Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jan 11, 2010 10:53 am Hey there, After reading up on so many others houses and experiences and seeing all the great advice offered, I have a few questions about our house plan! After looking, looking, looking (we all know this story!) we found the Henley Lexington which we love. It has all the things we were after such as theatre room, alfresco, large ensuite and dressing, study, etc. We have a large block, it's 18m at the front, about 750m2 all up so we also wanted something wider. I really liked the Santorini by M and found this very similar. Henley have been so great so far and I have been very impressed, their standard inclusions are so good! We will be building the Q2 as it is a little cheaper and also has the alfresco. At the moment we are in a smaller 3 bedroom with one bath and one living so this is going to be a huge step up and very exciting! I will start a proper thread once we sell our house and get the ball rolling a little more. Until then, the only concern I have is that I would really like a 'kids retreat'. The Voyager and Monacco both have them but I don't like the rest of the house as much. This house that we build will hopefully be where we start a family, we only have dogs and a cat atm! So I'm hoping this will be like the toy room when they are younger, and a retreat when older that is not so open plan. Does this make sense!? I will show some examples that I have played around with in paint - sorry they aren't the best I know there are negatives - lose a bedroom, and positives - great area for kids, maybe could be turned back into a bedroom if need be. I'm looking for some advise, do you like any of the ideas I have had? Can you see any others that I can't? Any thoughts, comments, would be so greatly appreciated! Standard Lexington Q2 Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Option 1 - I don't mind this one too much... Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Option 2 - I think this one may be too open? Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Option 3 - Similar to the first but a little more open Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Option 4 - This one keeps the wardrobe but adds double doors so it can be closed off Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Option 5 - Last one, not sure about this one, thoughts? Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ I know this is huge and a lot to look through so muchly appreciated Bek I'm back Re: Advise on house plans please! Bek's Henley Lexington Q2 2Jan 11, 2010 10:59 am I really like the 3rd and 4th variations. They look alot like the way the PD Illoura had the 'games room' setup, and its been a valuable space. Re: Advise on house plans please! Bek's Henley Lexington Q2 3Jan 11, 2010 11:03 am I love this house! I think a kids' retreat/playroom is a great idea. Having it open (as in option 2) appeals to me more, but given the position of the toilet, you have to consider that guests visiting the loo would be confronted by the mess the kids have made. Perhaps if you had built-in storage, it would be easier to keep tidy? Nah, who am I kidding? The little darlings never pick up their stuff. Re: Advise on house plans please! Bek's Henley Lexington Q2 4Jan 11, 2010 11:04 am mikkyG I really like the 3rd and 4th variations. They look alot like the way the PD Illoura had the 'games room' setup, and its been a valuable space. Thanks for a quick reply, it's so great to get other opinions from people in similar situations. I'm going to have a look at the PD website now and check out the Illoura! Bek I'm back Re: Advise on house plans please! Bek's Henley Lexington Q2 5Jan 11, 2010 11:11 am Given the toilet and bathroom are in this area and given you are losing a bedroom to do it....I would just stick to the normal plan and simply call Bed 3 a "kids retreat". It can be closed off as it is to hide the toys, the house still has 4 bedrooms when you come to sell it, and when the kids are older you can turn it into something else. Otherwise I think I'd close off the study (assuming the Q2 has a similar study) and use that as the kids retreat as you could supervise from the kitchen area better. Its a big house to only have 3 bedrooms in. eta: just relooked at the plan and it does have the same study. Re: Advise on house plans please! Bek's Henley Lexington Q2 6Jan 11, 2010 11:15 am I've gone back and labeled them options 1-5 as even I was confusing myself with so many haha kek I love this house! I think a kids' retreat/playroom is a great idea. Having it open (as in option 2) appeals to me more, but given the position of the toilet, you have to consider that guests visiting the loo would be confronted by the mess the kids have made. Perhaps if you had built-in storage, it would be easier to keep tidy? Nah, who am I kidding? The little darlings never pick up their stuff. Thanks kek, I love this house too, I think it's better to stick with the house we love and make a small change rather than change the whole house for one thing. I know, it's hard with the loo right there because it's also not very private if anyone is using it!! I was thinking of putting some sort of storage in there regardless - you can never have too much storage!! Bek I'm back Re: Advise on house plans please! Bek's Henley Lexington Q2 7Jan 11, 2010 11:20 am Ari Given the toilet and bathroom are in this area and given you are losing a bedroom to do it....I would just stick to the normal plan and simply call Bed 3 a "kids retreat". It can be closed off as it is to hide the