House plan...what do you think?

11 years ago

Here's my latest 'not so small' smaller homes plans. So, what do you think? It's Summerfield's design from a few months ago, but with a few small changes...
{{gwi:2073264}}From Lavender Lass farmhouse pictures

The last few months have been awful, yet I'm amazed at how much I've been able to do. I'm sure I'll collapse soon, but so far, I've managed to keep the farm and the business going, while my husband has been sick, in the hospital and now in rehabilitation. I don't like to talk about things on the Internet, but many of you are good friends (even though I've never acutally seen you) and I need a hug, if only virtually.

My husband is getting better, but this has been difficult and as always...when I need to think about something (anything) else, I draw house or garden plans. To me, they're like a puzzle...where everything either fits or it doesn't. And like all really good puzzles, there are more than one possibility for a 'right' answer.

So, even though my husband is expected to make a full recovery, I decided to go with a larger version (beautifully drawn by Summerfield) and not so beautifully 'tweaked' by me...to allow for wider doorways, hallways and overall better accessibility. After my grandmother's experiences with less and less mobility...and now my husband's brief stay (hopefully) in a wheelchair...I'm convinced more than ever that homes need to be universally accessible...if at all possible.

So, I guess smaller, better designed/more storage, green design, heating/cooling efficient and universal accessibility might be the things we need/hope to see in new homes. At least that's what I would do, if I were building them.

My fifteen minutes of freedom is over and now I have five different things I need to do this afternoon. Take care and have a great weekend...and thank you all for being such wonderful 'small home' friends :)

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Comments (19)

desertsteph
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
well, lots and lots of hugs to you! had no idea you were dealing with this! did I miss a post? I hope his recovery is speedy and complete!

"I'm convinced more than ever that homes need to be universally accessible"

I sure think anyone building or remodeling should do what they can toward that. After hobbling around for over 6 wks when I broke my kneecap I've lived it in a minor way. And it wasn't pretty!

You just never know what can happen to cause you to need a walker, crutches or a wheelchair. that also means easier access to a shower/tub and toilet - and sink. doorways and hallways too. bracing for those grab bars in the bathroom should be done when the walls are open even if you don't put them up until a need arises.

I had to attempt to get over the side of a tub to get a shower. I took a few showers outside with the hose rather than the agony of going over that tub side. I am so very, very happy that I now have a regular shower. No more climbing over the side of a tub!

My ext doors are 36" and the doorway I'll be making into the tv room (off of the kitchen) will be about 32" I think. more if I can squeeze it out of the space.

That'll give me access to most all of my rooms even if using a walker. My bdrm doorway would probably need to be made bigger. but my bathroom doorway is already 5'.

My sister and BIL did this in the house they built a few yrs back. Wide halls, big doorways and tile thru out the main level. lever handles on all doors.

