3/4/10- HERE IS THE HOUSE WE DECIDED TO BUILD!!! :)



Below is the inside floor plan. It will be one story, with a loft type area in front. :) the garage is deleted, the  porch is now enclosed (foyer) and the basement stair area will be a walk in pantry.

1/10 Okay, so now I am on to this plan-




http://www.houseplans.com/plan_details.asp?v=0&id=26770

I love that it is one story, has an open/ connected kitchen-dining-family room (with a fireplace in the center), a huge deck on back, and two story windows that will overlook the back of our property. I don't feel the need to change anything about this plan! :) There are a few options- we will chose the no garage option (making the bedrooms a bit larger) and a slab foundation (making the basement stairs a huge pantry). I am really liking this plan. Let's see if it passes the 30 day challenge. What's the 30 day challenge? If I can go 30 days without changing anything to a plan, or tossing the plan all together, we will send out the floor plan to our builder to bid it.

We have decided to build the office separate from the house (noise being the greatest factor). It will be combined with some storage and have a loafing/ milking area in the back.

I read a saying the other day that I really like. "A house is built with wood and beams, a home is built with love and dreams." I LOVE that saying. I am trying not to get so caught up with building a house that it interferes with building a home. To me, a home is so much for important and I don't want to lose sight of that.

I also recently read a thread on a forum posted by someone moving off her farm due to finances. :( It was a reminder to not overbuild and focus being mortgage free.

Here is a rough layout of the ranch:



Update- 12/09
I am back on these plans (less the stilts)...



















I am sure there are copyright issues here... :(


I want a mudroom were all the shoes, jackets, hats, gloves, etc, are kept. I would also like a built in bench to sit down on. The above pictures isn't quite a mudroom, but I like the bench. :)


Here is the outside of one of the plans I like(d). Very Texas, very pretty.... but not really the exterior I was going for, I think I want white hardy board. I like a farm, country type home.


I love windows! Full size, the length of the room, big, open- love em! I think I wan to live in a glass house (and I will try not to throw stones :) )


This is an old school house. I love the look of it! White hardy board, lots of window, very country farmy looking.


I like the ceiling and the barn doors (yes, for inside the house) :)


I like this kitchen. I want a big island/ bar.


The above picture taken from www.pioneerwoman.com. I love this pantry! I would do straight shelves all the way across and then put my freezer and extra ref. across.


The above picture is taken from www.houseplans.com. I cannot believe I find this appealing...
Below is the floorplan. I would put a large fireplace on the back wall (backing up to the a/c. laundry area)




Two more interiors (above and below). I won't bother detailing all of the numbers. They represent changes and hours of my time,



There are a few things I would like:
a large pantry off the kitchen
a workspace for Jeff, not close to
a homeschool space
lots of windows
limited hallways
one big open family, dining, kitchen area
one level
a mudroom