07/04/10 – Dallas/Fort Worth – Single Family

Posted on: April 7th, 2010 | 45 Comments

Day 78 Single Family Home Design Project – Part 2 ( video )

Dallas/Fort Worth – Single Family (PDF)
Dallas/Fort Worth – Single Family (JPG)
Dallas/Fort Worth – Single Family (Demo)
Dallas/Fort Worth – Single Family (Completed Concept Design)
Dallas/Fort Worth – Single Family (Full Symbol Library)

  • Matthew North

    Hello Slow Homers – Sorry for the delay in the Design Project episode this morning – we had a technical glitch which resulted in a later post than usual. I am looking forward to seeing your design project schemes!

  • Elizabeth

    No new version yet, just asking: is that door into the family bath (between the 2 bdrms) a real door size?

  • Matthew North

    Hi Elizabeth – on the as-built plan – the door on the current family bathroom looks smaller than the other doors in the house. Good eye!

  • Matt KB

    [img]dallassfhdesignprojectlayout11.jpg[/img]

    I tried no to change the layout to much and still make it work.

  • Corey

    [img]dallashome.jpg[/img]

    Here’s my attempt. Swapped the living and kitchen but kept the bedrooms and dining roughly where they were before. Think it works a bit better.

  • Matthew North

    Matt KB – nice plan……but how do you get into the master bathroom?

  • Matthew North

    Corey – Your plan looks really reasonable – you have done less revision than I did in my scheme – I also think it is well drawn from a technical point of view. I have only two points – i would maybe consider swapping the locations of the kitchen and dining rooms – the dining seems very removed from the rest of the house – also your front entry space is now very long – any ideas how this could be re-worked a bit? Overall though…..really well done.

  • Terri

    [img]dalhse2.jpg[/img]

    I felt that the main bathroom deserved a window more than the laundry room. Also, I wanted laundry more central so that hauling baskets, etc. from master bedroom less distance. I know that the dreaded 45-degree angle counter will be reviled by certain Slow Homers, but I just wanted to have the person seated closest to the circulation able to turn his/her back to the traffic. The built-in on the hall wall could be bookshelves, or if wanted, a pantry-type cupboard, or even incorporate glass doors for display. There are two doors to access the outside, a swing and a slider.

  • Terri

    Matthew,
    Just looked at your plan–very nice. I like your private hallway for the two secondary bedrooms. That main bathroom would benefit from a skylight, I think.It’s a rather small and totally artificially lit space now. I like your laundry room/closet combo too.

  • Matthew North

    Terri – nice work! I think your space planning is really good – I like how you minimized the changes to the bedrooms and your door swings into the bedrooms work better than mine – particularly the front bedroom. I agree with your logic for the bathroom placement to get the window – I just wish the toilet was not on access with the door – (just a small point) – the location of your fireplace wall against the master bedroom works well – I think this is one of your strongest schemes to date.

  • BradW

    [img]shdp581.jpg[/img]

    Moved the laundry to provide direct access to the kitchen from the garage and also a side entry. More space for the secondary bedrooms. A couple of things not to like – front entry closet facing the front door and, of course, the column.

  • BradW

    I will say that it is no problem getting rid of the offending column(s). Structural steel is a strong and beautiful thing.

  • Terri

    Matthew,
    Me again. I just looked at your plan again. I was wondering how you dealt with the linen closet and saw that you removed it. In my plan it’s still in the main bathroom. I felt that since the front bedroom gets a better window condition, it didn’t “deserve” a larger closet. The other (probably darker) bedroom got a larger closet as a “trade off.”

    I also noticed that your master closet/bathroom has only one door, and I wondered about the transfer of moisture to the closet.

    Okay, no more cheap shots from me. Feel free to fire away at my attempt now!

  • Terri

    Matthew,
    Missed your post while reviewing and posting the one above–thanks for your kind comments on my plan.

  • Mid America Mom

    Good day from rainy Toronto.
    *
    Before I start to redesign… one eating area ok? Not on facebook so here is my RSVP- YES for Saturday.
    *
    Mid America Mom

  • Matthew North

    Brad W – I really like your kitchen layout – turning it 90 degrees to the way I had done mine makes sense – I like that you slipped in the side door to the exterior and the mudroom door as well. I have to say that you have taken a real soft touch approach with the remodel and have only altered the real essentials – I don’t mind the closet facing the front door so much – maybe your laundry is a bit too big and could use a closet for storage from the garage – but overall it works really well.

