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FeedHome Tour: A lakeside home to welcome family and friends
Gene and Rosanna Bisges’ house in Rocky Mount
Robin Tucker
Boards and nails do not make a home. Home is where the heart is - a congenial environment, a place where you are comfortable and free to be yourself. This was the guiding principle behind the construction of Gene and Rosanna Bisges’ house in Rocky Mount. The house not only welcomes them, but it is a gathering place that beckons family and friends. The house is grand, three huge, lake-front stories, but the ‘Wow’ factor has less to do with size than attitude. The Bisgeses have created a serene, peaceful home. It is an inspiration for any homeowner, regardless of the square feet of their domain.
Building your dream
That’s the philosophy of the Bisges’ contractor, David Degraffenreid. Degraffenreid works on only one house at a time, allowing him to focus on turning his clients’ wishes into reality. He sticks to deadlines and chooses subcontractors who do the same. For example, he hired Chad Winge to complete stonework that included 27,000 bricks. When Winge said he would be done in two weeks, the Bisges’ previous home-building experience left them doubtful. Winge finished in two weeks and one day. The Bisges say when Degraffenreid told them “this is your house” he meant it and that point of view made all the difference. Their first house-building experience left them thinking they would never do it again. But Degraffenreid made the second project well worth the effort - less stress and a wonderful result.
Dream a little theme of home
One of the Bisges’ favorite places is Tuscany and their home echoes that region of Italy. The entrance is framed by a stone archway. Windows, doorways, and the built-in shelves that hold family photos throughout the home repeat the shape. Arches provide a pleasing frame for the lake as visitors gaze out from the home’s upper balcony. Tiled floors bring to mind Tuscan courtyards. The unifying theme gives the home a sense of serenity. Adding to the peaceful atmosphere are the organic design elements the Bisges chose to complement their Tuscan-inspired architecture. Sage green and warm beige walls bring the outdoors in and are wonderful companions to lake views through towering windows.
The Bisges worked as a team when it came to decorating. Rosanna took a camera everywhere, and brought pictures of things she liked to Evergreen Manufacturing, searching for similar items. Gene painted squares of sheet rock with various colors of paint. These portable samples allowed them to view the colors in different rooms at different times of the day. Rather than hire an interior decorator, they turned to people schooled in various aspects of design. One such professional was Bill Mehmert of Furniture Showrooms by JC Mattress Factory. “He was helpful in looking at our ideas and went out of his way to get us what we wanted,” Rosanna says. Sommers Interiors provided floor coverings and window treatments and took great care to match the décor in every room. Rosanna is especially pleased with the living room’s window swags which complement the Tuscan decor. Acting as their own decorator was an adventure, Rosanna says. “We’ve gone through this before, so we sat down and had fun with it.”
The home’s exterior and landscaping are also well suited to the overall feel of the house. The brick and stone exterior was chosen for its longevity and ease of maintenance. The roses, grasses, Japanese maples, Nine Bark and Honeysuckle planted by David Hawken Landscaping were chosen for much the same reason. “We wanted something that required little or no maintenance, that was colorful and didn’t attract bees,” Rosanna says. The result is beautiful and in perfect harmony with the surroundings.
Inspired by the real thing
Sometimes a much-loved possession dictates how a room is designed. This was the case with the Bisges’ antique Coca-Cola vending machine. After falling in love with the machine and having it refurbished, they built a room around it. Located in the lower level of the house, the cabana room is a hidden treasure accessible only from outside. The room was designed with their three sons, friends and extended family in mind and the outside entrance allows “guests the convenience to do their own thing.” In addition to the Coke machine that helped inspire it, the cabana room includes games such as shuffleboard and foosball, pub tables, and sports memorabilia. The floors are stained concrete which enables guests to come and go from the nearby pool without worry. “It was going to be about half the size,” Rosanna says, “but we said ‘what the heck,’ decorated from a piece we loved and it grew. People have space to get around and talk and they immediately feel at home.” The room is a favorite place for guests to gather and the limited access that sets it apart from the rest of the house is an added bonus. “It’s like we get to go to the lake when people come over,” Gene says.
A big blue egg
Tucked into an alcove outside the cabana room is an egg-shaped Kamado cooker. The grill-smoker-oven weighs 650 pounds and is covered in small blue mosaic tiles. Rosanna was skeptical when Gene brought the massive cooker home from Pick’s in Osage Beach. “Now I am so glad he got it,” Rosanna says, “The first night we stayed up all night trying out food.”
Gene loves to use his Kamado to cook pulled pork, ribs, chicken and steak among other things. He enjoys preparing food for a crowd or for impromptu gatherings of neighbors. “We invite people over for many things,” Rosanna says. “Sports, birthdays, wedding showers, or just to get to know them, Gene says you never need a reason.” This inviting attitude, combined with a serene atmosphere, is what makes the Bisges’ house a home.
Home resource list
Construction
General Contractor: David F.Degraffenreid Construction
Excavating: Rohrer Excavating
Concrete: P.J. Concrete
Lumber: Meeks Lumber
Plumbing: Degraffenreid Construction
Electric: Degraffenreid Construction
Drywall: Ozark Drywall
Heating & Cooling: Fairview Heating
Windows: Meeks Lumber
Garage Door: Classic Industries
Fireplace: Fireplace Shop
Doors: Meeks Lumber
Exterior Finish: Midwest Block & Brick
Siding: Chad Winge Masonary
Roofing: Accuracy Roofing
Outside
Landscaping: David Hawken Landscaping
Decking: P.J. Concrete
Docks: Rush Dock
Porch Shades: American Sun Control
Dock Accessories: Rush Dock
Rock Walls and Seawall: Jon Brewer Excavating
Exterior Railings: Midwest Welding
Patio Furniture: Lake Patio & Home Depot
Water Features: Pools Unlimited
Lawn Maintenance Services: All Green Lawn Care
Painters: Phillips Painting
Brick/Rock Work: Midwest Block/Chad Winge Masonary
Window Cleaning: Troy Gardener
Swimming Pool/Spa: Pools Unlimited
Pool Covers/Maintenance: Pools Unlimited
Smoker - Kamado: Pick’s Gallery
Inside
Furnishings: Nebraska Furniture & JC Mattress
Flooring - Tile: Degraffenreid Construction
Carpet: Sommers Interiors
Lighting: Butler Supply
Security System: Reinsch TV
Entertainment System: Reinsch TV
Mirrors: Gary’s Glass
Shower Door: Gary’s Glass
Counter Tops: CMC
Faucets: DKB
Sinks: DKB
Cabinets - Kitchen: DKB
Baths: DKB
Appliances: Nebraska Furniture
Window Treatments: Sommers Interiors
Interior Hand Rails: Matt Mehmert Construction
Carpenters: Degraffenreid Construction
Construction Clean-Up: Degraffenreid Construction
Painting-Finish Work: Phillips Painting
(Resource list provided by general contractor)
