The DG plan reminds me of this one we've been looking at for a while here (see link) of Lorettos mom. It does fix the issue of walking through the mudroom. But, the master is on the same side as the other bedrooms.

It might give you an idea though.

Here is a link that might be useful: lorettos mom

Congrats on retiring from the Air Force...my dad was in for 20 years...and really enjoys his retirement :)

I like the second plan, except for the entry into the great room. It seems small and rather cramped. What if you flipped the entry/dining room and bumped the dining room (soon to be library) down, so it's even with the bedroom wing. Then, I'd switch the double doors to the hall area (on the way to the bedrooms) and have a bench/entry area, against the library wall, in the entry. This should give you a nice porch area, in front of the entry and kitchen. If you could change the garage to a side entry, that would get your porch further from the driveway.

Since you have such a lovely view off the back, I can see why you want to have the screened porch over a bit. What if you had access to the porch, from the breakfast/dining area and wrap it around the master bedroom? This would give you north, east and some west light...and it could be dining porch, with maybe a hot tub, off the bedroom. Then you could have your entertainment deck/patio, behind the great room and the other bedrooms. Just an idea :)

Thanks Lavender Lass! We're really looking forward to the change...27 years is a long time. DW is hooked on that first plan and I either need to hop-on board with some edits OR convince her there's an alternative. I found another one below with the same s.f. as the Fernley. It's similar to what some others on here have been considering. I would change the front elevation to a side garage and eliminate the stairs to the Bonus Room, since we have no plans to finish it and find a place for basement stairs instead. It's not bad for starters. I would also adopt some of what the others have commented.

{{gwi:1414330}}

Oh, I like that one! Better layout for the guest bedrooms (no little bumpout for the closets and bath) and the kitchen is MUCH better than the first plan, IMHO. Always nice to have natural light and that big window over the sink...with a window box! I think your wife would like that feature...I know I would :)

The front porch is very nice and I like the garage with entry on the side. The back hall is good too, you don't have to go through the laundry, to get to the kitchen (unlike the first plan) but you do have the powder room (unlike the second plan).

If you plan to have a basement, I think you could get rid of the (water heater?) storage behind the garage and make that your storage area. This would allow you to move the laundry over a few feet, giving you room for a bench and hooks (if not a closet) in the back hall. You might also want a closet in the front hall...maybe where the linen closet is now? The basement stairs could probably start a few feet past the master bedroom door, and follow the L-shape, down past the powder room and still give you a little more room for the laundry to slide over or expand.

I'd also be tempted to make that back (screened?) porch larger and add a fireplace. That would be nice!

I like this last one better also. I think, if you were getting rid of the stairs room, I would see about making a "drop zone" around the laundry area and maybe migrating the laundry nearer to the master closet with access from the master closet...

I love your new plan! Would you mind sharing the name/link?

Did notice that the picture doesn't seem to include the garage doors ;)

Here's the link to the floorplan. However, I'd use the exterior elevation of House Plan #21-295 same website.

Floorplan as drawn in 2067 s.f. DW wants it as small and quality built as possible while making the Flex Room and two guest bedrooms a tad deeper about 12x12 spaces. How do we do that gracefully?

Also, is bevangel or someone else around to possibly enter this plan into a design program to make the changes and make it better?

Here is a link that might be useful: Houseplan 21-248 on houseplans.com

What's the most square footage you want for your budget?

We'd like to keep it between 2100 and 2200 s.f. and use our budget for higher architectural detailing and craftsmanship. Additionally, we'll add a screen porch.

DW still likes the symmetry of the 1st plan (Fernley) foyer, size of the guest bedrooms and flex space. She's not as concerned as I am about the corridor through the laundry/mud room to the kitchen. Also the traffic pattern or "galleries" seem a little better in the Fernley. Hmm....what to do?

Given that you don't need the upstairs... how about this.
DW likes the first plan.

Take the first plan, get rid of extra 1/2 bath. Move master bath to master closet/1/2 bath area. master closet to master bath area (but smaller)

change orientation of laundry room and stairs to be more like your 3rd posted plan--off to the side of the garage entry instead of walking through the laundry.

Can you picture that?

kirkhall - That's not a bad idea. Boy if I could do that, squeeze in a laundry, pantry drop zone and basement stairs without increasing the s.f. too much, that would be great!

