Dear homeowners

[Oz]

I'm thinking of a large great room area that is the family room, kitchen and eating area.

This is fine, if there's only one agenda in the house. My house has an open kitchen/eating area/living room. When there were other people in my house, it was impossible to escape the other activity, unless you wanted to go to a bedroom and close the door. I'm in a 10x20 office all day. I don't want to be couped up when I go home. Obviously, your situation would be different than mine. But, it's something to consider...

 

[vraiblonde]

When there were other people in my house, it was impossible to escape the other activity, unless you wanted to go to a bedroom and close the door.

On the first floor we're looking at the big open living/kitchen/dining room, mine & Larry's bedroom and a large laundry room/sewing room. In the basement we'll have 3 bedrooms and a bath, and the rest will be a bar area with a bandstand so Larry can pretend to be Marty Friedman.

We'll have a "sitting room" off our bedroom that will actually be where my treadmill and computer goes.

By the time we get this done, we'll only have one kid at home - the rest will be visitors and holiday/summer residents. So that's really all we need - 3500 or so sq. ft. total.

 

[marianne]

This is fine, if there's only one agenda in the house. My house has an open kitchen/eating area/living room. When there were other people in my house, it was impossible to escape the other activity, unless you wanted to go to a bedroom and close the door.

Right. Our open area works well for us 80% of the time. But it's nice to have a separate area with an office to go to. And I turned the formal living room into the kids playroom. It's nice to have that separate room for the kids toys that they're not all over the house. While I know you don't have to worry about playrooms, you might want a separate music room for Larry's guitar and a separate office.

 

[SeaRide]

Here's my suggestion.

• mud room with closet
  
• huge pantry for food, cans, and bulk stuff.
  
• lots of cabinets in the kitchen
  
• lots of outlets in the kitchen/eating area
  
• utility sink
  
• utility / storage / seasonal room -- store stuff i.e. like camping stuff, fake xmas tree, xmas deco, xmas lights, xmas ornaments, blow up snowman, deco for halloween, deco for thanksgiving, 4th of july deco, paddings for outdoor furniture during winter, table umbrellas when not in use, ice scrapers during summer, sunshades for cars during winter, boating stuff , travel stuff, small cooler, large cooler, camp chairs, stuff for the RV/pop up camper, shop vac, etc.
  
• hang drying space if there's no clothesline outside -- for certain clothes that does not go in the dryer, hang dry sleeping bags, etc
  
• craft space (sewing, craft, scrapbook, hobby, etc)
  
• skylights on the north side for kitchen / eating area
  
• wrap around porch on the south side
  
• bedrooms on the west side if possible
  
• skylight for master bath if possible
  
• kitchen/eating area on the east side if possible
  
• great room in the middle with access to the deck outside
  
• no cheap windows
  
• two fuse boxes( one for basement, one for main floor)
  
• huge deck 3/4 open - 1/4 covered (roof, screened, ceiling fan, light, outlet, etc)
  
• Larry's soundproofed play room (workbench, guitars, amplifiers, etc)
  
• Vraiblone's play room (treadmill, computer, etc)
  
• two water heaters (one near the baths, one near the kitchen & laundry)
  
• storage space for wheelbarrow, riding lawnmower, garden tools, chainsaw, snowblower, etc -- could be in the garage somewhere or a little cute barn or a well built storage hidden under the deck

 

[marianne]

That's a great list SeaRide - I especially like the skylights in the master bathroom! I had a heat lamp put in the master bathroom outside the shower door but because the ceiling is so high, you can't really feel the warmth. If all the doors are closed, it does a so-so job at warming the room but it's not nearly the same.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

Detached garage

 

[SamSpade]

Detached garage

You can't be serious? Why would someone want a detached garage, when an *ATTACHED* one is possible?

I mean, isn't it better to drive into a basically dry, slightly warmer garage than having to go through snow or rain AFTER you've parked the car?

 

[SeaRide]

Detached garage

You can't be serious? Why would someone want a detached garage, when an *ATTACHED* one is possible?

I mean, isn't it better to drive into a basically dry, slightly warmer garage than having to go through snow or rain AFTER you've parked the car?

