The House Designers Design House Plans for America’s Baby Boomers
0Recent studies by the National Home Builders Association and AARP show that baby boomers are leading the push in new home construction trends, influencing how builders, designers and architects modify their floor plans to meet varied lifestyles and changing needs.
This affordable ranch house plan is one of our most popular designs from our Empty Nester Collection. It features 3 bedrooms and 2 baths in an open floor plan that maximizes its small footprint of 1,380 square feet. An optional basement floor plan and 372 square foot bonus room allows you to add extra space.
Today’s 77 million Baby Boomers were born between 1946 and 1964 and represent 26 percent of the total US population. Boomers make up 45 percent of the national work force and hold the largest amount of discretionary income in history. For these reasons, home builders, designers and residential architects are continuously modifying their floor plans and home designs to meet the ever-changing needs and demands of a generation that is not yet ready to head to the retirement home.
A study done by seniors advocacy group AARP shows that a large percentage of boomers plan to move when they retire. This trend was one of the major factors behind the housing boom of the previous decade. And while some boomers have been able to accumulate substantial home equity to purchase or build smaller, more affordable homes, many find themselves struggling with their current home loans.
“Boomers in a position to sell their existing homes prefer building a new home to take advantage of new technology and energy efficiency than trying to maintain or remodel an older home,” said Tammy Crosby, Chief Operating Officer of The House Designers, America’s leading house plan provider. “Baby boomers now look for house plans that are small but luxurious, and practical for their needs and lifestyles.”
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) confirmed this trend during New Homes Month in April by conducting a study, which showed home buyers that they can afford new construction that’s higher-priced. Using data from the Census Bureau and Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2011 American Housing Survey, NAHB found that buyers could purchase or build a new home and achieve the same annual operating costs as an older, existing home.
“Home buyers need to look beyond the initial sales price when considering whether to buy new construction or an existing home,” said NAHB Chairman Rick Judson, a home builder from Charlotte, N.C. “They will find that with the higher costs of operating an older home, they can often afford to spend a bit more to buy a new home and still have annual operating costs that fit their budget.”
Whether boomers are remodeling or building new homes, this generation is more active than generations past, has a more sophisticated style and wants lots of options and choices in their home designs.
“This impressive generation has had a major influence on shaping the way society has grown and changed, including influencing new housing trends,” said Crosby. “Boomers have their own ideas about the features and types of homes they want to live in after retirement.”
Here are some popular home design features that designers, architects, homebuilders and remodelers report are in demand as they continue to cater to the boomer generation:
Designed Accordingly
Baby boomers are sophisticated, savvy and active, which means they are looking for comfort and convenience, multi-functionality and spaces for relaxation and entertainment. They want a home that caters to their lifestyle and features plenty of high-end amenities. Downsizing or ‘rightsizing’ doesn’t have to mean sacrificing features in a well designed home.
Flex Living Spaces
Multi-purpose flex rooms are high on the list for active boomers who love to entertain, exercise and relax. These spaces can easily be converted to a guest room, home office, or an exercise or media room. Today every space needs to have a purpose; gone are the days of rarely used rooms like formal dining rooms.
Pampering Master Suites
Another hot trend in home design is having a large master suite with comfortable sitting areas, large his-and-hers walk-in closets, master baths with garden tubs, dual sinks and if space permits, a small patio or terrace.
One-Story Designs
Most Baby Boomers favor single-story homes over split-levels. They also like an open floor plan where there are fewer walls to obstruct views and to give the feeling of a much larger space.
Designer Kitchens
Baby Boomers are very particular about their kitchens, as cooking and entertaining are typically at the top of the list for these active adults. They are seeking kitchens stocked with high-end amenities like professional grade appliances, granite countertops, hardwood flooring and custom cabinetry. Items like large pantries, center islands and cozy breakfast nooks are must-haves.
Indoor/Outdoor Entertainment Areas
Whether boomers are hosting an elegant dinner party or throwing a large cookout, they want an indoor/outdoor living space that can be used for both formal and informal occasions.
The House Designers has thousands of house plans that include the home design features boomers want. Some of these features include a collection of Empty Nester House Plans, Accessible House Plans, Small House Plans, Energy-Efficient Homes and many more which can be viewed at thehousedesigners.com
Doghouses of the Rich and Famous | celebrity doghouses
0Last August I adopted a Daug. Yes, a Daug—the name given to the adorable Dachshund/Pug mix. Since then I have spoiled her. She follows me around, loves to ride in the car and spends most of her day lounging in my bed or nesting on my couch. She’s got it pretty good, right? I recently found that simply being good to my little friend pales in comparison to the luxury some celebrities lavish upon their pets.
