The Broadleaf by Don Gardner
Hello GW'ers,
Has anyone either built The Broadleaf by Donald Gardner or perhaps seen it built somewhere in your area? I have Googled it and cannot find anything but the plan.
We would have to make some changes to the floor plan. This is where GW experts would come in!
We love the exterior rendering, just hoping it looks as nice in person.
Many thanks!
http://www.dongardner.com/plan_details.aspx?pid=4345
Comments (9)
chibimimi
11 years agoApolonia3
11 years agoRelated Discussions
Southerland by Don Gardner
Comments (129)I don't know whether anyone here will see this comment as I am posting 7 years after the last one, but many thanks for sharing! We are considering building the Southerland with some modifications to make it more like the Arbordale, including moving the stairs. We lived in the Arbordale for 8 years and absolutely loved it - but it had been built with lots of added square footage on both sides, extending both the front bedroom with bath into a suite and the bonus room - as well as the first floor under the extended bonus room, making the half bath into a full bath. We bought it that way as a resale. We absolutely loved it, but it is time to downsize as 4500sf is more than the two of us need at this stage of life, so we're looking to build a smaller version of it and the Southerland (with some modifications) looks like a great option. Many thanks for your insights, pictures and sharing your journey. Would love to see more if anyone has more to share! I couldn't attach a pic of the Arbordale, so i'll try a link for pics. Arbordale pics (with mods that add square footage)...See MoreHas anyone built the Don Gardner Butler Ridge?
Comments (42)Thanks Artur. what do you mean not to build wall behind fireplace? we moved stairs and pushed fireplace wall back a few feet. Moved stairs next to foyer and reduced size of study. also made the utility a large pantry and removed stairs to above garage to a utility room. we removed some windows on lower level to save some money. Extended main porch to 12 feet. Did you change layout of master bath? please share...See MoreAnyone here build Don Gardner's "The Ramsey"?
Comments (11)I agree that having a north facing back of the house makes it much more usable in the summer in the south and we have that now and will in our yet to be built house as well. I've had both and I live in a southern climate where we have 8 months of cooling and the rest is no cooling or heating depending on the year. I don't find our house low on light with the way it faces as in general I think the light is very different in the south vs. north during the day. It also matters in general what trees and other things surround the house. I know we will be planting trees to shade the house from the south at our new location. The winter and southern light can be nice for heating things up, but the angle of the sun becomes quite a nuisance as well and we have a 10 ft deep front porch now. The porch is only pleasant to use in the early morning. So glad the back is not facing south. My old house that had a back porch facing south and had several large trees often went unused except in the am too and then in the afternoon we'd spend it outside in our driveway that faced east there. So don't feel bad about the orientation of your property. I do find all the gables a bit too much for my taste. Seems like that could be simplified. The pantry seems very far from the kitchen to be useful for everyday stuff. More like storage that isn't used daily. Also not a fan of the kitchen layout and how the cooktop is in the island with the walking path being right behind there or how the path is right through the middle of the kitchen. I'd also want some windows into the kitchen. Since you're in the south do you want the porch protected on three sides as shown in the plans outside the living room. The breezes won't reach that at all. I feel sorry for bedroom4 that shares the wall with a noisy washer and dryer. Even if you don't have kids still napping it would certainly make for a noisy experience. Also plan out how you place furniture in the living room with the walking path there so you can get the placement of the fireplace in a good spot so it looks ok with the furniture placement. As it is it won't be centered on the furniture....See MoreHas anyone built Don Gardner's The Sloan?
Comments (4)Hi janesport60, no, we ended up going with a different plan and modifying it. Just getting ready to start in a week or so. Best of luck to you!...See MoreApolonia3
11 years agoUser
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoThe dormers clutter up a design that already has too many grand eclectic architectural features and romantic add-ons clamoring for attention and preventing a design theme from emerging. The solution is to remove the unnecessary stuff which is not an easy task.
I would start by removing the color and then diagraming the basic structure of the house on tracing paper and then adding some elements with care. Remember that stone and wood construction have different rules that should be respected and be careful where they overlap especially their eaves.
Apolonia3 thanked UserUser
7 years ago
Remove non essential roof decoration and pay attention to obvious eave conflicts and inappropriate cornice returns on stone structures.
Like so many internet designs this house has so many features it seems compressed. Stretching it 15 ft horizontally would resolve most of its deficiencies.
You might want to draw the driveway wide enough for a car and put a car in it to understand how dominating the forecourt will really be.
Apolonia3 thanked UserApolonia3
7 years agodavenixon
7 years agoApolonia3
7 years ago
davenixon