Multigenerational Duplex Reveal
We're in and (almost) settled! Many of those that have been on this forum know our story, but for those that don't, we have just completed building duplex with our DD (our only), DSIL and our 11 month old DGS in a Colorado mountain town/ski area. Here are a few of the background posts.
While we didn't end up with all of our wants in the prior posts, we ended up with about 95% of wants and 100% of needs, plus a few bonuses we didn't know we even wanted but love.
Plenty of pictures will follow in this and several other posts (because it is basically a two house Reveal), but the absolute best thing about the house is that it is living exactly as we had dreamed! Our arrangement gives all generations the togetherness and the separation we want and need. I am still working some from home so during the day while the kids are at work, I can pop in and check on DGS and their wonderful nanny. Then, typically, the doors through the shared pantry, between their kitchen and ours, open up when DSIL gets home from work and comes over with the baby and the doors stay open until we've all had dinner together. Most often, I'll cook on our side and we will eat at theirs because it's easier with the baby. After dinner we usually retreat to our own sides and DD brings the baby over to tell us goodnight right before putting him to bed.
The stairwell landing access from the "kids" side to ours got its first use a few weeks ago when the kids had friends (with their toddler) up from Denver. We didn't even know when they were up there! And we had our first weeklong guests last week. Very close friends and easy guests.
The dogs are loving the togetherness and shared yard! Unfortunately, our dog is recovering from knee surgery and can't do the steps from the deck to the yard right now, but he is recovering well, so that's only temporary. In the meantime we can take him out the front with no steps. However, he can't wait to be able to roughhouse in the yard with his friend again!
Individually, each side also lives incredibly well. Both kitchens function well, are a delight to cook in, and the shared pantry expands the function of both. Even though the kids didn't even know if they would ever have a child when we were in the planning stage, they planned for that possibility with a second bedroom and the master upstairs. (DD was actually pregnant the day we broke ground, but they didn't know it yet -- baby and house were started within two weeks of each other -- it's amazing that you can build (grow) a human faster than a house!). They just moved the baby from their upstairs master to the second bedroom upstairs. Right now their main floor guest room is the playroom, furnished nicely, but safely, and is a great place for baby to play. They are already thinking of finishing the walkout basement for a rec room and another bedroom down the road when he is (much) older.
Our side is also working beautifully for us. I love that we have private spaces --master, master bath, walk-through closet and office all connected on the right side of the main floor and public, entry, powder, stairwell, kitchen, greatroom dining and living on the left but forming a really nice circular flow for short four foot alcoves that connect the office on one end of the greatroom and the master entry alcove is between the living and dining. Because we are in a ski area and host guests for ski weeks, we needed the laundry to enter from a public space, but still convenient to our closet, so it is located off the alcove to the office and I can cut through the corner of the office to our closet in about four steps. It's difficult to explain, but it is really, really convenient.
Exterior Pictures
Our entry is on the right and theirs is on the left around the side.
Close up of the kids entry:
Looking at the kid's side before the snow:
View of the back of the house in the snow (we are on the left and the kid's are on the right).
Deck to Deck views:
This post is getting too long. Interior pics to follow.
Comments (26)
mojomom
6 years agoNow for the interiors.
Our foyer:
The Kids' foyer:
Our entry hall to the great room. The alcove on the right leads to the garage with a bench and coat rack in the left alcove.