Remember Snoopy in the old Charlie Brown cartoons? How the little guy would nap on the roof of his modest little red house? A quick look at some celebrity doghouses make that house look like, well, like a doghouse.
Paris Hilton’s doghouse is the lap of luxury for her several small dogs and was built to resemble her own Beverly Hills mansion.
Paris Hilton recently tweeted pictures of her luxury designer doghouse. This two-story model of Paris Hilton’s own mansion has a living room downstairs and a bedroom upstairs complete with a closet to store all the dog’s outfits. The house is shared by all of Hilton’s dogs, who have names such as Tinkerbelle, Marilyn Monroe, Prince, Baby Bear, Harajuku, Dolce and Prada. Paris designed the home with the help of interior designer Faye Resnick. The dogs enjoy luxury appointments such as miniature Phillipe Starck furniture, a chandelier, crown moldings—even a heating and air conditioning system.
With a price tag north of $300,000 Hilton’s is probably the most extreme doghouse out there, but a quick look shows that the industry has morphed into a multi-million dollar industry. For example, supermodel Rachel Hunter’s Spanish style dog hacienda cost $30,000 before you customize it or have it shipped to you. La Petit Maison, a group that specializes in miniature versions of their clients own homes, designed Hunter’s doghouse. It’s meant to be a replica of her own Spanish-style hacienda and came complete with ornately carved front doors, red clay tiles on each turret, terracotta floors and miniature wrought iron window flower boxes.
Supermodel Rachel Hunter’s backyard has a miniature version of her own home for her German Shepard and Labrador retriever.
These doghouses probably seem a bit extravagant. Most dogs are content to just have a simple doghouse that will shelter them from the elements. Depending on where you live or plan on building your home, having an outdoor doghouse may be far less popular than it once was. Recently indoor doghouses have started coming into vogue, with dog crates that are also end tables and couches that have built-in doghouses. Some homes even have spaces dedicated specifically to the dogs.
House plans such as the Sturbridge II have an innovative ‘home center’ that includes a pet corner. The Tasseler House Plan has a dog shower and grooming center over the garage that makes for the perfect place to wash and groom your pet.
Whether your dog will live outside in an abode of his own or in your home alongside you there are plenty of stylish solutions available, one of which is sure to please you and your best friend.
Floor Plans of Famous Television Show Homes
0Growing up, I was raised on television. Many evenings were spent watching characters such as Cliff Huxtable from The Cosby Show and I was captivated by the comical antics of The Brady Bunch. Today I still find myself drawn to television because it allows me to build a relationship with the characters. As I watch these shows I tend to note things like home furnishings, architectural styles and floor plan layouts.
Today you can easily find floor plans to build houses that look exactly like the ones you’ve seen in your favorite television shows and movies. Everything from the San Fernando Brady Bunch house to The Cosby Show’s Manhattan dwelling can be found online. Designers are even making sketches for layouts of modern shows like Two and a Half Men, The Simpsons and How I Met Your Mother, classic suburban homes from I Love Lucy, Bewitched, Happy Days and The Golden Girls to sprawling mansions from Dallas and Dynasty.
4222 Clinton Way was the (fictitious) address of Bob and Carol Brady and their six children. Today the actual 2,500 square foot home is still standing in the San Fernando Valley and is a private residence. For similar homes view The House Designers collection of two-story house plans and split-level floor plans.
Located in the San Fernando Valley, this home is generally a quiet landmark, in part because its appearance has been altered from what appeared on TV. The split-level San Fernando Valley home was the home of The Brady Bunch. What might throw you off is the absence of a second floor. When they found the home they loved the middle class California feeling but the constructed set was that of a roomy two-story dwelling. Production designers came to the rescue by attaching a fake window to give the house the appearance of a second story.
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742 Evergreen Terrace was turned into a house in Henderson, Nevada. Though the house was originally pink it is now repainted white. A very similar house plan can be purchased from The House Designers, called The Simpson House Plan.
Animated series have a following all their own. For example, the immensely popular animated TV show The Simpsons has a house plan designed after it. In Henderson, Nevada there is a house that was designed to closely mimic that of The Simpsons. The designers viewed dozens of episodes but it became apparent that the cartoon house couldn’t actually be structurally sound. The finished house however, meets all building codes.
