planfan have you seen this thread? need your 12 cents

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oops! bet the land is worth hanging on to. Lots of this happening in Templestowe Lwr.

Thanks for the feedback planfan and kiwi. I agree that the fridge being in the Butler’s Pantry is not as functional as in the Kitchen itself. I could have it in the same location as now but facing the Kitchen and accessible from the end of the island bench? That would work. My mum actually didn’t mind having it in the BP for the very reason you point out- to discourage my siblings from opening it unnecessarily and wasting electricity! Another benefit is that being in the BP it would not be ‘on show’ so that any potential dints or marks on the SS finish would not be as big a problem (those with OCD will understand haha). And in terms of accessibility, the BP will have a counter of at least 1.5m plus sink so it will be a genuine food preparation area. But all that said, the fridge is used constantly for filtered water so it’s probably best being accessible from the Kitchen.


A good suggestion about the upstairs Powder Room planfan- I will keep it in mind. The reason I have it the way I do is because I want to have the window opposite the loo. You see... if the window is high enough not to upset the neighbours but low enough to see out of, you could have city views from the loo haha. If I can’t have such a pretty view however, I will position the loo and the basin on the exterior wall as you suggested.


Any other comments??? So you don’t think the entry hallway is way too narrow??

Cheers,
Michael

Powder room window - how about something at the top of the stairs or a window above the basin - instead of all mirror.
Hall way - you've said nan doesn't need two basins, so the shower can move left. She might not need the cupboard behind the cloak so the cloak can move left - then the hall should be a bit wider. However, allow room for walking frames and for someone to access helping nan in the bathroom. Also, space around the WC for support frames or whatever they're called. Your draughtsperson should know.
If the fridge goes in the pantry, keep in mind the door space has to be big enough to jiggle the fridge in and out to replace it.

That's great, excellent ideas! Thanks!

you do need halls and doors to be wide enough to move a wheelchair down.
it might mean you sacrifice 20 cms from a room, but that 20 cms will be a life saver if you ever have to use a wheelchair.

and means she can stay in the house.....

hi all, We have come up with our floor plan but are having issues with our facade, i know it is a floor plan thread but any help would be appreciated.

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i will make comment after people share their opinions

Thanks Justin.

my opinion is whaoaooooooooooooo!! can I live with you? are you married? do you want to be married to me?

and I like facade number 1, with the wood detail, although it might be REALLY high maintenance , and so if you dont have a pool boy to maintain it, then go with the 2nd one. (and are you having a pool...this house deserves a pool)

I like Facade #1, too - high maintenance. There's something about that stone - hmmm 1950s?
Can you make the posts (on the right hand side near the garage) wider - maybe double them - just to put a bit more weight on that side ??
You're really tight on your building envelope.
Kiwi there's a water feature in the courtyard - could have a splash there.

Happy too! So long as I live there...I'll splash wherever.

We are leaning towards the first facade.... My girlfriend said that if you Like you are welcome to share our mortgage. We want to put a pool in along the east side... Will go to council after we build the house and I will build the pool myself as soon as funds allow.

That area that is the 'water feature' could be any thing, I had thought of putting a pool in that area Maintence would be a bit*h.

Also all materials are subject to change basically just looking for something that works well

Schultze, i like facade 1 the best. What materials are you looking at going with? there wouldnt be a need to go all that timber. Also the other guys said hard to maintain. Maybe you could play around with some different materials, render, matrix cladding, stone cladding and some timber?

Ok, firstly. I bags bedroom 3 - both of them. How does $50pw rent sound?

I immediately like facade #1 too - because of the warmth of the wood and because of the roofline. I'm thinking maybe break up the wood with the centre feature being stone or render or steel??

