Fall 2011 Issue Of DRAWING INTERESTS from Macklin Design

1. THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE F A L L 2 01 1
FALL IS A GREAT TIME TO LAND-
SCAPE. WHEN SPRING ARRIVES
YOUR YARD WILL BE READY TO
BLOOM ………………...………..… 2
G ETTING THE TIMING RIGHT
JUST BECAUSE WE CAN DO SOME-
THING DOESN’T MEAN WE SHOULD.
MAKING SURE IT IS THE CORRECT
TIME ENSURES SUCCESS 2 & 4
Macklin Design
DRAWING
H OUSE TALK
STYLE DOESN’T HAVE TO BE
DEFINED WHEN THE CHARACTER
IS CAREFULLY CRAFTED ... 3 & 4
PERSONAL INSIGHT
INTO DESIGNING YOUR
FINE HOME
interests
Our First 10 Years
When we look back on the last 10 ing spaces that meet
years, we see a wide range of ex- your exact needs will
periences. We were blessed with never be taken for
all of our 4 daughters being born granted. It truly is a
within that time. Our business has privilege to serve you,
evolved from a hope and a prayer and we don’t take it
that we weren’t sure would make lightly.
it’s mark, to a decade old business
that has been blessed to survive We’re still here...and Photo by Julie Melendez
this latest, crazy economic environ- we plan to continue to be here.
ment. Through the struggle to stay afloat already see a couple of apples that
the past couple of years, an even won’t fall far from the tree.
Our diverse portfolio has been built greater desire has been birthed in
by projects that range from boat- us, and our focus and intentions The story will continue to be the
houses and porch additions to have been refined. We feel like we same in that our service is all we
grand estates that sprawl over sev- haven’t even scratched the surface have to give to you...you are the
eral acres with multiple buildings. of the quality of personal service reason that we are still here. From
We feel blessed to have served that we intend to provide in the our family to yours—Thank You.
families with a wide range of coming years.
needs. We have designed for
healthy active families, and we So, what does the next 10 years WE’VE MOVED
have designed for those who are in hold? Well, those little girls in the
need of a remodel or addition be- picture will look a whole lot differ- Our new location is
cause of sudden physical and/or ent and probably 1 or 2 of them 12940 Old Farm Court
mental capability changes in their will be helping out in the design of
lives. Each of you has been pre- your or your children’s home.
Hartland, MI 48353
cious to us, and the privilege of Coming from Janice and myself,
knowing you intimately by design- design is in their blood and we can
12940 OLD FARM COURT
810.714.0000 MACKLINDESIGN.COM CHRIS@MACKLINDESIGN.COM
HARTLAND, MI 48353 (UNDER CONSTRUCTION) 1

2. drawing The Changing Landscape
conclusions Fall is a great time to landscape. When Spring arrives your yard will be ready to
editorial by chris macklin
If you ever attempted
Price, Quality, to design and install
your own landscape,
Time & People then you probably rec-
ognize the importance
of having an expert
available to help you
mentally sort out the
details and physically
take care of all the
(sometimes back-
Q breaking) labor. We
met with three local
In the last issue we dis- experts, landscape
cussed QUALITY and how designers Chuck and
having a quality process Johanne Tindall of
needs to be a high priority Creative Scapes and
because it balances out the landscape contractor
pyramid above. In this issue Ryan Payment of Outdoor Living, to ify your landscape contractor by inspect-
we will cover how crucial identify key reasons how value is added ing the quality of the projects that they
TIMING is to everything. In to your property when you enlist the have installed. They will also look for
the book of Ecclesiastes it help of professionals. wavy or uneven patio and walkways,
talks about how there is a cracks in patios, standing or pooling
season (time) for every pur- The benefits of hiring a landscape de- water, health of plant materials and
pose under heaven: a time signer are many. With their expert trees, and overall quality of work.
