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Building a Home

Calling Summerfield Designs

13 years ago

Hello Summerfield,

I've viewed the layouts and elevations you have done for various posters with interest.

I recently purchased Chief Architect to turn my designs into a plan so that I can walk through various rooms to see how things flow and play around with different elevations. We will hire a draftsman when the time comes to build, as we are trying to sell our current home now.

I thought chief architect was an adequate program until I saw the photos you've been posting. I will assume your program is much more expensive than the $90 program I am using?? LOL!!

Anyway, I was hoping you could give me some pointers. Are you familiar with Chief Architect and is it possible to get the quality elevations with that program?

By the way...I used to live in the small town of Summerfield in NC. Is your screen name related?

Here is what I have so far...

the original scale drawing done in excel....

chief architect version...

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Comments (18)

summerfielddesigns
13 years ago
homeagain ...

i'm unable to see some of the details in your plans , and there are dimension conflicts ... but i tweaked your plan a bit , so here it is ... let me know what changes need to be made , and if you need the furnishings added ...
mydreamhome
13 years ago
Summerfield Designs,
I love your work. Are you in Summerfield, NC & if so,would you mind if I contacted you? You can send me an email thru the site.

Thanks!
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Glad you like so much of it! How funny that I called that wide basement hallway an "art gallery" when your daughter is going to be an art major in college. The wide hallway just "happened" when I put the two bedrooms and bathroom in along the right side of the basement. The leftover space wasn't quite wide enough to be the bar/kitchen area (and besides I wanted that by the windows at the back) and I couldn't see any other use for it. But just calling that wide space a hallway seemed so mundane when it was wide enough that it seemed like it OUGHT to be useful for something. Then I thought, well they could put bookcases along walls or hang artwork so voila it became the "art gallery". Serendipity! LOL! Thanks for posting the exact measurements of the foundation. I was off enough that there will HAVE to be some changes to the design...especially to the main floor bedroom/bath area. But you wanted changes there anyway so that's okay. I don't think the new dimensions will force any dramatic changes to the walkout basement. By wanting the dining area "closer to the lake", I'm assuming you mean that you'd like a view of the lake from the dining room. I don't see any possible way to actually put the dining room along the back of the house without either a) moving the master bedroom to the front of the house somewhere or b) turning the great room by 90 degrees. Option "a" won't work with your foundation unless you're willing to have a really skinny, winding hallway going from the front door, around past the office and master bedroom and bath to reach the public areas at the back of the house. Since you've already mentioned a desire to have a view of the lake from the front door, I'm guessing that's out. Option "b" would turn the "vaulted" ceiling of the great room so that it faced towards the side of the lot instead of towards the lake. Pretty sure that is out as well! So, no way to actually put the dining room at the back of the house. BUT, I could basically swap the kitchen and dining room areas so that you would be able to see the lake thru the great room windows when seated at the dining table. However you wouldn't have as good a view of the lake from the kitchen if I do that. So, which one do you prefer? I can easily open up the view from the front door by getting rid of the office closet and the entry way closet. You don't HAVE to have either closet. I might be able to fit in an entry way closet if I change the staircase from a tight U to a loose U. (i.e., have two landings instead of one big one with some steps between the two landings.) Actually, since that space I'm putting the staircase in is almost two feet narrower than I thought, there isn't going to be room enough beside the stair for a chair so a loose U that spans the whole 10'-6" ft wide (interior measure) space would probably look better anyway. I'll