Many creative, space-maximizing design elements went into this home’s updated traditional lake house look. The main level of the home is 1,500 square feet, but it lives big. A pub-height butcher block table in the kitchen can slide in and out of the marble top island to accommodate more seating. The dining room is uniquely designed as a part of the stairs. The main level features a flexible den space tucked behind sliding barn doors that can be converted into a guest bedroom. Amory is a great example of a small home on a narrow lot, jam-packed with creativity and unique features.

With a carefully laid out floor plan, this lakefront cottage skillfully fits four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms in an efficient 2700 square feet. Wrapping around the rear of this cottage is an expansive covered porch designed for entertaining and enjoying shaded summer breezes. Bayridge is an efficient yet luxurious Lake Leelanau getaway.

This unique project was one home designed for two families. The goal was to make the space functional for both families while preserving the integrity of the design. The result is a clean yet aggressive design emphasizing comfortable living for both parents and kids. Dual owner suites are situated on the main level with access to gorgeous views and outdoor living spaces. The cottage also offers plenty of bedrooms for the children on a separate level along with a variety of areas to gather, relax, and enjoy recreation.

Symmetry and traditional sensibilities drive Ellerton’s stately style. The walkout rear elevation is covered by a paired column gallery that is connected to the main level’s living, dining, and master bedroom. The beautiful and expansive kitchen island seats seven. The attached garage has its own separate staircase connecting it to the lower level as well as the bonus room above.

Featuring a classic H-shaped plan and minimalist details, the Winston was designed with the modern family in mind. This home carefully balances a sleek and uniform façade with more contemporary elements. This balance is best noticed when looking at the home on an axis with the front or rear doors. In all rooms, preferential treatment is given to maximize exposure to the rear yard, making this a perfect lakefront home.

This large estate house was carefully crafted to compliment the rolling hillsides of the Midwest. Horizontal board & batten facades are sheltered by long runs of hipped roofs, centrally divided by the home’s singular gabled wall. At the foyer, this gable takes the form of a classic three-part archway. Knightswood features a double-sided fireplace, two garages, screened porch with stone fireplace, and ample entertainment space.

Situated at the crest of a gently rolling site, this bungalow proudly presents itself in its Michigan neighborhood. Newport exudes a warm and inviting character. The front entrance from the vast porch leads into a foyer with a large living space beyond. The kitchen and dining are adjacent to the living area on one side and the primary suite on the other. Together, they all flank three sides of the screened porch, which steps out into the landscape via a large, terraced patio.

The Shipton is a Shingle style house with elements of classic American lake cottages. Symmetrically designed exterior elevations are reinforced by a thoughtfully divided floor plan that separates entertainment and private spaces. Upon entering the home, you are greeted with a two-story floor-to-ceiling view of the lake beyond.

The Provincetown is a respectful modern take on the Lowcountry architectural genre. The curved, barreled entrance and foyer opens to the interior living spaces that extend through the covered patio to the outdoor pool beyond. Built into the landscape, the Provincetown takes advantage of its steep elevation to create a lower-level entertainment area featuring an exercise room, game room, theater, sauna, and bar space with a full walk-out tucked behind a retaining wall for added privacy.

Nestled among rolling hills, this single-family home presents a one-of-a-kind exterior charm that is the culmination of angular shapes and sloping rooflines. The home encompasses approximately 3,500 square feet of living space, with an attached 1,360 square foot garage and a 763 square foot attic above it. The high ceilings, crisp white walls, and angled glass windows create a spacious and bright atmosphere. A screened porch and open patio welcome homeowners and company to enjoy the peace of the outdoor landscape.

The Bainbridge is a standout home design that blends elements from contemporary and transitional styles to create a stunningly unique hybrid with a focus on elegance, ingenuity, and family-friendliness. Ample built-in storage and designated home office spaces maximize the home's functionality. A screened porch and golf simulator provide perfect spaces for entertaining. A unique “packing room” accessible with a keypad serves as a special location for secure deliveries.

This urban infill home features an innovative take on modern architecture. An open staircase leads to a rooftop patio with views of the downtown scene. The upper level features a centrally placed common area surrounded by an office, master suite, and two bedrooms. The lower level is reserved for recreational use and is anchored by a sitting area with a media display and linear fireplace.

The Gables was born when a client of Visbeen Architects asked for something exceptional on a small but personally significant lakefront lot. Unique solutions were employed to achieve their objective, including a 10-foot-deep lower level. This feat of engineering required a custom pump system to keep lake water out of the house but also made room for a home theater, family rooms, extra bedrooms, and additional entertainment areas, which were finished beautifully by Vision Interiors.

Deveraux is located in Holland, Michigan. In partnership with Mike Schaap Builders, Visbeen Architects carefully perfected the home’s horizontal and vertical lines to create a sense of drama and an enduring asymmetrical appeal.

This home goes down in history as one of Visbeen Architects’ first transitional designs. Inspired by the homeowners’ travels, the house displays a Prairie-style element while combining Asian influence with a West Coast aesthetic. In addition, the firm updated the style linearly, adding large horizontal lines and deep overhangs. The transparent garage doors and large glass panels add a further contemporary element. These style choices have become very popular since the home was built.

Yorkdale’s homeowners desired elegance and a welcoming space functional for hosting. The contemporary-inspired design has classic undertones featuring incredible details, from the curved wooden ceiling in the living room to the bold stair tower, fireplaces, bi-level kitchen island, and stunning outdoor living spaces. Throughout the plan, Visbeen Architects added clever solutions for entertaining. Built-in bars are found in the main foyer, the kitchen, and the lower-level theater.

This house is on Lake Huron’s Thunder Bay in Alpena, Michigan. The client’s love of hosting and affinity for cars drove many of the design requirements for this home, including the large number of guest suites, the plethora of entertainment spaces, and the incredible four-car garage with a translucent door system. The homeowners wanted a transitional, modern home featuring glass, clean lines, and open interiors.

In this remarkable remodel of a traditional English Country Estate originally designed by Visbeen Architects, an additional 10,000 square feet of house was artfully designed into the southeastern landscape. The gabled stone and Shake House-style addition required significant engineering. The house boasts incredible craftsmanship, from the quality of materials to architectural details.

Despite working within tight build constraints, this lakefront cottage is an iconic home that lives large by using every inch of available space. The front elevation was extended to create a large, graceful dormer, providing additional interior space. An inverted stair tower adds interest and visual depth to the side elevation while enlarging the internal landing. Here, pocket doors lead to a bonus home office.