House Plans related articles from The Plan Collection

Small House Plans and In-Law Suites -- A Perfect Match!

The Plan Collection — 2008-08-21T21:41:24Z

Benjamin Franklin once wrote that "Fish and visitors smell in three days." That statement is usually the truth, but there are a few precautions that can be taken to remedy these problems. Yesterday's fish stays fresh when kept in a refrigerator, but what can be done about visitors?

There aren't many things in life that are as wearisome and stressful as the unexpected long-term houseguest. It may be a friend who is down on his luck, a son who's taking a break from his education, or even your in-laws; whatever the situation may be, we often find ourselves in need of some extra living space. Home designers understand this dilemma, and they have thought of an excellent solution --- the " In-Law Suite! "

Home Designers are creating more and more houses that include an area to lodge your slightly overbearing guests. Most people think that an In-law apartment is only for the wealthy. This was usually the case in the past, but not any more! Check out NDG-999, for instance. This plan is stylish, compact, and affordable, but it also offers a spacious In-law suite! The key to having an enjoyable time with visitors lies in your ability to separate yourself from your guests.

People say that "distance makes the heart grow fonder." Well, distance also makes your guests a lot more tolerable. That is why a good guest suite should be situated in a manner that you can get away from your company and they can get away from you, because even your best friends and next of kin can grow tiresome after awhile. If you always seem to find yourself lodging guests, you should really check out our selection of home plans with In-Law Suites. You'll be glad you did!

Traditional Cape Cod Home Plans

The Plan Collection — 2008-08-12T21:18:49Z

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, this picture says it all! This House Plan is HPG-2000-2 and it is a perfect example of Traditional Home Design. Everything about this home is clean, simple, and traditional.

There is nothing uneven or cluttered about the floor plan. Each room is laid out thoughtfully to provide you with the utmost comfort and livability. As is common with most other Cape Cod House Plans, HPG-2000-2 offers a charming covered porch which opens directly into an airy, yet elegant great room. There is a handy little hobby room located near the garage that is perfect for the aspiring artist. There is also a large covered porch/patio with an outdoor kitchen that would be great for entertaining guests in the summer. Of course, nothing beats the large Master Bedroom at the end of a long hard day.

If all of this sounds good, but it feels like something is missing, just check out the bonus room! This area is only limited by your own imagination. You could use it for an office, a guest suite, storage, a game room -- anything you can think of! You can't ask for much more than HPG-2000-2. You really ought to Check it Out!

Small House Plans -- Big on Comfort!

The Plan Collection — 2008-07-22T21:12:35Z

The common attitude today is that "Bigger is Better." People will do almost anything to own the biggest and the best. The homebuilding industry usually seems to follow this trend. When people think about Luxury Homes, they think that size equals luxury.

Recent trends, however, indicate that attitudes might be changing. People are beginning to be much more energy-conscious and as a result, our designs are evolving. All the time, you see people trading in their large SUV's for smaller, more economical hybrids. Attitudes of homeowners are changing as well. Not only do large homes cost much more to build; they can also be quite expensive to heat and cool. It seems like the homebuilding industry is beginning to lean toward designing smaller and more compact home plans.

The Plan Collection is pleased to present you with a large selection of Small House Plans. These are plans that are under 1500 square feet, but provide you with relaxing living spaces and phenomenal comfort.

Take a look at EDC-R1415. You get open living areas, inviting rest areas, all arranged to be functional and reduce wasted space. The greatest thing about this Craftsman House Plan is its wonderful character! EDC-R1415 may be small, but it holds nothing back when it comes to style!

You should check it out along with all of our other Small House Plans. Be sure to check back often, because we are adding new Small House Plans every day!

Luxury House Plans, Large and Small!

The Plan Collection — 2008-07-09T17:28:21Z

Are you looking for a Luxury Home Plan with a comfortable floor plan? You want plenty of style, but you don't want to waste a lot of space? Well, allow me to introduce you to a collection of house plans that may be the answer you've been looking for.

All of these elegant European and Luxury House Plans come from the same designer --- one of the most elite in the industry. Aren't they great? The best thing about these houseplans is that the designer understands that not everyone needs or wants a 5000+ square foot home. Most of these Luxury Home Plans are 2000-3000 square feet.