The front of your place is the east? I'm still concerned about the distance from the utility room to the kitchen. Do you park on the right side?
EATREALFOOD
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Oh Lavender BIG HUGS to you. I hope your husband is doing well and you are able to get some rest yourself. Stress is so draining. In addition to (re)drawing up your plans, look at all the absolutely beautiful photos you have collected. Those photos have cheered all of us up and given us great ideas, so I'm sure looking at them will make you smile too. Best wishes to your husband and to you also.(and to your beautiful horses)
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Looks pretty good. Kitchen Designer's Plan: Very good locations of DW and trash pullout. The trash pullout is in the Prep Zone, next to the Cooking Zone, and next to the Cleanup Zone. Far more trash & recyclables are generated in the Prep & Cooking Zones than Cleanup Zone, so having it in the Prep Zone is ideal. The DW is not in the midst of or in the way of the Prep Zone or Cooking Zone...excellent! Do you plan dish storage above the DW and to the right? It's a good location since it's, again, out of the Prep & Cooking Zones, next to the Cleanup Zone & DW, and easily accessed from what appears to be a table space on the right...w/o getting in the way of those prepping or cooking. I could wish for a bit more cooktop landing space on the left and prep room space on the right b/w the cooktop & sink (the natural Prep Zone location), but that wall is rather short. The only way to increase the prep space would be to put the cleanup sink in the peninsula and use the back counter as your Prep Zone. You do appear to have 30" b/w the sink and corner and then another 12" b/w the cooktop & corner. While not ideal, it's probably workable. I only have a couple of concerns...the first concern I have is the lack of landing space near the wall ovens (the MW is in the peninsula, correct?) Since there is very little counterspace to the left of the cooktop (you're limited, I know), I'd like to see the landing space either right next to the ovens or on the peninsula. With that in mind, I would switch the refrigerator & ovens. The "new" location will also put the refrigerator a bit closer to the Prep & Cooking Zones. It would now it easier to use the peninsula for landing space from the ovens. It also moves the ovens out of the doorway b/w the cooktop wall and the pantry wall. Another option would be to, again, switch the refrigerator & ovens and to then make the pantry on the left into an upper + base configuration. The landing zone would now be right next to the ovens. It also gives you "staging" space right next to the ovens for getting ready to put something in an oven. You might then also consider moving the MW from the peninsula to this location. You could create a "Snack Zone"...near the refrigerator, MW, & Ovens, but out of the three primary work zones (Prep, Cooking, Cleanup). [The peninsula location of the MW puts it in the Cleanup Zone b/c it's in the way of the DW when either is open.] I would also like to see a French Door refrigerator so there isn't a big door (1) blocking the path from the door to the right of the refrigerator (garage/mudroom?) and (2) blocking access to either the Prep & Cooking Zones (from the right) or snackers (from the left). Keep in mind that if this is a counter-depth (CD) refrigerator, the doors + handles will/must stick out past the surrounding cabinets/counters/walls. This "extra" depth is usually around 6". This means your refrigerator is really approx 30" deep. If, OTOH, the refrigerator is a built-in or "true" CD, then it will be no more than 25" or so deep. My other concern is the peninsula seating and the space behind it. First, keep in mind that you need 24" of linear space per seat. So a 6' long/wide island will seat 3. With a curve, a little less is required b/c the curve adds inches, but not that many inches. Second, each seat should have a minimum of a 15" overhang in front of it. With the curve, this will mean more like 18" in the center...but that's OK. As a matter of fact, it provides a place for someone who is tall and/or has long legs to sit more comfortably (people of "average" height and/or "average" leg length will be comfortable enough w/15"...but no less if you plan for some to sit there for more than a few minutes.) How much space is there behind the seats? It looks like a table space. Is it? If it is, then do you have enough space for the table + chairs right next to the peninsula w/stools? You should have around 60" b/w the edge of the peninsula counter & the edge of the table. There should be 32" b/w the table and the wall on the other side of the table (the side opposite the peninsula), assuming there is a wall...OR use banquette seating on that opposite side. (Then, you only need aprox 18" to the wall.) Is that outside door really a French Door? If so, are you worried about the glass door hitting the stools when opened? What if someone is sitting at the peninsula when the door is in use? Is the corner upper cabinet a blind corner? Or, is it a true corner w/a 90-degree angle? The true corner cab would give you the best access and least waste of space. I might consider making the valance over the window as "tall" on the sides as the flanking stacked cabinets are. I think it will flow better. Have you considered a counter-height window? I think it would be wonderful in your kitchen, especially with the width of the window. Other pictures:
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Holy shmoly, lets see... Good points all. Nothing is particularly set in stone right now, so this is all good and workable. Let me give you a tour of the funhouse that is my head: emagineer: i like the idea of making the kitchen "U". It is short on counter space, and that would give a little more horizontal surface. I had put the sink on the south wall with a window above it (messy floor plans don't show that), but to make the top of the window even with the sliding door and still use a stock size window option, there would be no room for a backsplash, so i was thinking of moving the sink anyway. What you suggest may work out well. so, the shower area... i HATE cleaning showers, which was the impetus behind this design. I want the shower/bath area to be devoted to water and easy to clean, like with a hose and a long-handled scrub brush. I also wanted windows to let out steam and let in light. Glass blocks with mortar and an aluminum-framed vent window seemed a safe way to do this (the walls are actually insulated concrete forms, not wood, so i hope we're super safe), and the blocks will be sandblasted white glass, so it will just let in soft light. We'll have radiant floor heat, so it should stay toasty in there. The bathtub will actually be (my dream) a free-standing ofuro (deep wooden soaking tub) and i was figuring on using that spigot for a hose attachment (i am laughing at myself right now. i sound a little strange, don't i?) I put the shower room in the corner for the plumbing and the surrounding outer walls. The door into it will be like a glass shower door. The room next to it is for changing/towels/primping. If i moved it, it would be closer to the bedroom, but, well, i have this vision stuck in my head... And the separate toilet means both can be used at the same time. The toilet is pretty close to the bedroom door right now, so i think it's convenient enough. I have thought of reversing the toilet with the laundry so it could have a window, but we need to vent the dryer... I can put any window anywhere i want right now, so that's the most flexible part of all. whew! okay... rachelrachel: Well, if we made the loft a bedroom, we'd have to put in a dormer egress window, and that would add a bit to costs. Also, the vision we had was of a very open area upstairs, and bedroom walls would block things up. My husband likes (check that, LOVES) to hunt, and we've got some mounts and antlers he'd like to have up, so we're hoping the openness will allow them to be displayed, but not "in your face". Perhaps if we need to, it can be converted into a bedroom in the future, but for now, we see it as a place to read and nap. we've talked about prepping the work room floor for potential bedroom walls... perhaps some playing around with the toilet location and door and laundry and all would lend the floor plan to this a little better. We're already planning for a stackable washer/dryer. i don't really want the toilet to be right at the foot of the stairs, though, and as i was writing about earlier, i have a vision of the shower and changing room that would be hard to get rid of... do you know what i mean? Thank you for your comments! This is just the thing to stir up the pot. Keep them coming!!!
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TxMarti
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
LL, I had no idea. I had noticed you weren't around as much. I bet you are exhausted and I hope your husband recovers quickly.

