Greg.......... you gonna have one of these in the new house?

[clill]

Got my Global Entry ID card in the mail yesterday....yippee......

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by clill

Got my Global Entry ID card in the mail yesterday....yippee......

Great!!! I called my cop buddy yesterday === You should leave the country now so it can be "tested" to see if you can get back in. Just a heads up -- make sure you pick somewhere to go that you really like. <snickering>

[SSLance]

"Motor Court" Everyone needs a house with a designated Motor Court! I love it.

While I like the plans of the shop, and I'm sure it'll be even nicer in it's final rendition, I'm also digging the kitchen with the eat in area that leads out to the covered porch...with a fireplace. I imagine that area there will get used more than any other part of the house as a gathering area. At least with us it would anyway.

When we remodeled our "kitchen area" we built in a raised "L" shaped bar that seats 8 right off of the kitchen with views out the back of the house right next to our dining room which doubles as our TV room. This is where we congregate and any time we have company over, it's where everyone hangs out enjoying food, adult beverages of choice, and each other in a comfortable setting. If there was a bedroom right off of this area, pretty sure we'd never even go anywhere else in the whole house.

Only think I'm missing is the covered porch and I'm still trying to figure out a way to make that happen. We'd like to be able to sit outside and enjoy the view...while having a roof over our head at the same time. Added plus is a fireplace going to keep the area warm. Real fireplace or gas (propane)?

It all looks very nice Greg. It shows that you've put a lot of thought into the planning which is crucial.

Side note here, not sure I know or want to know what a deciduous shrub is...but it appears that you want a lot of them around though.

[GregWeld]

Lance ---

Several of the design elements are "forced" by code.

#1 - Motor Court... this is a must and had to be enlarged because the fire department bought a new 'rig' right after the big fires here this summer! We had to re-submit plans enlarging this and the driveway so that their new truck can make a 3 point turn. Not kidding here. We don't have enough friends to fill this area up unless Charley brought every car he owns.


#2 - The house - as posted up here - has changed quite a lot in room sizes and arrangement. The "living areas" -- which to me are exactly as you described -- the kitchen - family room - area got BIGGER.... Because when we tried to actually arrange furniture there --- we discovered they became "tight".


#3 - The shop area has been changed significantly. Once actual models of the semi -- and my other stuff were made - things had to change... I'm really happy with the final design but this area required the most work!


#4 - It was critical, in our view, that "company" (children etc) be as far away as possible from the main living areas. Not because we don't like them - but because people "on vacation" tend to drink more than normal -- being louder -- and kids tend to be worn out and need their nighty nite time.


#5 - I agree with you that the extended roofline out over the outdoor fireplace will be a "highlight" of the house. It will have the fireplace as well as be heated by outdoor space heaters. I don't have good enough pics on file to show the views from there -- but this will be a focal point for hanging out.


#6 - The kitchen has some of those areas showing "stuff" were just placeholders so we could get the rooms and room placement right. The stove - for instance - won't be where it is etc. Those changes are all in the new plans that I don't have PDF files for yet. Should have them this week


#7 - I have a call in to Charley to see about the mortgage. So far I haven't received a call back.

Originally Posted by SSLance

"Motor Court" Everyone needs a house with a designated Motor Court! I love it.

While I like the plans of the shop, and I'm sure it'll be even nicer in it's final rendition, I'm also digging the kitchen with the eat in area that leads out to the covered porch...with a fireplace. I imagine that area there will get used more than any other part of the house as a gathering area. At least with us it would anyway.

When we remodeled our "kitchen area" we built in a raised "L" shaped bar that seats 8 right off of the kitchen with views out the back of the house right next to our dining room which doubles as our TV room. This is where we congregate and any time we have company over, it's where everyone hangs out enjoying food, adult beverages of choice, and each other in a comfortable setting. If there was a bedroom right off of this area, pretty sure we'd never even go anywhere else in the whole house.

Only think I'm missing is the covered porch and I'm still trying to figure out a way to make that happen. We'd like to be able to sit outside and enjoy the view...while having a roof over our head at the same time. Added plus is a fireplace going to keep the area warm. Real fireplace or gas (propane)?

It all looks very nice Greg. It shows that you've put a lot of thought into the planning which is crucial.

Side note here, not sure I know or want to know what a deciduous shrub is...but it appears that you want a lot of them around though.

[SSLance]

When we did our kitchen, we went and picked out all of the appliances we (she) wanted first...then I sat down with a pencil and paper (and an eraser...don't forget the eraser) and designed the kitchen around where the appliances would fit. It took many renditions before we finally found a plan that would work while making the most and best use of the space available. So I'm well aware of what the planning phase is like.

Make sure you save room in the kitchen for one of these...



We love ours!

Designed the whole damn kitchen layout around it, but it is totally worth it if you like good coffee.

[GregWeld]

We have quite the "team" doing this house.... we have the Architects... and an independent designer - not an "interior designer" to pick colors etc - but a design firm that specializes in a "holistic" design approach - their job is to do all the design work that requires cabinets - fixtures - lighting fixtures - as well as a complete review of door placements and which way they swing - etc. So this firm designs for the build - exactly where every wall socket goes - and exactly how high a wall sconce should be off the floor etc. Super detailed.

We also have a lighting design firm - and their job is to design all of the interior and exterior lighting. Lighting can make a room or house. How the lights are placed (up or down lighting) - the type - etc. With the stone that's in the interior of the house - there will be lighting that does nothing but accent and shadow the stone walls.