Spanish artist and interior designer Iñaki Aliste Lizarralde was interested enough in the layouts of famous TV show homes that he drew up very detailed floor plans, including the home furnishings. The collection includes the likes of The Simpsons, Dexter, Friends, Seinfeld, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, and a handful others.
Lizarralde chose to draw the floor plan for Lucy and Ricky Ricardo’s rural home set in Westport, CT in grayscale to stay true to the classic black-and-white television show.
Caption: Lizarralde chose to draw the floor plan for Lucy and Ricky Ricardo’s rural home set in Westport, CT in grayscale to stay true to the classic black-and-white television show.
The homes our favorite fictional characters live in do exist, at least on the exterior level, but there could soon be a string of houses who’s exteriors also look just like the ones from your favorite movies or television shows. All that’s needed is a bit of architectural knowledge, a similar house plan and keen sense of interior design.
Learn About Home Efficiency on Earth Day | green house plans
0Earth Day is a day where many people plant a tree, recycle and try to make an effort to conserve energy, particularly when it comes to their home. This year the Department of Energy is giving citizens a chance to get some home efficiency questions answered by hosting a special Google+ hangout on Monday April 22nd at 3pm. The live discussions will be streamed on Google+, YouTube and energy.gov/live.
The average American family spends $2,000 per year on their home energy bills. Unfortunately, most of this money is wasted on energy leaks and drafts. When you consider that the residential sector accounts for 22 percent of energy consumption upgrading your home to be more energy efficient is a great way to save money and minimize your impact on the planet. If you’re building a new home and energy-efficiency and sustainable home building products are on the top of your ‘must have’ features you’ll want to consider browsing through hundreds of stock green house plans to find your dream green home.
The Wilson Creek House Plan packs a lot of punch into 1,509 square feet. With three bedrooms and two bathrooms this one-story home has a modest footprint with plenty of amenities. With details like a cathedral ceiling and tapered columns, this house plan is sure to give the owners a nostalgic feeling.
The Earth Day Google+ hangout will not only give citizens the opportunity to learn about several new approached to home efficiency upgrades but will also be a platform to share your best energy saving tips with others.
According to recent posting on Energy.gov, “Whether you want tips on increasing the comfort of your home information on rebates and tax credits, or details on how to incorporate solar and other renewable-energy technologies into the home, our panelists are ready to share solutions and advice. Until then, we look forward to viewing your video questions and engaging with you in a lively discussion on energy-saving solutions to benefit both our home and our world.”
The Morrison house plan is the perfect house plan for families looking for just a little bit more space. The Morrison house plan takes the quaint cottage feel and naturally expands it to a two-story design. The end result is a comfortable bungalow style house plan with a home office and a kitchen with long kitchen countertops.
And after your attend the hangout take your newfound information and visit The House Designers collection of ENERGY STAR® and Green House Plans. These house plans are designed to be affordable and energy efficient without sacrificing style and amenities. Check out the collection here at The House Designers and you’ll be on your way to living green in no time.
The House Designers’ Design House Plans for New Home Market
0Portland, Oregon (PRWEB) April 12, 2013
Now that the demand for newly built homes is picking up, online companies like The House Designers are reporting an increase in plan sales, particularly smaller layouts with high-end amenities and green features.
As the housing market moves into recovery, the demand for newly built homes is increasing and online stock house plan companies like The House Designers are reporting an increase in home plan sales, particularly innovative small to mid-size floor plans with high-end amenities and green features.
“Our smaller house plans are becoming our best-selling as the demand from consumers for more affordable, energy efficient designs increases,” said Tammy Crosby, Chief Operating Officer of The House Designers, America’s leading house plan provider. “We’re selling more and more home plans averaging 2,200 to 2,500 square feet that feature the latest in high end amenities and details.”
One of the newest small house plans from The House Designers is the Pleasant Cove House Plan.
Customizing house plans is another popular trend as builders and homeowners look to add personal touches like garden tubs and spa showers, outdoor kitchens and living spaces, and finished basements with entertainment and media rooms. The House Designers offers free modification estimates on all their house plans. Almost everyone who builds from a stock house plan makes alterations to the floor plan to add their personal touches. Common changes include adding another garage bay, extending the kitchen, adding a bedroom or bathroom and changing the exterior elevation.
“Our home plan specialists are the best in the business and work diligently to find consumers and builders a house plan that is best suited for their needs, lifestyle and budget to minimize the amount of changes needed to customize a floor plan,” Crosby said.
