From our inspirational plan, Architectural Engineer gave us =))

9 years ago

Hi everyone!

I hope everyone enjoyed Forth of July!!

We are about to become empty nesters in the next few years and are building a home, we hope to be in for a long time, in the next few months. The lake lot is heavily wooded that slopes down to a cove.
We had another plan we ran with several months ago but the bids all came in way over our budget. So we are wanting to have a simpler plan but one the includes features we really can't give up.
We provided our architectural engineer with a floor plan of a display home we walked through and asked him to consider our inspiration plan and incorporate the following for us on our new house plan:

1) 3 garage stalls for boat and SUV's
2) Master and guest suite on main level
3) Laundry on main floor
4) View of lake is towards the back left corner of house
5) Want a plan that will accommodate our small build budget
6) Covered screened in deck
7) Large walk-in closet, large master shower
8) Will build a 9ft basement and finish off at a later date
9) Open floor plan with a fireplace in the great room

We value all your options and would appreciate your input on the plan he gave us today. One thing we are not thrilled about is the kitchen. We like the kitchen on the inspiration floor plan.

This is the plan the architect sent us today:
{{gwi:1465441}}
This was our inspiration floor plan (it did not have a 3rd garage stall or a guest suite):
{{gwi:1465442}}
Winter view of the large lake in the winter:{{gwi:1465443}}

This post was edited by KayakCove on Sat, Jul 5, 14 at 2:31

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Comments (13)

pixie_lou
9 years ago
I'm assuming your boat will be stored in the 1 bay garage. I know nothing about boats except that they come in multiple sizes. And I assume the boat you own will easily fit in that bay? And there is enough space were you to upgrade to a bigger boat.

Your plan does not show a fireplace in your great room. That is on your wish list.

What is it that you don't like about your kitchen?

The master bedroom closet looses a lot of space with the 2 front windows. You haven't posted an elevation. I also am not a fan of walking thru the bath to get to the closet, so for that reason alone I'd swap the closet and bath.

The placement of the stairs makes an odd corner in the entry way. Could be a great place for a bench and table. Or could end up being an odd corner.

The turned stairs could make basement access difficult for bringing in furniture etc. if you have a walk out basement, that's a non issue. Curved stairs are also expensive to build.

The closet in the guest suite is large. You end up with 2'4" of walking space and a 2' rack of clothes down what will end up feeling like an 8' tunnel. I'm wondering if you could make the closet a smaller reach in closet, scooch the bathroom over, and end up with a bigger pantry.
KayakCove
Original Author
9 years ago
Hi Pixie,
We do not own a boat yet. :( We know we will want one in the future. I guess the size is ok. It will be a pontoon boat or will just use it for miscellaneous storage until then.

The kitchen seems small and the flow to the dining area will require walking around the wall with the sink to get to the dining area.

He hasn't given us a elevation. He wanted us to review this rough draft of the floor plan first.

We do like the idea of switch back stairs. If someone would fall down them it would not be a entire flight. I still have memories of my baby girl tumbling down a entire flight of wood stairs, she was fine, but an adult would have ended up injured.

This architect is young and I think there are things that just don't seem to work.

This post was edited by KayakCove on Sat, Jul 5, 14 at 11:25
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Garages are a love-hate thing, in part because they block off natural light. By dividing your garage in this way, you're allowing this major drawback to occur on TWO sides of your house. I would consider making the boat's garage a detached unit. I share your idea of keeping the bedroom clutter-free by planning a large closet that can eliminate dressers in the bedroom, BUT this closet is oversized. I do not like the master bath. When you walk in (assuming the toilet closet door isn't open, blocking your way), you're going to have a view of . . . the closet door. The tub seems squished into a small spot, and the shower looks too narrow for comfort. Nothing about this bathroom looks inviting or comfortable. You have plenty of space between the bath and the closet, and you absolutely can lay out something better without changing the footprint. Your stairs look pretty much dead-on to me. The fold-back design is a space-hog, but it doesn't appear to be over-sized or under-sized. I like the idea of ditching the closet that backs up to the stairs and replacing it with a drop zone -- it'll be a nice size. However, I would want to harness the space under those stairs somehow. I think the kitchen is a good size -- not too big, not too small, good flow throughout -- but the pantry is too small. For this kitchen to work, you need more space, and the pantry is the best option. I'm tempted to say use the closet that backs up to the stairs as a second pantry . . . but then you don't have your drop space. I'm not in the camp of "My laundry room must be massive with all the bells and whistles", but this one is overly cramped. If a parent will eventually live in this bedroom, I don't think it's adequate. I mean, the room is fine, but the bathroom will be a problem if the parent needs a walker or wheelchair, and the sink is just plain too small regardless. I would consider a walk-in shower instead of a tub; it's easier for an elderly person to access, and you have space here to make it nice and big -- big enough for a shower chair. Also, the closet probably isn't enough for an adult. Overall, I think your functional spaces on the guest room /kitchen /casual entry area side are just too small. I think you need a couple more feet to make this all comfortable. Love the dining area and the arrangement of the kitchen and living room. Everything's connected in a comfortable way. The front porch is too narrow for real use, but it will be a nice look and will allow you to decorate for holidays (that's pretty important in my book). Concerns about this 2142 sq ft new plan that I can see, I really want to hear all the good and bad. : 1) Laundry room too small 2) No drop zone 3) Kitchen and kitchen pantry too small 4) Is the master closet too big? I have know idea how big it should be to hold all our clothes and things 5) Is the hole for the stairs too big 6) Worried we have simplified the foundation so much we will loose all character. Hoping to be able to add gables, interior ceiling features to boost up the character. 7) Master shower too little Here is the new plan offered to us from the architect:
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chispa
9 years ago
If you have a tight budget you might want to consider eliminating the powder room and having the guest bathroom have access from the guest bedroom and hallway.