This is the Worthington house plan, offering plenty of amenities in a 1539 square foot package!

Perhaps you're looking for something a little bigger. Well, this wonderful collection of luxury house plans can easily accommodate. Take a look at EDG-6275. What a gem!

Every one of these house plans has such a great sense of style. Each one, big or small, has a stately, dignified look that is hard to pass up. Best of all, they are all designed for comfort and luxury. You really ought to Check them Out!

Luxury European Home Plans

The Plan Collection — 2008-06-30T22:43:29Z

Some of the most recognizable and attractive homes around are European House Plans. There is just something about the "Old World" charm that draws people's attention and commands their respect. Even with their bold style, European Home Plans offer the utmost comfort. In fact, European-style architecture is sometimes synonymous with Luxury Home Design.

GMLC-929 is a very luxurious European home plan. It offers a sprawling layout with elegant style. Its single story design includes a large vaulted family room with so many windows that it almost gives you the feeling of sitting under a covered porch. Speaking of porches, there is a very inviting covered lanai that is perfect for almost any season. Near the master bedroom is a study that is perfect for some personal time; it even has a secluded computer room.

If there is one point that GMLC-929 is trying to get across it's this: "Luxury and Style should go hand-in-hand." It boasts a luxurious floor plan with style emanating from every corner. You really need to Check It Out!

Mountain Home Plans – Stylish Ingenuity

The Plan Collection — 2008-06-24T20:36:32Z

Mountain Home Plans, like almost any other style of architecture, were developed foremost for function. While settling fertile mountain valleys overlooked by the snowcapped peaks of the Rocky Mountains, people needed homes that could withstand the long harsh winters. The result of the settlers' ingenuity is known today as Mountain style home design.

Mountain house plans are a hybrid of several stylish and functional types of home design. They often combine the rough-cut quality of Craftsman House Plans with the rustic appeal found in Log Cabins. Mountain houseplans also borrow design principles from Swiss chalets in order to provide you with a stylish home that was made to adapt.

This is R3102b. It is a perfect example of Mountain Style Home Design. This inviting house plan uses quality stonework and rustic wood siding and beams to make it feel like it is part of the environment. R3102b also offers everything you could expect from a Luxury Home Plan. Large covered decks and porches blend seamlessly with features like an exercise room and spa area. It even offers a secondary kitchen and a home theater. You really ought to Check It Out!

Luxurious Mountain Craftsman House Plans

The Plan Collection — 2008-06-13T20:28:48Z

This is the Avalon. It is a spacious craftsman lodge home with its style rooted in the past.

Near the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, society was changing forever. Everyone was interested in machinery, and automobiles were the all the rage. The world was caught up in the Industrial Revolution, and Home Design was also in the midst of change.

Victorian Homes, with all their pomp and pageantry, had been the height of style, but views were changing. While much of society was caught up in everything modern, there were some people that still remembered and cherished the workmanship of yesteryear. Names like William Morris and Gustav Stickley were strong advocates for the return to Craftsmanship. They designed homes simply, so that good craftsmanship was apparent. Unlike Victorian homes, people didn't have to look past any ornamentation or "fluff" to see the fine craftsmanship of these new homes. Rough materials were left unadorned to give these new Craftsman homes a natural feel.

Even today, there are people that still admire fine workmanship and home design. That is where the Avalon comes in. It was designed to exhibit the craftsmanship of those who built it. A simple, yet elegant and stylish exterior is coupled with a luxuriously comfortable floorplan to give you the home of your dreams.

Finely crafted stone pillars, numerous decks and porches, and a rustic mountain style may make you want to spend a little more time outdoors. The inside, however, is even more luxurious. The Avalon offers plenty of wide open spaces. Take, for instance, the Great Room; it is a whopping 19' 4" x 23' 3", but it seems even larger because of its two story ceiling overlooked by a bridge. You also have the Master Bedroom, which is almost as big as the Great Room. It comes complete with a fireplace, walk-in closet, private deck, and a relaxing Master Bath.

The Avalon is a true Craftsman Home Plan that has so much to offer. You really need to Check It Out!

Traditional Home Design with a Modern Twist!