Consumers who purchase a house plan with modifications work directly with the architect who designed the home to ensure 100% satisfaction. Depending on the size of the home and complexity of the design, a set of stock blueprints averages around $750. PDF house plan packages and CAD files, which are best suited for modification average around $1,000 to $3,500. Customizing a stock house plan can be thousands of dollars cheaper than hiring an architect to draw a new home design from scratch.
The Amber’s Place House Plan features an open/flexible floor plan.
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released a report titled The New Home In 2015, which is based on the results of a survey they conducted to assess what the common characteristics of an average, new single-family detached home will be in 2015.
Important findings from this report include:
- The average, new single-family home will be smaller and include more green features like low-e windows and engineered wood products.
- The living room will either vanish or merge with other spaces in the home and the great room will take center stage in an open floor plan.
- The kitchen will get more functional with a double sinks, recessed lighting and island spaces for eating and entertaining.
- Automation and smart home technology will become more common.
- Home plans will incorporate defined outdoor living spaces.
Here are three new innovative house plans from The House Designers collection of over 6,000 home plans that include these popular design features:
The Pleasant Cove House Plan features a universal design and plenty of curb appeal with a large columned porch, detailed roof trusses, plenty of windows and a perfect blend of stone and siding. Highlights of this 2,267 square foot home with three bedrooms and three baths include vaulted ceilings, an open kitchen and dining area with a bar top island. The large, amenity filled master suite occupies the right wing and has access to a small porch. There’s an outdoor living space that includes a lanai, grilling station, fireplace and pool surround with a stone patio. For extended living there’s a 439 square foot bonus space and an optional basement floor plan.
The Amber’s Place House Plan is a split bedroom European design with an arched covered front entry and two-car garage. Inside is a great room with vaulted ceiling and a fireplace that opens to the kitchen and breakfast room with a center island and dual sinks. An optional screened grilling porch with a corner fireplace can be accessed from the breakfast room. There are four bedrooms including a master suite with a corner shower, whirlpool tub and a large walk-in closet. Enjoy a flexible 400 square foot bonus room over the garage that’s perfect for a fifth bedroom, office or media/game room.
For a traditional, two-story design there’s the Concord House Plan. This flexible floor plan opens to the living and dining areas with only beams and columns to define their spaces creating a luxurious appeal. The entry off of the garage offers a command center, creating the perfect office space for parents, with a second floor computer station perfect for the children. A cozy breakfast room with large windows leads to a sundeck.
On The House Designers website, builders and consumers can browse the New House Plan collection, which receives new designs regularly. The company offers 21 architectural styles and 38 specialty collections including Best-Selling House Plans, Green House Plans and Fabulous Kitchens to ensure your dream home can become a reality.
Benefits of Using Pre-Drawn Green House Plans
0If you’re looking for an affordable way to build a sustainable home, than choosing off-the-shelf green house plans from The House Designers is a great option.
Once you’ve committed to building a new home, there are many questions you will need to ask yourself before you begin your search for the perfect house plan. Some are simple—what home styles appeal to you? How large a home do you wish to build? What design features are important to you? Do you prefer a one-story or two-story design and would you like the option to easily expand your living space with a basement floor plan or bonus room? Do you have plans to ‘age-in-place?’
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This new eco-friendly cottage house plan features cabinetry from KraftMaid® and ENERGY STAR® appliances from Whirlpool®.
If you answered yes, let The House Designers show you just how ‘green’ your new home can be. For the environmentalist in you they’ve got a huge selection of beautiful, certified green house plans.
You could hire an architect to draw up your house plans, but it’s costly and can take a considerable length of time. The more affordable and efficient choice is to select a stock house plan. There are literally thousands of green home plans available online in a wide range of styles, sizes, layouts and amenities. You can choose from THD’s exclusive selection of ENERGY STAR® and Green House Plans that are either ENERGY STAR® approved or LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). If you find a stock house plan that you really like but isn’t quite perfect, they’ll customize it for you to ensure that it fits all your needs and preferences.
This quaint cottage house plans features an open, eco-friendly living space with crown moulding from Fypon®, hardwood flooring from Lumber Liquidators® and a fireplace designed with Cultured Stone® from Boral®.
One significant benefit to choosing a stock green house plan is that it’s almost certainly been built somewhere, so any construction issues have already been discovered and ironed out. Of course you need to hire the right builder, preferably one who has experience in building sustainable homes similar to the one you plan to build.