I quite agree that houses should be built for future wheelchair access. Ours isn't and no way to change a lot of it. When and if, probably when, dh can no longer walk, we'd better not be in this house.
camlan
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
So sorry to hear about your DH's struggles, and yours.

The one thing about your floor plan that I would change, if I were living there, is the location of the kitchen in relationship to the entry doors and where the car will be parked. It might not bother you, but I've lived where you have to carry groceries and stuff through the entire house, or where the driveway is on the opposite side of the house from the kitchen door, and it is a huge pain in the neck to have to lug everything that far. My dream house has the shortest distance possible between the car park and the kitchen counters.

As for universal access--you are on the right track to work that into the house now.

It was clear shortly after his birth that my brother's oldest child would need to use a wheelchair. Since their house wasn't set up for one--no first floor bedroom, narrow doorways, etc, my brother and SIL went househunting for a house that had already been adapted for handicapped use.

What they found was a lot of really bad remodelings and additions. Things that were done just to get access, and with no thought to how the additions or changes worked with the rest of the house. This had led, in many cases, to truly bizarre floor plans, bad architecture and in some cases, surprisingly little privacy for the disabled person--people had to walk through the bedroom to get parts of the house, or there was no real door on the accessible bathroom.

They ended up hiring a architect who did a great job with the addition, which includes a bedroom, accessible bathroom with roll-in shower, a stairway to the second floor of the house wide enough to add a chair lift in the future (the addition is only one story), a mud/laundry room (which the house didn't have before, and a therapy/play/family room (the house didn't have a family room before).

All the light switches are lower and wheelchair accessible. The doors are all pocket doors, so the person in the wheelchair doesn't have to bother with which way the door swings open. The electric outlets are higher on the wall than normal, to allow someone in a wheelchair to reach them. The architect brought in a wheelchair and wheeled himself around to make sure he could reach things and open doors and fit the wheelchair under the bathroom counter.

