Home Plans
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.
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.
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.
Top Three Craftsman House Plans
0Craftsman is one of the most popular architectural styles and as such is a popular choice in selecting a house plan. Craftsman house plans are designed around the trends from the early 20th Century arts and crafts movement. There are a number of options when it comes to a craftsman style house plan. They can range from a small bungalow to a spacious two-story home, but they are always designed to be informal, warm and inviting.
The Tres Le Fleur house plan is a rustic ranch style home with an open floor plan inside. The main house is an efficient rectangle, meaning less cost to build and a logical traffic pattern that allows you to walk laterally across the home.
Craftsman house plans emerged from the American Victorian style with changes being made to suit the lifestyle of the emerging American housewife. For example, since an American housewife typically did not have live-in servants and did much of the housework herself, including watching the children, a floor plan with clear sight lines had to be constructed. This meant the kitchen had to be integrated into the main house and the dining room pantries replaced the typical Victorian butler’s pantry.
The Portsmouth “B” house plan is a craftsman home with bang for your buck. With 4,304 square feet of living space, this home puts all the amenities at your finger tips, including a sizable kitchen and pantry storage.
Elegance was also at the heart of the Arts and Crafts movement by incorporating handcrafted wood, glass and metal work. The Arts and Crafts movement also preached a philosophy that encouraged originality, simplicity of form, local natural materials and visibility of handicraft. The craftsman style remained popular until the 1930s, but its timeless design still makes it a popular house plan style even today. Take a look at our collection of Craftsman house plans for a home that is sure to inspire you.
The Merveille Vivante house plan is a craftsman home with lots of fairytale charm. This small home sits on 1,421 square feet. The inviting porch leads directly into a dining room and a large bonus room can also be put to good use as an art studio or workspace.
Top Three Victorian House Plans
0The word Victorian seems to be thrown around a bit when describing house plans. Characters in books and movies constantly seem to be living in Victorian houses, but what does Victorian really mean today?
The Maybloom house plan has several key features of a Victorian home, including a wraparound porch and bay windows. The asymmetrical facade gives this house a good dose of curb appeal and its open floor plan makes it the ideal living space for a family.
When you hear the word Victorian used as an adjective, it describes something that dates back to the reign of Queen Victoria. Many notable changes occurred during Queen Victoria’s reign, including architecture itself. Today, a Victorian house plan is patterned after the 19th and 20th century styles of architecture, including gabled and hipped rooflines, bay windows and a generous use of decorative trimmings.
There are notable differences between today’s Victorian house plans and the Victorian houses erected in the 19th century. For instance, a historical Victorian house plan wouldn’t include a garage, mostly because cars hadn’t been invented meaning there was no need for a garage. Chimneys were also a common feature in historical houses, because houses were heated by a fireplace. Most often, a fireplace would be in every room. Today, Victorian house can be found without chimneys since house are warmed by the use of central heating.
When it comes to Victorian architecture, the Kensington house plan has everything you could possibly want. The wraparound porch is accessible from several parts of the house and the decorative gables make this house a dream for admirers of Victorian architecture.
One common feature in Victorian house plans are sash windows and bay windows. Plate glass arrived in 1832, five years before Queen Victoria took the throne. True Victorian windows had six and later four paned windows with a vertical glazing bar down the middle. Bay windows were also a feature of Victorian houses. If you want something that is truly Victorian inspired, then you should consider decorating around your windows exterior.
Just take a look at this house, yes it might look like a couple that you have seen on your drive to work, but the Stratford house plan is a work of art. The asymmetrical facade of this house is eye catching with its two-story turret, giving it just enough of a castle-like atmosphere to be reminiscent of a Victorian Gothic novel.
Of course, technology today is different, and while we don’t need a fireplace in every single room, the decorative look of a Victorian house plan is a draw for some people. With its asymmetrical facade, decorative porches, and steeply pitched roofs, whether you want a house out of the history books or something with a bit of a modern edge, a Victorian house plan is usually a good choice. Check out our collection of Victorian house plans for functional, decorative takes on this popular and timeless design.
