House Plans related articles from The Plan Collection

User Tips and Info

2008-05-12T18:48:31Z

We at The Plan Collection just wanted to say thanks for your visits, your interaction with us, and your business. We whole-heartedly appreciate the opportunity to dream with you as we search for the perfect house plans. Its been our privilege to hear many stories, needs, wishes, and realities that have not only helped us understand the human nature of a home, but have strengthened our passion for home design.

A lot of exciting things have been happening at The Plan Collection. In September we loaded up our new and improved website. Weve been adding and honing the best features out there and think youll find them of particular interest.

Search:

Searching has never been so easy. Our quick search, featured on our home page, is a great way to get started, and is where you can search by plan numbers. Below is where you can browse by style. Looking for a front covered or wrap-around porch? Then County House Plans and Farmhouse Plans are the right places to look. Our Advanced Search offers more search options than ever before, including homes with mother-in-law suites and even purchase options (CAD file anyone?).

Navigation:

Take a look at our sleek and easy tab buttons at the top of all of our pages. This will get you to where you want to go fast. Once you get to a specific plan detail page, you get more tabs that reveal more information! Convenience and ease are important for all of us. Who really has time to search for little tiny links? Once you found your house plans, you can save them to your account, view bigger images, ask a question, start a customization inquiry, and learn how to estimate the cost to build. You can even start all over or visit our Forum for the latest chit chat.

Articles:

Building a home is a big project! There are a lot of things to know and even more things to look out for. Our articles are a great resource. We not only feature great plans, but we discuss good design, green design, plan submittal and approval issues, and other important and timely topics of interest. New categories include technology, business, and green building.

Social Interaction:

The Internet is increasingly a social outlet for a growing number of people. Its a great way to connect with far away family and friends, a great networking tool, and a great way to let us know when youve found something truly amazing. Use our forum to discuss questions or ideas about any of our house plans. Use the icons for social networks like del.icio.us, dig it, and more to show a plan to your friends and family. Share the dream!

Green, Stylish, and Functional House Plans

2008-04-29T22:33:26Z

I get to talk about cool house plans all day long (eat your heart out George Gray), so I'm pretty excited when one comes a long that hits all my favorite features. The 1978 is just one such house.

Favorite Feature #1: Big Green

The 1978 has the potential to be a pretty awesome green home design. The designer definitely had this in mind when he started this project. From his site: "Being earth-friendly can be fun, and can save you a lot of money, Buy [house plans] that [use] natural lighting, and maximizes your view of the outdoor world." Natural lighting is proven to reduce stress. It's also proven to save on electricity bills and, if done right, heating and cooling bills. Passive solar design is by far the most effective and efficient way to use the sun's energy.

Passive solar refers to a house with southern facing windows (north hemisphere) to let in the rays. This not only lights your home, but heats it as well. You may be asking, "Why would I want to heat my house all year long? I might save in the winter, but spend twice as much cooling the place in the summer." Well the trick is to adjust your eaves to block out the high sun in the summer and let the low sun come through in the winter. Deciduous trees planted in the right place can also facilitate this. Proper eave adjustments on the 1978, while facing all those big beautiful windows south, would accomplish a nicely designed passive solar house. Talk to your local builder, and perhaps an engineer or architect, about passive solar details for your location.

Other green features include all that flat roof space, which is perfect for additional vegetation. Green roofs require special engineering, but dramatically increase your roofs r-value (insulation) and provide another great location to enjoy the outdoors. Simple changes could be made to attach the master suites private deck to the garage roof top. Stairs could even be put in to reach the top of the roof. Your engineer can do this as he/she is setting it up for plant life. The pool (though it would not actually show up in the plans) is another green opportunity given its great location. It will cool the summer breezes as they pass over it and into the house. Legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright used this technique at "Taliesin West". This would facilitate natural ventilation in the summer and continue to reduce utility costs and energy demand. I could go on, but suffice it to say that the 1978 is set up for some easy green optimization.

Favorite Feature #2: Retro-Modern

Funky and fresh, the 1978 has all the clean lines and box shapes one could wish for, but with enough juxtaposition to keep it interesting. My favorite? The grid-like nature of the home against the rough-cut and wild nature of the rock. Oh yeah. Wanna know what else? That sleek garage. The one that anchors the lot, providing balance and flow instead of taking up the whole place. Yeah, that's the one. Sleek, modern buildings started around the 1920's and by '78, they were pros. This piece is timeless, bold, and just really cool.