A great stock green house plan like those offered by The House Designers will include many of the green features you are looking for, like solar heating, natural day-lighting, higher insulation levels, ENERGY STAR® products and energy efficient heating and cooling systems. If you like, you can add an ENERGY STAR® approved plan package to any of their house plans to provide detailed, complete blueprints for your builder to construct your new energy-efficient home.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “ENERGY STAR® certified new homes are designed and built to standards well above most other homes on the market today, delivering energy savings of up to 30 percent when compared to typical new homes. A new home that has earned the ENERGY STAR® label has undergone a rigorous process of inspections, testing, and verification to meet strict requirements set by the EPA, delivering better quality, comfort, and efficiency.
View our entire collection of exclusive ENERGY STAR® and Green House Plans and learn about all the benefits of building a green home in our Green Building Articles section.
Top 3 Kitchen Trends for 2013 | house plans
0When selecting your house plans, the kitchen is a place to invest your money and where families spend a lot of their time. Unlike other rooms in your house, the kitchen is the room that has to stand the test of time. On February 19th, 2013 the National Kitchen and Bath Association released a list of popular kitchen and bathroom trends. The list was compiled from a survey of over 300 member-designers who observed materials, design, and style from their clients over the last quarter of 2012.
This picture, from the Chatham house plan shows the white painted cabinetry that is currently trending in the NKBA polls for 2013.
“As members of the NKBA, the kitchen and bath industry’s foremost professional association, our designers demonstrate comprehensive knowledge in kitchen and bath design,” says 2013 NKBA President John Morgan in a recent press release. “They excel in evaluating homeowners’ specific needs and creating designs that inspire. It will be interesting to discover the trends that emerge from the rich experience of these creative, talented individuals.”
Here are few of the most significant trends for 2013 according to the NKBA.
- Gray color schemes — the color gray has slowly been gaining popularity since 2010. Currently used in 55% of kitchens, gray color schemes are effective in creating chic and sophisticated looks for your bathroom.
- Transitional Kitchen Styles — Transitional style blends the traditional and the contemporary into seamless designs. In the latest poll, the number of transitional kitchens is up 10% from the previous year, beating out the longstanding favorite of traditional style kitchens.
- Quartz finishes were in decline last year but have become a clear trendsetter this year. Quartz was the second most popular counter-surface in the last couple of years. This year, quartz closed the gap, rising to 80% usage. Granite, the most popular counter surface, held steady at 87% percent.
The Valencia house plan features a large kitchen full of design possibilities, including the use of light colored granite countertops.
While those might be the most popular trends from last year, other trends include white painted cabinetry, glass backsplashes, LED lighting, touch-activated faucets, and satin nickel finishes.
Even though these might be the top trends for this year, when it comes to designing your kitchen from the ground up, or updating you existing kitchen, remember that your kitchen should reflect you and your personal style. To get started on designing your dream kitchen, check out The House Designers collection of fabulous kitchen house plans.
Top Three Green House Plans
0It’s the time of year when green begins to appear in the landscape and in the shops, but while you put on your bit of green for St. Patrick’s Day there are other ways you can be green too. Shopping for green house plans is one of many ways that you can help the environment and your wallet. With The House Designers collection of energy-efficient house plans you are sure to find a home that is efficient and affordable without sacrificing the style or amenities you want in your home.
All of the homes in The House Designer’s energy efficient collection are ENERGY STAR approved and come with an optional ENERGY STAR plan package. The collection includes everything from a Colonial ranch to a Victorian or cape cod style and features the latest in sustainable building technologies and eco-friendly home products.
The L’Attesa di Vita house plan is a charming one-story home with three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.
One of our most popular house plans is the L’Attesa di Vita. This home is one floor and perfect for first time homebuilders. Among its key features are a daylight basement, a secluded study, and a covered rear porch. This home is perfect for entertaining and you won’t be short on space for a guest room with the optional basement guest suite package.
The Long Meadow house plan is the perfect place for a family or entertaining.
Another popular energy-efficient house plan is The Long Meadow house plan. This ranch, country house plan has plenty of living space for a family with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. A spacious master suite is the perfect refuge for homeowners, complete with his and hers closets, a large bathroom and sitting area. Below is the perfect place for family recreation, with a large space for a game room and a home theater.
The Berkshire house plan is a lovely one-story house plan with lots of space for a growing family.
The Berkshire house plan is another one of our popular house plans. Designed with the busy lifestyle of families of today in mind this house plan features a large great room with a gas log fireplace, the perfect place to entertain guests. The adjoining kitchen also has easy access to the neighboring dining room. One thing this house plan is not short on, is storage, all the bedrooms include large closets.
An energy-efficient home doesn’t have to be tiny. These 3,000 square foot and under homes are the perfect compromise when it comes to being green and stylish. You won’t need to sacrifice comfort or style with these ENERGY STAR approved homes from The House Designers.