The Plan Collection — 2008-06-06T21:19:24Z

We've recently added a new home designer to The Plan Collection Team. With over 60 designers and more than 18,000 house plans, you might expect that we've seen it all. Well, not quite!

This new home designer offers over one-hundred different home plans, and each one sports a style all its own. Each houseplan seems to have a traditional Old World style, but there is always an attractive and modern twist to make it unique.

Take, for instance, The Cadillac. Here is a wonderfully refreshing home design that displays the perfect combination of several architectural styles. The Cadillac mixes design principles from the Tudor style with a somewhat traditional country shell and the effect is amazing! The result is like a breath of fresh air --- an eclectic grouping of classical, timely styles with just a dash of the contemporary. The end product is something entirely new and wonderful!

This designer has several plans that are so unique (yet still totally attractive) that it's hard to label exactly what style the home is. You really ought to check out his collection of Traditional House Plans as well. If there is one thing that all these homeplans have in common it's the fact that they all have very comfortable, well-thought-out floorplans.

Sometimes it feels as if many of today's house plans come from the same cookie-cutter shape, but believe me, it is exciting to find something fresh and new, yet still classy and elegant. Why don't you check it out for yourself? Click Here to see this designer's entire collection. It's great!

Great Photos of a Great Plan

The Plan Collection — 2008-05-27T21:50:54Z

We just got some fresh pics from one of our favorite designers. The house shown is the NDG-844, a great solution for mainstream suburbia. The house is built with practically no modifications, which makes it nice for comparison with the plan. Check out the beautiful pictures below.

The great room is wide open with an eating bar at the kitchen. Though the plans won’t come with any decoration packages, the designer has a Design Plan in a Can for sale.

The kitchen is probably my favorite part of this house. It’s plenty large and packs a whole lot of storage. The style here is great. I love the industrial look of the ceiling in contrast to the more traditional feel of the granite countertops and wood floor.

This is the computer alcove on the balcony. This is a great use of space, and it keeps the computer out of sight, yet public for monitoring use.

The bonus room is a great concept. Leave it unfinished for a less expensive build. When you’ve got the time and the money, vuala! You end up with a lovely addition that can suite any family and any style.

green this home

A Masculine Cottage, A Feminine Craftsman

The Plan Collection — 2008-05-15T19:53:33Z

Home plans come in many varieties, large and small, plain and detailed. The DDI105-202 is a very exclusive variety not commonly found just anywhere. This design is full of character, charm, and a good blend of masculinity and femininity. In other words, it has a rustic nature to it that's cottage enough to be cute and craftsman enough to keep a mature, slightly rigid, architecture.

This plan stands out because of its curb appeal and masterful blend of styles. The blend is what achieves the natural aesthetic, and the masculine/feminine neutrality. The basic structure of the house is rigid and square in nature, based on a Bungalow design. The floor plan follows this rigidity, managing transition from private to more public spaces of the home. The square columns work well with the Bungalow structure and mimic the wide trim. This is a very craftsman touch, but unlike a true craftsman, the columns are not wide at the base. The thinner columns and the cobble stone rock are more reminiscent of the European based Arts and Crafts movement, a more cottage feel than the American Craftsman version. The thinner features and organic, round, and very un-rigid rock give a more feminine play on a masculine structure. Want to make it more masculine? Use flat rock instead of round. Use earthy tones for paint and lose the shutters. Want it more feminine? Use organic style corbels and shutters. Lighten up the rails on the porches. Use brighter tones, but stay away from darker colors.

The DDI105-202 is not just about blending styles. The plan features a depth that enhances its character, and caps off the charm. While the main idea behind the shape of this home is a rectangle, the kitchen and nook section, as well as the decks and balcony, add dimension to the home. The layered roof, raised entry, and exposed basement integrate the home into a natural surrounding that would normally be a stark contrast to this angular home.

The home not only has great style, but enjoys a functional floor plan. The hidden garage and shop are not an appendage to the home like in many designs, but are integrated seamlessly. The house is set up in zones with bedrooms and bathrooms protected from any public line of sight. The large and tucked-away utility room eliminates laundry mess and offers storage for all cleaning items. An otherwise small kitchen is kept open and airy, enjoying a large kitchen island and extended pantry. The huge great room with vaulted ceilings makes the home feel twice its size, and extends its living space out onto the adjacent deck. The floor plan creates a lot of space in a small footprint.