Our kitchen:
The Kids' kitchen:
Shared Pantry:
Shots of our dining and living area:
Related Discussions
Concept Generational Home
Comments (59)Constantinople, It is possible that some of my comments will be speculative but most of the comments in the forums are based in speculation since we do not have all the facts. I will only comment in what I think is not ok or just personal preferences. Hope this helps. The elevations have a few issues. The masterbedroom roof should be shown on the north elevation, also the little window in the bedroom hallway. Unit A -I find the Laundry room too small. You will not be happy with it as is (speculating here). It's always nice to have a countertop, even if it is not too big. A small mudroom bench at the garage entry, would be nice, too. Looks like your architect is not able to figure out a way for the garage door to swing inside the home instead to the garage. -The bedrooms are not nicely dimensioned. 10' wide? You have the space, just not proporcionated in the right way. -It's like you want the fireplace for a wow factor because its accross the entry but not sure if you will get that effect since the entry is kind of far from it. I prefer the fireplace to be centered to the living room or between 2 spaces. Now it is just centered to the "big" room. -Talking about the big room. Looks like this if the ultimate open floor concept. I consider important to give the different areas in the "big" space some sort of definition. You will not be able to do that with that ceiling. I wonder how you will place the light fixtures for the different areas (kitchen, dining, living and the empty space that you will have in front of the kitchen. Will you place a very big chandelier in the middle of everything (at the flat ceiling spot)? or you will place the different fixtures randomly? some will be where the celing folds and some where the ceiling slants. -The masterbedroom: Is there a reason for not wanting a view? the window sill is at 9'. A master with 2 exterior doors is a bit excessive. If you get rid of one door you will be able to place the bed in two different ways. Rigth now, it will be very hard to place night stands at each side of the bed. Unit B There are many issues here....See More$5k kitchen renovations (in progress reveal) - two at once
Comments (14)Habitat Restore is a store that tells new and used items and the money benefits Habitat for Humanity. Sometimes contractors will donate good cabinets and other items that they pulled out of a house. Sometimes stores donate items like when a custom order gets cancelled or a some style gets discontinued or they just have a surplus of an item. Great job! Love your choices. Perfect examples of kitchens that will look a lot more expensive than they were....See MoreSochi bathroom reveal: shower wallpaper + silestone shower pan
Comments (41)Hi Sochi and Kristin, gorgeous wallpaper projects! I am in correspondence with several Italian fiber glass wallpaper suppliers now and all of them have different waterproofing methods. The main issue I am finding is that the substrate needs to be white in color and smooth. Sochi mentioned the contractor used Schluter KERDI-BOARD but it is orange, so how did you eventually get it white? Krisitin what did your contractor do for substrate? What products were used to waterproof the wall before the application of the glue, wallpaper and sealants? My other concern is that the drywall or cement board (depending on what to use) has to sit on top of my shower pan so I fear it will absorb water is not properly waterproofed. Any guidelines and suggestions will be highly appreciated. Alex...See MoreNeed advice on general layout and design.
Comments (59)Some other issues on the main floor, the full bath on the right side - the placement of the toilet == a straight view from the front door foyer. The way bedroom 2 closet is designed, by having the rods on the short walls, there's less hanging space than if the entire long wall was used. Making this a full sized reach-in closet would free up additional space for the full bath (to be rearranged to get the toilet out of view) Agree with above that the dining area is probably too small (you didn't answer what the plan is for dining? Just you & your children/SO or is everyone in the household regularly going to be at that table?) Also, in the Master: - it's a looooooong walk for whomever is on the far side of the bed to the facilities - also, one has to squeeze by the toilet area to get to the closet?? What if someone is using the toilet and you need something from the closet? On the lower level - it's a very awkward space. I don't think I quite understand the full expectations for its use? Will both tour in-laws and sister in law be down there? Who has to use the no-toilet bathroom that is off of the patio? (maybe that's a toilet shape behind the door that can't open 90º? so confusing)....See Moremojomom
6 years agoOne more of our living area:
The Kids' living area:
Our Master and master bath:
The Kids's Master:
0ur guest room and bath:
Jenn TheCaLLisComingFromInsideTheHouse
6 years agomojomom thanked Jenn TheCaLLisComingFromInsideTheHousemojomom
6 years agoRan out of room and need to add guest bath and a few random pics
DD's closet!
And Jim Morrison has been with her since college:
Sorry so many photos, just wanted to share our joy!
mojomom
6 years agoThanks, all.
Lindsy, DD ordered it from esalerugs. I found the screen shot I took of the rug on the website before she ordered it. Ironically, when she was shopping for a rug, we were both looking online and before I could send her this screenshot she had already found the same rug. Quality is very nice and esale rugs gets good reviews over on the home decorating forum.
Lindsy
6 years ago
cpartist