Favorite Feature #3: Function

Let's get serious here. A house can be flashy and neat, and bask in the sun rays all it wants, but if it doesnt work then it's useless. What does it mean for a plan to work? It means it fits your lifestyle, both private and public, and allows you the stability and flexibility you want from your home, your respite. The open kitchen/dining/living area is perfect for both formal and informal gatherings including both lazy Saturday mornings and chic Friday night parties. The secluded bedrooms offer privacy. Keeping one on the main floor gives the option to house guests without showing them your private sector. The house is effectively set up in zones to give order and stability, but kept open and lofty for flexibility and multi-purpose. Isn't that what we demand of our homes every day? That's a pretty tall order for something a little more boring and a little more regular. The 1978 was born for this (or will be born when you build it).

Favorite #4: Package Deal

Every now and then I have to sit in long business meetings where we talk about productivity and optimization, etc. Im good at paying attention (most of the time) but the majority of what we talk about is what we already know, a lot of which is intuitive by now. However, there is an awesome principle that applies to great architecture, as well as many facets of life, and that is synergy. Synergy is the idea that the result is greater than the sum of its parts. In architecture, as in the 1978, that means that when you add up Big Green, and Retro-Modern, and Function, and interweave them the way this designer has done, then the package deal is greater than simply summing up the benefits. Having a sleek, functional, and green home all together is like having your cake and eating it too. Cake is good, and eating is good, but eating cake is another thing all together. Remember that as you search through our vast and expansive collection of house plans. Switch sleek with whatever you want (i.e. traditional, craftsman, southern, prairie, etc) and the equation is the same.

New from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

2008-04-24T20:22:27Z

Allow me to introduce you to one of The Plan Collection's newest house plans, M-4455 extreme. Unlike most of our new additions, this home is already famous. M-4455 extreme was built and featured on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition".

For those of you who are unfamiliar with "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition", it is ABCs Emmy Award-winning reality TV series that brings entire communities together in service to provide a deserving family with a new home and a new chance at life. Since early 2004, the Extreme Makeover Team (led by Trading Spaces' Ty Pennington) has been traveling the country in search of families that are in serious need of a new home. The family is then given a week-long, all-expense-paid vacation, meanwhile, the Extreme Makeover Team joins with volunteers from the community to build the new home before the family returns on day 7. (Click Here for more information about Extreme Makeover: Home Edition).

The Miller family, from Cheyenne, Wyoming, has dedicated a lot of time and effort into rescuing animals. They purchased a home on a 20-acre lot, thinking that it would be perfect for their animal rescue efforts. Unfortunately, the Millers' children soon began to get sick. They had the house tested and found that it had high levels of toxic radon gas. So, after a spectacular demolitions display, the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Team started working on the Miller family's dream home, a.k.a. M-4455 extreme.

M-4455 extreme is a 4455 square foot Prairie-style home plan that provides both character and comfort. It features everything that a growing family would need, including a two story great room, a large main level master suite, and two upstairs bedrooms. But it also features two bonus areas that are as adaptable as your imagination. Because of the Miller family's animal rescue work, this home includes a huge 29' x 19'10" area especially for dogs and a slightly smaller room for the cats. These rooms could easily be used as office space, an in-law suite, a play room, an exercise room, a library, a home theater, a media center, etc. While you're viewing M-4455 extreme, why not check out more great house plans from the same designer?!

Structural Review - Engineers and Architects Stamps

2008-04-16T21:04:53Z

We want to revisit a topic that we covered quite a while ago. We continuously get questions regarding architects and engineers stamps, or structural review. Our very own Jake England wrote the following quite some time ago, and it still holds true today:

What is structural engineering?

Structural engineering is the analysis of home plans or a building's proposed structure [or even existing at times] to verify that the framing members and the method of construction is sufficient to withstand local weather patterns, soil types, earth movements, wind speeds, and so on. For example, the areas where homes receive significant amounts of snow in the winter will require a roof structure strong enough to hold the weight, while homes in areas that receive no snow, will not need that much support. Parts of the country that get high wind speeds, or are prone to hurricanes or tornadoes, will likely have different construction requirements than areas that do not have these types of issues. Another situation that would require structural engineering is a home that is built on a steep incline that may be prone to mud slides, more than normal run-off, etc. Engineering is a professional service performed by qualified individuals who stay abreast of current trends, codes and regulations to assure that homes and other structures are built with structural integrity and sufficient for local conditions.

Is an Engineering Review the same as an Architects Seal or Stamp?

No, these are two separate services. Both professionals have a stamp or seal that they issue on reviewed or designed plans. An architects stamp provides verification that the project was designed by a licensed architect, but it does not include engineering. These stamps are more common in commercial construction as cities will require design by a licensed architect and engineering by an engineer. As a result, commercial plans would include the stamp or seal from both professionals. In residential construction most cities do not require a licensed architect to design the plans – however, they may require a licensed architect to review the plans, or an analysis by a structural engineer.