House Plans: Tips for Shopping for House Plans
1Building a new home will probably be one of the biggest and most exciting projects of your lifetime and it all starts with finding the perfect house plans. Shopping for a house plan can be an overwhelming process if you don’t know what to look for, which is why The House Designers has created a user-friendly website to ensure your search is easy and enjoyable. You’ll want to look for a floor plan that is functional, comfortable and meets the needs and lifestyle of your growing family.
This award-winning green house plan features a gorgeous, open kitchen floor plan with island seating and food prep area. View the additional features of this 1,768 square foot cottage house plan.
Before starting your house plan search you should make a list of all essential features you want like how many walk-in closets, number of bathrooms and bedrooms, kitchen layout, number of garages and how much bonus space you’ll need. While it is easy to get carried away by aesthetics especially when you’re looking at thousands of beautiful homes and photographs, make sure that your floor plan is practical and affordable.
Equally helpful is writing a list of the things you DON’T want so you’ll be able to eliminate homes from your house plan search. If you know exactly what you want in your new home it is best to go right to the advanced search section, which will make finding your house plan easier.
If you already have the lot for your new home then you will need to find a house plan that will fit the lot. If your lot is on a slope you should consider a house plan with a walkout basement. If you have a narrow lot, the size of your house plan will be limited to a certain width so consider a two-story home for extra living space. The House Designers offers a wide selection of two-story house plans, narrow lot plans and sloping lots in a variety of sizes, shapes and architectural styles.
Of course, if you don’t have any lot limitations you can enjoy browsing a wide variety of house plan styles and specialty collections offered at thehousedesigners.com.
Here are some great tips to help you understand the many features and details available when looking at floor plans:
1 – Total Square Footage The total square footage of the home refers to the finished portion of your house plan. Areas like garages, porches, bonus spaces and attics are considered unfinished and are not calculated in the total square footage of the home plan. Be sure that when you purchase your house plan you have calculated the additional square footage into your budget if you plan on finishing them.
2 – Foundation Options You will need to select a foundation option based on your geographical area and needs. Options include basement, slab, crawl space or post and pier foundation. If you can have a basement this is a great way to increase your living space (it’s typically the same size as the main floor) and add value to your home. You may not be able to afford to complete your basement at the time of construction but down the road you’ll be glad to have the extra space.
3 – Kitchen Layout The kitchen is the key ingredient to any good home design so be sure that the kitchen layout is one that fits your needs and lifestyle. There are five common kitchen layouts depending on the size and style of the home: G (also known as the peninsula), L, U, single-wall and galley, which can easily be customized by adding the right cabinetry, appliances and accents. Check out this great article for selecting the right kitchen layout by clicking here.
4 – Bonus Spaces As you begin your search for a house plan you may want to look for a design that includes a bonus room or optional living space. A bonus room is an extra space in a home that has not been given a specific designation and can be built out at a later time. It offers homeowners the flexibility to create a unique space that fits their particular needs and lifestyle.
5 – Customizing Your Home All of the house plans on The House Designers website can easily be modified to create a custom home without the high costs associated with hiring a designer to draw your plans from scratch. Their home plan specialists are available to determine if your changes are simply redlining changes or structural changes that require plan modifications. The House Designers offers free modification quotes on all their house plans. Simply call 866-214-2242 or email admin@thehousedesigners.com for help finding the right house plans.
From now until midnight Monday November 26, 2012 save 15% off all House Plans from The House Designers
The House Designers Unveil Three New Innovative House Plans
0Portland, Oregon (PRWEB) September 30, 2012
The House Designers, which is comprised of the leading residential architects and designers in the United States, is pleased to announce the addition of three new house plans to its collection of best-selling, builder preferred house plans. These wonderful new designs offer the very best in flexible living spaces, and showcase the ever-popular Craftsman and cottage styles giving these newly-inked designs a timeless appeal.
“Our designers and architects are committed to designing the most innovative, affordable and energy efficient house plans for consumers and builders interested in building a new home,” said Tammy Crosby, Chief Operating Officer of The House Designers. “These new home plans feature all the amenities that consumers demand like outdoor living areas, private master suites, bonus rooms and basement options.”
