We built our first home in 1995. It was in a subdivision with cookie-cutter, look-alike houses, but we enjoyed choosing a floor plan and then tweaking it so that the home was unique to us...and to potential buyers. Located in Platte County, Missouri, north of the Missouri River, it was nestled in the rolling hills above the bluffs that overlook the Mighty MO. A story-and-a-half, the home featured a huge country kitchen with floor-to-ceiling windows and comfortably fit our dining room table to seat eight. We also had the builder design built-in bookshelves to flank the wood-burning fireplace from wall to wall...including a mirror that ran the span of the width of the wall...not just centered over the fireplace. With vaulted ceiling, the room offered a dramatic view upon entrance. A few mistakes were made...carpet in the bathroom (the vanity area was off of the master giving it that "hotel" feel...and two (too!) small guest bedrooms. Regardless, the economy was good and the house sold quick. We listed on a Thursday and were signing a contract on Sunday of that same weekend.
Infertility specialists and jobs found us relocating to the Kansas side of the state line where we currently reside. This time, we chose to build in a subdivision that allowed for individual builders and larger lots. The actual home was designed and built by a friend of ours who is a home-builder. I spent hours driving around, snapping photos of farmhouses that I fell in love with and Danny was able to create our unique fingerprint in our subdivision. Our current home is, a "Greek Revival Farmhouse" and sits on a 1-acre subdivision lot. Lots of green space allows for a three-sided wrap-around porch and small kitchen garden on the south side of the property. Our home sits on a basement foundation and includes a third story...a finished attic...which is currently a shared bedroom for our two young sons. Our third story also houses a separate room which has hardwood flooring and can be an office or crafting room. It currently serves as walk-in closet/toy room for the boys. Our 2nd story has three bedrooms, including master/master bathroom, and formal living and dining rooms on the 1st story in addition to the kitchen and family room which open to each other. Our home also features a wood-burning corner-situated fireplace (real fireman don't use gas..ahem!). Our basement is currently unfinished, but plans for this space includes a storage room, bulk dry goods pantry, and media space.
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| Our "Greek Revival" Farmhouse, Circa 2002 |
Thus, each of our homes have showcased unique features for us that have also appealed to future home buyers...I'm hoping that my 3rd story and wrap-around porch are "must-haves" for a future bride/home owner!
So what is next...?
I've begun my collection of house plan books with my most recent purchase of Southern Living HOUSE PLANS. One house in particular appealed to both my husband and me...the "Carolina Island House". This house features formal living and dining rooms (a must for my formal dining room furniture!), a study, media room, kitchen and "keeping room". The "keeping room" is new lingo to me! I need to do some research...is this like a family room? The "study" includes a full bath off of it, so I'm assuming that this is where the "potential 4th bedroom" comes in. The second story features a master bedroom, plus two additional bedrooms. The piece de resistance....the wrap-around porch! After having lived in a home with a wrap-around porch, I'm not sure I could ever live without it!
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| Dream House... |
What would you include in your dream home?
I would have a HUGE kitchen with all the amenities I could imagine. I'd love a bookcase to hold all my cookbooks and hidden appliances ~ you know, all the small ones that clutter a counter.
ReplyDeleteI'd like a sunroom off the kitchen...an area that could be used year round. I'd have surround sound so my music would be available in every room. :-) I would have a "wrap around" fireplace in the master bedroom...one side being a part of the master bath with a gorgeous view of the outside. I'd have a sitting area in the master bedroom too.
Like you, the wrap around porch would be a must! Oh, I can think of a jillion things as I sit here in this 2 BR apt with a tiny kitchen and no fireplace. :-) Oh well, I have a home and I feel peaceful here...that's a huge amount of gratitude!
xo
Pat