Daylight Savings Time All Year Long? | house plans
0It’s that time of year again. Twice a year we change our clocks in accordance with Daylight Savings Time. On March 10th, we will once again switch our clocks an hour earlier so that we can spend more time in the daylight and less time in the dark. How nice will it be to walk out of work at five or six in the evening and find that the world is no longer shrouded in darkness.
Rooms like this one, from the Astoria house plan, have a lot of potential for natural light. Longer days during daylight savings time means that rooms like these can be used to full effect without having to turn on any artificial lights.
In a March 7th article from the International Business Times, advocates are saying that if a move forward could make March more bearable for all, the question becomes what if we sprang forward but never fell back. Darren Soto, a Florida state senator filed SB 734, which will put the Sunshine State on Daylight Savings Time all year around.
“That’s a couple more rides at the park, another hour at the beach, and more folks enjoying restaurants,” says Senator Soto. His district encompasses the Walt Disney World resorts.
What does a state that runs on DST all year around mean? For a state like Florida, it would improve their tourism in winter and improve the quality of life for Floridians. Imagine, no one needs to suffer Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as Winter Depression, because of a few more hours of daylight. Additionally, it is projected that DST saves 3.4% of electricity during peak hours.
Want a home that will let in plenty of natural light and allow you to have a place to sit and enjoy the warmer weather? The Kensington House Plan not only has plenty of windows for natural light and the covered porch is the perfect place to sit for an afternoon without worrying about sunburn.
It’s hard to object to a few more hours of daylight in the winter. DST was originally meant to give farmers more time to work their land, but in this modern age, farmers know they don’t need a clock to tell them when to start working. Historically, the primary concern has been schools. Citizens are concerned about students waiting for the bus or walking to school early in the morning. Soto says that the bill would allow schools to adjust their schedules around the extended daylight hours.
While most of the feedback he has received for this bill has been positive, he does not expect it to pass anytime soon. Other senators have had problems trying to move their state onto DST permanently. Colorado tried and failed in 2000 and 2011. While it was rejected both times, the idea will be put to a referendum in 2014 for Colorado citizens to vote on.
The idea of having extra daylight all the time is an attractive concept, but regardless of what might lie ahead on a senate floor, remember to switch your clocks forward one hour on March 10th at 2 a.m.
Get Your House Plans Emailed in Minutes with PDF Now! Program
0Portland, Oregon (PRWEB) February 27, 2013
Gone are the days that a consumer or builder had to work with an architect or designer, sometimes for months or longer, to create and design a new home. Starting back in the early 1900s, home plan magazines began offering catalog house plans that could be ordered by phone or mail. The famed Sears, Roebuck and Company catalog sold more than 100,000 houses between 1908 and 1940 through their Modern Homes program.
Award-winning craftsman green house plan. This home won first place in The House Designers 2012 ENERGY STAR and Green House Plans Competition.
Times have definitely changed with technology, and if it’s not innovative enough to order house plans online and receive them in a few days, The House Designers now offers home designs that can literally be received within minutes of ordering.
“In today’s fast-past world of technology where consumers shop online to purchase products and get questions answered immediately, The House Designers make acquiring house plans a quick and easy process by offering a new service called PDFs Now!,” said Tammy Crosby, Chief Operating Officer of America’s leading house plan provider. “Within minutes of ordering, consumers and builders can now receive electronic PDF files of construction-ready home plans.”
The house plans are complete working drawings from roof to foundation that includes everything a builder needs to construct a home. The House Designers has a fully trained, seasoned team of house plan specialists who can assist customers and builders with finding their dream home and then deliver it to them in minutes. PDFs are not only fast but they are earth-friendly conserving printing and shipping resources. Customers can print what they need and email the electronic PDF to contractors and supply houses for estimates and bidding.
Builders and consumers will be able to select from three unique packages:
PDF Bid Set: The PDF Bid Set is perfect for getting quick estimates and bids from the convenience of your computer, iPad or Smartphone. The bid set is stamped “Not for Construction” and is used to get estimates on supplies and contractors.
Construction PDF Set: The Construction PDF Set of house plans are complete construction working drawings sent electronically and ready to build.
5 Bond Sets + PDF Bid Set: This set is a printed set and PDF Bid set. It includes five printed sets and a PDF Bid Set for bidding and getting estimates. The PDF will be emailed in minutes and the bond sets will be mailed.
