Over the past several months we’ve had a lot of fun thinking about house designs and details.
I’ve tried to work on layouts, but mostly I’m leaving that to Jack.
Because of the size of the lot, a few of things are set.It will be three stories, with the kitchen on the top level. It will have a flat roof with a rooftop patio. To meet the code it can’t be any larger than 1410 square feet, which makes for a complicated puzzle.
Two sites I’ve been using a lot are houzz.com and pinterest.com/newpangaea. Houzz has well tagged pictures from thousands of houses and pinterest is a site that is like a digital bulletin board. As you browse you can collect images of things you like that are linked back to the original source.
Some details that have occupied my thoughts are these:
- stairs – There will be lots of them, but what’s the best way? Jack has a recent plan that involves split-levels that I like.
- benches – I really like the ones in the picture above next to the view window. They’re also very compact.
- mud room – We currently live in about 600 square feet and I look forward to having better shoe/coat/bag storage. I think it will be worth the space.
- security – One of the benefits of a tall house is that it is easier to have a more secure house. I’m pretty sure no one will be breaking in through the rooftop patio.
- windows – On the other hand a tall house makes me worried about window washing. I’m not willing to sign us up for a lifetime of relying on professionals to wash high windows so we’re thinking about types of windows where the outside can be washed from the inside.
- kitchen – This is probably the most interesting room. I’d like to have good appliance storage among other things.
As I said before suggestions and ideas are very welcome!
There is no doubt, I'm going to love reading about this house-building adventure of yours! Love your rooftop patio idea along with the other ideas you posted. Design*Sponge and Apartment Therapy are two of my fave design inspiration sites that may be helpful with the process.
ReplyDeleteMichelle - Thanks for your comment and your interest :) Design Sponge is new to me and looks great!
DeleteWhat happened to 1600 square feet? Is the 1400 your net area? Are you still looking for a way to see your view?
ReplyDeleteDad - You're right, with the basement it might be closer to 1600. I forgot that while I was writing.
DeleteWe are still trying to see the view. Jack wants to do a camera on a balloon. I'd like to pay someone with a lift. Would you call that boom lift? I'm not really sure of the terminology.
The square footage of the lot is 1462, and the area (above ground) is capped at 1462*1.1=1609. If there was a basement which was fully below grade (which might be tough to do without expensive shoring) that wouldn't count, so it is possible we could push it up to around 1800 all told.
DeleteAhh details :) Thanks, Jack.
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