  • Terri

    BradW,
    I like your outside access from the laundry room–great idea! I’m wondering if the cooktop might move over a little from that door to allow just a little more space for the cook while others might be coming in from that laundry area.

  • Matthew North

    Hi M.A.M. – yes one eating area is OK.

    Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday – is the rain supposed to be lingering all weekend in Toronto?

  • Mid America Mom

    BradW- Barbados. I assume for a well deserved vacation! Back for Saturday’s function?
    *
    Thank you for dropping in. Found plenty of slow homes down there :) ?

    Mid America Mom

  • BradW

    Terri,

    I think Matthew commented the linen/broom/other storage could go in the millwork opposite the kitchen.

    Matthew,
    I liked your plan very much. I think we were both on the same page but you went the extra mile to rearrange the bedroom side. Nice work.

  • Mid America Mom

    Thank you Matthew!
    Thurs/Fri rain and not so warm. No rain and warmer on Sat and Sun. I think the best is the day you are flying back :(
    *
    Tell John to check the box as I am sending a phone number and email address (possible contact) to him via webmaster address.

    Mid America Mom

  • Mid America Mom

    OOPS not webmaster sorry about that– the editor.

  • BradW

    MAM – A very short, but nice vacation. Barbados is a fabulous island with very friendly people. As far as slow homes go, I would say Barbados is probably pretty good. New development, with very few exceptions, is capped at three stories and most properties are well done. Mind you the resorts and houses take a beating in the Bajan climate. I did notice use of solar panels (makes sense) in several developments. As for me, any ramshackle place on the beach will do.

  • BradW

    Well any ramshackle exclusive luxury resort…

  • Mid America Mom

    LOL

  • Matthew North

    Brad W – thanks for the feedback on my plan – I really appreciate it!

  • BradW

    Comment: Classic Urban Homes builds new projects in established neighborhoods. The location is OK but I had to take into account the 53 on the walk score and proximity to the Love Field airport. However, the house is very well designed.

    Project Name: Classic Urban Homes

    Size: 2556 sq ft

    Project Address: 8247 Lakemont

    Project URL: http://www.classicurbanhomes.com/home_details.aspx?id=267

    Slow Home Test Score: 17

  • BradW

    For those of you who like browsing the exclusive end of the market in Dallas check out Andrew Merrick Homes – http://www.andrewmerrickhomes.com/properties/
    Merrick does builds luxury homes in exclusive Dallas neighborhoods such as Highland Park. Floor plans and photos are provided for each property. Check out Grassmere Lane, Bordeaux Ave and Beverly Drive and tell me what you think.

  • BradW

    Finally, I have a link to Mathews Nichols Group. The real estate firm specializes in high-end properties and I am sure the curious will find something of interest here – http://www.mathews-nichols.com/listings.asp

  • MollyK

    Hello everyone,
    My computer was down so I spent the day in my yard fighting the weeds and pollen.
    John and Matthew,
    I was looking at the Slow Home Map and did not see any “green.” I have a vested interest in the “green” dots because I submitted several slow homes from Urban Reserve early Monday morning. I worked very hard to find that development and held those homes in my pocket for 3 weeks…is there a glitch? Could someone please tell me if they exist somewhere…I can see them on the webpage for Monday but not on the map.

  • MollyK

    Hey BradW,
    Nice to have you back. Just finished glancing over AndrewMerrickHomes. I really have a hard time putting these plans into perspective…they are so big. But I like the Bordeaux best because the kitchen and dining are so cohesive. The master suite is good too…Don’t like the master suite in Beverly or the separation between the kitchen and dining.
    They all have ohh-laa-laa amenities…wine cellar, billiards (both of these are my favorites), media, loggias. I find the room labeled “Quarters” interesting…do you think there might be hired servants in these homes? They certainly are large enough for some kind of staff but live-in house staff seems a bit much.

  • BradW

    MollyK – If you can afford these Merrick homes you probably can afford some help with the housekeeping. The interesting thing about the Merrick homes is the garage is in the basement which preserves the street scape and gives you some idea just how big these homes are. What would you think of a neighborhood of mansions like these except divided into six apartments each?
    As for the Urban Reserve, I am glad you posted these homes but I am sure you weren’t the only one to spot this unique development…;)

  • Sarah W

    [img]dallassfhdesignprojectlayout21.jpg[/img][img]1_dallassfhdesignprojectlayout21.jpg[/img]

    Here is my attempt – I found this one really tricky (too much space or something!). I know that the hallway is probably wasted space (and bad feng shui!), but at least the circulation is consolidated. I don’t like that the dining room is so separate from the kitchen; maybe I could have switched the living/dining areas. I also struggled with the master bath. Darn large houses! =)

  • Sarah W

    Oops, sorry about the double picture post (they’re the same, but I cropped the frame out of the second one – I didn’t see how to remove attachments)!