Lovely house.... very lovely.

oow, yes, mix it up a bit

I like number ones windows. I know they arent the real windows but I do like the style of the ones on the pretend house front compared to facade 2. Not so boring

Hi all, If I have attached this correctly, hopefully you will see the design we are quite keen on for our acre in the Blue Mountains. I would love any feedback you have to offer (including on how to attach photos correctly if this doesn't work ). I would especially love ideas for the kitchen which just doesn't have space for a decent pantry or the fridge at this stage. I should also point out that North is to the upper right corner of the image and the block has a slight but decent slope. To the "west" of the house will be the remaining half acre of land that is the "backyard", and the deck on the other side will face down the slope onto a hobby farm and lovely mountain views. It is a corner block with the roads on the western and southern sides of the house. The upper level of the house is approx 230msq. It will be colonial/federation style.

Thanks so much!

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Hi Shaezy

Can you tell us some room sizes and what stage are your kids at?
The kids area looks small ? but maybe they will want to be separate from each other anyway.
Are there doors from the living to the deck?
I wondered if you might be better to have all the seating off the kitchen and put the dining in the walk through area - depending on the room sizes.
Push the kitchen to the right and tuck a pantry and laundry behind. You seem to have a lot of windows in the kitchen (for the views?) so you can't have many overhead cupboards and will need a pantry.
Swing the study door the other way?
Waste space walking behind bed to WIR - maybe the bed will catch the views - depends on height and deck projection?
Front door will be somewhat open to southerly winds - is there a hall door? (airlock).

Suits the colonial style. Lots of windows for pretty curtains, but might not give a good energy rating?
cheers
Planfan

THANKS so much!

LOL I used to shift furniture a lot but now I have too much stuff.
Pantry - what about those shelves that look like a cupboard but slide out with baskety shelves. A couple of those would hold a lot and things would be visible and accessible.
If you don't have above bench cupboards, put drawers all underneath - they are terrific for seeing and reaching things.
Put in a drink sink ? - somewhere for rinsing things, washing veges.... just a thought
Kitchen - what about a u shape with an island bench in the middle ?
That balcony off the study - could be cold? - better as a WIR (but cuts the study views...)
Chers

Definitely love the idea of the drawers and pantry slide out! I've also been tossing up the idea of U shaped and the island, especially if we increase the dimensions some. The problem is that the whole place has lovely views and gorgeous sun (when it's out!) so I am going to have to sacrifice something somewhere along the way. We live in a very dark house now and good light has been my biggest priority! I hate feeling like I am in a cave.

The balcony is a love not a need - am re-thinking that whole layout now! There is so much more we could do with that bedroom.

As for furniture, if it's not nailed down, it's fair game! lol

Hi!!!
Nice to see you again. ..not physically, but with cyber eyes.

You have a huge house.....well it looks huge, but mate....tiny wir, tiny ensuite, dark cave like play area with no windows (trust me kids won't go in there , they will be where you are till 13) then after 13 they will want a cave for their play station. A sad but true fact

Mate...no pantry?? As in walk in, in this big home.....mate....

Yes the views are stunning, but when the walls go up, you will then see 1/2. The views,
So you might not need all those windows, cos now you want to see it all..but if you have strategically placed windows showing the best views, it will make your home feel classy , sophisticated and wowowowowwo! And you will have wall space for things like..WIPantries!!

I know you are excited, and I am too...but planfan is right, get it right now, and it will be a home that you will be living in with grand kids visiting...cos you will love every part of it.
You have a HUGE master bed, (yes, stupid wall with again a dark passage to wir and ensuite..?) but that bathroom with you both in there getting ready for nightly shenanigans will drive you to divorce....it is just too small..and you have all this space in your master that could have included a gorgeous free standing bath, double vanities, larger shower...all that could be paid for with the wall you don't need!

Look, good luck and I know you are now confused, but you have the space...have a smaller home, but a better designed one ..one you can afford to build, with all the bells and whistles...and not just large 'spaces' etc on your gorgeous acre....
I just don't think this shape (expensive roof angles...each valley is $2k at least) gives you the best indoor living spaces.

Ie an open plan kitchen and lounge, so as you cook you can watch hubby watch his car racing.....ummm no, cos there is no sep lounge...all the noise you can want, all while you cook!,,, and the kids try and do home work at the table.

Ummm, no!

Hugs!! Love ya