Why is my city requiring an engineer or architects stamp on my house plans?

In recent years I have noticed that engineering is becoming a requirement by more and more cities than it used to be. Cities are concerned that your home will be built sufficiently strong to support local conditions (soil, weather, etc). Naturally they want the neighborhood to be a safe place to live and filled with quality structures to maintain the neighborhood integrity. Engineering may not be required by your local municipality. After purchasing your plans – and if your city requires it – you can take them to a local engineer who will make any necessary drawings or adjustments to the home plan to assure that it meets the requirements of the city. Structural engineering is not included in your stock house plans purchase because it is a site specific service and needs to be done by a local professional who understands your area.

The cost of engineering will vary across the country. I would call your local home builders association for referrals and get prices from a few before deciding on which company to use. Or, if you are working with a Home Builder, ask him/her who he/she recommends.

A True Craftsman

2008-04-04T21:14:22Z

Home design has long been plagued by home budgets. Sky rocketing costs have pushed us to build track homes and other poorly designed homes to keep the cost low and the profit high. The damages this has caused are various and are topics of more in-depth discussions. Suffice it to say that theyve created a cost driven society that ignores quality in areas like proper indoor flow, aesthetic detail, materials, environmental safety, health, etc. Home designers arent to blame for this, and neither are builders. Society evolved this way and its a problem in more than just homes. Lets look at a home that strives for something beyond quick construction, low cost, and mediocre design.

The Corbin Park, from one of our newest home designers, is a beautiful Craftsman with a thoughtful design. The floor plan flows well, has both formal and informal rooms, and uses all available space. The garage is hidden and allows the charming front porch with iconic tapered columns, the detailed shingle and masonry work with Frank Lloyd Wright/Falling Water style rock, and nostalgic clapboard siding to gently invite your guests and intrigue the passer-by.

Key features that make this house work so well are apparent in the floor plan. The upper floor is reserved for bedrooms, giving maximum privacy and main floor cleanliness. Of particular importance is the existence of storage space. The closet under the stairs offers quick access storage, while the bonus room could provide organized storage for the whole house. The den also relates to this as it can keep paper work and mail organized as an office. The home doesnt leave much dead space, and builds up rather than out to alleviate cost per sq. foot.

This lovely home design has answers that counter-act the misfortune of the quality=cost equation, and the ensuing poor quality. A little history will help us understand this better. The term Craftsman comes from a magazine started by American Gustav Stickley in 1901, a follower of the British borne Arts and Crafts movement. Its important to note that the Arts and Crafts, or Craftsman, movement was against mass production and a fear of its common side effect: low quality goods and cheap assembly. The Corbin Park is a true Craftsman house plan and offers real design value and real estate worth. The elements of this particular plan call for a higher plane of construction, all while remaining fairly square and tall to save money. From the designers website:

"Our pledge to you is that our [plans] are clear, easy to read, easy to understand and are drawn with a nod to construction industry dimension modules, which reduces cutting and waste. Nothing hurts a builder more than taking a large pile of unneeded debris to the dump and throwing away that money. Our designs are both beautiful and efficient, designed not only for the pride of the homeowner, but for the builders' bottom line."

Quality and cost can work together. I decided to write about this not only to show you a beautiful home, but to discuss real worth. I hope it helps you as you search through our plans and create your home budget.

There are home plans out there that use selective design principles based on creating a better lifestyle. These plans use aesthetics, space planning or flow, and good building techniques to create an easier build, and a smart floor plan. I always tell people to build smart, not big. What I mean is that a well-designed house plan that is smaller will feel and act bigger than a big home. If youre worried about your budget, for example, find a smaller home that has all the rooms you need, multi-function capabilities, storage, and size where it needs to be. You can then afford to spend more on materials and finishes that really make a space. If you love the spaces youre in, you stop being concerned with size. Guests will pay attention to the details and the beauty of it all. Youll be complimented by everyone who stops by.

Look for some upcoming articles on which rooms are most important and why. Well talk about the hierarchy of rooms and sizes, and how to make the most of the limited space you have. For now, pay attention to smaller homes. See what they have to offer. Pick the kind of house you want, or the grade of house, and finish materials, then find the plan that will accommodate that and your budget. Look into ecologically friendly materials and systems that will optimize the performance of your house. Spend your money on real quality, not just on big. Bigger isnt better, its just bigger. A great resource is greenandsave.com. Youll find a wealth of information there. Feel free to contact us with any questions or ideas and well be happy to discuss it. Click here for one more look at the Corbin Park. Good hunting.

A Beautiful Southern Belle

2008-04-02T19:02:33Z

Southern house plans wouldn't be southern if they didn't display the generous hospitality known for the region. House plan number SU-5669-2538-1607-I has a long name and a longer list of outstanding features. Without question, this southern belle has a sense of hospitality to the owner and visitors alike.