toys, the house still has 4 bedrooms when you come to sell it, and when the kids are older you can turn it into something else. Otherwise I think I'd close off the study (assuming the Q2 has a similar study) and use that as the kids retreat as you could supervise from the kitchen area better. Its a big house to only have 3 bedrooms in. eta: just relooked at the plan and it does have the same study. Hi Ari, This is my only concern too. Also for future we are probably better to have a 4 bedroom for resale. I have thought about just using the study. We could use it as a study to start with and then if/when we have a family could change it into a retreat. Although it would be better to have the retreat closer to the bedrooms and a little more private, as kek suggested, it may become a mess room and I don't really want that near the entry So many things to think about, but I am really thankful for all opinions so far, they are all helpful. Bek I'm back Re: Advise on house plans please! Bek's Henley Lexington Q2 8Jan 11, 2010 12:37 pm Hey bek! I second the idea of using the study as a kids' retreat. Can you put double sliding doors on the study? That would keep the versatility of the house- you still have four bedrooms, and the study can be used by you or anyone else who buys the house down the track as a nursery, kids' retreat or study. If not, option 4 is my next preferred one- I just like the idea of it being able to be closed off. I have a friend who has a kids' retreat like your option 2 that is all open, and it bugs her that 'the mess' is all on show all the time. I love the Lexington, I'm so excited for you! Re: Advise on house plans please! Bek's Henley Lexington Q2 9Jan 11, 2010 3:03 pm Hi Bek, We are also building the Lexington Q2 and chose it purely for the alfresco option (being bigger than the Q1) and having the choice to convert one of the bedrooms into a kids retreat for our 5 year old daughter. We didnt really consider the study as being an option, but after reading the advice and opinions of the others on the forum, I think I might try and sell the idea to my husband tonight. Its conveniently located at the front of the house near the family areas (kitchen, living and dining) that I can have peace of mind that she isnt up to anything naughty, and by adding double doors to the study would be a great way to hide the mess when visitors turn up rather than them walking past it on the way to using the bathroom and toilet. Building the Lexington 993 Q2 in Laurimar - VIC Land Deposit Paid: 11/11/2009 Contract Sign: 13/11/2009 Construction Tender and Contract Sign: 18/12/2009 Site Start: 15/03/2010 Framed: 30/03/2010 Lockup: 17/05/2010 www.ourhomeinlaurimar.blogspot.com Re: Advise on house plans please! Bek's Henley Lexington Q2 10Jan 11, 2010 4:06 pm Felistopher Hey bek! I second the idea of using the study as a kids' retreat. Can you put double sliding doors on the study? That would keep the versatility of the house- you still have four bedrooms, and the study can be used by you or anyone else who buys the house down the track as a nursery, kids' retreat or study. If not, option 4 is my next preferred one- I just like the idea of it being able to be closed off. I have a friend who has a kids' retreat like your option 2 that is all open, and it bugs her that 'the mess' is all on show all the time. I love the Lexington, I'm so excited for you! Hi Fel, After lots of looking at plans again, reading all the replies and getting an offer on our house today!!!! I think we are going to stick with the normal plan, leave the 3 bedrooms down the end and just put double doors onto the study. Your right, it leaves us with 4 bedrooms but we can use the study as a study for now and then change it into whatever we need in the future! A nice set of double doors would look good and also be practical for when I am writing reports and all those types of things so you can have peice and quiet in there. I love what you have done to your plan too, it's great. Hopefully now we can get things moving, very exciting day!! Bek I'm back Re: Advise on house plans please! Bek's Henley Lexington Q2 11Jan 11, 2010 4:13 pm NSA@Laurimar Hi Bek, We are also building the Lexington Q2 and chose it purely for the alfresco option (being bigger than the Q1) and having the choice to convert one of the bedrooms into a kids retreat for our 5 year old daughter. We didnt really consider the study as being an option, but after reading the advice and opinions of the others on the forum, I think I might try and sell the idea to my husband tonight. Its conveniently located at the front of the house near the family areas (kitchen, living and dining) that I can have peace of mind that she isnt up to anything naughty, and by adding double doors to the study would be a great way to hide the mess when visitors turn up rather than them walking past it on the way to using the bathroom and toilet. Hey there! Another Lexington Q2, how exciting We love this house. Where abouts are you building and when do you start? Make sure you keep in touch with me on how you are going, I have been searching around here for another one and haven't found one yet. Looking forward to seeing your build Bek I'm back Re: Advise on house plans please! Bek's Henley Lexington Q2 12Jan 11, 2010 4:21 pm bek7708 Hi Fel, After lots of looking at plans again, reading all the replies and getting an offer on our house today!!!! I think we are going to stick with the normal plan, leave the 3 bedrooms down the end and just put double doors onto the study. Your right, it leaves us with 4 bedrooms