Layout - first impressions
MtnRdRedux
8 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (134)
Related Discussions
Initial impressions of Floorplan - Need inspiration with layout
Comments (14)So, most everyone has pinpointed all the same issues that I have with this plan. Annie summed it up well: "While it looks pretty from the outside, I struggle with the inside. ...while the kitchen is in the middle of the design, it is isolated from everything...yet it becomes a pass through to get to anywhere." I love the look of the outside, the long rambling facade, but I really don't like the inside and how it functions. I am fine with the formal spaces (to the right), but that's all. Traffic flow sucks. I worry about the FR being so isolated from the rest of the house. I don't like open plans, but this might be too closed. I don't like that the kitchen is a thoroughfare. I don't want to have to walk through the kitchen every time I need to go anywhere. I like to "close" the kitchen at night and be done with it. Guests would have to walk through the kitchen from the dining room or foyer to get to FR (the only really substantial space we have for entertaining). Yes, the breakfast nook is too small for a table and a passageway. I staked it out on the ground and tried to place island, cabs, table, chairs, etc., with at least 4' walkways. It just doesn't fit. I don't like the pantry on an outside wall, taking up potential views. Don't like that there are windows on only one wall of kitchen workspace. Don't like the main sink in the island. I could go on about the kitchen details, but really the problem lies in the placement of the whole room. I had him add the stairs to the left because it seemed like such a long walk from FR to downstairs & garage, or to powder room. That's a problem I have already - walking miles in one direction to go up, only to turn around and come back again to kitchen. Those stairs only go down b/c there's nothing above FR. Second story is only above the formal areas. I do love the idea of an elevator. DH came up with a functional plan that I really like that conserves the formal areas and reworks the FR/kitchen, but it's boring from the outside. So, what I need now are ideas. How can I keep the pleasing facade, yet make the interior more functional and more user-friendly? (While still conserving sq footage.) Please help!...See MoreFinal layout advice ? (long...)
Comments (15)Thanks for all the feedback! Here are some responses: @SunnyAlberta: I'm kind of leaning toward #2 also because of the visual balance and extra room on the range wall. I expect to be spending more time in the big living area than in the dining area, so the blocked light won't matter as much. And the walls of the dining area are going to be mostly window -- two big corner windows -- so there will be plenty of light in there, plus a view of lots of trees and a small pond. One downside is that my architect will be annoyed with me if I go this route, because we had it drawn this way at one point and I let him talk me into plan #1. Fortunately it isn't a structural change; I think all it requires is moving the electrical stuff around. And that's what I'm paying him for. :-) I think you're right about the flow from fridge -> plate -> oven. The plates will probably be in an upper cabinet toward the left hand side of that wall, or maybe in a deep drawer in the island, so that flow works fairly well. And the aisles are wide enough that there shouldn't be a collision if anyone else is in there. @bmorepanic: Do you mean putting both the ovens and the refrigerator on the left wall? Hmm. My architect had it drawn that way originally, but I didn't like it much. It was a big "wall of tall" that I think would look even worse than plan #1 above because it just kind of hangs out there. (Someone on the forum pointed that out, maybe buehl.) Or maybe you meant leave the oven on the same wall as in plan #1, but move it out into the living area to the right of the fridge, between the fridge and the pantry door. I don't think I like that because it puts some of the stainless steel out there. But I could slide both the oven and the fridge to the right (if it's a full overlay and integrated) into that area without it looking too weird. And that area is more or less unused in the current plan. Hmmm. @davidro: Yeah, the hoods are different. I've been playing with different styles in my drawings: big pro hood, shorter metal one, insert in a fairly flat wood enclosure, etc. I'll try to post some drawings that have consistent hoods in them. What kind do you think would look best? :-) I've also been drawing them at different widths, but I'll probably go with 36" to maximize upper cabinet space. The island definitely needs work: curvy or multiple heights, or something like that. That stuff can change later, but right now I need to finalize the floor plan and gas/electrical stuff for the city. The colors in the drawings are also a mess. I'm rather color-blind, so I just picked some things I liked in isolation with no thought for how they'll fit together. I'm going to need to hire a designer to help with all the colors and other decoration. :-( @localeater: "I was wondering what is in the island." Not much so far. The prep sink, plus a trash pullout at the end nearest the cleanup sink. Otherwise it's a blank slate. On the oven comments from multiple folks.... I'm torn there. Putting them under the counters would definitely solve the layout problems. Or using a range instead of a rangetop, plus a microwave drawer or a speed oven mounted in the island. But I'm almost 6' tall and have a messed up back, so I've more or less discarded those ideas. (I wish I could trade a couple