The House Designers offers an easy-to-navigate website, with a newly redesigned plan page which provides detailed information about the floor plans including foundation options, all with high quality color renderings and photographs of actual built homes.
“One of the most common questions we get from consumers and builders looking at our house plans is, “How much will it cost to build?,” said Crosby, who has a partnership with the home building experts at StartBuild. “This information is extremely important in helping consumers and builders accurately determine how much a home will cost to build. Our interactive Cost-to-Build Estimator is based on current costs for customized product selections and labor specific to a location.”
For a nominal charge of $24.95, visitors can use the interactive program for 30 days exchanging products for planning and budgeting. Consumers who purchase this program also receive a $50 discount for any house plan purchase. There is also a free cost estimator for those looking for a simple rough estimate based on their region. According to The House Designers, builders looking to offer their clients a selection of affordable plans to choose from have found the Cost-To-Build Estimator to be especially useful and accurate, and appreciate the free modification quotes on all house plans.
All 6,000 plus construction drawings on thehousedesigners.com are builder-friendly and include detailed, dimensioned floor plans, basic electrical layouts, cabinet layouts, structural information, cross sections, roof plans and elevations, as well as general specifications. To encourage builders to use stock house plans, The House Designers created the Preferred Builder Program, which is free to all members of the National Home Building Association (NAHB).
Membership in The House Designers’ Preferred Builder Program includes 15% off all house plan purchases with every eighth plan(up to $1000), free. Additional benefits include:
- A directory listing where consumers may search for local contractors
- Custom marketing materials
- Free modifications quotes
- Immediate delivery of digital PDF house plan packages.
Here are three new home designs fresh from the drawing board of America’s leading architects and designers, which can be previewed by visiting thehousedesigners.com:
The Cherry Creek House Plan was created due to popular demand for a slightly larger footprint of an already popular plan. This new home design features 2,495 square feet of living space, a three-car garage and a 625 square foot bonus room. Highlights of this floor plan include the increased bedroom sizes and the addition of walk-in closets and new open living spaces. An oversized island with plenty of seating and a cozy breakfast nook overlooking the porch highlight the kitchen. Access to the basement level is conveniently located just down the hall from the foyer. A larger bonus room is still an option for this plan. View all additional highlights of this new plan by clicking here.
The Cedar Crest House Plan is a two-story Craftsman home featuring a lovely facade with a large wrap-around front porch, custom windows, finished with a warm mix of earth shingles and stone. A side-entry garage with bonus space above and decorative shop bay enhance its award-winning curb appeal. A spacious informal family area with a covered patio, ideal for outdoor entertainment complements a vaulted formal living and dining room off the large foyer. Relax in the indulgent master suite with private sitting room and grand bath. The open kitchen floor plan features plenty of workspace and includes a large center island with cooktop and seating, cabinetry by Kitchen Craft® and solid hardwood flooring from Lumber Liquidators.® Take a photo tour of this 4,100 square foot home by clicking here.
This French Country Cottage house plan features the perfect layout for a growing family. The main floor has a spacious living area with kitchen center island and cozy breakfast room, both perfect spots for casual family dining. For outdoor dining and relaxation, there’s a screened porch and sundeck. The second floor features four bedrooms, including a luxury master suite with sitting area and fireplace. The additional bedrooms are perfect for children or guests, and have unique features like built-ins, balconies, attic access, a playhouse and much more. To view additional photographs and the floor plan for this innovative new home design, click here.
Consumers and builders alike may view all house plans by The House Designers by visiting thehousedesigners.com.
Great Beach Home Plans
3The House Designers have put together a collection of beach home plans from a select group of residential architects and designers that are best suited for waterfront living because of their generous porches, two-story design, open floor plans and abundance of large windows. In many cases, coastal home plans and beach home plans are built on pier foundations to prevent flooding and accommodate rising tides from being on a waterfront property.
The Vistas is one of the most popular beach home plans for homeowners with a waterfront property. Plenty of large windows ensure panoramic views from the kitchen, dining room and master bedroom. The open kitchen includes a large central island, perfect for light lunches and entertaining. The second floor boasts a guest room to house friends and guests, a cozy sitting area, and private bathroom. To see the actual floor plans for this home, click here.
