Looking for suggestions

On: 5/11/2007
By: Woody
I'm just curious, what plans is everyone looking at?  Which ones are you saving to look at a second time?  I would love to see some suggested house plans from this website.

Re: Looking for suggestions

On: 5/11/2007
By: forpat

WARNING:  This could get long.  I am very picky about house plans and have a lot of ideas.  It's a dangerous subject for me.  I could talk about this stuff for hours.

As far as styles are concerned, I tend to go for either Southern/Country/Georgian or classic New England stuff like Cape Cods or Salt Boxes.  Victorians can be very nice as well.  And if the house has a front porch it had better be usable, not some cheap 3 ft deep token that the builder can try to pass it off as an added luxury.

I never really cared much for homes with a master BR on the first floor.  I know it's a big thing these days, but I prefer all BR's on the 2nd floor.  I like the seperation.  I also always look for plans where the downstairs bathroom/powder room is at least partially out of the main living area or not in the front hallway.  I would never want to invite a guest into my home and have them walk directly past the bathroom.  Bad form

These days, pantries are a must.  Also, not necessarily a large home office but at least a desk in the kitchen area, or a small nook for a desk and computer.  Like a command center (I've seen it called that somewhere before).

Laundry room on the second floor.  Why bring the laundry downstairs to wash only to have to bring it back upstairs to put away?  If it can't fit upstairs then a decent sized laundry/mudroom near the entrance to the garage is good.

Garage entries in the back, or at least not taking up the entire front facade.  I want to see the house not a garage door, even if it is camoflaged or made to look exactly like part of the house.

On smaller 2 story homes a second, a back staircase is not very feasible but I always love houses with 2 staircases.  There's just something about them.

Fireplaces.  Wood burning fireplaces.  I know the trend is to go with gas but for my money there is nothing like the sight, smell and sound of a wood burning fire in the winter.

Ample closet/storage space is a must.  Families collect a lot of stuff over the years.  Need a place to put it all.

 A couple of examples of plans I will look at more than once...

DB-5521, 2092, DB-3156, GML-E-363A, 2100

Re: Looking for suggestions

On: 5/14/2007
By: Woody
Those are good plans.  Check this link out.  His plans are on this website are are great country victorian farmhouses.  Here is another link to a set of similar plans.  I love the floor plan you describe.  I tend to like the craftsman northwestern style and prairie style.  I especially like the idea of second floor bedrooms and laundry room, and a secluded powder room/half bathroom.  Nobody wants to let the whole world know that they're using your restroom.  If you want to check out my favorite collection of nothwestern home plans click here.  My favorite prairie style homes are found here.

Re: Looking for suggestions

On: 5/15/2007
By: forpat
Craftsman/northwestern style's aren't too bad, either, although they are nearly non-existent in my neck of the woods (Maryland).  Besides, unless the house is contemporary/modern most floor plans have nothing at all to do with the look or style of the exterior.  At least as far as mass-produced homes are concerned.  A house could have a classic gingerbread exterior with intricate detailing, yet the floor plan is a basic Ryan/Ryland/Centex/other generic builder home. 

Re: Looking for suggestions

On: 5/15/2007
By: Woody
That just goes to show how different styles are so regional.  I'm in northern Utah in a ski town, and we're surrounded by 1920's -1950's bungalows and old craftman houses.  The new craftsman, as I like to call it, is going up all the time.  It's more like what you said with craftsman exteriors but modern interiors.  I love the old homes in my town though.  They're true bungalows and craftmans with interiors that match.  I've been itching to get myself into one, but a lot of them are renter homes and in bad shape now.  We don't have too many southern country styles or georgian/plantation styles.  Once in a while you'll see a modern rendition of one.  It's interesting how local surroundings have such a huge effect on home styles...