This house design began when I got the idea (at about 1 AM when I was really trying to get to sleep) of a master bedroom with a high, curving wall and a study on the second floor that overlooked the bedroom, proper. I also had an idea of a bridge from the master suite over the entrance foyer. The idea of making this a hillside house came once I was trying to get a feel for the rest of the house. So there it is.
Despite being called "#1", this design went through several iterations, including one where I removed the bridge (which eventually reappeared). One iteration had a loft over the family room (not a bedroom) that was entered via a spiral stair. I still like that idea, but decided this house needed another bedroom, more.
Some things worth noting:
On the upper floor plan (below), you might note the following:
And this is the loft level, and the narrow bedroom tucked up over the front entrance.
And, here are some images:
This house has a rather towering facade as you approach it.
The front door.
This is an aerial view showing the upper story windows and roof lines.
From up the hill behind the house, this is the deck off the two "upstairs" bedrooms.
From inside the front door, as always. That's a glass brick wall on the left, separating the informal/family dining area from the foyer. The doors on the right lead to the master suite.
This looks up at the bridge between the master suite study and the family room. Yes, those are interior windows high on the right side wall. I wanted light to enter, but not necessarily sound.
This is the informal dining area, looking into the more formal dining room (with the hardwood floor). I do like exposed chimney brickwork, which is plainly visible. There is no fireplace on this level, but this masonry does support the fireplace (and chimney) above.
This looks back toward the foyer. The door center left is to the downstairs half bath. The door at center right is a pantry. The doorway to the kitchen is at right. This whole area is tiled to bring the rooms more "together".
From the doors to the master suite, this is the glass brick wall. Yes, the half bath does have a glass brick wall. I expect light to enter, but at the same time maintaining some privacy. Blinds could always be used inside the bath, if more privacy is wanted.
Our small kitchen. Small, but certainly adequate, considering that most households don't spend as much time preparing food as prior generations did. Of course, not all of my designs have small kitchens. Some have very large kitchens. They just aren't all done, yet.
The kitchen, again. The window over the sink (I like windows over the sink) opens onto the front deck, so someone can keep an eye on the front door.
The master bedroom. It's large, and has quite a nice view to the outside. I picture this house in the Pacific Northwest, and I can see the Cascade Mountains in the distance, visible as towering, hazy gray peaks from these windows. Can you?
This looks toward the stairs up to the master bath (and closet). That's a small coat closet (or something) that's tucked under the stairs. The study, above, cantilevers over the bedroom.
Looking from the landing outside the master bath (which is through the arched doorway on the left). The stairs go up to the study. Note the interior windows along the right side wall. The brick pillar (there are a few of these in this house) is decorative, and could also serve as conduits for HVAC (very likely).
The master bath. There is a bit more room in this bath, unlike some of the other designs. No, I am not getting carried away by the checkerboard tile patterns. This is merely coincidence (though I like this type of tile pattern).
The parlor, looking out to the foyer and the bridge.
From the master study. I really like this space.
Looking down to the landing and the master bath (note the arched doorway). There is no door on the master bath, since this whole area is separated from the rest of the house.
This looks across the study toward the bridge, which is through the open door. That's the family room beyond.
The bridge, standing outside the study looking toward the family room. This area, while not "tall" is quite open and well-lit. If the loft bedroom were eliminated, this ceiling could be a level higher, which would make this area quite dramatic.
OK, this looks back toward the master suite from the other direction.
These stairs (on the upper level next to the bedrooms) leads to the loft (third floor) bedroom. This hallway has a high ceiling, and windows that look out overhead. They're too high for anyone to see out of them; they simply provide light.
The dining room, looking toward the informal dining area.
Looking toward the foyer from the dining room.
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