Outside, a large covered balcony is perfect to enjoy the views. An unfinished daylight basement can be designed to double your living space.
The Bahama Breeze House Plan was designed as a dream beach home with spectacular views and outdoor living spaces. The designer drew his inspiration from the casual elegant resorts of the Caribbean. The front entry features a beautiful mahogany and gas lantern entrance that opens to a great room with wood beamed ceiling and huge 10’ x 18’ patio sliders that join the outside patio.
This two-story home is full of special features such as an elevator to the master suite and the bonus room floors as well as an optional car lift to convert the two-car garage into a three-car, perfect for your summer convertible. With a width of just under 77 feet and depth of 58 feet this home is perfect for smaller lots. View additional photographs of this beach home plan by clicking here.
If you’re looking for the ideal home for your lot on or near water you’ll want to preview The House Designers collection of thousands of beach, vacation, lakefront, resort-style and cozy cottages. Be the first to preview the newest house plans from these collections by signing up for Dream Designs, a free weekly e-newsletter.
Mexican-influenced House Plans from The House Designers
0In honor of the 150th anniversary of Cinco de Mayo, The House Designers is showcasing house plans that were inspired by the rich culture of Mexico. You’ll find homes designed in Adobe (also called Santa Fe and Pueblo house plans) with large open courtyards that are great for entertaining and Southwestern/Spanish styling featuring stucco, stone and clay exteriors with red tile roofs, exposed beams and arched openings. The interior of these homes typically feature sun-drenched colors (reds and oranges), stone accents, wood-beamed ceilings, bright tiles, iron and copper decorative accents like clavos, which is Spanish for decorative nails to capture the rich, hand-crafted details of Mexican architecture.
Here are some of our most popular Mexican-influenced homes from our collection of Southwestern and Spanish house plans
Luxury Spanish house plan from The House Designers features a unique open design.
This striking Spanish home features a courtyard with grand rotunda entrance. The foyer is flanked by a dining room and den that leads into a circular great room with a 14’ foot viga ceiling and large bay windows that overlook the outdoor patio. The master suite enjoys complete privacy in the front right wing of the home while the rear left wing features three bedrooms and a casita, which shares access to the two covered patios. Tucked behind the side entry three-car garage is a kitchen with center island and circular nook with large bay windows.
Classic Adobe and Sante Fe house plan featuring an open floor plan and plenty of amenities for its 1,675 footprint.
This one-story home plan features all the traditional styling of an Adobe/Sante Fe home including a flat roof, clay exterior with large timber beams that poke through the exterior to give the home its distinctive look.
A large covered patio adds to the appeal of this new Spanish design from The House Designers, so homeowners can enjoy their connection to the outdoors.
The Coronado House Plan is one of our newest Spanish house plans featuring Old World craftsmanship that starts from the moment that you walk up to the private courtyard and rotunda. Once inside there’s a vaulted great room and gourmet kitchen (perfect for making some spicy Mexican dishes) with a large corner pantry and cozy morning room. There’s a private flexible space that can be used as a den or office. Three bedrooms including the large master suite with his and her closets occupy the right wing of the home.
Be sure to visit The House Designers storyboard of Southwestern-inspired home plans at Pinterest.
House Plans: Latest Contemporary Designs
3If your dream style lends itself to a contemporary flair, you’ll enjoy The House Designers collection of modern house plans, which blend comfortable, livable elements to create a sophisticated, fresh look and feel. All of these designs feature magnificent outdoor living spaces, large open living spaces framed by spectacular, custom walls of windows, luxurious master suites and modern, restaurant styled kitchens.
A distinct trademark of most contemporary homes is large spectacular expanses of glass. This latest design from The House Designers features walls of windows outlining the rear of the home and overlooking the outdoor living area.
From the exterior, contemporary homes are very distinctive in styling from other residential architecture. They are typically geometric in form, which means a minimal roofline and plenty of large frameless or minimal frame windows throughout the elevation. The exterior facade is typically horizontal cedar or stark white render masonry with some addition of brick and stone accents.