“We offer thousands of house plans in a wide variety of sizes and styles, as well as special collections like our award-winning ENERGY STAR house plans and our award-winning craftsman home plans,” Crosby said. “Our advanced search page allows consumers and builders to select lots of home details to make finding a home that meets their needs, lifestyle and budget easy and quick.”
Plant a Green Roof: Feed 70 Chickens and Lower Your Bills | green house plans
0Plant a Green Roof: Feed 70 Chickens and Lower Your Bills.
Source: The Movoto blog is a service of Movoto Real Estate
Don’t forget if you’re building a green home, it’s best to start with a stock ENERGY STAR and green house plan from The House Designers. Each home plan comes complete with all the guidelines a homeowner and builder needs to construct an energy-efficient and sustainable home that will meet the strict standards set forth by the EPA’s ENERGY STAR home program.
Pros and Cons of a Finished Basement Floor Plans
0When you are in the process of buying your first house plan you probably haven’t given much thought to what you’ll do with a basement. Your choices are really to finish it or leave it with just the foundation walls. Finishing a basement can be a costly venture but it does have its benefits.
A basement that is not in use can accumulate mold and mildew and can become unpleasant and hazardous. A finished basement on the other hand is a naturally temperature controlled environment. They are typically warm in the winter and cool in the summer, allowing you to take advantage of it for storage or living purposes.
If you really want a home that will let you enjoy the outdoors, then look no further than The Southborough Cottage house plan. This house plan not only gives you a basement to work with, but it also gives you front and rear porches to enjoy plenty of the fresh air.
A basement is not just used for storage anymore. It can be made into an extra bedroom, a game room, hobby room or even a man cave. And if you live in a tornado-prone area, you can make the basement into a comfortable place to take shelter with your family.
Additionally, finishing a basement also adds to the value of your home. Finishing a basement, however, requires adding insulation and the room then needs to be heated which can add to the cost of your heating bill. A finished basement also provides a problem when it comes to making repairs. Technicians who have to make repairs to pipes or the furnaces may have to cut out a portion of the wall to gain access to the wall. This can be messy and time consuming whereas with an unfinished basement the technicians would have direct access to the pipes.
The Landon house plan is a charming two-story cottage that features a basement floor plan and crawl space. The living area features a kitchen with open sight lines to the dining room and great room, as well as three bedrooms and two bathrooms.
There are several benefits to finishing your basement, it all depends on what matters most to you. In the meantime, take a look at some of The House Designer’s best-selling house plans, many of which come with multiple basement options.
House Plans with Romantic Master Suites
0Valentine’s day is today, and there is no better way to surprise your partner than with a set of house plans that includes a large romantic master suite for the two of you. A master suite is a sanctuary away from the rest of the house, a place where you can retreat after a long day at the office, taking care of the kids or dealing with overnight guests. Here are some quick tips to make your bedroom an oasis.
Keep it Serene. Nowadays people are spending more time at home and want comfort. When decorating your new bedroom select soft colors for a retreat like atmosphere. Also remember that the bedroom is your personal space, so make sure that all your work is left outside. (That’s what the office is for.)
The Terrebonne house plan is a European style home that features a master suite with two large walk-in-closets and a sunken tub to anchor the master bath.
Think Multi-purpose. Just because you shouldn’t bring your work into your bedroom doesn’t mean that the space can’t have other uses. We recommend thinking of your master suite as a home within a home, or more precisely, like a hotel-suite. You can consider an entertainment center for watching television or a sitting area for reading.
Suite Conveniences. Amenities in luxurious master suites range from heated subflooring to a coffee bar with mini-fridge for cocktails. These conveniences give new meaning to hotel-style luxury.
The Long Meadow house plan features a large master suite with lots of potential. Featuring his-and-hers closets, a large bathroom and a sitting room, this master suite can fulfill all your needs. And if the weather is nice, it also opens onto a deck for some stargazing.
A Trip to the Spa. More and more people are constructing master bathrooms with a spa-like atmosphere. When constructing your master suite, consider adding luxury to your bathroom as well. For example, you can add a whirlpool tub, radiant flooring or heat towel rack. When laying down your floor or tiling your wall, you can use natural materials like granite, tile, glass or even onyx to give your bathroom a natural feel.
Think of You. When it comes to designing your master suite, it should ultimately be an expression of you. When you walk into your master suite you should feel instantly relaxed and comfortable. Just remember that a calm and soothing retreat means different things to different people and as such no two master suites will be the same.
This master suite from the Halstad Craftsman Ranch house plan boasts endless closet space and a luxurious garden spa tub.