play around with it and see what I can come up with. I THINK it might be possible to move the laundry room to where I currently have "her closet" and then put the two bedroom closets between the bedroom and bath. The laundry room would probably have to be a bit smaller but you would still be able to have a window in it. But, before I do too much rearranging, could you verify a couple of other foundation measurements? (the ones shown in red below) These will affect exactly how much room is available for the master bath/mudroom area and with plumbing, sometimes inches can be critical. So I want make sure I have the available dimensions right. As for getting cross breezes through the house, for really good breezes you need windows directly across from each other that are oriented in the direction of the prevailing winds. Obviously this works best in skinny houses that are only 1 room deep and your foundation isn't right for that. But you can get reasonably good breezes by having windows on two walls in most rooms. Even if the walls are perpendicular to each other and neither faces the direction from which the wind blows, you'll still get some breeze. And, you can improve the flow of air thru a house by installing operable interior transom windows above doorways so that even when interior doors are closed breezes can flow thru the house. Or you can use ceiling fans to stir up a breeze artificially.
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Oh my goodness yes!!!! Now THAT is a house I could imagine myself living in! Having a door at the front of the house that opens into the master bedroom is still a bit odd (IMHO) but by narrowing the front porch at that end and placing a bit of outdoor furniture in just the right spot, the door into the master bedroom is discretely made far less noticeable and therefore is no longer objectionable to me. And by providing another obvious "front door" opening into the dining area (a public space), the whole front-door problem is pretty well solved. Furthermore, if a future owner wanted a more traditional front entryway, they could easily (and probably for very little cost) close in that corner section of the covered front porch and turn that into a foyer that open out into the living room with a side opening going into the dining area. So, you no longer have to worry overmuch about that issue reducing potential resale value. It looks like Summerfield also solved all the other "issues" that bothered me and others about your original plan as well: the too too long uninterrupted hallway, the long distance from garage entry way to any convenient spot to set groceries down, the lack of a really nice pantry, the view from kitchen into the 2nd bathroom, etc., etc., etc. And yet, when you compare the two designs, the general placement of the rooms and the way the house will flow is still very, very similar to your original idea. I am a tiny bit concerned that the pantry may be a bit too narrow to fit a freezer into one end like that. Remember that you'll want to be able to open the freezer door a bit more than 90 degrees and it looks like the side shelves might be in the way. You might need to make the shelves on one side several inches narrower so you can swing the door freezer door open completely. Or, a chest-style freezer (with a lid that lifts UP) might work well in that spot although to get one in/out of the room, the side shelves would have to be made re-moveable. Overall tho, this is BEAUTIFUL WORK! Summerfield Designs continues to amaze me. She has such a great sense of design. And, best of all, she clearly LISTENS to what the homeowner wants and always seems to find a way to deliver a marvelous design that still allows the homeowner's original ideas to shine thru. Summerfield Designs is obviously a master architect who has somehow managed to avoid developing the over-inflated ego that some architects seem to suffer from. This forum is so lucky to have her participate here. Makes me wish she had been an active member back when I was drawing up my own plans. After living in my new home for 18 months, I'm still very very happy with it but I do wonder what kinds of tweaks she would have suggested that would have made it even better! I am so glad you posted this and I look forward to watching your progress as you build. It's going to be an absolutely lovely home!
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homeagain
Original Author
13 years ago
Summerfield,

