake Michigan and the only drop in prices for high-end homes that he said he has seen is for those that were inappropriately priced at the start.<br /><br />“The typical sophisticated buyer likes to feel as though they are getting a good value,” he said. “If the product is priced right, the buyer will pay the price to get what they desire in premium luxury real estate.”<br /><br />Van Horn represents <a href="http://swmric.rapmls.com/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=Swmichigan&PRGNAME=MLSLogin&ARGUMENT=zvKJ9efrbFlwqvsrsX5LUsNuttGDdBk%2FGzIkCNyWgcc%3D&KeyRid=1&Include_Search_Criteria=&CurrentSID=185266874" style="color: #305cb6; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">the highest priced residence among active listings in Van Buren County</a> – a 3,987-square-foot house that is under construction on the Lake Michigan shore. It is listed for $2,685,000. That is according to data provided by in the <a href="http://www.swmric.com/" style="color: #305cb6; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Southwest Michigan Regional Informational Center</a>, which provides information on available real estate in South and West Michigan.<br /><br />At 742 Monroe Boulevard in South Haven, the house will have five bedrooms and five bathrooms on just under 4 acres of land.<br /><br />Designed by <a href="http://www.visbeen.biz/">Wayne Visbeen</a> and built by <a href="http://www.mikeschaapbuilders.com/">Mike Schaap Builders</a>, the beach house is expected to be ready for occupancy by the spring. It will have a spacious kitchen with Viking appliances, custom cabinetry and built-ins throughout. A walkout level will feature a kitchenette and provides access to a private beach without the need for stairs.<br /><br />The house will have decks, patios and a courtyard terrace, and is being built with an abundance of natural building materials, including American cherry floors, mahogany doors, copper roofing and custom millwork. The floorplan includes a vaulted Great Room, an exercise room with a sauna and dressing room, and a master suite with an office and a lake front deck.<br /><br />A guest wing has three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a media room. Rooms on a lower level will include a recreation room.<br />The property is designed for leisure, comfort and function, making it a good investment as a rental income property during the fair-weather months.<br /><br />What makes it worth $2.6 million?<br /><br />“Location, location, location,” Van Horn said, as well as requiring no steps to the beach, “unobstructed views of the pier and lighthouse and the convenient short walk to the quintessential beach town of South Haven.”<br /><br />He said it has high-end finishes and no detail is compromised.<br /><br />Who does he expect will ultimately call the Monroe Blvd residence home?<br /><br />“It likely will be a second home for someone coming in from a large metro area such as Chicago or Indy,” he said. “However we don't rule out the locals. There are plenty of those around that are very capable of falling in love and acquiring the best of Lake Michigan living.”<br /><br />Van Horn may be contacted at 269-673-7133 or via <a href="http://erealestatefirm.com/" style="color: #305cb6; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">chad@erealestatefirm.com</a></div></div>

MLive: Available Lakeside Living at its Finest

MLive.com featured an article last week about one of our lakefront designs going up in South Haven.  This spec home is available for sale, ...

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