Here are the links to the exterior elevations again. Seems I removed them by accident.
{{gwi:9557}}

We would make this one a side entry also
{{gwi:9558}}

Hello all,

Call it fortuitous, but after being frustrated by not finding a plan agreeable to DW and I, I saw Summerfield's redesign of aj33's plan this morning. After discussing with DW, we really like everything about it.

A couple of questions: Any ideas where I could put basement stairs? We'd also like to remove the doors in the study from the MB closet and put a wall of book shelves there instead and take out the door to the outside. We also need to find a graceful location for a small screen porch in the back so that it won't obstruct too much light. The front will be facing South and I'm not concerned that an 8 foot porch will block too much sun. Also not sure we'll run the porches the full length of the house to save cost unless it detracts from the front elevation. Does anybody have any elevations of this plan? We would like a country craftsman look. I'd appreciate any inputs. Is Summerfield still available to discuss? Thanks!

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to Summerfield's Redesign

That is pretty hard to read on my computer, but I think (though this might be something you really like), if it were me I'd straighten out the wing between the main living and the garage, and then put stairs where there is some sort of little closet across from the mudroom/kitchen area. I can't see it well enough to see how it is labeled. Or, contact Summerfield and ask.

Also, does your lot support such a long house? ( I don't remember).

If you don't need such a large pantry, you could put it in sideways from the hall towards the back of the pantry too, I'd think.

kirkhall - Here's the link. The acreage is plenty big to support the wide plan. The shape to me is actually very inviting just the way it is. Opening it up would actually create more space than we need. I emailed Summerfield to ask for help on locating the basement stairs. Perhaps we could put it where the storage area is between the bedroom and living room.

Here is a link that might be useful: Summerfield House Plan

DC Ranger--You will need to contact Summerfield via email and ask about the elevations, more than likely. It sounds like Summerfield took the floorplan aj33 had & modified it significantly to make it flow well. I think Summerfield did an amazing job with it. It's possible that aj33's architect already did the elevation, but then again, maybe not. In any event, Summerfield could design an elevation for you to your specs using that floorplan, I'm sure.

As far as basement stairs, you might be able to put them where the workshop is in the garage by extending the interior wall. Or maybe in one of the angles. Again, I would send a message to Summerfield & see where he/she would put them.

Screen porch could be placed on the end of the current covered deck as drawn or place it behind the kitchen wall connected to the deck, or slide the deck down behind the kitchen and place it behind the study. I think that one is easily done--it will just come down to preference on what room you will enter the screen porch from.

Here are some inspiration elevations of boomerang style homes from Don Gardner's site:

Hope this helps!

mydreamhome-Very much appreciated...thank you. I sent an email to Summerfield earlier. Waiting to hear back. And thank you for the suggestions on the screen porch and basement and the elevations. We're pretty excited to have finally found a design we both really like!

I know the feeling when you both finally agree--excitement & relief! So glad you & DW were able to get there. It's actually kind of funny that you ended up with this plan. As I looked at the thread & Summerfield's take on the plan this morning, I was thinking to myself, 'It's too bad DCRanger doesn't want a boomerang shaped house because this one would be perfect!' With the acreage you all have, this more sprawling house will likely be a better fit. Can't wait to see what you all decide on the stairs, porch & elevation!

That's too funny. When I saw the plan this morning, thanks to aj33, I thought why re-invent the wheel. Here we have a plan, that's been fully vetted by the best GW has to offer and has everything we wanted in a plan. I sent the plans to our builder for his inputs. He's a true craftsman builder and we can't wait to get started. Will keep everyone posted. Thanks again mydreamhome.

Well - Here's the latest and hopefully final answer. We break ground next month. After much discussion and due to many factors, we straightened out the winged design to this. We're very happy with it. Summerfield did an amazing job helping us achieve everything we were looking for.

{{gwi:1414341}}

Oh, I like it! Summerfield does it again! :)

The outside and the inside are both beautiful. You must be so excited. Best of luck with the new build and enjoy your retirement!

Looks great, DCRanger!!! Isn't Summerfield awesome?!? Can't wait to see your build progress!

Lavender and mydreamhome - Thanks very much for all of your support and assistance. Summerfield is awesome indeed.