You nailed it! It's taken me three weeks to get where I am as I'm not very tech savvy.... I've yet to figure out the stairs or how to add the second story under the roof line. The dimensions in my excel plan are what I am trying to do in C.A.

I like the addition of the separate broom closet in the mud area. Thanks for that idea and thanks also for taking the time to draw the plan for me.

I am posting the exterior inspiration photo, if you really want to play around with this some more. I am still trying to figure out how to do the roof in my software as it insists on a hip roof when I want a gable.

My main purpose in purchasing the software was to decide between a brick exterior and a hardi/stone combo. The graphics with CA are not very good though so it is useless to help me with this decision.

So here are my exterior shots, mocked up in photoshop..

This version in off white brick but with a box window instead of a bay. The chimney showing above the roofline would actually be moved to the study and be the same brick as the house.

this version with a stone foundation and study, hardiplank siding and hardi shingle eaves... also a version of this without stone on the study. These two versions would also have the fireplace in the study but it would be stone not brick.

The hardi shingle and planks would be a blue/gray/green color similar to BM's gray wisp, off-white trim and bronzey-black shutters with hardware.
tinycastles
13 years ago
Summerfield! Nice job! Homeagain- that is a very charming house:)
homeagain
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks tinycastles! I've been following your posts for a while now and can't wait to see the finished project.
summerfielddesigns
13 years ago
this is very rough , but i hope it will give you some idea of the elevation you were asking for ... i'm still trying to find an off-white brick for the alternate facade ... let me know ...
jimandanne_mi
13 years ago
Seems like the variety of windows on the second floor should have some unity--I'm not sure what. Maybe make the one in the gable on the left have 6 panes like the one in the gable on the right, especially since that gable is smaller than the other one. Make the central dormer a double window, since that single one seems a little lonely/shrimpy with the heftier gables on each side? Seems like it might look better with the bottom of the left gable the same height/in the same plane as the bottom of the right gable.

Anne
summerfielddesigns
13 years ago
it's all rough right now anne ... op is looking for colours and textures ... thanks:-)
lavender_lass
13 years ago
Beautiful plan...Homeagain, you're going to have a lovely home!

Summerfield- Wonderful job, as always! :)
homeagain
Original Author
13 years ago
Wow, what a nice surprise! That looks amazing. Thank you so much for doing this! I didn't think I'd ever get to see a true representation using my software.

I've continued to work in Chief Architect but still haven't figure out the roof line or how to add the eave detail below the gables and the siding detail is nowhere near as good as your program.

Anne, I had photoshopped several homes together to come up with my proposed elevation and therefore the windows were all different as they came from different homes. I agree that the one little dormer does look a little lonely there but I kinda think it adds charm. If I were to double it I think I might consider a shed dormer instead of another gable.

LL, thanks so much. The elevations that Summerfield did for you were outstanding and very similar to the look I wanted, which prompted me to call him for help!
Summerfield, would you consider doubling the size of the dormer and making the box bay just a triple window? I'm thinking the box bay doesn't really fit the rest of the house.

Here is my C.A. exterior. I pretty much gave up on getting the elevation I wanted and am so glad you were willing to take the time to help me!

I much prefer your version with the single entry door and without shutters on the dining room windows. It looks much less busy in your vision.
lavender_lass
13 years ago
I think the shed dormer is a great idea :)
summerfielddesigns
13 years ago
found a suitable brick ... made a few changes ... let me know ...
homeagain
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you!!!! That is perfect.You have helped us so much. Now the trouble will be deciding between the two facades.

I played around with the one you posted with hardi and removed the box bay and doubled the size of the second floor dormer.

I also did a version without stone on the study.

I would love to hear your (and others) opinion to their favorite. I like them all once the box bay was removed.

Again, I can't thank you enough! This will certainly help me be more patient while waiting for our current home to sell!!
lavender_lass
13 years ago
I think Summerfield's last design...with the siding choices of Homeagain's second drawing...would be perfect!

The upper windows on Summerfield's design are beautiful...and the clapboard siding is very pretty. I think the more informal siding and more formal, arched windows, would be a wonderful combination. Just my two cents :)
motherof3sons
13 years ago
I am drooling. Beautiful house and plan. My favorite has the
copper roof (?) over the window and the double window dormer.
homeagain
Original Author
13 years ago
lavender lass, are you saying all siding with the window options from the brick house?

motherof3sons, you like the box bay in the first drawing with which dormer? The shed that Summerfield drew for me or the double with a gable that I mocked up?

I could probably play with these all night and come up with many combinations. I didn't notice that the second floor windows had been changed until after I posted earlier. I LOVE THE NEW WINDOWS!!

Summerfield, could you tell me the roof pitch you used? I drew the second floor in excel using a 10/12 pitch.

Would you also mind doing one more mock up for me? I promise not to ask for another.... Could you do the brick version again with stone in the porch area where you now show siding and with a straight brick course over the study window instead of curved?

Again I can't tell you how much you are appreciated and how awesome your drawings are...
motherof3sons
13 years ago
Double with a gable. Like the shed, too - but the gable is #1 choice.
lavender_lass
13 years ago
Homeagain- I like your first floor (with all siding) and Summerfield's second floor windows. I think that would be charming.

The curve over the study window, does match the curve in the upper windows (in Summerfield's design) but I kind of like the simplicity of your second plan, with the curved windows (upstairs only) and shed dormer from Summerfield's plan...but then, I like farmhouse/cottage plans, so take that into consideration, too :)

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