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Post by rhapsody on Jan 20, 2005 10:06:41 GMT -5
We think we might have found our house plans! ;D We've already contacted the designer POC and asked for a quote for the modifications we would want but, for the most part, they're relatively minor, except for the bonus room mods (more like a bowling alley as-is; we want more ceiling height and usable space). The link for the plan is below. Never mind the dormer windows. We won't have those unless they're functional and they are not functional with the plan as-is. The plans would have to be further modified to alter attic space to usable living space and I don't think we'll be going quite that far, as 2405 sq ft plus the bonus area and garage will be all our budget can probably handle! What do y'all think? www.architecturaldesigns.com/house-plan-5933nd.aspThis is exciting and nervewracking at the same time. I told John last night that I'm almost afraid to decide on a plan because once we do we're committed and there's no going back! Not that I don't want to build - I'm just afraid I'll find a plan I like better after we buy the blueprints! LOL! |
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Post by qhaddict on Jan 20, 2005 10:23:37 GMT -5
That's a big house ;D Well, compared to what I've always lived in - 1300 sq ft max! LOL It's not my style as I don't like all the bedrooms on one side of the house - but it's attractive, and if you guys like it, that's all that matters! At least you and John are agreed on a house plan! LOL My SO and I are going to battle that one out in the future when we can afford to build  |
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Post by rhapsody on Jan 20, 2005 10:32:47 GMT -5
We may regret the bedroom arrangement later but most of the other plans we were finding had the other bedrooms WAAAAY on the other side. With my boys being as young as they are yet, I want them closer to me.
We'll probably put the boys in the #3 and #4 bedrooms to start. When they get older, we'll move the one from the #4 bedroom into the #2 bedroom/study which leaves bedroom #4 as a buffer.
And it is big. We were looking smaller till my dad told us "you'll be in this house for awhile so do it right; you need to be looking at 2300 to 2400 sq ft!" So, guided by his counsel (seeing as how he is the king of frugality), we searched and searched some more . . .
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Post by ExLibris on Jan 20, 2005 11:14:15 GMT -5
Ohhhh, it's beautiful!! I like the bedroom arrangement...my kids are young, too, so I'd want them close to me as well. And, I LOVE the ginormous closet in the master bedroom!! Good heavens, I think it's the same size as my kitchen!  VERY nice, Rhapsody!!  |
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Post by Lindanshadow on Jan 20, 2005 11:18:58 GMT -5
Wow! I love it...is it going to be brick and rock like the picture? That would be my dream home alto I'm not sure I would need a dining room (we are not very formal people!)  Linda H. |
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Post by rhapsody on Jan 20, 2005 11:28:02 GMT -5
We probably won't be using the dining room much either. But if we do decide to someday have a big family Thanksgiving (or other) dinner, that would give the place to hold it.
I'd like to start having T'giving at my house and give my mom a break!
The 3rd garage would be a weight/exercise room. We could also later on renovate it to a small living area/ apartment should my mom &/or dad ever need to move in with us (I hate the thought of them going to a nursing home) yet want to maintain some independence.
And, yes, we will be going with brick. We also want to go with 2x6 exterior wall studs since we live in hurricane alley.
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Post by Mary Ann on Jan 20, 2005 11:32:18 GMT -5
Hmmm, it really looks gorgeous, and well thought out as far as the traffic goes. But I have a rule of thumb now that I'd never want a bedroom smaller than what I'd have for a horse's stall. The smallest stall I'd put my horse in would be 12x12, and the bigger the better. If that exterior wall could be moved out two or three feet, I'd call it perfect. Of course, maybe that wouldn't bother you, so it may be a moot point.
I really like the little study area with the fireplace, too!