The DDI105-202 is a great home for an average to large family. The multiple bedrooms also make this a great vacation house that accommodates guests. Whether youre on a secluded lot, or in a hillside neighborhood, this timeless cottage will be an eye-catching addition and a peaceful respite for years to come.

green this home

User Tips and Info

The Plan Collection — 2008-05-12T18:48:31Z

We at The Plan Collection just wanted to say thanks for your visits, your interaction with us, and your business. We whole-heartedly appreciate the opportunity to dream with you as we search for the perfect house plans. Its been our privilege to hear many stories, needs, wishes, and realities that have not only helped us understand the human nature of a home, but have strengthened our passion for home design.

A lot of exciting things have been happening at The Plan Collection. In September we loaded up our new and improved website. Weve been adding and honing the best features out there and think youll find them of particular interest.

Search:

Searching has never been so easy. Our quick search, featured on our home page, is a great way to get started, and is where you can search by plan numbers. Below is where you can browse by style. Looking for a front covered or wrap-around porch? Then County House Plans and Farmhouse Plans are the right places to look. Our Advanced Search offers more search options than ever before, including homes with mother-in-law suites and even purchase options (CAD file anyone?).

Navigation:

Take a look at our sleek and easy tab buttons at the top of all of our pages. This will get you to where you want to go fast. Once you get to a specific plan detail page, you get more tabs that reveal more information! Convenience and ease are important for all of us. Who really has time to search for little tiny links? Once you found your house plans, you can save them to your account, view bigger images, ask a question, start a customization inquiry, and learn how to estimate the cost to build. You can even start all over or visit our Forum for the latest chit chat.

Articles:

Building a home is a big project! There are a lot of things to know and even more things to look out for. Our articles are a great resource. We not only feature great plans, but we discuss good design, green design, plan submittal and approval issues, and other important and timely topics of interest. New categories include technology, business, and green building.

Social Interaction:

The Internet is increasingly a social outlet for a growing number of people. Its a great way to connect with far away family and friends, a great networking tool, and a great way to let us know when youve found something truly amazing. Use our forum to discuss questions or ideas about any of our house plans. Use the icons for social networks like del.icio.us, dig it, and more to show a plan to your friends and family. Share the dream!

Green, Stylish, and Functional House Plans

The Plan Collection — 2008-04-29T22:33:26Z

I get to talk about cool house plans all day long (eat your heart out George Gray), so I'm pretty excited when one comes a long that hits all my favorite features. The 1978 is just one such house.

Favorite Feature #1: Big Green

The 1978 has the potential to be a pretty awesome green home design. The designer definitely had this in mind when he started this project. From his site: "Being earth-friendly can be fun, and can save you a lot of money, Buy [house plans] that [use] natural lighting, and maximizes your view of the outdoor world." Natural lighting is proven to reduce stress. It's also proven to save on electricity bills and, if done right, heating and cooling bills. Passive solar design is by far the most effective and efficient way to use the sun's energy.

Passive solar refers to a house with southern facing windows (north hemisphere) to let in the rays. This not only lights your home, but heats it as well. You may be asking, "Why would I want to heat my house all year long? I might save in the winter, but spend twice as much cooling the place in the summer." Well the trick is to adjust your eaves to block out the high sun in the summer and let the low sun come through in the winter. Deciduous trees planted in the right place can also facilitate this. Proper eave adjustments on the 1978, while facing all those big beautiful windows south, would accomplish a nicely designed passive solar house. Talk to your local builder, and perhaps an engineer or architect, about passive solar details for your location.

Other green features include all that flat roof space, which is perfect for additional vegetation. Green roofs require special engineering, but dramatically increase your roofs r-value (insulation) and provide another great location to enjoy the outdoors. Simple changes could be made to attach the master suites private deck to the garage roof top. Stairs could even be put in to reach the top of the roof. Your engineer can do this as he/she is setting it up for plant life. The pool (though it would not actually show up in the plans) is another green opportunity given its great location. It will cool the summer breezes as they pass over it and into the house. