Replies

1. 
   Stilletto | Dec 11, 2006 03:50am | #1

   I'd hate to see the price tag on that boxed newel.  

   It's a nice piece of craftmanship,  the cherry staircase is very nice as well. 

    

    

2. 
   DougU | Dec 11, 2006 04:11am | #2

   Gene

   Cool house!

   I'm really liking that master BR, what a view, of course you have to have the lot for it, dont want the neighborhood looking in on ya!

   Doug

1. 
   Gene_Davis | Dec 11, 2006 07:18pm | #6

   I didn't do it, Doug.  It is over near East Lansing, MI.  The territory of our own Mr Blue Eyed Devil.  Maybe he did it.

    

3. 
   bobguindon | Dec 11, 2006 04:29am | #3

   I've always liked Susanka's designs.  The quality craftsmanship really shows in this house.  The only thing that I find distracting here is all of the white electrical plates in the front entry.  With the dark wall paint, the white really draws attention to them.  Many decorators seem to miss this detail.

   Bob

4. 
   blue_eyed_devil | Dec 11, 2006 04:43am | #4

   I like that style too Gene. Thanks for the link.

   Was this the gal that sold the Small Houses book?

   blue

    

1. 
   Gene_Davis | Dec 11, 2006 07:26pm | #7

   Same Ms Susanka, the not-so-big lady.  This copy of one of her stock plans was done for a guy that works for or owns a travel agency in East Lansing.  Maybe you built it for him?

   Excepting the garage and porches, the house is a little three layer cake, maybe 900 sf footprint.  I could envision it being panelized and having it up and roofed in under five days.  Couldn't you?

   Don't know what the market is for a house like this.  It has its top floor dedicated entirely to a master suite, and the only other bedroom, a guest bedroom, is in the walkout basement.

   Didja see the nice job someone did with the stained concrete floor in the basement?

1. 
   blue_eyed_devil | Dec 12, 2006 04:09am | #16

   I like the idea of a top floor 900 sf master suite. I like the stairs for exercise but I'd still want an elevator in for visitors and EMS guys when they come for me.

   No, I never built a house in Lansing. Here's one I did for a guy in Milford. It's a Wright style house.

   blue 

   
5. 
   user-54383 | Dec 11, 2006 07:08pm | #5

   Gene, is this one of her published designs? Do you have a link the plans?

   Thanks,

   Eric

1. 
   Gene_Davis | Dec 11, 2006 07:32pm | #8

   Here ya go.  http://healthyhomeplans.com/home_plans/home_plan_detail.php?plan_id=42

   Look close and you can see that they stretched the width, across the front and rear elevation, so that they could stand the portico over the front door (which moved R by the stretch), and have the portico roof clear the bumpout to the L.

   They also did it with an attached garage, and the roof junction looks funky at the front.  Yuk.

   Looks also as if they shortened the roof pitch to maybe 4.5:12 from the original design, which shows a 6:12.

   Like the kitchen and cabs?  Look close at the pic in the series, and tell me what is wrong with the arrangement of cabs and appliances in the ground floor media room.  It is a test of your design skills.

1. 
   user-54383 | Dec 11, 2006 08:06pm | #9

   >> Look close at the pic in the series, and tell me what is wrong with
   >> the arrangement of cabs and appliances in the ground floor media
   >> room. It is a test of your design skills.Gene,You mean this pic:
   http://www.andersontvl.com/house/Media%20Room.jpg
   ?Well, first the refrig should be hinge left instead of right, but then since there's a wall to the left, that wouldn't work either (refrig door wouldn't open far enough). Also, when you open the DW, nobody can get to the refrig. And the microwave door opens into the DW door. Not sure the best way to redesign that single wall of appliances in such a cramped space. Probably move the refrig to the opposite wall, but from the other media room pic, the cabs on that wall may be too shallow. If so maybe the best that can be gotten out of that single wall is Sink-DW-MW-Refrig (hinge right)In short not enough space.Did I pass?

1. 
   Gene_Davis | Dec 11, 2006 08:19pm | #10

   You sure did. 

   We have a couple coming up in which we will do undercounter MWs, but they will be the Sharp model, that operates like a drawer, instead of having a hinged door.

2. 
   BillHartmann | Dec 11, 2006 11:16pm | #11

   There is something behind the counter, but I can't tell what. You barely see a bit of corner. And the other picture shows it, but I can't see what.I would expect that there is space for storage. If it was deep enough then something could be moved there.But I don't see that it is that bad. This is not a main kitchen where people are tyring to cleanup from the soup course while getting the salad out of the refigerator and reheating the vegatables for the main course in the MW.But with a few minor changes it could be greatly improved. There is plenty of room to extend the counter 24-36".But even without that much extension I would move the DW to the left end. That might need an 2" filler so that you have enough clearance.Then the sink, MW and refigerator. The order of use will probably be frig, MW, DW..
   .
   Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

3. 
   CapnMac | Dec 11, 2006 11:35pm | #12

   If so maybe the best that can be gotten out of that single wall is Sink-DW-MW-Refrig (hinge right)

   Hmm, my inclination was for DW-Sink-Ref-MW  That keeps water/drains available as needed (like if that's an ice-making, for-a-wet-bar, appliance), and does not put the sink up against the wall (which some find uncomfortable).

   MW-Ref-DW-Sink has some merit, in that it "groups" some of the stainless together, and permits a nice toekick in the cabinets symmetrically (which won't work as shown; DW & ref have different 'toes').  Bad part there is that the sink is farthes from the wall--really pushing an island vent situation, and making for that annoying itty-bitty "lip" of counter top where all the inconsiderate clods will perch breakable objects that ought just be set a few inches further over . . .

   The MW cab ought have a drawer instead of doors, too--full extention guides makes i simpler to stock the popcorn right there where it's wanted.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

1. 
   user-54383 | Dec 12, 2006 01:29am | #14

   Capn, I think you and Bill have good points. I agree with Bill's DW-Sink-MW-Refrig order because I think it's important to keep the refrig on the end for two reason's -- space to open it without interfering with too much other stuff, and because one of its big uses will be all alone - open refrig, get drink, close refrig.Is your point on the drains that the refrig should be next to the sink?Eric

2. 
   CapnMac | Dec 12, 2006 02:05am | #15

   Is your point on the drains that the refrig should be next to the sink?

   Yes.  That way, 1 or 2 owners down the line (since this house is likely to last that long), when they want to install a scotsman ice machine; or maybe an ice-making fridge, or some sort of kegerator, the plumbing is all "handy."

   That being said, there's something about "blocking" things together, visually, which is the "why" behind the rhythm of cab-ss-ss-cab (that and nice toe kicks <g>).

    Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

2. 
   JoeArchitect | Dec 12, 2006 12:26am | #13

   The wine cooler is empty and you have to be vertically challenged to operate the microwave.

3. 
   bobtim | Dec 15, 2006 08:59am | #18

   OK, I was reluctent (sp) to chime in because  there are loads of smarter people here than me and I didn't want to get raked over the coals. But.......

   No toe kick under the cabinets.

6. 
   Crash | Dec 15, 2006 07:57am | #17

   Beautiful house.  I like the clean lines, openness and uncluttered look.

   "War is God's way of teaching Americans geography."  Ambrose Bierce

    

7. 
   txlandlord | Dec 15, 2006 05:54pm | #19

   Susan has some nice plans and detail. I am hoping to incorporate a small village section of cottage homes in a development that is in planning. 

   It seems Ross Chapin Architects have been involved in these types of plans and developments. See:

         http://www.rosschapin.com