Monday, April 22, 2013

CH-CH-CH-CH-CH CHANGES!

  Nick and I have been trying to plan everything out ahead of time as much of a possible to keep delays to a minimal. Some of the big changes we've made are :


Instead of 3 small useless dormers that are 3 ft wide, we changed to two large dormers that are 6 ft wide. (much better use of space for the upstairs!)

We also decided to do all stucco. This was something Nick had to warm up to. The area is mainly dry and most houses around here are stucco. The price is significantly better. So I ve been dreaming up my color stucco scheme like crazy!

here is what Ive come up with so far:


Ok my computer skills are not very good. I've been playing with this picture in paint. The color i have chosen is actually a gray green. its called antique green from omega stucco. I am not sure about the sizing of the two dormers or the roof color or shutters color yet. but i like the front door and square pillars in the front. I have some color charts to go through before i decide.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

READY SET GO! 
OR PLAN I SHOULD SAY...


So Nick and I bought property almost three years ago. ~ 5 acres with woods, a pond, lush field, and a stream running through it.  All we could ever ask for.... (well atleast we thought so.. we've been in a drought and are very dry dry dry but that's another posting) here is what it looked like when we bought.

Sept 2010






Its a nice piece of property, BUT THE HOUSE!??! YUCK!  A nightmare! Slowly I have become buried alive in here. Since there is no garage or barn only a tiny "tack" room for storage. I have been watching the halls narrow and the walls become packed up higher and higher!  The worse part is the noise. I cant find a peaceful place away from the kids! Our pocked door in the masterbedroom doesnt give much of an illusion of space or rest or peace. The only place I enjoy is our oversize bath tub! AND with the water full bast its actually quiet in the house for those short moments.  lol  Nick is tortured by the camper size shower. See Below:

So needless to say. WE bought with the intent to build and so we have been saving and saving!  Last year we started digging through house plans! That was  job in deed. Mainly because I wanted something BIG 2000-3000 sq ft. Well no surprise that didn't quiet fit the budget and really with only a couple little ones I think we could cut back. So after lots and lots of hunting we both found one we EQUALLY loved!  1726sq ft is just right. =) Hillcrest house plan considered also a Canadian cottage. 



With the future space we could expand later if we needed. We also decided to put in a full basement so I could have storage since the plans still don't have a garage. ( We eliminated that carport to fit better on our lot and figured we would build a separate garage/shop/barn later.)

Weeks and weeks we collected bids. Finally felt good and decided to move forward.Our poor contractor! SO many things we changed! Back and forth back and forth.. He really is awesome and we have enjoyed our meetings!