Pics

So, just as an exercise...starting at the bottom...I think I’d have designed the apartment so that it is easier to arrange furniture in the living room, where to put the tv, and maybe tried to give the den a window. Even if not big enough to market the den as a bedroom, at least give it some light.

In the other main house bedroom, labeled 4, I notice it is the only bedroom closet that is not bypass sliding doors. Why is that? I have a love-hate relationship with bypass sliding doors. I like that they don’t take up floor space, but I hate that I can’t use the back for storage racks or open the entire closet at once, which is a real pain when replacing a rod and a shelf with an elfa closet system.

Are there ceiling height changes in the basement, due to the main floor level changes?

Main floor, well, I’m not an open floor plan kind of gal, so I can’t comment on the layout except I think I’d have liked the main stairs to be removed from the living area, and land on the same level as the foyer. Of course, that might not have worked with the second floor, so never mind. I really like the way the garage entry leads to both the kitchen and to the foyer with closet between. Very sensible!

Upstairs, I think it makes more sense for the two bedrooms at the front to share a bath, since they are on the same level, but i don’t see a way to make that bath larger. Although, I suppose two could share a small bath, it’s been done. That will make a nice suite, eventually, for a college kid coming home. In the other shared bath, one sink in the vanity, more drawer and countertop storage for the kids. I like the master bath, a just-right size. I’m not a fan of walk-in closets entered from an end, but then I’m a bit claustrophobic, so I might move the door to the bedroom side, maybe even double doors, so it is easier to enter And gets some natural light from the bedroom.

In general, I like that the layout is very reasonable, not much “why the heck is it like that?”

To turn the tables, what would YOU have changed, and what makes you say “I’m so glad we did THIS”?

Great thoughts!

For the suite we’ve now had two tenants and both have used the den as the living room really. They have a dining table in kitchen and small sitting area and that’s it in main area. The living room in suite is probably the only thing I would change because it’s narrow.

The basement has 10 feet ceilings and suite has 12 because of slope.

Bed 4 closet is unique it’s true. It’s a guest room so we never even use it. I didn’t even realize all same but it till now.

The master closet is as you described. We changed the entry a bit to add a linen closet in hallway.

We have three kids. Two are girls and one is a boy. Boy gets the solo bath. Girls share the one in hallway.

My biggest happiness with the house is the main floor leading to deck and yard. I love it.

My biggest sadness was not bucking up for better finishes for the stairs. We should have gone with a better railing and glass set up.

I would also say that if I had to do this all over again I would have built a main floor suite that was wheelchair accessible for my in laws to live in. While we were building my father in law broke both of his hips and he is now wheelchair bound.

Ha ha I knew you would!!!

In our case I’m glad we didn’t though. I feel like we have minimal spots for furniture to be placed as is. My son’s room could have had a second window though. I suppose ours could have had a higher longer one.

i would have flipped your master bath so the door was closer to your master closet and closer to the door to the room

That was in one of the earlier plans actually but the designer changed it when we adjusted something in the girls bathroom. I can’t even remember why it had a trickle down effect now. It is a bit of a hike from closet to bath and vice versa

Too many steps; needs an elevator.

I would have applied for a variance if the neighboring lots were not as steeply sloped.

The whole street is very similar on the side that faces the creek. We met with the city and were told a variance would not be granted.

You could have done a ramp, laterally with a switchback, from foyer to living area! Great for skateboarding and Hot Wheels!

Ha ha yeah no thanks! :)

I'd change the double sinks to single sinks with drawer stacks for storage in the 2 upstairs baths that have them. (The bathrooms def. need more storage.) In the other bathroom I'd change the door swing on the shower so that it doesn't smash against the toilet (seriously, who thought that's a good idea?) I'd change the door swing in the master bath so that it doesn't smash against the window. I'd check the dimensions of the master closet to make sure hanging clothes will fit with that door swing. Add windows to blank walls.

That's as far as I got. That, plus make sure that it's a plan that suits your site and the way you live.

An elevator might have been worth considering, but if I'm reading the plan correctly, you would have 5 access points due to partial levels. I don't know how easy/hard it is to install an elevator with those requirements in a residential setting.

@chispa elevator with this layout and levels would be impossible. They are not common here at all. If our immediate family ends up having some sort of mobility woes we would likely see what could be done or move. This home isn't suitable for a major mobility issue.

@chicagoans The master bath with two sinks has drawers down the middle and works great. The door swings toward the wall in both the boys bath and the master so doesn't hit a toilet. That was likely an error on the drawings. We have two girls sharing the bathroom upstairs and they are in there together often. One sink would never work. Their vanity has a row of drawers which they each have two of. We also have a linen closet in the hallway. Storage is not an issue in the bathrooms at all. Master closet was designed by a closet company and all the clothes hanging and drawers we have work great. The house was custom designed for the site. I would say that that was done beautifully. The indoor/outdoor spaces, open concept main floor leading to outside are exactly how we wanted them to be. :)

Terrific house but it doesn't feel like 14000sqft.

I would have liked a bedroom at the same level as the garage. Especially useful for older or disabled.

No one has elevators here. The wheelchair comment was for my father in law regarding a suite do over. We don’t need an elevator.

The lot is 14000 square feet not the house!

House is 4400 including garage

So glad it's working great for you! I think the drawings are a bit deceptive because the vanities look like they have no room for storage, so good to know those are working as is your WIC.

How nice to have it custom designed for your site!

Yes the vanities in real life are much better than the pics on the plan show!

It just shows that house design is very individual and subjective! Even a plan done by an architect isn't perfect for everyone. That is why I usually try to make my comments by saying "I would do this or that", instead of saying "you have to do this". The worst comment people can make is "no one needs X item"! Not the best way to have a constructive feedback discussion!

Chiapa so true!!!