I am no expert, but this looks much better to me. Don't forget a window over the sink! And Maybe some sliders or patio french doors off of the eat-in area. The exterior is very nice.

I agree with sky angel. I like this plan so much better. My first comment has to do with your main entry opening up into your mudroom and the door hitting a closet. I would put a wall between the formal entry and the mudroom and think about moving that closet that the door backs in to.

I guess my other question would be this. If you have an acreage to build on, why would you want a façade that features the garage so prominently. Would it be possible to change the garage doors to the side?

Skyangel -yes, we'll add the windows the kitchen once I figure where the sink should be. Regardless, I should have showed them on this plan as well -blaming sleep deprivation...lol

Okpokesfan -I agree that the guest closet is weird behind the door like that. Would moving the door a touch to the left help the problem? Alternatively making the mudroom door by the garage wall (instead of the middle), with the guest closet across from the entry door.

As for the garage, I have honestly no idea what to do. We certainly have the space to make the garage opening to the north, but will we be cursing it when the snow and wind blows right into it on a winter morning with -40 degrees outside? Or would it be worth it for a much better look? I don't know -I've actually never owned a house with a garage before...
I am open to ideas how to solve this conundrum!!!

This is a semi-urban house type designed for close access to the street and just enough space to park 2 cars in the driveway. The basic concept is driven by a tight relationship with the garage which makes the house awkward inside and outside.

If you want to start from scratch look at houses that take advantage of the site with a driveway that shows off the house.

Renovator -I would love to see an example if you happen to have one?

In case it helps, here is the lot and road plan. Our lot is the one in the center (B), and we're building on the tiny ridge right in the middle if it

{{gwi:1410900}}

This post was edited by juline17 on Thu, Feb 6, 14 at 13:34

I had that configuration in a previous home (walking in the front door into a closet) and I hated it. Scooting the front door over might help but you would have to see what it did to the façade.

I'm actually surprised none of you are commenting on the front window configuration... That's the main thing I actually have an issue with. I'm hoping I can talk DH into setting the tv on a swivel between the dining and the living room area (south wall), and taking out the crazy corners in the living room. Also praying for some better looking windows and a centered dormer

It looks like you are about 9 ft above the water so you will probably have a good view of it.

Before designing a house on a site like this one it is essential that you spend a day there from sun up to sundown and to write down all of your impressions.

Then give your notes to an architect along with a program of the spaces you think you want and any special relationships between them. Give him/her photos of the things you find interesting and note what in particular you like or dislike and why. Contradictory information is allowed, an architect has seen it all before. But resist the temptation to give the architect a plan.

The most valuable design approach is that of collaboration and you can't collaborate with yourself or by giving a designer a plan. Ask any prospective architect how he/she feels about collaboration and if they don't find it useful find another one.

I don't mean to offend you, but a site like this deserves more than a run-of-the mill predesigned plan from the internet. You will never regret the investment you make in a good architect.

I'm not offended the least, no worries. I know you're right, and if I had the money I would certainly do just that. However, the going rate for architects here is 11.5% of the building cost, WAY out of my price range.