Tweaking the plan

BTW – This post is just 1 in a series of Home Design and Build posts. You can find them all right here: Positively Jane's Home Design and Build.

March 2023

Now that we have a 97% complete main floor it's time for the finder details. I am looking at door swings – are they going in the correct direction.

Are the windows in the correct place the the right size? What do the showers look like – are they wall all glass or 1/2 glass or what? I am laying out cabinets so I know where the sinks need to go. Will my office be large enough? Where will I store the sunscreen, pool towels, pet stuff, medicines and bandaids…you know. ALL the things need a place to call home.

And, at this point the exterior elevations are being developed. Currently I am working with 3 people. My architect, builder, and decorator. They are all an integral part of my team. Each one has a different role but they all work together.

I received the 3rd rendition of the floor plan from my architect, Rick Wissmach. There will be many more renditions to come.

Before the design gets submitted to the ARB (Architectural Review Board) I need to make sure that the windows and doors are in the correct location.

Before building I need to know if the plumbing and electrical are in the correct place. This house will be built on a slab…meaning there is no space below. So they embed the plumbing and electrical lines in the concrete – which means NO moving.

I am pretty good at space planning…but I always hire a decorator to help me out. The 3-4 hours of meetings are worth every penny. They are always so helpful.

I created a video about my kitchen layout – you can watch it HERE.

March 13, 2023

It takes a few passes through to make sure that all of the details are in sync with each other. First there is the floor plan…and then the exterior. Most times the exterior elevations will change the interior….those roof lines need to look good!

Rick has worked hard at keeping the integrity of this English Cottage style home in tandem with how we live in a modern world.

Here are the updated elevations and main floor plan.

I will spend countless hours pouring through the plans. Measuring things that I own. Making sure that room sizes are correct. While keeping in mind that there are only so many changes that can be made within the constraints that we have…our lot is small and we want to have a side yard. You can read about our lot purchase HERE.