The finishes and trim style match the original house seamlessly. Even though the addition is completely accessible, it doesn't strike visitors as a "handicapped zone." Interestingly, the feature that most visitors notice and comment on is a small one--the rocker switches used for the lights. Not the doors with no threshold, or the wide doorways, or the pocket doors everywhere. Just the light switches.

The entire focus of the house shifted. Everyone gravitates to the family room because of the huge amount of light it gets and the friendly, cozy layout of the rooms in the addition. Even though the rooms are large, to accommodate both a power chair and furniture, the layout is warm and cozy.
mama goose_gw zn6OH
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Lavender, I'm sorry that you and your husband have had to deal with this. Hope he'll be better soon.

When we bought this house, I realized that the first floor was arranged so that 'aging in place' would be possible. Not sure about wheelchair use, other than enough space for a ramp--the sinks and vanities would need to be changed, grab bars installed, etc. It's good that you're considering those things now, before remodeling.
dekeoboe
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Neither of the bathrooms would work well for a person in a wheelchair. Not sure if there is enough room for a person in a wheelchair to turn around in either the utility room or the master closet. There could be, but I can't read the dimensions to see if the clear space is five feet or not.
springroz
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Praying for you! I had been missing you, and your always joyful renditions of the plans!

Take care!

Nancy
debrak_2008
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
A few years ago I was reading an article by a home builder. He talked about the frustation of "seniors" and "universal accessible" homes. He was building in a senior community and trying to make all the homes accessible. When he would point out the wider doorways, etc. many would not like it and want it changed. The seniors didn't want to hear about grab bars in the showers or any of the features mentioned above and didn't want them in their home. Ignorance? Stupidity?

As camlan mentioned most people would not even notice the changes. I agree that all homes should be built with at least the ground floor being universally accessible.

Maybe rework one of the bathrooms or both.

Hope DH reovers fully. Smart of you to think about this now.
desertsteph
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
"The architect brought in a wheelchair and wheeled himself around to make sure he could reach things and open doors and fit the wheelchair under the bathroom counter. "

that was a really awesome thing for him to do!

and I'm suddenly grateful I have rocker switches. I've been in here a few months and still try to 'flip' those little flipper ones up or down. I really don't use a lot of lights and only late at night. I do have 2 lite thingies that plug direct into an outlet. Those little lights come on automatically (sensor) when I get about 5 or so ft from them. One is on a LR wall opposite from my bdrm door. So when walking out of my room, thru the LR to the kit it pops on for me to lite the way. The other is plugged into the outlet in the short hallway (about 5' long) between my bdrm and bathroom. It comes on when I reach the entrance to it on my bdrm side. It's all I need at night when nature calls. they're like bright nightlites. bought at Sam's I think. my BIL picked them up for me.
lavender_lass
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Well, my husband is still in the hospital, but slowly seems to be getting better. Meanwhile, I found 5 tons of hay so far and have more coming, over the weekend. Six horses eat a lot of hay!

I should be working on our taxes today (we have corporate deadline on Friday) but I just don't feel like it. Instead, I decided to play with my house plan for 30 minutes and then go to the hospital. Taxes (why does this feel like one of those homework assignments that nobody wants to do???) will have to wait until tonight.

So, here's my idea. I felt like staying smaller this morning (house wise) and this is what it would look like, if I added 6' along the back of the current kitchen and took out the hall bath. Keeping the bath in the bedroom/study. What do you think? Each square equals 6". Thanks for looking! {{gwi:2073265}}From Lavender Lass farmhouse pictures
AnnaA
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
LL, life and work have hijacked my usual GW lurk time, but when I saw posts today about your DH, I just had to jump on to send you well wishes. It is so unsettling to see our life partners hurting or sick, in addition to the added stress it adds to all sorts of other urgent demands - such as running a farm and preparing taxes... That's a tall order lady!! I hope you are finding help and rest along the way. House/remodel planning can be a great escape! :-)

Warm wishes your way,
Anna
orcasgramma
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Dear Lavender Lass,

I am sorry to learn your husband is still in the hospital. I think of you often. It is good to know that your husband is slowly getting better and that your horses have hay.