The stunning and refined look of the exterior is easy on the eyes and very inviting. The style gives an Italian villa on a horse ranch kind of feel. Upon entering, you are greeted with a large two story foyer with formal rooms at either side. The great room is beyond and is open to the large kitchen. A guest room with a private full bathroom ensures that friends and family are welcome.

The main floor also enjoys one more feature that is uncommon to most houses even twice this size; a full, attached guest house. This addition is perfect as an in-law suite, a rental, twenty-somethings, and frequent guests. While guest houses are nothing new, many building codes restrict them as they're often a second building. With this one integrated into the house, such regulations should not apply.

The upper floor houses five more bedrooms, including the master suite. Additional niceties include a rather large utility room, and a recreation room perfect for the little ones or a home theater. The luxurious master suite enjoys a fireplace, a private covered porch, and a large master bath and closet. The bathroom has direct access to the laundry room to save time and effort.

This unique member of our Southern house plans offers a rare luxury with its combination of fantastic features. You and your guests will feel at home in this beautiful southern belle.

Luxurious Craftsman on the Beach

2008-03-21T20:49:23Z

DDI103-206, one of our best Craftsman house plans, is truly something to behold. After just one look, you can see that a lot of time and effort was involved in designing this charming set of house plans. This home designer was able to incorporate so many unique and exciting features, and at the same time, avoided the pitfalls that are often associated with luxury home design.

Oftentimes, a luxury home will offer every amenity, but it just feels forced or rushed - like the designer was trying too hard and included features that just don't fit. Although they are designed specifically for comfort, luxury plans often lack that indefinable quality that makes a house a home. This is where DDI103-206 breaks away from the mold.

This luxurious home plan offers many large windows (perfectly located) to fill each room with wholesome sunlight. The windows, along with numerous decks, porches, and patios, make sure that fresh air and nature are right at your fingertips. This also serves to give the entire home a sense of spaciousness. Just take a moment to look at the master bedroom. Here you have his/her walk-in closets, a large master bath with dual sinks and a large corner tub, a private deck, a fireplace and a personal study. This entire home is full of little comforts and big character. You should check it out!

Ranch House Plans = Affordable Style

2008-03-04T22:51:54Z

Most of the time, when we feature a house plan on The Plan Collection, we usually choose the biggest, the best, and the most impressive set of home plans that we can find.

I have to admit, it is really fun to look at (and fantasize about) 8000+ square foot luxury homes, top-of-the-line log homes, and cutting-edge passive solar houseplans, but for most of us it just isn't practical. That is why I am featuring one of our Ranch House Plans number GAR-74007.

This classy Ranch Home provides a lot of comfort and style, but won't empty your pocket-book. GAR-74007 is very attuned to the needs of today's family. There is a large bonus room above the garage that would make a great playroom for the kids, but it could be used as an office or a studio just as easily. The master bedroom, with its vaulted ceiling, private bathroom, and walk-in closet is a great place to relax and spend some quiet time. One of the greatest characteristics of this beautiful little Rancher is the way the designer has used its space. The great room is a wonderful example of wise home design and floorplan layout. It is already rather large, but the vaulted ceiling, the picturesque windows, and the fact that you can see over the cupboards into the kitchen seem to make the great room even more open and spacious.

So if you're like me financially, and you want a quality house plan that will cater to your needs, Check out GAR-74007 and our entire collection of affordable Ranch House Plans!

Modern Prairie House Plans

2008-02-27T22:04:45Z

Once in a while, we get to be surprised as we find a new house plan we havent seen before, and its awesome. This time its plan number CD-R5300A3F-0DB, a mouthful. Though the name may be hard to remember, the design is not. This unassuming Prairie home opens up to an immaculate interior that features excellent line and a slightly retro-modern floor plan.

The Prairie exterior is an elusive façade that does not portray the depth of the interior. Passing through the front door, youre met with and elegantly informal floor plan, with a large kitchen to the left, the great room beyond, and the dining room ahead and to the right. The gallery is the centerpiece to this design, giving curvature of line and creating a barrier between the public and the private. The main floor is surrounded at the rear by plenty of deck space for additional entertaining grounds, and a lovely view. The master suite enjoys its own private deck, as well as a large bath and closet.

The lower floor houses three more bedrooms, a den, rec room, media room, and a large shop under the garage. Thoughtful layout makes this space an amazing extension of the floor above. Open to the rear, this walk-out basement enjoys plenty of light and a world of amenities. The theater/media room, as well as the enormous shop, add value that youll enjoy while living there, and when you sale. The rec room and den are no different, and the patio and deck space is icing on the cake.

