Home Design

Period Home Construction in Ohio

The owners of this home, built in a secluded wooded setting in northwest Ohio, were very clear in their instructions as to its design and layout. The over-riding requirement was to stay as true to the early New England period home style as possible while taking advantage of the benefits that new technology offers. With considerable guidance from the owners, we feel that this goal was successfully achieved. Lynn and the owners designed this home with authentic characteristics such as lower ceiling heights and a steeped pitched roof common for the period. An over-sized all masonry fireplace is the central focal point of the interior and exterior as well. The interior decorating follows the theme with s4s casings and base as well as an all wood stair case with simple balustrade and wide wood plank flooring. Small touches like the hand crafted door hardware in the style used in the period contribute to [...]

Remodeling and Expansion Project in Eastern Allen County

The owner of this venerable home in eastern Allen County came to us wishing to expand and update the living area as well as add an attached garage. The home is a sentimental place, being owned by his parents before him and a place he has always called home. A priority for the owner was that the home would look as though it had not been expanded when the project was completed. With those instructions, Lynn designed the expansion to maintain the original feel of the home while creating new and modern spaces for the owner. A new large kitchen opening into an equally large great room is just the beginning of the changes that have been made. A new master suite with master bath was added to the main floor and is now the 2nd bedroom in the home to have a private bath. The new finished basement under the addition consists of a theater [...]

Full Time Residence on Crooked Lake

As soon as the existing home was demolished, construction commenced on this, our 4th new lake home project on Crooked Lake. The location of this home site is on the east shoreline of the lake which is affectionately referred to as the "Gold Coast". This 3 bedroom - owner's suite on the main floor - two and one-half bath, year-round residence provides 2,481 sq. ft. of living space. The double-wide lot provided the opportunity for Lynn to design the home with fabulous views of the lake from all of the bedrooms as well as the wide open kitchen, nook and great room area. That advantage was used to provide a view of the lake from the loft area as well. The large loft area not only allows for a 2nd indoor space for entertaining the kids but serves as overflow sleeping area as well. The over-sized garage  serves for lake toy storage [...]

Pretty Lake Two-Story Cottage

Situated on the west shoreline of the appropriately named Pretty Lake, this home now serves as a year-round residence for this family. The existing cottage on the site has been demolished while the existing unattached garage has been preserved and will remain as a separate structure. The layout of the new home was designed with the possibility of easily adding an attached garage in the future if that is ever desired. This compact two story offers 2 bedrooms with the owner's suite situated on the main floor. The second floor sports the second bedroom and a loft open to the great room below. Sloped ceilings and an open floor plan will create the feeling of a home much larger than its 1,778 sq. ft. of living area. A screened porch and deck on the lake side and a covered porch on the street side provide options for outdoor entertaining. The exterior of the home will be primarily covered [...]

New Vacation Home on Irish Lake

This home was our third new construction project on the Barbee Lake chain in Kosciusko County. The craftsman style home offers 3 bedrooms and 2 baths in it's 1,964 square feet of living space. There is an unattached two-car garage situated on this lakeside home site. As is the case with many shoreline properties, the soil conditions were such that pilings were required be driven as support for the foundation. Truss rafters were used to accommodate the wide open floor plan which incorporates the great room, kitchen and nook, all in one large area. A corner gas, direct-vent fireplace is visible from anywhere in this large room. A huge island in the kitchen allows plenty of space for guests in what is a common gathering spot for parties in most homes. With vinyl lap and shingle siding, as well as manufactured stone, this cottage is practically maintenance free, which demands less time for work and more time for playing on the lake. A large [...]