It's called personal preference. I personally prefer the detached garage more than attached garage. For an outdoor person like me, I like walking through the snow or rain, so what's your point? Attached garage is sooo city-like. .. and the list goes on and on..

 

[SamSpade]

It's called personal preference. I personally prefer the detached garage more than attached garage. For an outdoor person like me, I like walking through the snow or rain, so what's your point? Attached garage is sooo city-like. .. and the list goes on and on..

Then call me "city-like". I just don't understand the point of a garage that you have to walk to. I don't see why someone would choose a garage that's outside, where, if you need to get something you left in the car, you have to put on your shoes and coat. Why not opt for the "outdoor bathroom" as well?

You're also the only person, outdoor or not who ever told me they like to walk (or stand) in the rain.

 

[janey83]

you know what's nice? a gas fireplace. we put one in a few years ago, and it's great -- just light it once, and then all you have to do after that is flip a switch on and off.

 

[mAlice]

I prefer a detached garage. An attached garage is an insult to the design of the house.

 

[vraiblonde]

I'm definitely an attached garage person. We store cat food, extra paper towels, fireplace wood, etc, in our garage. I like to run out there and grab stuff without having to put on shoes.

 

[mAlice]

I'm definitely an attached garage person. We store cat food, extra paper towels, fireplace wood, etc, in our garage. I like to run out there and grab stuff without having to put on shoes.

I think most people are, and most house plans have an attached garage. I just think the design should orient the garage in such a way that it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb on the front of the house.

 

[BadGirl]

I think most people are, and most house plans have an attached garage. I just think the design should orient the garage in such a way that it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb on the front of the house.

Absolutely. I totally love having my attached gay-raj. One thing that I particularly like about it is that it has a very wide door, as opposed to two smaller doors. The smaller doors leave the support column inbetween, which makes getting in and out of the gay-raj a little trickier. Go with the wider doors.

 

[sleuth]

I think most people are, and most house plans have an attached garage. I just think the design should orient the garage in such a way that it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb on the front of the house.

I was looking at a houseplan this past weekend that had an L-shaped floor plan, but instead of putting the garage door on the end of the L, they put it on the inside of the L, facing sideways and not immediately visible in a direct front view of the house.

It was a nice look. But depending on how you oriented it, could be a b!tch to park in. I'd put it on the outside of the L or around the back of the house.

 

[likitysplit]

I'm definitely an attached garage person. We store cat food, extra paper towels, fireplace wood, etc, in our garage. I like to run out there and grab stuff without having to put on shoes.

vrai,

apologize in advance if someone has commented on this............

Are you planning a fireplace?

If so, pay close attention to where the return air vents are in relation to the fireplace. My first house was a smokeout everytime I had a fire and ran the ran simultaniously. Sucked the smoke right out of the fireplace. Plan accordingly.....

Just a thought..........

 

[likitysplit]

vrai,

apologize in advance if someone has commented on this............

Are you planning a fireplace?

If so, pay close attention to where the return air vents are in relation to the fireplace. My first house was a smokeout everytime I had a fire and ran the ran simultaniously. Sucked the smoke right out of the fireplace. Plan accordingly.....

Just a thought..........

Ran the Fan.......not Ran the Ran......


Sounds like a song by Flock of Seagulls........and I ran, ran so far away, I just ran, I ran all night and day, I couldn't get away.......

 

[meme]

Our house was finished being built last May. I love that I have "rounded corners" and textured walls and knock down ceilings. I think the textured walls hides alot of flaws. I also like having vaulted ceilings and arches that seperates most of the rooms. I didn't skimp on kitchen cabinets and the appliances since it seems like I spent most of the day there anyway.

I invested alot of time and money disigning this house. I also have a block home instead of a stick built home (hurricanes here are a b!tch.)

 

[SeaRide]

I prefer a detached garage. An attached garage is an insult to the design of the house.

A 40ftx60ft garage attached would dwarf the house quite a bit. I don't mind sort of a "detached" garage attached with a breezeway connection to the house.

 

[DoWhat]

I prefer a detached garage. An attached garage is an insult to the design of the house.

I got both.
She uses the attached and I use the detached.