inches of height with my friends who think they're too short. :-) But you guys have made me reconsider a bit, because it would certainly help with layout. Too many choices! @herbflavor: You're right that the furniture arrangement in the big area looks bizarre and arbitrary. I love having lots of windows and light, but it makes the furniture layout a challenge because I also want to use that room as a home theatre, with the TV and audio gear on that long wall. I'll come up with some sort of compromise eventually. I think I'd be fairly happy with either of the designs above, with some minor tweaks for looks. But I want to get it *perfect*! Curse you for giving me so many more choices and ideas! Kitchen design is way harder than the software design I do for a living. :-) Random aside on the "lots of windows" front... My current house is similar to the "Eichler" houses built all over the Bay Area in the 50's. They're basically lower-budget, mass-produced designs inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright: lots of windows, flat roofs, outdoor atriums that integrate into the living space with big windows or sliding doors, etc. I love the current house and am trying to replicate some of the parts I like in the new one. The reason for the move is a much bigger lot, slightly bigger house, and much nicer location within walking distance to lots of shops and restaurants. (Downtown Mountain View, CA for anyone who lives around here.) Thanks! Keep the feedback coming! Laura, on my lunch break...See MoreHonorable Mention and first impressions
Comments (4)I'll just give one and that's 'Hyde Hall'... I can't wait to see this grow into a big shrub rose. I'm really impressed with its flowers and growth so far, and it seems to be a non stop bloomer... here are a few of my photos from the last few weeks.. I find it such a pretty rose, it's one I'm looking forward to most for next season......See MoreNew Miele DW (G 6785) first impressions and some questions (LONG)
Comments (22)Some of the new Miele DW sold in the USA(G6935 for example) now contain a heat exchanger. This technology has been in use in the EU for a while now. With the heat exchanger( as best as I can understand) it saves the heated water from a prior step - such as a wash, then uses this water to help heat the next batch of water that needs to be heated. So in the EU with a cold fill it could be that the DW will preheat the last rinse water with the heated water from the wash, since the first rinse will use cold water, and the last rinse will be heated. In the manual for these machines and probably in all manuals it gives the electric and water consumption for using a hot fill or a cold fill. What you see is that there is less electricity used when you use a cold fill vs using a hot fill(assuming you are heating your water with electric) so as far as energy savings the Dw uses less electricity to heat it's own water than you use when you heat the water in a household water heater. The clean machine cycle comes to play here because at some point you would want to keep the exchanger clean. I guess if your model has the clean machine cycle I would use that if you want to clean the DW....See MoreMtnRdRedux
8 years agojust_terrilynn
8 years agoMtnRdRedux
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoMtnRdRedux
8 years agoMtnRdRedux
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agokswl2
8 years agoMtnRdRedux
8 years agoMtnRdRedux
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agorobo (z6a)
8 years agoGooster
8 years agojust_terrilynn
8 years agobpath
8 years agoMtnRdRedux
8 years agokswl2
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoMtnRdRedux
8 years agojlc712
8 years agoMtnRdRedux
8 years agoMtnRdRedux
8 years agoMtnRdRedux
8 years agorobo (z6a)
8 years agoMtnRdRedux
8 years agokswl2
8 years agoMtnRdRedux
8 years agoOutsidePlaying
8 years agojoaniepoanie
8 years agojlc712
8 years agoMtnRdRedux
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoOutsidePlaying
8 years agoMtnRdRedux
8 years agojlc712
8 years agoMtnRdRedux
8 years agoOutsidePlaying
8 years agorockybird
8 years agobbstx
8 years ago
Related Stories
ENTRYWAYSRoom of the Day: Suburban Foyer Makes a Powerful First Impression
A custom wall mural and other dramatic features surprise and delight in this Chicago-area home
Full StoryROOM OF THE DAYRoom of the Day: Small Master Bath Makes an Elegant First Impression
Marble surfaces, a chandelier and a window seat give the conspicuous spot the air of a dressing room
Full StoryLIVING ROOMSRoom of the Day: Redone Living Room Makes a Bright First Impression
A space everyone used to avoid now charms with welcoming comfort and a crisp new look
Full StoryKITCHEN STORAGEKitchen of the Week: Bamboo Cabinets Hide Impressive Storage
This serene kitchen opens up to reveal well-organized storage areas for a family that likes to cook and entertain
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: Eclectic Repurposing Fits First-Time Homeowners in Utah
DIY projects using reclaimed materials add rustic style to an open-layout Salt Lake City home
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESImpress Your Guests: 8 Tips for Gracious Guest Rooms
Offer concierge-style luxury on a bellhop's budget with these ideas to turn a spare bedroom into a first-class, guest-ready retreat
Full StoryGREEN BUILDINGHouzz Tour: The Goal? A Big Impression but a Small Footprint
This family home in Nevada City, California, embraces the environment with enthusiasm and style
Full StoryMATERIALSSteel Connections Make Strong Impression
Steel joints provide more than just industrial-strength architectural support; they add a mighty dose of character
Full Story
kswl2