Sunday, March 27, 2011

Design Bucket List #7 - Build a House From Scratch


Design Bucket List #7: Design, Build and Decorate a House From Scratch.
When I was a kid, I used to draw floor plans for fun. I could sit for hours poring over a book of floor plans that my grandparents had, then attempt to draw my own custom design. I was eight years old!

Not much has changed. I'm still fascinated with architecture and finding the perfect house that would meet our family's needs. I like the floor plan above because the master bedroom is on the first floor, which is perfect as we age and our knees won't let us climb the stairs anymore!

The second story with all the en suite bedrooms is ideal for a large family. The bonus room could be a gym. This house was perfect ten years ago, but now with grown kids coming and going, an aging mother-in-law and mother, I think the ideal house should have a cottage in the back.

A backyard cottage would be perfect should we have to take in Grandma! I really like the simple layout of this studio cottage.

Even though I like the floor plan to this house, perhaps a different façade?

Although it's fun to imagine the perfect layout, I think actually building a house would be very stressful. I'm not so sure I'm up to the challenge anymore. However, I do know what I want and how I would want the interior to look.

A welcoming entry.

A lovely living room with beamed ceilings and large fireplace.

A dining room that would double as a library.

The kitchen would be industrial with a glass doored refrigerator.

The potting shed/mud room would be just off the kitchen.

The basement would have the perfect wine cellar, complete with tasting table and of course, wine!

The bathrooms would be something like this!

There would lots of transitional space like a sunroom or an enclosed porch from which to enjoy the garden.

The garden. There I am, tending the veggies. Wait, where are the chickens?
Where is the little cottage for Grandma?

Perhaps, something quaint like this! Oh, there's no end to the ideas and inspiration.
Thanks for indulging me this Sunday morning with my "build my own house fantasy!"

To read about the original ten items on my "Design Bucket List," click here.

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24 comments:

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

YUUUM! I'd be happy to come visit and stay awhile...why thanks for asking!!

You have "designed" a beauty!

Kathysue said...

May I be your Grandma!! I love your dream home!! Kathysue

vignette design said...

That is so funny Kathysue!

Emily said...

Your dream home looks a lot like mine! I would love to retire to a little cottage with gardens bigger than the house. Looks like you've thought of everything!

Kelley said...

Go For IT Delores! I will copy every last thing you do!

Just kidding...well actully maybe not!

xo kelley

Allison said...

I'm with Kathysue. May I be the other Grandma? Beautiful dream home and gardens!

Gina said...

Hi Delores, Yes go for it! I like your design. We built our new house and it was a great experience. After only 4 months we moved into our new house. We had a great young builder and I was the general contractor.
And, yes we have chickens. Their chicken house is in one corner of our barn and they also have access to a moveable outside run where they can free range and help with taking care of pesky bugs in my vegetable garden

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

Definitely some beautiful homes! Having been a kitchen designer and built many homes, there is no perfect kitchen or home... by the time you put everything you want into it, it's too big! But it's definitely wonderful to dream!

Marian said...

I have always done this, too. Sometimes I think I should have been an architect. The actual construction part is stressful, the plans on paper, pure fantasy. Maybe these days I need a fancy computer program for this? Hmmmm

Dianne said...

Fun to dream with you. However, the house you have is so much more charming. Your entry is better than the one pictured above by a long shot...as are your other rooms. I do like the cottage in the back idea and I will be asking for rates once it is built. Does it include breakfast in bed? :)

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Delores, go for it. We built ours over 15 years ago and did a lot of the work ourselves. We both worked our regular day jobs and then worked on the house at night and on the weekends. I am sure you would sub everything out. The only way we could afford this house was doing most of the work ourselves plus our friend sent his subs over cheaper than normal on the parts we subbed out. It wasn't too stressful. We were worn out by the time we moved in though in six months time.

Sarah said...

Delores, I was the same way as a child, and even took drafting in high school so I could learn to draw plans. I was the only girl in the class. ;-) I don't draw plans anymore, but I've always got a book or magazine close by that offers up inspiration for homes. I like your choices! ~ Sarah

BonjourRomance said...

Bonjour Dolores,
I did the same thing as a young girl - house plans...my friends just thought I was odd. Good to see I a in good company with you and Sarh above. Love the mud room and the cottage sounds perfect.
Enjoy your planning!
Mimi

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Beautiful inspiration photos. If I could design my home and money no object, it would not be that large or elaborate. However, it would have a different layout than what I have now, all on one level and a lot of conveniences and features that I don't have now. Guess I will just keep on dreaming. :-D
have a great week.

Tamra said...

When I was in 8th grade I took Mechanical Engineering. Best class I ever took and my favorite part was the drafting. I loved learning the proper way to draw plans!

Beautiful photos and that soapstone sink and backsplash....to die for!!!

DecRenew Interiors said...

Such lovely images!! Love the stairway on the first photo with the black stair fronts.

Lizabeth said...

Boy can I be your best friend! You sure know how to pick nice stuff! I only got interested in floor plans when we built our 2nd home. The things I thought were perfect then have changed! Our needs and tastes keep evolving- but that's what keeps it interesting!

AT HOME BLOG said...

This is my Dream Home!!! everything is perfect... I have no words!!
Kisses
ETta

Lana said...

I absolutely love the house plan and all of the photos for what the interior would look like! 100% I concur!!!!!
We're in our new villa and have been to Rome and downtown Naples to the opera/castles but I'm most looking forward to the wine tasting tour in Tuscany/Siena this weekend--it's going to be just Tom and me to celebrate my birthday and I'm so psyched! We were going to go to Taurasi (and still might) but this trip seemed amazing!Of course I thought of you when I first saw the pictures of where we'd be going!
Hope you have an awesome week,
Lana

Table Escapes said...

Hi Delores,
Your creative mind is amazing...I LOVE LOVE LOVE this home and everything in it....it never hurts to dream! Sharon

Ispirato Design said...

You would be a dream client for an architect! I found your blog shortly after visiting Healdsburg. I can't wait to get back! I'm passing along the Stylish Blogger Award to you! See my latest post for details.

Anonymous said...

I love your blog! I love the way you dream. Somehow it makes it acceptable to contemplate the improbable!

Diane

A Runner's Mind said...

Hope your hubby is reading your blog so he'll have no doubt what to get you for Christmas....chickens! And if he is really paying attention, he will use burlap wrapping of course!
I am off to read The Polished Pebble's entry "chicken envy"! You are in good company with your love of these cute birds!

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

Stressful or not you need to do this. You have too much talent not too. I was like you as a kid. I was decorating in my head before the age of 4. I know this because my mom said we ( my sister and I) could decorate our new room when I was forced to give mine up to the new baby... I started talking about tearing down walls ect. I think we got new bedspreads...

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