I have little meaningful to say about layout but smaller seems like it makes sense - but I am absolutely not good with layouts.

I concur with AnnaA about the stress you are under and her wish that you find help and time for rest.

Sending my best wishes, OG
TxMarti
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
(((LL)))

I was going to tell you to get to those taxes, but then I remembered that I have 3 invoices I need to send out and I don't feel like doing them right now, so I guess I'll keep my mouth shut on that. lol

I like your new kitchen plan, except that it seems like a long way to the fridge. Before doing anything though, I'd go about a normal cooking session and see how many times you go from fridge to sink. It may be that you don't do that as often as fridge to stove top.

Do you have a low counter with open under it for a wheelchair, or someone in a regular chair? Since your dh likes to cook too, that might be a consideration.

I've been looking at duplex plans lately, trying to find one that has accessibility, and they are hard to find. My mil is walking slower and slower every day and pain in her side makes it harder to stand. I thought it would be easy to find plans with a wheel-in shower and counter in kitchen and bath that allowed a wheelchair to roll under, and there just aren't any.
lavender_lass
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Anna and OG- Thank you for the very nice responses. My husband seems to be getting better (it's just a slow process) and the doctors don't see any reason he shouldn't be able to walk just fine, once he goes through rehab. Keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well! :)

Marti- I got an extension on the taxes...now get busy with those invoices! LOL

Seriously, thanks for the review of my plan. I actually use the fridge to range space more often, at least I think I do. The fridge is by the sink now and I wish it were closer to the cooktop. We have a cooktop now and it would be wonderful to have a second oven.
lavender_lass
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I like the wood stove in the kitchen, but it might be a little too crowded. So, I'm thinking a half wall to the den (with wood stove) might be a better plan. Here's the idea, with the half wall behind the banquette...and I really like the island and stools on this magazine cover!
{{gwi:2073267}}From Lavender Lass farmhouse pictures
{{gwi:1949879}}From Lavender Lass farmhouse pictures
lavender_lass
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
After more measuring, I think the wood stove may still fit...and I like the small seating area in the kitchen!
{{gwi:2073270}}From Lavender Lass farmhouse pictures

Kitchen in relation to living room and dining room... {{gwi:1949885}}From Lavender Lass farmhouse pictures

And very cute picture I just found, of a cozy, country kitchen...complete with kitty :) {{gwi:1957573}}From Lavender Lass farmhouse pictures
TxMarti
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I like that. Also, it also looks like you could remodel the existing house to this, and then add the master suite and pantry later if you needed to do it in stages.
CamG
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
LL, I love the idea of a wood burning stove in the kitchen. What a fantastic and fitting item for your home. Plus you get the kitchen table rather than just an island, which is fantastic--we would be doing that if we had room for a formal dining room, too.

I do love that island, however! Small Kitchens, that's a neat sounding magazine.
lavender_lass
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Marti- Good point about remodeling in stages!

Cam- Thanks! That is a cute little island. I believe I found this magazine, at Shopko.

I love the idea of this kitchen plan, but my mom came over and helped me measure and I think it's going to be a little too small for the wood stove. Instead, she asked if I still wanted a sun/screened porch on the back...and suggested I put the stove in there, right off the kitchen. It would also give me a sunny spot to sit in the winter and a space for my plants/herbs :)

So, back to cute island, little round table and access to the porch. Then, I could put a little wood stove like this out there...with more room for seating. Like my mom said, we need at least THREE comfy seats by the stove, so she has a place to sit, when she comes over to visit! LOL {{gwi:1949887}}From Lavender Lass farmhouse pictures

And my favorite little wood stove picture... {{gwi:1482071}}From Lavender Lass farmhouse pictures

House plan...what do you think?

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