Craftsman Bungalow House Plans

2008-02-20T00:08:50Z

There has been a lot of buzz lately about craftsman and bungalow house plans, so we’re ready to show you what they’re talking about. Craftsman home DD-3608 is a good way to start.

Craftsman home plans start with an old world charm and quality that honor the artisans that brought them to us. This architecture cut out all the fluff of the Victorian era and gave the average citizen something they could appreciate: craftsmanship. This rudimentary design offers a close up on the raw beauty of the material. Stone and wood combine to create a natural art piece, something that doesn’t need to be polished and kept on a shelf. The charm that comes from our craftsman house plans is that blue collar quality, that humble elegance that can only be seen when we clear away all the extras.

This particular design conforms to contemporary lifestyle. The open main rooms give a healthy environment to your entertaining, and offer the flexibility of multipurpose capabilities. The size of the house is also a strong point for many reasons. It’s big enough to live in, but small enough to afford. The smart design makes it feel bigger than it really is, and the smaller footprint means more nature to enjoy. DD-3608 is an affordable, efficient, and charming home for you and your family.

Garage House Plans and Apartments

2008-02-12T18:46:44Z

I want to let out one of our best kept secrets. We have a unique collection of versatile home plans, and that is our garage house plans. These come in two different groups: simple garages of all sizes and garages with apartments above them. Each offer a powerful set of options to your lifestyle that make storage, play, housing guests, nurturing children, and making money easy!

Storage is a problem with a lot of smaller homes and with the cost to build only rising; it can be difficult to justify moving to a larger home. Another garage is often the answer. If you have the land and a permit, a second garage can be the bonus space youve been looking for. These structures are perfect for a secure shop or barn.

Play time is another problem with most house plans. How can we create space to play in and still keep our house looking nice? Our garage plans offer a specific location for play of all kinds. Whether it be music, basketball, tennis, swimming, or even a place just for kids, garage plans are versatile enough to house it all.

Another great virtue of our garage house plans collection is that many of them have apartments above. This apartment can be a life saver in several common situations. Many of our clients are in search of a mother-in-law suite. There is no easier solution than giving them a house of their own. If mom and dad dont mind stairs, then it works perfectly. If they dont want them, then a regular garage plan is a great place to let them design their own single story get-a-way. Even more of our clients are looking for a quest suite to house their family and friends. A whole apartment would be luxurious accommodations. Others have teenagers in high school and college. This would be a great staging point to help them learn to survive on their own.

If all else fails and nobody uses your garage and/or apartment, then all you need to do is put up the rent sign and wait for a good tenant. Rental income would not only pay for the building, but could generate a little extra income for the piggy bank. When its time to sale and move on, the extra space will separate your property from the competition and your investment could pay high dividends.

Garage house plans are an outstanding answer to many problems homeowners face today. The collection includes guest houses, barns, home offices, garages both large and small, apartments, workspace, and storage. The beautiful part about it is that any garage can be considered unfinished bonus space, which means the possibilities are endless. All you need to do is talk to your builder about how you can dress it up to match your main house. But dont worry about that thats the easy part.

Luxury Log House Plans

2008-01-30T21:52:56Z

Looking at a home in all of its contexts is an important step in choosing a particular design. In fact, it makes the home plans, or the house plans, or whatever your preferred phrase may be, just that much more important. The plans must have the context of the home inherent in the design. So what are the contexts; what do we look for in a home? To be fair, we must note that the answer is different for everyone. It depends on your last home, and what it lacked or didn’t lack. It depends on how much you have to spend… well, usually anyway. Too often we think of house plans in terms of how many square feet, how many bedrooms, how many bathrooms, etc. Instead we need to think about the indoor environment

Looking at the environment, or the ambiance, of your home is an important first step in understanding its ability to satisfy your needs. Will a quick built track home really be the refuge you’ve always wanted? Will it really provide a safe haven for you and your family? Will it feel like an escape or a prison? These are all key notes in a harmony of good design and happy homeownership. Homes of any architectural style can be the house you need to create your own personal piece of heaven. We’d like to show you an outstanding example of this. Enter one of our most serene log house plans, number NDGJB-1041.

The exterior structure shows off what you would expect from the interior. The attached, yet separated garage keeps noise down and minimizes negative indoor air quality effects. A wrap-around porch and gazebo gives a staging point between the indoor and outdoor worlds. Large and many windows extend that bridge into the living areas for plenty of sunlight and possible solar gain. The interior is an open and bright space that’s perfect for Friday evening entertainment and lazy Saturday mornings. The warmth of the logs offers a cozy feel in a large house. The bedrooms each enjoy a bathroom and are kept private from the main house. This beautiful home gives stunning architecture, large interior spaces, the cozy warmth of a log home, and private bedrooms for an escape from the rest of the world.

