Welcome golfguy!

I've been haunting this forum for a couple of years and finally registered about 15 months ago. This truly is a great forum but I warn you, it can be addictive! My DH and I are in the midst of our build right now and the stuff I've learned on this forum has made a huge difference in how well it is turning out. Plus, just hearing that others have successfully dealt with issues similar to the ones I have run into has certainly helped me keep my sanity. !

Sounds like you've already put a LOT of thought into your house plan! I'll warn you now that some people will insist that you should always purchase your land before designing your house so that the plan can be customized to take into account the best views and the slope of your land as well as maximize the solar gain (or minimize it if you're in a hot climate).

If you're in an area that is basically flat and without too many "views" anyway, then designing before finding your property can work out fine. But don't be too surprised if, once you do find your dream property, you find yourself reworking your house plan significantly. Even the position of a couple of magnificent trees that you just can't bring yourself to cut down but that are on the otherwise perfect building spot can cause you to rethink everything. Been there, done that. LOL! Fortunately, I love drawing up house plans and hadn't yet taken mine to an architect to finalize it so redoing it pretty much from scratch wasn't much of a hardship.

As for posting images, I found the easiest way was via photobucket.com. Joining is free. You upload the picture to your photobucket page where it will be assigned an HTML code. The photobucket directions are easy to follow.

Basically there is a "chose files" button you hit which allows you to browse your computer for the image(s) you want to upload. Very similar to attaching a document to an email. Note that you can also decide what size you want to image to be once uploaded. (The size you pick will affect what size it will appear on this forum. I usually pick medium, large, or 15" screen which makes the image big enough to be seen clearly without forcing most viewers to scroll across the page to see it all.)

Once the image is uploaded, you can add a title, description, & tags to make it searchable but I always skip that step because I'm not particularly interested in anyone who happen to google certain key words to find my uploaded images - but you may feel differently.)

Next, you'll see a thumbnail of your image on your photobucket page with four boxes below it containing various ways of linking to the image. Click on the html code and your computer will automatically copy it. Then, in the draft your message to this forum, hit "ctrl v" and that will paste the html code into your message. When you preview your message on this forum you will see your picture.

It's really easier. Takes longer to describe the process than to do it.

Looking forward to seeing your plans and "getting to know you."

Here is a link that might be useful: Photobucket

Looks like you are doing the right prep work before you start. Here is the only good advise I can give you. After you have decided what you want in your home, send your plans to a local estimating service to find out how much your materials will actually cost you. Before you dig the first footing, you will have a very good idea of how much your home will actually cost you. Don't let a contractor give you a bid until you can verify that the bid is high or low.After all it is your money.

Go down to the building dept and introduce yourself. Find out the steps in which they operate concerning inspections. That way you'll be familiar with the order that your house is constructed and will save you as well as the builders time keeping questions concerning "what's next" down to a minimum because you will already know what to expect. The only catch to that will be delays due to schedules from subs conflicting, weather, and supplier delivery delays, etc. The more you can educate yourself on the building process even though you'll have the services of a builder, the better for everyone all the way around.

To post a photo:

go to http://tinypic.com (it's free and no sign up is required)

select "browse" and go find your jpg, png, gif, or tif photo file and select it (it will be automatically downsized to 250K)

select the "upload" button

Click once on the "HTML for websites" window (it is automatically copied) then paste it into the text part of your message.

Now preview your message. If you can see the photo, submit the message.

If you are unsure of yourself try all of this first at the test forum which is linked at the bottom of the main forum page. You might have to play with the dimensions of the original photo to keep the downloaded version from being too large since that sometimes stretches the text of all messages to the right (possibly off most screens)

It is also possible to copy the contents of the URL window and to then paste it into the "Optional Link URL" box. You must also type a description in the "Name of the Link" box.

Good luck

Excellent, some great ideas already! Thank you so much. Here are the Front View & Back View of the house I'm building. It's been built already and have some shots of the inside so it's a much better visual for me.