The Brunswick House Plan features an open living space with clean lines, bright white walls and cabinetry with bursts of accent colors and stainless steel appliances. Check out the retractable glass walls that allows for a smooth, practical transition from the indoors/outdoors.
Contemporary interior design follows the concept of clean, simple lines with minimal accents. The main living spaces share an open floor plan that’s functional and appealing. Key elements include using metals like stainless steel, chrome and nickel because they provide a sleek finish and clean look. Walls are typically neutral in color with bold, modern furniture and accents.
How about having your own eco-resort with the Hummingbird H3 House Plan. This high efficiency home leverages all the latest green technology in a functional, affordable footprint of 1,350 square feet. For a smaller version of this ultra-contemporary design, there’s the Hummingbird H2.
The House Designers and Project Team Up Partner to Provide House Plans to Alabama Tornado Victims
0The House Designers and Project Team Up recently partnered to provide house plans to tornado victims of Tuscaloosa, Alabama to assist in rebuilding new homes for a community left devastated by the worst outbreak of twisters on record in April of 2011. Families can choose from over 6,000 best-selling house plans from the leading designers and architects in the United States. Homes will be built by a team of talented craftsman who are coming from all over the world to offer their expertise and time in building new homes.
“We had gotten offers from local designers to draw up plans, but we wanted to go with an established organization, because we felt having a gamut of house plans would serve us better than forcing a house plan on a family,” said Riz Shakir, Executive Director of Team Up Foundation. He is also a professor at UA, who took a one-year leave of absence to head this project. “We want them to feel special and your portfolio of house plans allows them to browse, choose and finalize a plan for their new home.”
According to Shakir, he approached The House Designers because the website was easy to navigate, user-friendly and the families were enjoying browsing through the collection of over 6,000 best-selling house plans.
“We were so glad when Shakir approached us to offer our assistance with providing house plans to help rebuild a community that lost so many homes,” said Tammy Crosby, CEO of The House Designers. “We were more than happy to provide a discount on all of our house plans and assist with making modifications so these families could have a fresh start and custom their dream home.”
The goal is to have the families very involved in selecting their new home, which is why Shakir sits with them to review house plans on thehousedesigners.com that are applicable to their size (average house is around 2,000 square feet), budget and personal taste. If the family requests changes, he is more than happy to have the designers and architects of The House Designers make changes to the blueprints.
For every million dollars that they raise they will build between 10 and 15 new homes at a cost of about $75k-$100k. “Imagine the 6300 house plan, which would cost about $170k to build, but with free labor and only having to pay for materials the cost is essentially half price,” said Shakir, who is the builder and engineer on all new home construction projects.
The first two homes being built are the Norcuss House Plan and the Morrow House Plan. The Norcuss House Plan is an attractive 1-½ story design featuring plenty of amenities for a mid-size house plan, including a 252 sq. ft. bonus room. Highlights of this home include a 24’ x 14’ vaulted great room with fireplace, a large kitchen with two breakfast bars, 12’ vaulted ceilings in the master suite with a 6’ Palladium window and 3-car garage with bonus space above. They most recently purchased plan is the Morrow House Plan, which has an abundance of features (very similar to the Norcuss) and an open design for just under 2,000 square feet. The traditional brick exterior offers a refined and elegant appeal that is quintessential Alabama.
“The next plan will be the Shenandoah House Plan, which will go to the local Pastor and his family, who despite their personal devastation have spent months living in their parents basement to assist others,” said Shakir, who feels blessed to be in the company of such a loving community.
Donations may be sent to 312 Merchants Walk Suite 7, Tuscaloosa, AL 35406. For more information, call Project Team Up at 855-832-6877 or visit http://www.projectteamup.com/
House Plans: Editor’s Choice Dream Homes from 2011
4The editors of The House Designers have been busy going through over 6,000 best-selling house plans to choose their favorite designs from 2011. These particular house plans were chosen based on their innovation and energy efficiency as well as their interior detailing and curb appeal.