to tear down and a time to knowledge of plant material (these peo-
build. ple actually know what all those Latin That’s where Ryan Payment comes into
words mean) and their ability to envision the picture. He loves what he does so
I would like to share with you the landscape throughout each season much that he installs beauty in his own
two stories in our life that and each phase of installation, they help yard. He is very careful to work closely
illustrate the struggle of be- you to avoid expensive “tear outs” and with the designers, homeowners, and
ing patient for the right tim- “redos”. So, their fee of approximately install crew to ensure that the design
ing. The first story took 3% of total project cost, is money well intent is carried out. Many clients come
place about 6 years ago spent. Most of us regular folk know ex- to Ryan with questions about material
when our family was growing actly what we don't want…. but few can pricing and process. He says that hard-
out of our house in Fenton. identify exactly what we do want. The scaping, retaining walls, patios and
We thought it was a great Tindalls know the questions to ask that walkways make up about 50%-75% of
time for us to build our mod- will help establish the project priorities. the total project cost, with limestone
est dream home. We even They have a keen eye for design and walls ($50 per faced square foot) being
started to scope out different are sensitive to how the selection and about 2 times the cost of boulder walls
properties to see what would placement of materials will accentuate ($25 pfsf). Two more important consid-
best fit our desires. Before the architecture of your home. From erations are drainage (approx. 5% of
we dove too far into the staggering blooms throughout the grow- total cost) and irrigation (approx. 8%-
process, I prayed to God to ing season to selecting shrubs and ev- 10% of total cost), which is needed for 1
see if this was the right thing ergreens that will have winter interest as year warranties on plant materials.
to do. He revealed to me well, a landscape can be aesthetically
that we could build, but the pleasing all 12 months of the year…yes, By bringing these local experts on board
outcome would be me losing even in Michigan. for your next outdoor project, you can
my family for a year because just kick back and relax in the ham-
our plan was for me to de- Chuck and Johanne will not only design mock, surrounded by your beautiful,
sign and manage the con- your planting beds, layout of driveways, new outdoor living space.
struction project.(cont. pg. 4) patios, walkways, pools and exterior
lighting, but they will also help you qual- See page 4 for experts contact info.
FACEBOOK.COM/MACKLINDESIGN TWITTER.COM/MACKLINDESIGN MACKLINDESIGN.SMUGMUG.COM
2

3. House Talk project
Style doesn’t have to be defined when the character is carefully crafted. sketchbook
Sometimes the design of a beautiful that with creativity and determi-
home begins with the ability to spread nation, liabilities can become as-
out over a large piece of property with sets.
many options for layout at your finger-
tips. Sometimes it begins with one The homeowners, Pat & Toni
strong view that the homeowner wants Widing and their kids, Luke &
to see from all main spaces in the Corina, are creative people who
house. And sometimes, a truly great came with a storehouse of great
home begins with severe site con- ideas. When I stand in their
straints that completely dictate where home, I can stand in one spot for
each square foot of the house can sit on a long period of time and never
the site. The latter is the story of this look at the same thing twice.
fine home. There are so many beautiful and Lake Elevation
intriguing ideas that my eye wanders
Dining Room
Photo by Adam Cooke
With a high water table, wetlands, and a around endlessly, trying to take it all in.
limited building envelope, concessions The Widings’ goal was that their home
had to be made up front in order to pro- would be a collection of appealing ex- Daughter’s Room
ceed with initial design sketches. The periences that could not be la-
luxury of a walkout basement, or even a beled by one style. Rustic beams
finished lower level, had to be aban- and columns that appear to be
doned because of the high water table, driftwood that just floated to
but the “walkable” crawlspace that re- shore, were hand-distressed by
sulted has become valuable storage Pat, and on them are hidden
space for the homeowners. The wet- messages and images that are
lands dictated the placement of the precious and meaningful to the
driveway, and the result is an inviting family. I find myself constantly
approach to the home that allows visi- entertaining my curiosity by
tors to capture a full view of the lake as searching for a mark that might
they park their cars. The limited building have been purposely placed
envelope led to an exciting design with rather than randomly struck by a
lots of movement and interest in the hammer or a chisel. (continued on page Sun Room
floor plan. It is clear to see in this home 4)
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homeLIFE BLOG 3

4. Time continued...
Funny, He didn’t say “yes”
House Talk continued
nor did he say “no” but God Set into a cove that is surrounded by also easy to relax and unwind in this
gave me the outcome and this rustic woodwork are beautiful and home.
