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Building a Home

Southern Living Cottage of the Year

10 years ago

Hello!!
I am in the beginning stages of thinking about building a home. We have 10 acres in the country in Tennessee. I want a simple home, easy to upkeep, open greatroom, dining and kitchen with some rustic elements: brick floors, rustic beams, pecky cypress, etc.
Any feedback on this plan?
Thanks in advance,
Scoobyruby

http://houseplans.southernliving.com/plans/sl593

Featured Answer

PRO

Brooks Electrical Solutions, Inc.

5 years ago

Then end result of this build is extremely gratifying and somewhat difficult. The roof pitches proved to be tough as the plans are not quite correct. Make sure you have a smart framer. We changed several design and layout aspects to accommodate our lifestyle and tastes. We have been living here for almost 8 months and still get people stopping traffic to get a better look.

Cottage of the Year plan · More Info

We moved the porch of the guest cottage to the opposite side to overlook the poo · More Info

living/dining beams · More Info

nighttime view · More Info

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Comments (18)

zippity1
10 years ago
i've always liked this plan too love the room sizes and
the main house is sort of cabinish
it might be sort of expensive to build

couldn't talk my husband into "two buildings"
dekeoboe
10 years ago
It is easier for people if some of the images are included in the thread.
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Took a quick look at it while sitting in my recliner watching US Open golf this afternoon. Did this little exercise more for the lurkers out there as an illustration of the value of taking “internet plans” as a starting point towards something that might really work. This example moves away from a garage crudely slapped on the back, as well as bedrooms looking at a scenic 10’ side yard. We may end up meeting with an architect but I feel like I need to start with an existing... plan to help me “see” it better since I’m so visual. Not a thing in the world wrong with that as long as it’s not code for being unwilling to trust your designer and incapable of taking the leap of faith necessary for a true collaborative effort required for a successful project I described in my posts above. The first drawing is the “big idea” as it came out of my head. In architect speak it’s called the “Parti”. That drawing took 20 minutes. Just to get a framework, I assumed a 30’ clearance around the tree. That number is pulled totally out of thin air and may prove to be completely out in left field once an arborist is on the scene but for this exercise I needed a starting pointing point to give me the “build box”, the box defined by setbacks, easements and any special considerations, like your tree, so I arbitrarily chose 30’. The second drawing is the cleaned up version so someone besides myself could understand it. This one took an hour. Still very rough and parts of it doesn't really work well yet, but it shows all the relationships which all DO work well. Note, even in the first, “big idea” drawing, I’m thinking elevations simultaneously with the plan so a couple elevation ideas are developed here. At this point they don’t work 100% with the plan but at least we’re out of the starting gate with everything being designed simultaneously. My area calcs are equally as rough and likely on the skimpy side. I’m figuring the final house will be in the 1800-1850SF range. Good luck in your project…..and to all the lurkers, your projects too! The "big idea"... The "cleaned up" version...
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mlweaving_Marji
10 years ago
I too have loved this plan since I first saw it, for a vacation home in the Keys maybe, or a summer retreat for the barrier islands off the Carolinas. But for a year round home in Tennessee I think that it would be a bit chilly to have the master and the guest quarters separated from the main living area by nothing more than breezeways and porches.
Beth Parsons
10 years ago
I drive past this house almost every day taking the kids to school - I've never been inside but the exterior is adorable. I know someone who worked for the former owners and she loved the interior layout.

It looks like they made a few minor changes but it's the same floorplan as the one in the OP. Don't know where you are in TN but this is in Smyrna, about 30 miles outside Nashville and you could probably build it for $100/sq ft.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rocky Fork House

This post was edited by parsonse on Wed, Feb 12, 14 at 17:21
Beth Parsons
10 years ago
Dbl post.

This post was edited by parsonse on Wed, Feb 12, 14 at 20:48
saltnpeppa
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you so much for posting the pics, Dekeoboe!! I used to post on the decorating forum but have forgotten how to post pics.
Mlweaving, the vestible to the MB is enclosed & I would've enlarged it to increase the laundry.
Parsonse, I really appreciate the link to a similar house.

My DH thinks the roof lines would increase the cost too much so he has found this plan. I'm going to link and then figure out how to post pics!! Any thoughts on this plan are so appreciated.

Here is a link that might be useful: Farmhouse Revival
lmccarly
10 years ago
Scooby - I love the exterior of that house, but other than the Master bath, the interior isn't doing a thing for me. The layout is really awkward.

Sorry!
Oaktown
10 years ago
I am partial to both plans as I must admit to being a sucker for porches and subscribing to SL. On the "Cottage of the Year" I prefer the gabled main roof version in the real estate listing. I agree with lmcarly that something about the interior of the "Farmhouse" seems a bit odd -- those quirks make more sense in a remodel (which I believe that was) than when you're starting new. I'm a big fan of work by the Historical Concepts firm generally though.
lazy_gardens
10 years ago
The upstairs bath bothers me ... you have the tub and toilet in the same compartment. I'd make that area smaller, as a bath-only area, and have two "powder rooms".

The pavilion style is trendy, but you drive up heating, cooling and construction costs because of the extra wall area.
PRO
Brooks Electrical Solutions, Inc.
6 years ago
My wife and I are building this same plan in old town Flowery Branch. It has a "built on to" feel about it making it feel historic. We changed the upper bath layout to include 2 toilets and vanities to be separated with a stand alone tub and separate walk in shower. We also changed the kitchen layout to take advantage of better storage.
Piper Nash
6 years ago
I would love to see photos of progress I love this house so much and I am also building it and I love to see different versions to help with ideas of my own
ILoveRed
6 years ago
https://hookedonhouses.net/2016/09/28/real-farmhouse-miracles-from-heaven/

Love this blog
PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
6 years ago
This is a very cute "almost too cute" caricature of an old house which has been added on to over long periods of time. If one likes new "old houses" this is one of those.

The plan, however, is very unique and rather limiting. For an empty nester family who needs/wants one level living, it might work with the second level and guest house serving as quarters for frequent visitors.

For an active family with young or adolescent children, this design might be very challenging.

One thing is for sure--there's much more foundation, wall framing and roof framing of three detached structures than a single structure. Building systems--HVAC, electrical/signal, water supply/waste will all take larger units and more distribution lines.

If one has the budget, and the lifestyle fits, this could be a good design. If not, keep looking.
PRO
Brooks Electrical Solutions, Inc.
6 years ago
Virgil Carter, you are correct. This home is very "cut up" and would require a lot of work to maintain. My wife and I are young empty nesters with a love for entertaining family and friends and this plan is spot on. More pics to follow to show the changes we have made. We added a large 3 car garage/shop to operate our electrical business from.
JW Rock Hill
4 years ago
Brooks - how did you attach the garage to the rest of the house?
PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
4 years ago
Five (5) year old thread...
PRO
Brooks Electrical Solutions, Inc.
3 years ago
JW Rock Hill...sorry for the late response. We just framed a 10ft breezeway to connect them

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