The timeless design of this traditional house plan will be one you will enjoy spending time in with family and guests. It is accented by gorgeous columns, shake siding and stone to create a unique, appealing exterior.
The Palladium House Plan was one of the newest additions to the traditional house plan collection. It was designed to create a multi-generational family-friendly home with flexibility and privacy throughout. The timeless exterior features traditional columns and arches, softened with Shingle-style accents and details. The welcoming front porch opens to a centered foyer, with an opposing den and formal dining room plus butlery and walk-in pantry. The beamed great room with built-in fireplace and entertainment center, gourmet kitchen with its huge island and multi-windowed eating nook create a spacious family area, all opening onto the large, wraparound outdoor living porch.
The Palladium House Plan from The House Designers features an open design accented by beautiful rich hardwood flooring from Lumber Liquidators® and bright white cabinetry, trim and wall coloring. There’s plenty of extra room for seating — something you’ll appreciate when you're entertaining guests.
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Share Your Home Building Experience & Win $250
1Share Your Home Building Experience
We would like to invite all our home plan purchasers to share their home building experience and rate our house plans to assist others in choosing their dream home.
Send us your photographs of your new home and share your experience building one of our house plans by DECEMBER 20 and you’ll receive a $250 AMEX card if we use them on our home page. First 25 customers who send us photographs (we love interior shots) will receive $50.
Sharing your comments is quick and easy – click here.
We would like to extend our thanks for purchasing house plans from The House Designers and hope you will share your story with us!
Designing Your Vacation Home | vacation homes
2If you own a vacation home, you may find it challenging to figure out how the most affordable way to design and decorate it, while still making it appealing to renters. Since you’ll probably be using your home to vacation, you’ll need to find a way to balance your personal style and comfort with durable and affordable appliances and furnishings that can withstand the wear and tear of lots of traffic, especially if your home is a ski or beach destination.
Remember that renters have high expectations that a rental home will be as nice, if not nicer than their own home and filled with lots of amenities. Choose furniture that is easy to clean and durable. A great idea is to add slipcovers to your sofa and chairs, since they can easily be cleaned. One area where you shouldn’t cut corners is with the bedroom, since there is nothing worse than sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress.
Most vacation homes feature an outdoor living space so maximize this area if you can by adding a grilling area and comfortable furniture. If you’re looking to build a vacation home, look for house plans that feature open living spaces, mudrooms and functional kitchen designs.
For some great decorating ideas for your vacation home you’ll want to check out these two new articles from The House Designers – Decorating Your Vacation Home and Designing Your Rental Home.
Build Your Dream Home with Mom in Mind | dream house plans
0First off, everyone at The House Designers would like to wish all the mothers in the world who have helped make a house a home and provided us with countless childhood memories a very Happy Mother’s Day!
If you are thinking about building your dream home now is the perfect time to consider a house plan that features an in-law suite, guest bedroom or optional living spaces so that mom and of course dad can have a comfortable and warm place to stay. This is especially practical if you have elderly parents who may need to come live with you some day. After all they spent their lives devoted to taking of care of us.
We offer an extensive collection of homes designed with extra living spaces no matter what size, style or budget you are looking for.
Here are some of our favorite homes with added living spaces that make it easy to keep the whole family under one roof, while offering plenty of privacy and practical living spaces.
Enjoy time with the family with an extended outdoor living space and in-law suite.
The Seligman house plan is designed with a unique left wing that features the master suite and guest suite with a large front Palladian window. There are plenty of open living spaces, flexible rooms and a gorgeous outdoor living area with covered verandah, swimming pool and patio so you can enjoy years of great time together.
A private studio apartment above the garage features a living room and kitchenette.
How about a studio apartment for your mom above the garage? This gorgeous new Craftsman House Plan features a second floor plan above the garage with a private, spacious suite featuring a living space, kitchenette, full bath and ample size bedroom with walk-in closet. This plan is packed with amenities for its 2,339 square feet.
Enjoy the many amenities of this clever duplex house plan that doesn't look like a duplex at all.
Or how about a duplex house plan that doesn’t look like a duplex at all? Check out the Due Volte Casa House Plan.
You’ll have fun browsing through our collection of house plans.