What we've found with working with a team like this -- is some fantastic little changes that will make all the difference in the world. They're not expensive changed -- they're just "if you did X look what it would do to Y". I personally - having retired from being in the furniture and design business as a wholesaler -- love this stuff. A sofa is just a sofa - until you get the right fabric and accent pillows etc on it.

Our builders - don't build "normal" houses... it's all custom stuff... and they have been fantastic at bringing ideas to the process - having done various things in other builds. They also bring what they all refer to as "value engineering" to the table. There's many ways to skin the cat -- and they look at stuff and say -- if you turned this wall into a pour in place wall - we could then just use "lick and stick" stone instead of building it out of full stone... WAY CHEAPER to do lick and stick! So all of that is where we are at now -- a total review of how it's to be built and the line items plugged in and minor adjustments made as that review process gets drilled down on.

I love this stuff... it gives me something to do other than to figure out what changes I'd want to make to which car over the winter. Some folks think the process is too complicated or overwhelming -- I love it and love the details and I know how important those can be. It isn't the first house we've built -- or the first remodel so we understand the little things that you forgot in the last one -- or you placed wrong in the last one...Like you want a table lamp over by the sofa but that's not against the wall -- so you need a floor receptacle etc. Our cell phones and all their related chargers etc will be INSIDE a drawer so we don't have that kind of stuff out in the open. It might seem small -- but to me it's a "why not" kind of detail. No different than which way a door swings.

I won't have a built in coffee maker... While it's the rage right now - we tend not to do trendy.. because 10 years from now - that one is out of date and the new one doesn't fit in that hole -- etc. We use "getting a good cup of coffee" as an excuse to walk into town. And I'm a certified coffee freak! Besides - it gives me an excused to BS with my buddy Rizzo... The Starbucks here (and I'm not defending their coffee -- (I only get coffee from made with the Clover) is the center of the known universe.

Originally Posted by SSLance

When we did our kitchen, we went and picked out all of the appliances we (she) wanted first...then I sat down with a pencil and paper (and an eraser...don't forget the eraser) and designed the kitchen around where the appliances would fit. It took many renditions before we finally found a plan that would work while making the most and best use of the space available. So I'm well aware of what the planning phase is like.

Make sure you save room in the kitchen for one of these...



We love ours!

Designed the whole damn kitchen layout around it, but it is totally worth it if you like good coffee.

[snappytravis]

Good luck on your new project Greg, I hear that Sun Valley is similar to Jackson Hole, very nice place. We are close to finishing our new home project, It has been going since 10-12. Isn't it funny how you design a house and If you notice everytime you change the plans they get bigger!
Good luck
Travis

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by snappytravis

Good luck on your new project Greg, I hear that Sun Valley is similar to Jackson Hole, very nice place. We are close to finishing our new home project, It has been going since 10-12. Isn't it funny how you design a house and If you notice everytime you change the plans they get bigger!
Good luck
Travis

Travis ---- we began by saying we wanted 4500 to 5000 feet... with the changes it became 8000 feet!!! We then told the architect -- who had decided on his own to just push thing this way and that -- that he had to "find" a way to take at least 1500 to 2000 feet OUT of this project!! A) there's only the two of us most of the time B) we can't afford to build 8000 feet with all the cost of the shop and everything else C) we're not really very fancy people and thought the whole idea of living in a McMansion was just ostentatious and certainly not "us" -- having said that -- I'd still build smaller than what we are - but there becomes a point in the "I want list" and what it takes to get there - and what the area "demands" due to dirt costs etc.

Yes -- similar to Jackson Hole -- but I think Sun Valley is much friendlier and a lot less touristy and we tend to attract people that own here (second houses etc) over the come for the weekend/week crowd. The airport and services here SUCK... and that holds down the fly in and out folks. It takes some effort to get here.

[Panteracer]

You guys are doing it wrong.. it is suppose
to be a 1 bedroom, 1 bath house with a 10,000 sf shop

But I know what you mean.. When Mom and Dad retired
they moved to their Ranch and built at 7500 sf house not
counting the large 3 car garage, the shop, the pole barn
and the two other houses.. Now it is just Dad and he spends
most of his time traveling.. He finally got a cowboy and his
family to live in one of the houses and take care of a lot of
the things.. although at 80 he still works his ass off when he
is at home.. old guy climbing the hay stack to get bales to
take out to the pasture

Panteracaer Norcal Bob

[snappytravis]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Travis ---- we began by saying we wanted 4500 to 5000 feet... with the changes it became 8000 feet!!! We then told the architect -- who had decided on his own to just push thing this way and that -- that he had to "find" a way to take at least 1500 to 2000 feet OUT of this project!! A) there's only the two of us most of the time B) we can't afford to build 8000 feet with all the cost of the shop and everything else C) we're not really very fancy people and thought the whole idea of living in a McMansion was just ostentatious and certainly not "us" -- having said that -- I'd still build smaller than what we are - but there becomes a point in the "I want list" and what it takes to get there - and what the area "demands" due to dirt costs etc.

Yes -- similar to Jackson Hole -- but I think Sun Valley is much friendlier and a lot less touristy and we tend to attract people that own here (second houses etc) over the come for the weekend/week crowd. The airport and services here SUCK... and that holds down the fly in and out folks. It takes some effort to get here.

It will be nice, I haven't been up that way before I bought my 67 chevelle from a guy in Pocatello, I remember him telling me about a big car auction up there do they still do that?
5000 s.f. Is still a dam big house. I will send you some pictures of the one we are having built. It has a 5 car garage. Does your wife have you watching the home shows yet? They have been on at our house for the last 2 years. Good luck