but we can use the study as a study for now and then change it into whatever we need in the future! A nice set of double doors would look good and also be practical for when I am writing reports and all those types of things so you can have peice and quiet in there. I love what you have done to your plan too, it's great. Hopefully now we can get things moving, very exciting day!! Congrats on your offer!!! That's fantastic. Selling a house is not something I've ever had to do, thank goodness. I imagine it could be quite anxiety-inducing to sell a place and be thinking of the new place at the same time We're having these double doors on our retreat, with clear glass: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ They close off the room but will still let us see if, in years to come, our teenage son/daughter is pashing someone on the couch in there. Re: Advise on house plans please! Bek's Henley Lexington Q2 13Jan 11, 2010 4:26 pm I really think you are making the best decision. You can also turn it back into a study once the kids are older. Kids retreats look like a great idea but really how many years do you get out of them? Once they are older they will take over your theatre room anyway! Re: Advise on house plans please! Bek's Henley Lexington Q2 14Jan 11, 2010 5:20 pm Thanks Fel! We have been very lucky, we put the place on the market on Thursday night and got an offer today higher than we ever thought we would get. We have had a good expereince. Still waiting on their finance so trying not getting too excited yet. Fingers crossed it all goes through I love, love, love those doors. I was thinking of something along those lines, having glass gives the illusion of more space too which is good. Do you mind me asking how much they were to put in with Henley, you can pm me if you would like. Love the comment about the teenagers pashing on the couch Good point you make too Ari, esp as we don't have kids now so we can use it as a study for the time being. Thanks again to everyone for all the replies today, it's great! Bek I'm back Re: Advise on house plans please! Bek's Henley Lexington Q2 16Jan 11, 2010 5:30 pm Ari We dont have those doors. Ours are just one panel of glass. To give you an idea though they were a bit over $500 for the pair but our Tender was 10 months ago. That's not a bad price for both. Interesting What stage of building are you up to Ari, are you building with Henley, if so which house and do you have a pic of your doors in? Bek I'm back Re: Advise on house plans please! Bek's Henley Lexington Q2 17Jan 11, 2010 5:42 pm Hey Bek, huge congrats on the offer on your house!! The Lexington is gorgeous... geez I LOVE that ensuite! I agree with everything these guys have said... study into the retreat/playroom etc. We're turning our bed 4 into a study/nursery/playroom etc. But will still remain as a bedroom as such Re: Advise on house plans please! Bek's Henley Lexington Q2 18Jan 11, 2010 5:47 pm bek7708 I love, love, love those doors. I was thinking of something along those lines, having glass gives the illusion of more space too which is good. Do you mind me asking how much they were to put in with Henley, you can pm me if you would like. No worries I just pulled up the ole tender document and it says they are Corinthian Windsor 5G double doors and they are costing us $1,114 to upgrade from the standard full glass double doors that are an inclusion on our floorplan. It will probably cost you a couple of hundred more because there's not already a double doorway on the plan; that's what they did to us for the study. The quote for the same doors on the study was about $1400. I wonder if they could do them for you as cavity sliding- that would look hot. Not sure how much that would cost.... You mentioned before holing up in the study to write reports ... Sounds like you and I are in the same industry perhaps?? Report writing is not fun. I believe it's even worse for primary teachers. I've got the big kids. Re: Advise on house plans please! Bek's Henley Lexington Q2 19Jan 11, 2010 5:50 pm aaron4erin Hey Bek, huge congrats on the offer on your house!! The Lexington is gorgeous... geez I LOVE that ensuite! I agree with everything these guys have said... study into the retreat/playroom etc. We're turning our bed 4 into a study/nursery/playroom etc. But will still remain as a bedroom as such Thanks Erin, it's very exciting, just cracked open my celebratory drink The ensuite is HUGE, and since we got such a good offer I can put the bath into it like in the Q1 which I was really hoping to do It's so great to get all these opinions, sometimes you think and think and get yourself into a daze when looking at the plans! Bek I'm back Re: Advise on house plans please! Bek's Henley Lexington Q2 20Jan 11, 2010 5:56 pm The waiting waiting waiting stage. We built the Monterey 359. It seems to be 99.9% finished. We are just waiting for them to come back to work, finish the half done jobs, do their checks, do our checks and then we're finished. I'll try to find a photo of the door... I am looking for someone who might have tackled a similar issue as me. I have a few rendered interior walls, the surface condition is hardly flat. I can see all the bumps… 0 8312 Hi, If you give a set of criteria as to what means 'good' to you, it'll give others prompts to respond. We considered Henley early on but there were two factors that… 1 12715 Ask the council if there is a chance of getting build over easement exemption. Sometimes easements are unused and 24cm is not all that much. Good luck. And yes any builder… 2 15010 |