then let me decide. I also refined cabinets and furniture pieces –a
realized that losing them for combination of styles that, in theory, Outside, with an expertly designed and
one year could take 10 years should not work, but in reality is very installed landscape, there are a series
to heal. The cost was too appealing to my eyes. I’m still standing of outdoor rooms that continue the
great, so rather than building in the kitchen, and I turn around to see theme of, well…no theme! Each space
our dream home, we moved the double islands and magnificent offers a completely different, yet equally
into someone else’s dream views of the lake, and I can’t shake the enticing, experience. From the covered
home. Indeed, it was time to feeling that I must cook something— pergola with plush seating to the sandy
move the family to another now! The scale of the space is so com- beach, and from the grilling patio to the
fortable and inviting that I can envision rocky “cliffs” that children love to con-
home, just not one that we
myself baking and preparing meals tire- quer, endless options for relaxation and
designed and built our-
lessly for hours on end. And yet, I turn entertainment are readily available.
selves. It taught us that just
to the dining area and living room with When it comes down to the bottom line,
because we can do some- their warm tones of wood and comfort- it’s a family that makes a home. And
thing doesn’t mean we able seating (not to mention the impres- this family has made this home truly
should. Conversely, when sive stone fireplace), and I know that it’s spectacular. by Janice Macklin
we should do it, then we can.
Builder & Owner: Patrick Widing Custom Homes—810.750.8855
The next story happened Landscape Designer: Creative Scapes—810.610.8985
about 3 years ago during an Landscape Contractor: Outdoor Living—248.875.9161
unlikely time to build, when
the realty and construction
market took a very sharp
decline. The home we had
moved into desperately
needed new landscaping but
I didn’t want to take from our
savings to pay for it. Once
again, I prayed for direction.
It was revealed that the land-
scaping needed to happen
but I was treating my savings
too sacredly. I tried to play it
financially safe and started
to do a lot of the work my-
self. Everything went wrong
with this approach because I Photo by Pete Reynolds
missed the point. It was time
to do the landscaping but it
wasn’t for me to do because
What we do ...
Founded in 2001, Christopher Macklin Design, is a residential design firm that specializes
I needed to pay someone to in the design of fine new homes, renovations and additions. Our focus is to provide each
do it. A couple of issues client with creative and personal solutions for their unique needs. Each client is distinct;
back we discussed PRICE therefore each project should reflect this by being one of a kind. Throughout the design
and how making it the most process, we work to polish our client’s dreams and ambitions to arrive at a functional and
important priority will cloud aesthetically pleasing home.
our vision. We can plan all
Design Services Scope of Services
we want, but only God
• New Homes • Pre-Design & Planning
knows the correct timing and
• Remodels & Additions • Preliminary Design
the outcome
• Facade Renovations • Zoning Board Submittals
In the next issue we will
• Feasibility Studies • Schematic Design w/ Cost Estimate
wrap up this series with
• Existing Conditions Analysis • Construction Documents
PEOPLE…the reason the
• Inclusive Design • Bidding & Negotiating
whole process begins.
• Interior Design • Construction Observation
• Renderings (Concept & Character Drawings) • Project Management
12940 OLD FARM COURT
810.714.0000 MACKLINDESIGN.COM CHRIS@MACKLINDESIGN.COM
HARTLAND, MI 48353 (UNDER CONSTRUCTION) 4