Country Home #5

I got the inspiration for this house design from a few photos and a couple of postage-stamp-sized floor plans of another design (not my own). The salient features that I decided to explore were: 1) semi-attached garage in front, and 2) bedroom over a high-ceilinged living room. Well, I eliminated the bedroom over the living room, but otherwise, this is somewhat what I had in mind.

I thought this house would look good if it overlooked a broad valley, mainly because of its height and "crow's nest" at the top of the stairwell. As a result, there isn't much in the way of landscaping except all around the base of the house. Too much? I admit I'm not very good at landscaping, so if I got carried away you will forgive me. Perhaps with more practice I will figure out some things.

In the view below, of course, you can see the garage, which is in front. That's the living room with the glass doors. On the second floor, at left, is the master bath. Above that is a 3rd floor bedroom. The crow's nest has the round window, and there is another such window on the backside.

The Front

Below is the view from the back. I decided to fill in this side with a forested backdrop, and I really like the effect. On the left is the living room (toward the front of the house), and center is the dining room. To its right is a breakfast nook, and right of that is the back porch. On the second floor above the dining room is the master bedroom, and it has a deck to the right.

The Rear

Here is the first floor plan:

• Because this is a narrow lot design, the garage constitutes most of the width of the front facade. You have to walk along the side of the garage to get to the front door, which is raised about 42" from ground level. The front doors open right into the living room, which as a very high (12'6") ceiling.
• There is a door at the back of the garage that opens into a hall/stairwell. Up 1/2 level is the first floor, down another 1/2 level is the basement. Note the side door at the left.
• A hall runs down the left side of the living room to the kitchen and the breakfast nook.
• The stairs are central to the house and U-shaped.
• Finally, the dining room occupies the back right corner.

On the second floor (below), you might want to note the following:

• The master suite occupies the entire floor. The master bedroom itself is at the back of the house where the best view can be found.
• Note the small deck off the dressing area. The walk-through closet has swinging doors. This is a private area, so having the closet be somewhat open isn't a problem.
• The master bath is toward the front of the house. Note the garden tub in a small alcove.

On the third floor:

• There are two bedrooms along the left side, and they share a bath that is on the right at the top of the stairs.
• From the third floor landing you can walk up 1/2 flight to the "crow's nest", which should provide quite a nice view.

This is an alternate front view, showing the side door. The shingled part of the house is the two third floor bedrooms.

This is the alternate rear view showing the back porch and master deck overhead.

This is the living room from the front right corner. At left is the side door, and through the arched doorway is the dining room.

This looks back toward the front doors.

From the dining room doorway, here is the living room and front doors from a different angle.

We turn around and take a look at the dining room. The breakfast nook is through the arched doorway on the left.

Here is an alternate view of the dining room.

Here we are in the breakfast nook looking toward the kitchen. The kitchen is a G-shaped arrangement with the cooktop in the small part of the "G". Those doors behind the pot rack lead to the pantry, where there is room for a full-height freezer. Of course, on the right there's a desk where we can sit and plan next week's menu.

From the vicinity of the built-in kitchen desk, we look toward the stairs and the dining room. That's a pot of soup on the stove, and it's almost ready.

From the corner in the kitchen, we take another look, this time looking out the back door and the porch beyond.

We walk up to the second floor, and look back down the stairs to where we just came from. Of course, the stairs lead up to the third floor. On our left is the master bedroom door, and on the right is the master bath door.

Now, from inside the master bedroom, we look toward the dressing area and closet. There's room in a small alcove for a desk and computer, and of course we want to watch our wide-screen TV (complete with surround sound stereo). The door to the right of the TV leads out to the hall.

From in front of the desk, we see the rest of the master bedroom.

Not much of interest, here, but this is the dressing area and swinging doors to the closet.

From inside the door (from the hall) this is the master bath. There's a separate water closet on our left, and to our right through the arched doorway is the master bath itself.

Note the garden tub with the lowered ceiling and plants hanging on copper brackets.

Around to our right is a shower and place where someone can sit and put on her makeup.

Here is a closer view of the tub.

Now we're on the third floor, and taking a look at the crow's nest. It's not very practical, but cool regardless. The door on our left is to the third floor bath.

And here is the third floor bath. I discovered a way to make a translucent shower curtain (and with the same pattern as the walls).

Final view of the third floor bath.

I decided to decorate the front bedroom for a small girl. I rather like how it turned out.

The window on the right is at the front of the house. The three windows at center look out over the living room roof.

Before we leave, let's stop in the downstairs half bath to "freshen up".