The Best of the Lake Design Competition is an annual competition that allows designers, builders and trade craftsmen to showcase their talents and projects. The competition consists of multiple categories ranging from custom contracted new home, custom speculative new home, renovations (full house/kitchen/bath), outdoor living, green building and community amenities.

DV Wise Inc. was awarded "The Best of the Lake" design competition for custom new home 4001 to 5000 square feet. The home was completed in 2008 and built in Davidson, NC. The award winning home is located in an equestrian community, close to Davidson College.

Many aspects of the award winning home was customized to the owners specification:

Located on over 3 ½ acres, in an equestrian community just outside Davidson NC, this home is loaded with old world charm. The goal of the client was to construct an “English Cottage” style manor.

The home achieves this goal by utilizing many natural materials. All the stone work is natural, not a cultured artificial product. Accent details in the stone work use reclaimed pieces from a demolished building in Ireland. Using natural stone at the fireplaces required extra framing to accommodate the added weight. The exterior steps, off the living room to the rear, are also a custom design by the client.

The cedar truss beams are true 8x8’s built in place, by hand on site. The range hood is custom hand made from copper. Extensive faux finishing was done to add to the old world “plaster” feel. Natural crushed walnut shells were involved in one of the faux steps, once again adhering to as many natural materials possible to authenticate the look.

A large number of the interior architectural details were added by the client at numerous frame walks that were not on the original plan:

• A groin vault ceiling at the hall entering the owners bedroom
• A floating coffer ceiling in the owners bedroom
• Extensive use of moldings at the kitchen coffer ceiling, as well as many arches
• Elliptical spans and finish treatments

All exterior walls are 2x6 to give the windows and doors that added depth to help add to the old world flavor.

The cottage may look like it could be 200 years old, but it is 21st century when it comes to efficiency and technology. High seer heat pumps, sealed crawl space and a sealed attic are achieved with spray foam insulation; it provides the superior air sealing performance. An extensive structured wiring system adds not only to a theatre room, but whole house audio and data distribution to meet tomorrow’s needs.