While you might share the rest of the house with your family and pets, remember that the master suite is yours. It is the ideal place to pamper yourself and your partner, so make your master suite is an oasis that you can share together. Check out The House Designer’s Collection of homes with great master suites to find house plans with the space for your perfect getaway.
Nemo Covers the Northeast with Record-breaking snow | craftsman style home
0Parts of New England and the Northeast battled record-setting snowdrifts this weekend after winter storm Nemo left as much as 3 feet of snow including The House Designers’ head architect’s private Long Island craftsman style home. Nemo put most of the major cities in the Northeast on lockdown for the entire weekend as gale-force winds and coastal flooding left hundreds of thousands without power and motorist stranded on the Long Island Expressway.
Shown is a picture of the Tree Top Treasure House Plan from The House Designers the day after Winter Storm Nemo dumped 30″ of snow on residents of Long Island, NY.
Craftsman house plans
The above home, designed and owned by The House Designers’ best-selling architect, Jerry Axelrod, is one of the many craftsman style home plans available online at thehousedesigners.com. To check out the lavish floor plan of this beautiful home including lots of beautiful interior and exterior photographs click here.
According to reports from Weather.com, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine and New York had accumulations of 30″ or more with Hamden, CT setting a record high of 40″.
After spending the weekend digging out, many Northeast residents are dealing with the aftermath of having their homes damaged from Nemo, particularly roof damage. If you find yourself needing a new roof, it’s a great time to consider the benefits of covering your home with energy-efficient roofing.
A neighborhood near New Haven, Conn., is buried in snow in the aftermath of a storm that hit Connecticut and much of New England. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
Nemo blasts northeast
Before the next big storm hits the Northeast, homeowners should make sure their home is prepared for winter. The editors of The House Designers, who sell the best-selling, most popular online construction-ready house plans in the U.S. offer consumers great resources through their weekly e-newsletters and Product Ideas article section including an article on How to Weatherize Your Home for the Winter and Home Energy Saving Tips.
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Pros and Cons of Prefinished and Unfinished Hardwood Flooring | house plans
0When purchasing your house plans, you are probably looking forward to stepping through the front door of your new home. Imagine the flooring you will be stepping on. Is it tile, carpet, or hardwood? Hardwood floors are one of the most sought after commodities when people buy a home. So if you are building a home it is logical you might want to consider laying down some hardwood floors throughout your new home. The real question is, do you go with prefinished or unfinished hardwood flooring.
The difference between prefinished and unfinished hardwood flooring is simple. Prefinished hardwood is already coated with polyurethane and ready to be installed. Unfinished hardwood panels are raw wood that need to sanded and polished. Here are some advantages of both.
A hardwood floor gives a clean and classic look to a home. This dining room from the Chatham house plan shows hardwood floors with an area rug and covered chairs for a regal look. For more homes like the Chatham house plan, please take a look at our collection of farmhouse plans.
The Pros of Unfinished Hardwood
Unfinished hardwood has several benefits, including smooth edges. Prefinished hardwood often has a slightly beveled edge that can create slight grooves in the floor. The other benefit is that it can be color-matched to existing hardwood within the home. Additionally, unfinished hardwood also costs a little bit less. With unfinished hardwood floors you are paying less for the wood and more for the labor. The wider you go for the planks, the wider the difference in price.
Hardwood floors are practically synonymous with old homes. If you are going for a house plan based on vintage architectural styles, a hardwood floor is most likely a must. The Tasseler house plan is an example of an early twentieth century craftsman home. To see more like this style take a look at our collection of craftsman house plans.
The Pros of Prefinished Hardwood
There is less maintenance involved with a prefinished hardwood floor. An unfinished hardwood floor usually has to be coated two to three times with a polyurethane finish. A plank of prefinished hardwood floor plank is coated with five to six coats before it leaves the factory. As such, these planks do not need to be sanded or refinished as often. As an added benefit, when installing it, you don’t have to worry about sanding or finishing the floor. You can install the flooring and walk on it the moment you finish. Not to mention, most prefinished flooring jobs can be done within one to two days.
This room features Brazillian Cherry Bellawood® hardwood flooring form Lumber Liquidators®. This pre-finished hardwood comes with a hundred year transferable warranty because of the aluminum oxide finish, for superior scratch resistance.
When it comes to installing hardwood flooring, the decision between prefinished and unfinished hardwood flooring is completely a matter of preference. You need to weigh what is the most important to you and make a decision. One thing is for sure, a hardwood floor is preferable on the housing market and you can’t go wrong with a hardwood floor for your home.
