You need to specify something other than slab foundation.

1) Budget

2)Style

3) stories

4) bedroom 1st floor, (eg master)

5) kitchen layout L, T, U; sink in the ...

We like this floor plan (one of dozen), front needs some updating.

Sonoma Cove

Thank you Brian! I would prefer not to specify those items you listed because I am hoping for new ideas. I am afraid if I list out a lot of my requirements I will end up with the same things I already have that have not been working for us. As for budget, the cost to build a home varies so much from place to place I would prefer to use size parameters vs cost parameters. So we are looking at between 1500 and 2500 square feet with a minimum of a 2 car garage. I am really hoping to see some of your favorite plans. Thank you again!

It's very hard to know what you want if you do not list your requirements.

Have you thought about sitting down with a designer and hashing out a plan together?

A good designer should be able to give you exactly what your are looking for.

Plan P-2015-06

Hire an actual architect.

of course i'm suggesting my recently completed home Bermuda Bluff by Allison Ramsey

it's been around since 1998 (or before) as it was the HGTV house that year

our plan is 2313 sqft but it also comes in sizes ranging from 2000 to about 2800 square ft

we built it in an old farmhouse style and i can't think of much to change about it after 17 years of studying it

our garage is "connected" to the house by a breezeway

In that range there are a number of Ross Chapin houses, one of my favorite architects. My favorite in that range would be the Gable House followed by Dine's Point (garages). I really like Natural Habitat as well. It is less conventional with some of the walls straw bale but I am sure it could be adapted to conventional framing (personally I plan to build a straw bale house). From the same site in a more conventional style. I tend towards simple, informal, efficient layouts. The second site, architectural house plans has a smaller number of house plans but the the quality seems to be a bit higher. Sorry most of these do not have an attached garage, that is not something I generally prioritize myself. This one and this one include garages. Sorry this is more than one favorite, but all of these plans have aspects I really like.

Try Garrell Associates Tranquility Collect, Harmony. The Tranquility collection is perfect for a lot with incredible views, as the back of the house is full of glass. We are building a version of this plan on our wooded lot. We also liked this collection because it offered so many variations to fix out needs.

Too vague.

Show a couple plans you like, and we'll give feedback.

This is the house I built:
http://ww4.coolhouseplans.com/details.html?pid=chp-36532
It can be built on slab or crawlspace. I finished the bonus room during initial construction, which brought it to ~1800 sq ft. My GC suggested I add a dormer, which increased the usability and size of the bonus room substantially. I chose this plan because it had a nicely sized front porch and screened-in back porch. My house faces west, so the front porch is nice in cooler months and the back porch is great for warmer months. I made changes to the interior to suit my situation better, but kept the exterior footprint the same.

zippity1

"our garage is "connected" to the house by a breezeway"

Would love to see pictures of this. We are thinking of doing the same thing.

I understand, but desired budget is going to be important. Also if you plan to age in place, or if that is not a concern. For the kitchen -- do you entertain often or are you home-bodies. (Do you LIKE cooking, or do you prefer Lean Cuisine nuked?)

Actually, I started out something like you -- I have 52 acres mostly wooded and I am keeping them almost entirely that way. I checked out my own needs (probably not the same as yours), discovered I hate dealing with my knee issues, so the laundry will be on the main floor. Discovered on my own lot a walk out basement would suit me and I can keep the mechanicals down there with little problem, and not have to go down there as often as I do have to do laundry!!! I'll be able to do a root cellar and a workshop, but your needs will likely differ.

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Here's my latest favourite, if you're still looking:

http://www.dongardner.com/house-plan/1092/the-rosewood

zippity1 - the original stock plan for the home I am building included a breezeway from the garage to the house. To save a little money, and because I don't think breezeways are all that practical in the colder parts of New England, I eliminated it. But I do love the look!

Mount Vernon has 'breezeways'! They just aren't enclosed. LOL Many 1950's ranches had breezeways -- with those pesky jalousies. They were on slabs, unheated, eventually many were converted to 'family rooms', but seldom comfortably -- kinda like the attached garage that becomes a 'room' -- but still retains its garage-y shape.

we live in south texas and our breezeway is open and elevated about 20 inches it has brick flooring and after 11 months not a single person has gone to the front door everybody enters through the door off the breezeway

One of my favorites thus far.

Why?...

Very efficient use of space
Proximity of the laundry room to the master
Tub is the focal point as you walk into the master bath (which is out of view as you walk into the master bed)
Layout of both bathrooms
Kitchen open directly (and evenly) with greatroom
walk in closet off the master bath!

Please note you can't copy this plan without the concept of the owner

http://www.steeplepointehomes.com/floorplans/FloorplanDetails.aspx?floorplanID=180

Take a look at the "Tucker Bayou" house, we plan to build this Without the second floor, and lakeside for porch viewing of a lake.