Shawn Fisher and Mike Stevens Construction

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Dec./Jan. 2019-20 $6.95

BOOKNook

holiday

CHEERS to the HOLIDAYS

Glitterville

DESIGNER notebook

BEFORE

& after

LOCAL

luxuries

The Bowling Residence stairwell as shown in Designer Notebook

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BEAUTY for the AGES INSIDE

Designer NOTEBOOK with

S h aw n f i s h e r

S h aw n f i s h e r D e s i g n

By Jama Creswell

Shawn Fisher Design 5 Division Street Crossville, TN 38555 (931) 707-5149 www.shawnfisherdesign.com

EQ

Award winning Shawn Fisher Design of a home situated on Lake Martin in Alexandria, Alabama.

Opposite page left: one of Shawn Fisher’s Whimsy Cottage 20-piece collection of pen and ink drawings. Fisher’s cottages are representative of how he imagines children would like their houses to be and says, “drawing the cottages makes me feel happy, with no boundaries or limits to everyday architecture.” Additional works can be found at shawnfisherart.com.

Right: architectural home plan designer Shawn Fisher of Shawn Fisher Design in Crossville, Tennessee.

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C

redited with projects throughout the US and

design. I’m drawing walls, it’s more than lines on paper.”

based in Crossville, Tennessee, highly sought after

Fisher met his second mentor, acclaimed home designer,

architectural home plan designer Shawn Fisher of Shawn

builder, and architectural historian Jimmy Garren, years

Fisher Design is now working almost exclusively in the

later while working in the Aiken/Augusta, South Caroli-

Knoxville area. Found by word-of-mouth recommen-

na, area. Alongside Garren, Fisher honed and elevated his

dations – Fisher doesn’t advertise – nor does he boast,

craft – specifically regarding details in historic architec-

instead the kind-spirited family man is extremely modest

ture.

about his work.

“Jimmy was a great guy – a member of Augusta National

Clients come with ideas of what they want and need in

– everybody loved him. He built beautiful high-end cus-

a house; then Fisher’s imagination and creativity kicks

tom homes. I learned a lot from him,” Fisher says fondly.

into high gear. Through artfully detailed sketches and

“From how wide a hallway should be, so you can have a

hand-drawings, Fisher is able to create a vision of his cli-

chest or console table and still walk by easily, to the exact

ents’ dream home which he ultimately renders into viable

height a gas lantern should be hung at the front door.”

builder plans.

When asked what he really wants people to know about

Fisher humbly credits two mentors who shaped his life

him, Fisher says, “I’m an artist. I see architecture through

and career, as well as the grandparents who sent him to

an artist’s eye. Being self-taught allows me to be creative

vocational school at age 19. While there, Fisher met Doyle

– instead of beginning the design process from a more

T. Vaden, a drafting instructor and pen and ink artist.

technical point.”

“Doyle saw something in me in drafting class and thought

From his Designer Notebook, Fisher shares details and

I had potential,” Fisher says. “He taught me about scale

photographs from three recent projects, although he says

and proportion, but more importantly he taught me to

each of the families he has worked with throughout his 25

listen and pay attention to detail when drawing a house.

year career are special to him and therefore it was diffi-

When I meet with clients I listen to what they say they

cult to choose only three. A humble (and quite talented)

want in their house, but I also pay attention when the cli-

artist, Fisher allows us to include his fantasy cottage

ent isn’t talking – to read them, their body language. I’m

pen and ink drawings and two paintings in his Designer

able to interpret all of those things and transfer it into a

Notebook.

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Designer NOTEBOOK

From design to completion. Above: Front elevation rendering of multi-story home with corbel and lighting detail by Shawn Fisher Design.

Below: Ivey Custom Homes build of Fisher’s stone, brick and massive wooden beam design.

Right top: Light counters contrast beautifully with the kitchen’s brick barrel ceiling, one of the home’s most unique features. Right bottom: stairwell and bank of windows seen here in both the architectural drawing and after completion.

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The Bowling Residence Knoxville, TN Shawn Fisher Design Ivey Custom Homes

T

he first project Shawn Fisher shares is a three

story home he designed for Mark and Karen Bowling.

Details that set the Bowling house apart are the roomy kitchen’s barrel brick ceiling and the home’s expansive banks of windows, which allow the homeowners to enjoy wide lake views. A focal point in Fisher’s design, the artfully placed staircase fronts a multi-story bank of windows and allows the home’s courtyard to be seen from several vantage points.

Photos by Denise Davis

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Designer NOTEBOOK

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he second home in Shawn Fisher’s designer notebook is a modern lake house designed for Scott and Ellen Crutchfield. A unique front door makes a great first impression. The custom 5’ x 9’ ball-hinged wood and glass pivot door welcomes and wows. From the entry visitors have an unhindered view of the lake, thanks to the seamless glass which makes up the rear wall of the house. The use of reclaimed wood beams and wall timbers throughout anchor the home’s soaring ceilings and create warmth, depth and dimension.

Photos by Meghan Downs Photography

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The Crutchfield House Lake Loudoun Shawn Fisher Design Mark Whitlock Construction

Left top: a custom ball-hinged wood pivot door is a welcoming focal point.

Left Bottom: a covered outdoor gathering space perfect for casual entertaining.

Right top: gleaming counters, rich wood and lots of light make the kitchen.

Lower left corner: view from the keeping room into the kitchen.

Lower right corner: the reclaimed wood paneled high ceiling anchors the dining room and draws the eye to a view of the lake.

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Designer NOTEBOOK

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The O’Connor House Lake Loudoun S h aw n F i s h e r D e s i g n Mike Stevens Homes

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he final house of Shawn Fisher’s designer notebook is a beautiful home uniquely situated on what is essentially an island in Fort Loudoun lake. Fully maximizing the opportunity for 360 degree views on both levels of the two-story home was the driving focus of Fisher’s design. The design aesthetic is both sophisticated and relaxed. Showcased in the 2019 Parade of Homes and built by Mike Stevens Homes, the elegantly comfortable house is owned by Joe and Arriane O’Connor.

Right: Two-story great room is the gathering place for the house.

Left page top: exterior of Shawn Fisher Design lake house.

Bottom left: view of lake from one of the many vantage points. Bottom right: the firepit is a popular place to gather.

Above left: windows in the gorgeous master bathroom seamless tiled shower allow more natural light and lake views.

Lower right: Fisher uses reclaimed wood beams throughout the design.

Beams and dark wood island provide nice contrast to the light walls and cabinetry in the sunny kitchen.

Photos by Chris Smith Photography

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Designer NOTEBOOK

s h aw n f i s h e r A r t i s t

Top left: A gift to his wife, “The Flower Garden” by Shawn Fisher. Acrylic with molding paste and gesso with India ink for splashes of color, mixed with salvaged materials on canvas. 24” x 36”.

Top right: side view of “The Flower Garden.” Fisher incorporated copper wiring stripped from an old car to make the flowers pop out of the canvas, creating a three-dimensional effect. Fisher says, “I love to salvage materials from thrift stores, garage sales. If I see a screw in a parking lot or a penny/dime I pick it up and use it.”

Bottom left and right: “Whimsy Cottages” by Shawn Fisher. Pen and ink drawings that he then uses colored pencils to add color. Fisher’s “Whimsy Cottages” will soon be available for purchase at shawnfisherart.com Right: A close-up of Fisher’s most recent painting, “Every Key To My Heart.” Acrylic and sand with India ink on canvas. 3’ x 5’. “Every Key To My Heart” features keys Fisher has collected over the past 30 years and copper tubing.

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