Make your environment suit your needs. For most of us, that means a peaceful yet lively home designed to give you and your family an exciting get-a-way. Architecture isn’t meant simply to shelter. It’s meant to awake your senses and calm them at the same time, to leave you and your guests in awe every time you step in the front door. All homes can be built with regard to the natural environment, too. Ask your builder about green building techniques and let that enhance your home experience.

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House Plans from the Northwest

2008-01-23T21:07:31Z

Working at The Plan Collection means you’re constantly exposed to amazing house plans and the best residential architecture. However, sometimes it feels boring to look at plan after plan of the same thing. You've all been there. I know how many hours you spend searching for just the right house plan. It’s a tiring process. Well we're here to help ease the pain. As part of our ongoing campaign to bring you unique and quality designs, we've chosen to feature a beautiful design from the Northwest called the Macleod.

One of our best rustic home plans, the Macleod is a collision of classy elegance and rough purity. The exterior is very much a European design with a mixed roof, multi-dimensional shape, large windows, and slight arches. However, the stone and shingle cladding tone down the fluff with the grit of raw nature. The interior is also quite eclectic. Upon entrance, a grand staircase rises in the foyer. Traditional rooms such as the den, living, and dining rooms surround the guest. But once the foyer is passed and the formalities are out of the way, the floor plan opens up to a more relaxed atmosphere. This gives a place for stunning rustic centerpieces like a stone fireplace or an immaculate kitchen island. Such a blend of great tastes truly creates a welcome for all.

What good is a nice family room if you haven’t a place to rest your head? The Macleod features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two half bathrooms. The master suite is secluded to the rear and enjoys two large walk-in closets and an accommodating master bath. The upper floor bedrooms are also private with immediate access to a bathroom. The guest suite offers a private bath, walk-in closet, and balcony for your guest’s enjoyment. Storage rooms, pantries, and other miscellaneous and necessary space finishes off the design.

The Macleod is an interesting harmony of two seemingly opposite styles from one of our best northwestern designers. Check out some other house plans by this designer. Take a look at our collection of luxury home plans of all kinds. Contact us if you have questions or let us know what you think about our website, the designs, or this aricle.

Country House Plans Newest

2007-12-19T17:08:00Z

Every now and then we add a few home plans to our Country House Plans line that I just have to write about. This time it’s the CR-534 series, consisting of versions A and B. The larger of the two is version A at 3,354 square feet. Version B comes in at 2,698 square feet. The difference between the two is fairly minimal, but opens up some more possibilities with modifications.

This amazing design features a wrap around, covered porch and plenty of windows for great curb appeal. This also provides a connection with the outdoors, giving both sunlight and shade, and a transition from one environment to the next. Upon entrance, guests are greeted with a nice foyer flanked by a living room/office and a dining room. This formal barrier offers flexibility and a cozy spot for entertaining. Beyond, the floor plan opens up to a long and large gathering room, with the family room to the right, and the big kitchen on the left. This arrangement gives a wide array of options and is an extremely comfortable space for family. Version A enjoys a sunroom between the garage and kitchen. Version B is a bit smaller all around.

The upper floor is reserved for the bedrooms. This is a very private arrangement, and is much less expensive than spreading out your building. Both versions offer four bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, and a separated bonus room above the garage. B maintains a compact upper floor space while still providing the master bedroom with a fairly spacious walk-in closet and bathroom. A is quite a bit bigger all around with larger bathrooms, closets, and a sitting room for the master suite. Either version is accommodating, and uses the space efficiently.

As an added bonus, CR-534 can be quite easy to modify. Modifications are a common request and can often be a bit expensive. CR-534 is set up for simple changes in a few simple ways:

First, the second floor maintains the basic square shape of the main structure. This is important because you can shrink the largest and widest part of the home to reduce sq. footage, or just to fit it on your lot. Both the family room and kitchen wings can come in without affecting the floor above.
Second, the formal rooms are often considered excessive space. Many people don’t use formal living or dining rooms. However, their presence means options. The living room is a great spot for an office, library, guest, or hobby room. The dining room could be converted just as easily.
Third, the sitting room in the master suite of version A is extra space that many people are willing to do without. However, another bathroom upstairs would be very useful. The walk-in closet could be moved to the sitting area, and a bathroom could fit in there easily, just as it does with version B.

These modifications are all quite simple and do not alter the entire structure of the home. They also happen to be some of the most common concerns our clients have. Versatility was obviously an important part of the design process for this set of house plans.

