New to forum and would love feedback on a custom home plan
gthigpen
7 years ago
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cpartist
7 years agoVirgil Carter Fine Art
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Request for feedback - new home plan
Comments (29)I'm late and you're already moving away from a U or courtyard house. I love them, though, so will toss in my thought. A patio can be too enclosed, not just because of blocking breezes (biggie) but also too isolative. And I say that as someone who definitely requires privacy. I also love detached garages because I hate what attached ones cost a home, and they also present an opportunity to create a covered breezeway porch or pergola-covered patio between, even to frame views in and out. So, while you're still musing, I want to toss in the idea of an L shape, or roughly L shape, with a detached garage positioned on another side to create a semi-enclosed area. This way the enclosed area gets the breezes, privacy, and a view out. It also could be a bit larger and/or better shaped, that is, not determined totally in size and shape by the exigencies of room layout. (I suspect that first one you posted would not live well--too long, narrow, and closed in.) It's also very nice to see a one-story planned. Yes, they are more expensive--particularly because they tend to require more land, not just construction cost; most typical subdivision lots with zoning restrictions are waaay too small. Because of that single-story houses are becoming a luxury style. They're already starting to be seen as more desirable for remodels, and it won't be long before people who automatically look for two stories now wish they could afford one. BTW, don't get too happy with a specific plan if you haven't purchased your land yet. Making the best of its features will change everything. Enjoy your planning....See MoreKitchen space plans Feedback (new to forum)
Comments (5)Thank you Lisa_A! I very much appreciate your advice and time. We are trying to avoid and structural changes (which may be unwise) because it's an old house and I am afraid of finding/causing problems. The new dining room wall on the other side of the desk/sink kitchen wall is brick, and there is a large radiator against that wall (love how radiators heat the house, hate how they take up space). The opening is all centered to the new dining room, so I wonder if it causes problems if we shift it down as you see into that dining room from kitchen and from living room. I do think we need to get an idea of what is entailed in moving radiators! I do love the command center unit! That is perfect for what we need. We love the idea of wood on the island. That said, we have 3 kids and a very busy kitchen and I do not know if we are up to the task of caring for wood appropriately. Sometimes (like today) I come home to find crumbs scattered and jam spilled on our current island and its been sitting there a while. Of course ideally everyone would always clean up right away, but it unfortunately does not happen that way all the time here. Design wise and as far as weight/over hang issues wood is our clear choice. Like the idea of a mix with quartz on the work area. The curved island is very interesting, as I can see how that would make it more "social" friendly space. Really like that, not sure I have seen a lot of pics like that so Houzz here I come. I would like a big clean up sink, and see how bringing it out of the corner helps with space. If we can't move the doorway, do you think we could use a 36 cabinet with a 33 sink along the top wall and make that line of cabinets 90 degree turn (lazy susan type) instead of corner unit? The dishwasher would still be on the main range wall, but maybe we could move it closer to the end of the run? Or is it a really bad idea to have sink on one wall and dishwasher on the other even if they are very close? Thanks again so very much!...See MoreLooking for feedback - new house plans
Comments (36)I am back after some thinking. I certainly do not want to present unattractive facade to the world but beyond attractiveness there are other things that I care about: usability, cost to build and maintain, energy efficiency. With the majority of the suggestions so far, it seems to me that improving appeal of the garage is done to the detriment of usability and "total cost of ownership". Longer and costlier driveway; additional windows that are purely decorative which means again higher cost to build and also more cleaning without the benefit of bringing light and views into the living spaces; longer walk from parked cars for us and guests (we usually do not park in the garage during summer); less sun on the driveway which means we have to scrape more ice or use more salt; game room too far from lounge area; more complicated roof; etc. The one exception is Janicone's idea of shifting garage right (north) and back (west). I really like it but I do not think location of the septic will allow us to do that . Virgil, I really liked what you said about making garage into something appealing which is also integral part of the house. That is exactly what I would love to do. I do not want to hide it - cars are important part of our live , at least outside of urban areas ( I would love to see better public transportation in US but ....) , so I do not want to pretend they do not exist. Ideally, I would love to use functional features that are required (garage doors, outdoor lights, siding, ...) , not purely decorative, to make garage interesting. Is it not possible with the original plan? I know I sound stubborn but even after all the pushback everybody is giving me I still think the original layout gives us the best functionality. Or am I just slow and missing something? It happens more often than not :) Mark, it is interesting that I was thinking to use garage doors with glass panels to achieve something similar to what you did in sketch 3 or 5. I'll attach some inspiration pictures when I have better connection. Of course now, that I saw number 4 (over the limit one) I am really thinking of doing exactly that. Our neighbors will love us ;) On the windows and rhythm - I think right now we have Piazzolla. Not very danceable but I love to listen :) On a serious note, I've already confessed that functionality is more important to us but if we can improve the looks without losing functionality and adding to the cost of the build I'd love that. If any of the greatly talented architects here would consider working with us, please message me privately. If not , I think we are getting ready to commit a sin of building another snout and rhythmically challenged house :)...See MoreCustom home floor plan feedback, round 1 of ?
Comments (50)Thanks for clarifying. I'm not super quick to picture these suggestions (especially with the mental inertia that this design has). So I need to spend some time to try to sketch and see what that means on each level (right now swapping the entry/stairs sounds to me like opening the door into the guest suite or into the kitchen/living space). We were trying to keep mudroom and entry close (for flooring/tiles and easy path to coat closet -- an entry zone like bpath mentions), and rest assured the walls won't be blank. The upstairs purposefully walks into a wall as well rather than walking right into the bath, but maybe to make the left end of that hallway more meaningful, we can pull the office south so the doors are the end of the hallway? (rather than doors off of the hallway, and it ending in a not-to-be-blank wall) I see it's worth addressing each area where the angle disrupts rather than improves, though, and the three different segments of the stairs is one of those areas (the open basement might be the only space that "improves" with the angle, or perhaps it isn't as awkward as the others to draw attention to itself). If the area can't be fixed (kitchen seems like it needs some thought), then that really drives us to a different footprint....See Moregthigpen
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