Thanks Again!

wow - that's definitely a "DREAM HOME"

Very pretty. I love the archway and the staircase turret. I would not use the stone accents in the locations shown above...IMO, it detracts from the grandeur of the home. Also, the front entryway would look better either somehow enlarged or with a darker stained door...it needs to pop more.

You will probably get a lot of comments on the roof lines. Posters on this site seem to favor simple roofs and homes with four corners, so be prepared to hear about the expense to build this house, etc. However, I think it is very pretty. Good luck! :)

Oh wow!!! That is super fab!! There are several posters on this board that are building very large homes, so I know you will also find people with advice and encouragement.

Welcome to the board!!

Nope, no comment about expense from me! If you like it and can afford it, that's fine. I, who am at the opposite end of budgetry considerations, enjoy seeing the choices made by those who don't have to squeeze pennies.

I think most of our comments on rooflines are in response to those folks who say that they are on a budget, or need to get the cost down. You won't hear about those unless you ask, but we likely will comment on the floorplans, once you post them.

Since the house has already been built elsewhere, take several walk-throughs, at varying times of the day. For future reference, do note which side faces north. You'll get a feel for the lighting difference in early morning as opposed to evening. That will help you when time comes to situate the house on your own site, as well as when decorating.

Start learning yoga relaxation techniques now, lol. Even when dealing with a GC who has already built the floorplan, you are going to have moments of extreme stress. Weather outranks us all.

Hello again,

I wanted to upload the basic floor plan as well as the entry to the house along the driveway. The floor plan really works for me but the kitchen is changed just a bit but nothing major.

My plans are to have a gated entry and a winding road to the house that crosses over a small bridge. The photo's of the entry and bridge along with the trees and landscaping are almost the same as my own drawings I made myself. I can't believe I came across something so similar when checking into a landscaping company.

Again, thank you for all your suggestions and advice so far. I'm a pretty relaxed person in general and if I relax anymore I'd be sleeping. I know there will be challenges and I'm already expecting it. I think it's matter of knowing what's more important on the list and what your willing to live with or settle for.

Thank you!

Brain space?!! Seriously...I love the completely over-the-top pretentiousness of that. (I'm not kidding...it's awesome!) :)

Herb gardens/nature gardens...this plan has a bit of everything thrown into it.

Promise me that you will never have to cook while on crutches? There's no eating area near the kitchen... are you really going to trot (just how long is that hall?) to the dining room whenever you want a danish and coffee? It's known that I don't like kitchen islands; but pace yourself through cooking a full meal and count how many times you have to go around one or two island corners. You can have better than shown on the plan.

re: cute little bridges. Check for the once-in-a-hundred-years flood zone; and be sure to build to accommodate that height. Seems like more and more we are getting those once-in-a-hundred-years floods.

There's a vestibule and a foyer and neither have a place for a raincoat.

The Brain Space is pretty funny, I guess I won't be spending to much time there. As far as the entry we are going to place a closet for jackets on the final version and the kitchen appliances and set-up are going to be laid out different and will function much better.

Gorgeous...simply GORGEOUS!!! Love the house, love the floorplan, love the setting you describe...can't wait to see your progress photos!

Aloha,
Leilani

Do you want to marry me? Oh, wait, I'm married...

Do you want to adopt me? :o)

Looks ultrafab. Most just dream of such things. Good on you :o)

I will agree that I would want an eating area closer to kitchen. That bar will probably not have long term function (I could never see my parent's or grandparent's eating at the bar). There are probably other plan issues, but I'm too enamored to come up with any...

Well, I am single!

Hi golfguy,

I like the house and plan a lot. It is quite extravagant. Sorry if this sounds judgmental but if you are single, why do you need such an enormous house?.....most of it will be unoccupied if there is only one person living there.
All that aside I look forward to seeing pics as it comes along.

If I were *really* building a large house on five-plus acres, just for me, myself and I, it wouldn't be one that could fit on a subdivision lot.

Well, although I am single. I do have a little boy to help take up some space and I entertain friends a bunch. The house is measured at around 6,500 sqft in the plans but I feel it's a sneaky 6,500. I currently live in NYC in a large loft and really like my space (indoors that is).