  • Jodi J

    [img]week11desprojtostudentsgoodcopy.jpg[/img]

    A little late in the day, but here is my go at the redesign.
    A few notes:

    - relocated garage passage door, now runs through a closet or dry storage room (good for dropping of groceries, etc)
    - added closet to front entry
    - kept all bedrooms along the left side of the plan, did rework the spaces a bit to try and improve efficiency (added built in desks, extra cabinets in the hall and bathroom, etc), tried to create clear circulation corridors
    - created circulation path within master bedroom by connecting both the closet and ensuite to the main space
    - opted to go with the columns/beam versus just trying to conceal wor work around them
    - decided to create two pillars out of the outside columns, and hid the middle column within a wall which also serves as a base for fireplace on the living side
    - created a small converstaion area out of the awkward long space behind the fireplace (almost a more private living space, good for coffee, etc with a view) –> also acts as a buffer to the master bedroom doors

  • Margo

    [img]apr7dallashouseplanlayout11.jpg[/img]

    She was a tough one. I had so much extra space that I decided to put in a pool table! What’s the verdict on that one??

  • Mid America Mom

    Comment: THought to try some plans as the exercise was so hard.

    Landon Homes builder. Many lots are the N/S orientation, rear garage, and they have 24/7 energy efficiency program (their green program).

    Replication of space is a problem with living. No good outdoor living is available. Baths are excessive. Back entry is to the oversized angled kitchen. Bedroom sizes are reasonable and the study is in a nice spot.

    Project Name: Villages at Willow Bay- Grayhawk II

    Size: 3714

    Project Address: 13798 Blackwolf Run Trail Frisco, TX 75035

    Project URL: http://landonhomesusa.com/view_plan.html?pid=14

    Slow Home Test Score: 10

  • Mid America Mom

    Comment: Another at Willow Bay. This one has better circulation, kitchen, dining is reasonable, entry..

    Issues with first floor master bath and closet – look how much wasted space is there. Again four living spaces. No study :(

    Project Name: Villages at Willow Bay- Willowbay

    Size: 3711

    Project Address: 13798 Blackwolf Run Trail Frisco, TX 75035

    Project URL: http://landonhomesusa.com/view_plan.html?pid=20

    Slow Home Test Score: 13

  • Mid America Mom

    Comment: Another development from Landon Homes.

    The bedrooms try to hard with walk in closets. The baths are too big. The family room is nice though that fireplace is not ideally located. The kitchen has angles all over. Dining spaces are OK.

    Project Name: Shiloh Ranch- Glenbrook

    Size: 2237

    Project Address: Shiloh Ranch Road McKinney, TX 75071

    Project URL: http://landonhomesusa.com/view_plan.html?pid=220

    Slow Home Test Score: 9

  • Mid America Mom

    Comment: Another at the ranch… the gameroom should be closed off. Kitchen needs more work. Laundry room and bedrooms OK.

    Project Name: Shiloh Ranch- Miramar

    Size: 3066

    Project Address: Shiloh Ranch Road McKinney, TX 75071

    Project URL: http://landonhomesusa.com/view_plan.html?pid=227

    Slow Home Test Score: 10

  • Vickie

    [img]vmdallasfamilyhome.jpg[/img]

    phew! here is my attempt for the redesign.

    I originally had a double sided closet to accomodate for both the front entry and the garage entry, although there wasn’t enough space to include the bathroom and laundry.
    I made slight changes the bathroom on the bedroom side.

    Also, this redesign puts the dining table in a circulation area… not ideal. but overall i hope its better than the original floor plan!

  • Vickie

    [img]vmdallasfamilyhome2.jpg[/img]

    Re post – just for better viewing…

  • dominique

    it feels a little boxy.

  • dominique

    [img]dallassfhdesignprojecthouse.jpg[/img]

    it feels a little boxy.

  • Mid America Mom

    Vickie, I really like the kitchen and dining facing that way.