The Crows Nest

Well, here's a rare treat folks! A picture of the house from the outside. I don't normally post these because my program is rather limited, only one roof type, the house is in the sky, no way to make the place look like a barn, that type of thing, but with this one, it seemed to be the best way to show you the defining feature of this house: the crows nest.

Grampa Tom has told me for years, he'd like to have a crows nest type retreat room so he could see everything. I've resisted because a. I think it would be hard on the heating bill (although the design would probably be a plus if we lived further south) b. I can't figure out how to put a closet and a bath up there without obstructing the view c. He's always pulling the curtains so he won't have a glare on the TV anyway so I don't think he'd really use it that much and d. I hate working in the kitchen when he's holed up far away so I can't talk to him. I think I have somewhat solved the d. problem with this design, so while I'm not crazy about it, I could live with it!

On the main floor, this house is fantastic on storage space! Anyone who lives in it for any length of time will have a rough time moving out because you will just accumulate too much stuff!

One thing I really like about this house from a cost point of view is that for the most part, all the water is located in the same general area and all of it is on inside walls.

The master bath has a large walk in shower, a jacuzzi style tub and separate sinks that could be different heights for him and her.

The large laundry room has plenty of storage space and a large closet/utility room.

The kitchen has lots of counter space, a range and double wall ovens, a large pantry with a mop sink and a super huge built in refrigerator and freezer. It is part of a larger great room that opens up into the crows nest loft above the bathroom area.

I put a lift in here 'cause Grampa's knee doesn't do stairs all that well, but you might not want to. I also added a cozy fireplace.

The floor plan of the crow's nest is way out of proportion to the mail floor image, but I'm including it anyway so you can kind of get an idea of how it is laid out.

I sure wish I could show all this better, but I do the best I can!

God Bless You All!

~Grama Sue

Hillside Dream

Well, I've been dreaming again. Don't have clue one what the dream was about, but I saw this house so of course I just had to draw it!

It is designed to be tucked into a hillside with lots of windows for a fantastic view, and a wrap around deck for outdoor living. The main floor has 2179 square feet of living space with a vaulted living room and open kitchen area.

The kitchen has a generous pantry, a built in refrigerator and freezer, a gas range as well as a double wall oven and plenty of counter space. Perfect for entertaining! Off the kitchen is a generously sized family room that opens into the master bath and onto the private master bedroom deck as well. These doors provide a private space so one spouse can entertain while the other escapes!

The master bath has a large walk in shower, a jacuzzi style tub and double sinks with lots of counter space. There is also an office, a guest bath and a laundry room on the main floor. The office has an optional outside door to maintain family privacy for that home based business. Ample walk-in closets in the master bedroom, office and laundry room provide plenty of storage space.

And then ... there's the basement! You could put a whole other family down here!

Three bedrooms, a bath, and a family room with a view. You could easily put a kitchenette down here too! There is a large storage room, which I of course envision as kind of a root cellar, which is why I choose to separate it from the utility room, you of course wouldn't have to have that wall there. I would put fire escape window wells in the back two bedrooms or maybe even eliminate them and have a crawl space instead.

Happy dreaming!

God Bless You All!

~Grama Sue