As for the 5 acres, living in NYC may due that to you after awhile. Plus I have some plans for the land and it requires some room. I have looked into a bunch of sub-divisions but I'm not to big on having a bunch of rules and what you can or cannot due. Plus, the land is very cheap to begin with! I did find one sub-division I really liked but the list of rules they sent me was crazy for building. Plus I had to use their builder and it seemed like they had more say than I would for the house design colors, placement etc.... I wanted to ask if they were going to pay for some of it?

Could I put it on 2 or 3 acre lot, yeah! But I will have to give up my plans for the outside due to lack of space. If you can have everything I want and not compromise and still cost the same why not?

I will have the home for awhile since my son is very young and he is not going anywhere in the next 18 years or so. I guess plan for the future!!!

Umm, I hesitate to mention this because you seem to know what you're doing...but the feng shui of that house is missing its money corner (left back corner). You may call me superstitious, but before you do, take a tour of foreclosed homes. Lots of people with money found to their dismay that the money corner missing really does make a difference. Your house is also weak on reputation (back center missing, and a pool there..last two times I saw that the owners had each spent a year in prison for fraud). My husband and I actually considered that same house plan...to problematic, but cute.
We couldn't figure out a way to fix it...and with the right feng shui our income doubles and investments do well.
It's fine if you're not a believer, but do take a clear look to see the homes that are foreclosed. The good thing about this house plan, you'll re-marry/have relationship. Strong marriage area.

I guess I'm more of the persuasion - if you can, why not? I'm assuming you've worked hard to get where you are (that or your parents did :o)), and the great thing about living in America is that you get to choose what to do with that.

Besides, since you are evidently going to be marrying soon, a great house will be a certain chick magnet :o)

That's Funny! Depends on your definition of "soon". HA!!! I actually play golf for a living and own a international real estate business and a few other golf ventures. So the working hard part is a toss up!!! As long as you enjoy yourself is the most important.

I missed this post the first time around but after seeing your new wheels I had to check it out!

It's a gorgeous home and should fit into the Richmond area well.

Honestly for me there is a lot of wasted space in the floorplan- are you going to entertain a lot? That awesome reception hall will come in handy in that case but otherwise it's just space to take care of.

The other concerns - you and your son with 6500 sq ft house- you need to dedicate more area to those who are going to "help" you with your life. I assume you are not going to clean it yourself, I would splurge a bit on the back hall areas where cleaning staff/catering staff etc are going to carry out their jobs. Even a back family room. I have a family member with a 1890s home of this size and their back hall space is vitally important.

The other thing - can't believe none of these eagle eyed folks have commented on this- no guest room? A 6500 sq ft home and you state many guests and no dedicated guest room? The two children's rooms are very typical in size - in a home this size and luxury level I would plan a dedicated guest suite.

Take your time finding your land. It will need to be just right...

Good Luck.

Ponydoc,

Thank you for your comments! The back hall idea is a good one. I was planning on using the retreat on the side as a guest suite and I still have another room available upstairs as well. But that is something I still have time to work out.

Thank you again.

I had to check this post to see what kind of house went with your car. The house looks great. My only comment is that 14 x 17 is a small dining room for a house that size where the owners want to do a lot of entertaining. There probably is not much you can do about that since the plan is so symetrical, but it wouldn't hurt to make the kids' rooms bigger either. Good luck!

golfguy, your grill area is missing guest accommodations for the occasional buddy who drinks himself into a coma and passes out by the pool. dragging him all the way to the house could potentially injure your spine causing you to end your career earlier than expected. add another 500 sq feet and call it a guest house. JMHO.

Thanks for the advise on the drunk buddy kateskouros! It has been thought of removing the grill area and putting in a guest/pool/outdoor kitchen combo on the opposite side of the pool. I've been focusing on picking out the piece of land as I have some things I want but the "Combo House" is probably going to be included somewhere.

I'm working on a virtual mock up at the moment on my mac.

golf guy this is not a dream house, this is a small hotel.. do you have pictures now this much later of your "house"?