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Post by rhapsody on Jan 20, 2005 11:32:50 GMT -5
"Ginormous" closets were a MUST! We're living in a 1940's vintage home with absolutely minimal closet space. We'll feel like we're in a mansion, for sure, after going from 1600 sq ft to 2400+ sq ft! I'm tired of living out of laundry baskets and cramped dressers! Ohhhh, it's beautiful!! I like the bedroom arrangement...my kids are young, too, so I'd want them close to me as well. And, I LOVE the ginormous closet in the master bedroom!! Good heavens, I think it's the same size as my kitchen! VERY nice, Rhapsody!! |
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Post by rhapsody on Jan 20, 2005 11:34:59 GMT -5
Mary Ann, you have a point. When we hear back from Joel Davis (Pres of Architectural Designs) with a quote, we'll ask for another one with the exterior wall along the bedroom side nudged out another 6" to 12" or so.
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Post by ExLibris on Jan 20, 2005 11:37:43 GMT -5
Ohhh, honey! I SO hear you on the size issue! I live with my family of four in a 900 sq foot apartment. 2405 feet sounds sooo nice! And, I like the idea of the extra garage becoming a weight room, too. Just out of curiosity, do you have a site yet? Are you having a barn built, or will you live in town & board? If you're building the barn, we wanna see plans for that, too.  |
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Post by rhapsody on Jan 20, 2005 11:53:35 GMT -5
Well, we already have the land and the good thing is that it's paid for! We bought 20 acres in 1997 and just sold 15 of it late last year, which gave us the money to pay off the mortgage and put a healthy down payment on getting the new house built on the remaining 5 acres.
As for the barn, we're in Florida so we don't really need a fancy barn (though I'd LOVE one). Our horses live outside 24/7 but on our property they will have access to a run-in. Eventually, we'll probably build a nice 4-stall barn. Right now, our horses are being boarded on a 30+ acre facility and are spending all their time hanging out with their buddies outdoors. Once we get moved in to the new house and them on the property . . . look out! We'll start getting some decent riding time in then, for sure!
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Post by ExLibris on Jan 20, 2005 11:54:42 GMT -5
Oh, and something else I just noticed... Of course, it really depends on the type of oven & fridge you get (they may make 'em better nowadays), but I've always had older models of appliances, and I was always told that it's best to have the fridge & oven separated so that they're not right next to each other. The heat of the oven can cause the fridge to work harder to keep the contents cool (or so I've been told). Again, newer appliances may make this a moot point, but it's something to look into. Energy bills can be a pain in the rear. And, of course, while you're at it, remember to keep the kitchen triangle in proportion (the triangle is created by the steps it takes to get from the stove to the sink to the fridge to the stove...if one is too darn far away, it makes cooking awkward). I love the breakfast bar/island idea, too...the kids can sit & hang out with you while you cook, without being in the way, & they won't have to talk to your back, either. Very neat! |
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Post by ExLibris on Jan 20, 2005 12:01:55 GMT -5
Oooooh, Florida sounds soooo nice right now!! I've lived in the frigid Midwest all my life, and it never even occured to me that you wouldn't have to worry about a barn as much. How cool! Um, can I ask a stupid question? Where wouldja keep your hay & such?
VERY cool that you've got the land already! It must be such a wonderful feeling to be able to go out there, look around, and think THAT'S where the house will be, and THAT'S where I'll fence the pasture, and THAT'S where I'll plant a garden, etc. etc. Five acres is a pretty nice size, too!!
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Post by rhapsody on Jan 20, 2005 12:23:06 GMT -5
One of the changes we've requested from the designer is to move the fridge next to the pantry. It's a bit farther away from the "center" of the kitchen but it won't "break up" the kitchen there, either.
We're still in the planning stages, though, so if you see something that you'd like different let me know! You may have seen something I missed!
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Post by rhapsody on Jan 20, 2005 12:25:41 GMT -5
As for hay storage, we'll definitely have to get or build a building for that. Even if we build a barn, I won't store hay in it. We may stick with round bales, anyway, so would need something big enough for several round bales and that our tractor could get into and out of easily while carrying one.
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VERY nice, Rhapsody!! 