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Luxury House Plans' Newest

2007-12-05T19:32:00Z

One of our most decorated luxury home designers has just released a new plan. Their work ranges from house plans like the Pontarion II, the Chateau Novella, and the Caserta. Designing luxury house plans requires a honed sense of style, a heightened sense of taste, and an acute attention to detail. Their dedication to the pursuit of these qualities has led them to create the Cheverny.

In an elegant display of classic architecture, house plan Cheverny is a graceful environment. The stone exterior, arched windows and entry, steeply hipped roof, and gothic spires speak of a chivalrous age long ago. Though nostalgic, these house plans offer the best accommodations for modern amenities and, with the help of a green savvy designer or builder can be a sophisticated compliment to the environment.

Take a closer look at our luxury home plans feature, the Cheverny. To see our entire luxury house plans collection click here. We love to hear your feedback. What do you think about these large estates? Please direct your comments and questions to our forum by following the link below.

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Country House Plans: Everywhere and Anywhere

2007-11-28T18:18:00Z

It’s not always easy to find a plan that will fit just about anywhere. Some house plans are built for a view, and hard to justify anywhere but on top of a hill. Others are far too spread out and would only do on a large building lot not common in urban areas. Still others are far too urban, with small garages, and narrow footprints. Style is another issue that limits home plans, meaning that if you love the plan, but it’s so very Victorian, and your neighborhood is quite Contemporary, then you’re forced to keep looking. I’ve said it before; versatility should not be an afterthought.

Our country house plans feature many plans that are right sized, with plenty of privacy, yet open to the outdoors where appropriate. These plans can go anywhere and can fit in any neighborhood. Homeplan DD-2663 is a shining example.

When versatility is an issue, the plan must be thoroughly flexible, inside and out. The outer qualities of DD-2663 lie within its size and style. At only 68 feet wide and 64 feet deep, the plan is not excessively spread out, allowing you to build it where you want it. It is also a blend of three different and common styles: country, craftsman, and contemporary. At first glance, this plan is definitely country, with a covered front porch, stone accents, and large windows. However, the low pitched roof and wide tapered columns show strong craftsman influences. To blend it all together, the façade is generally uncomplicated, with clean lines, and simple décor; all contemporary keynotes. The combination of size and style are like a ticket to belong in any town, and to look good doing it.

The interior is hardly second to the nice curb appeal. The foyer is large enough to provide a real entrance. A formal parlor offers a good spot for quick visits and a chance to hide a possibly messy house. The stairs to the left are slightly dramatic and give a grand feel to the space. Beyond is the great room defined by columns and half-walls, closed in enough to feel like a room, but open enough to feel engaged with the nearby kitchen and dining room. The large country kitchen has an eating nook and plenty of workspace and storage. The dining room is tucked away for a sense of friendly formality. The master suite and bedrooms are all appropriate for their uses and quite accommodating. To top it all off is a bonus sitting area upstairs. Great for games of any kind and all movies, this useful space is perfect for escaping a party, or entertaining a few friends.

Country house plans in general are great for family and friends. DD-2663 is no exception. With good size, great style, and effective space planning, you’ll never grow tired of this dream home. Let us know what you think! Discuss or rate this plan and any others by following the comment link below.

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Log House Plans Step by Step

2007-11-14T22:59:00Z

Log Houses are generally sought after for their rustic appeal. The exposed raw material blends in with nature’s landscape and gives a feeling of being one with your surroundings. The great outdoors are the main inspiration for the overall design of all log home plans.

To truly capture the connection between nature and your log home, you’re plan will need a few key features. Log house plan NDGJB-1016 has everything you need to create your indoor/outdoor natural environment. The designers followed this simple recipe:

Step 1: Transition

Your land is a valuable asset and should be enjoyed by your family and friends. To take full advantage or your very own outdoor home, create a transition between your house and your lot. A covered wrap-around porch is the perfect example of this. Patios are great as well, and plenty of windows help.

Step 2: Natural Light

The sun is the most abundant resource we have, and it’s the best way to light your home. Take advantage of sunny opportunity with large windows. Wrap-around porches are nice, but they create a lot of shade. Place windows above these porches to distribute light throughout the house. Dormers are great for this. Skylights are a big advantage, too, and should be used whenever convenient.

Step 3: Friendly Open Spaces

A tight floor plan makes you feel like you’re inside without escape. An open area lets you be indoors without feeling closed in. High ceilings help accomplish this effect. Make your kitchen a centerpiece with beautiful design and plenty of storage. The chef likes to take part of the action, so why close him/her off? The open plan lets people be together, improves air circulation, and creates a friendly atmosphere.

Step 4: Enjoy

NDGJB-1016, like many of our log house plans and cabins, is large and roomy enough for year-long enjoyment. The big open rooms allow a social ambiance that extends beyond the walls to exterior porches and patios. An upper loft even makes room for an escape from the hustle and bustle, and a good place to chaperone a party. Take out the party and you’ve got a peaceful coalition with your outdoor surroundings.

