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My Marvin Window Design

My brother Chris and I often hike the wooded areas that surround the Garden Home Retreat.  Exploring the forest is a pastime that goes back to our childhood and it gives us a chance to go over landscape projects we are working on together on the property.  On a recent walk we talked about building a little Gothic pavilion on a spot overlooking the Arkansas River.  It could be a great place to sit and watch the river go by.  We found the perfect location where the ground is level and then drops to a steep incline.   A small pavilion or belvedere would be an intriguing destination that one would come to along the woodland garden path.   From the best we could tell it wouldn't take much to open up a few views to the East and West looking up and down the river. 

If you have been to the Retreat or seen photographs of the house you know that it is all in the Greek Revival style so a Gothic structure would add a touch of contrast. I see it as  a very rustic hexagonal building with five windows and a door.  It'd be fun to use Tulip Poplar bark around the windows. 

Right around the time Chris and I began discussing the pavilion, Marvin Windows and Doors approached me about designing a window for their MyMarvin project.  Marvin asked a group of designers, architects and fine artists for an interpretation of their dream window.  I was honored and excited to be asked.  The idea is to illustrate how Marvin can create a real-life, hand-built window based on a personal design. 

Since the rustic Gothic belvedere was on my mind, I designed a window that would fit that style, with a pointed arch made of rough, branches with peeling bark.  It would be perfect for my pavilion in the woods.

You can see my Gothic window and the other participants' designs at www.MyMarvin.com.  Plus watch video blogs of the artists discussing their inspiration and tracing the development of their original “dream window” designs.  If you feel like designing your own window you can do that too.  MyMarvin.com also offers an array of tools and tips, both creative and practical, to help you bring your own visions to life.

We'll see how the pavilion comes along.  Whether or not it comes to fruition, it is always fun to dream and doodle about these projects.