Views don't seem to be maximized. Could you flip the plan?

I also don't like the master bathroom being like a hallway and windowless too.
carsonheim
9 years ago
The master suite setup was bothering me. What about something like this? You could even steal another 3 or so feet out of the bedroom to have a more luxurious bath and closet:
KayakCove
Original Author
9 years ago
carson & chipsa,
I like your thinking. He didn't put a window in his MB plan or a linen closet. Jeezz
I think the entry area is too large and wasted floor space don't you?

I almost think he needs to start completely over. Frustrating, we waited 2 weeks to get this and I am not sure how to tell him. I think he thought this was a "good to go" plan.

I found this plan today on line and so with photo shop I added his suggested garage set up, changed the kitchen to have a island, enlarged the screened in porch. I think the great room looks to be too small & MB could be set up different. Do you think this plan has a good flow for 2 adults that will have overnight guests? I want to give him feed back on the plan he sent me with a alternate plan to show him. Thank you
{{gwi:1465444}}{{gwi:1465445}}

Here is a link that might be useful: Plan I found on the internet:

This post was edited by KayakCove on Sat, Jul 5, 14 at 15:04
kirkhall
9 years ago
This newer option is better, imo.
I would change the pantry door swing; and WIC door swing in the master.

If you give yourself just a couple more feet across the master wing, you can get a master closet with both sides with hanging, and not just a single side. To me, that would work better. But, you may not have the lot space.

In this new plan, I'd miss having a good drop zone when I come in from the garage, but you didn't have it in your first plan either (though, there was a good drop zone in the original inspiration plan).
kirkhall
9 years ago
Also, the dryer *might* be a bit of a challenge to vent. You might consider which way you'll vent it and make sure you have a plan for that.

Is there a reason you need this garage configuration? The original inspiration picture did have a 3 car garage--just not in this configuration.

This configuration has a lot of "wasted" space between the house and the car area of the big garage. You might be able to do a garage drop zone instead of an in-house drop zone. Or, extend your house into the garage area some, in that area, to get a drop zone.
lmccarly
9 years ago
I like the new plan you posted so much more. I was going to comment on the original earlier but felt like it was just a bunch of negatives so I kept my mouth shut. :-)

Here's what I like:
-The kitchen has a better layout.
-Overnight guests have more privacy.
-Got rid of a ton of wasted space in the foyer.
-Master bedroom layout much improved.
-Like that it has two coat closets.
-The den will make a nice away space.

I think you're on a better path with this one.
KayakCove
Original Author
9 years ago
Kirkhall,
Thank you for the tips. I am editing the floor plan in photo shop with your suggestions.
We wanted a side entry garage because the street turns right at our lot and on coming cars will see into our garage if we keep it front facing.
kc
KayakCove
Original Author
9 years ago
I am wondering about the master bath. I would like the closet to be bigger so we could have built in drawers. Can I steal space from the bath area? I really do not need a tub. Does anyone have a suggestion how to rearrange it. We have a large lot so I could pull out the Master bedroom side wall to expand the space. But that increases the Master Bedroom and I really do not want to do that. We use our closet for all our clothes and only have one dresser.
I added cubbies in the mud area like you suggested by stretching the kitchen and great room to add a few more feet.
I do not have knowledge on venting washer and dryer and do not understand the vent concern. Should this be relocated? This was from the original plan I guess I thought it would work.

Thanks
KC
User
9 years ago
IMO all of the inspiration designs are far superior to your architect's design. The architect should easily be able to adapt them to your needs.
dekeoboe
9 years ago
I would like the closet to be bigger so we could have built in drawers......We use our closet for all our clothes and only have one dresser.

Then why not cut down on the size of the Master Bedroom? Just a bed and two nightstands will look lost in a room that size.

Also, if you get rid of the tub will you have a tub in some other bathroom? The guest suite looks like it is set up for just a shower.
musicgal
9 years ago
bump

From our inspirational plan, Architectural Engineer gave us =))

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From our inspirational plan, Architectural Engineer gave us =))

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