Log home plans are a unique integration with nature. Check out NDGJB-1016 and others in our collection of log house plans and log cabins. Let us know what you find, what you can’t find, and what your dream log cabin home plan would be.

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Country Erwin - home plans for life experiences

2007-11-05T23:38:00Z

There are few names more country than Erwin, and few house plans with a more fitting name. The wide wooden siding, Farmhouse shape, and Shingle Victorian accents make this home a relaxed and accommodating haven. The inviting covered front porch offers shade and a refreshing breeze on hot summer days, and a warm and dry barrier on cold winter nights.

Step inside to a comforting fireplace in an open family room. This friendly ambiance is welcoming to any guest. The room is large enough for a crowd, while maintaining its cozy nature. Beyond are the kitchen and dining nook where dinner parties and bright mornings are spent. Your family and friends will enjoy this space and the sociably conducive atmosphere it provides.

The upper floor gives every bedroom its due privacy. The two secondary bedrooms each enjoy plenty of closet space and share a bathroom. The master suite boasts a sitting room with cathedral ceilings, a walk-in closet, and a private bathroom. With all the personals out of the way, the main house can remain uncluttered and ready for any visitors that may surprise you.

Erwin is one of our best country home plans. The charming exterior and the warm interior give a full country experience to you and your guests. However, the home’s real strengths lie in its space efficiency and its simplicity of design. This plan will house an average family in complete comfort, and can be added onto or modified fairly easily. This kind of versatility is a unique and valuable asset.

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Angelina - a goddess of luxury house plans

2007-10-30T17:39:00Z

Let me introduce you to Angelina. Don’t let her stunning façade fool you. She’s as smart as she is beautiful, and surprisingly warm and inviting. Who said Luxury isn’t friendly? Angelina can host relaxed dinner parties and other social gatherings with elegance, but without being stone cold. Ever been in a luxury house that you couldn’t feel comfortable in? Angelina shatters that perception with an open floor plan that brings guests and family together.

Once you get past the striking curb appeal, the balance of the home really starts to shine. The interior matches the rustic beauty of the exterior. Upon entry, you stand in a two story foyer that is defined by the upper floor bridge. Passing beneath the bridge brings you into the great room, the center of this masterpiece. In this area, you’ll find the dining room, the breakfast nook, and the kitchen all together, encouraging a friendly atmosphere and an easy elegance brought on by the warm surroundings.

There are a few keynotes that make this possible. First, all the bedrooms, except an accommodating guest suite, are upstairs. This gives privacy to those who want it, and helps keep the main area clean and tidy. Second, the recreation is provided for downstairs. This leaves the main floor available for food and socializing, while ruckus and rough housing, even loud movies, can all take place in an appropriate location (don’t worry, they’ve got a bar too). It also allows multiple members of the family to entertain multiple unrelated guests at the same time.

Many of our luxury house plans have adapted to this new age demand. Though we have plenty of traditional mansions available as well, the dominant age of formal waiting rooms that isolate the family from their guests is over. More and more families are spending the majority of their time in the kitchen, and bringing their guests with them. Angelina, and other luxury plans like her, is accommodating this demand in a tasteful and inviting manner that is just as graceful as her predecessors.

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Cozy Log House Plans

2007-10-24T22:42:00Z

Log house plans can be used to live in all year long, or for a great vacation spot. At The Plan Collection, we have a variety of both small vacation lodges, and large log homes that you’ve always dreamt of.

NDGJB-1027 is a beautiful example of something right in between. With three bedrooms, each with plenty of closet space, and two full bathrooms, this plan is fully capable of year long residency. However, with a small footprint facilitated by open design and few cumbersome extras, this set of log home plans is inexpensive enough to be a perfect get-a-way in your favorite resort town.

1027 is one of my favorite log house plans for several reasons. One of the best features about this set of plans is the wrap around front porch. With a section left uncovered, you can choose to stay in the shade or relax in the sun. The large full masonry fireplace is a great architectural statement and a beautiful anchor to the home.

Another great feature is the open great room area, with adjoining kitchen and dining room. This space is perfect for sharing light throughout the house and creating a bright locale for entertainment. Though the main rooms are open to each other, the designer has done an excellent job in giving privacy to each bedroom.

Perhaps my favorite feature of all is the master suite loft. The upper floor houses the master suite with walk in closet and private bathroom. There is also an open loft that can serve as an extension of the master suite or can allow others to enjoy the elevated space.

To see this and other great Log Home Plans, Log Cabins, and beautiful Vacation Homes, check out our different home plan styles and their respective libraries. Need more information? Call or email us about your questions and we’ll be happy to help.

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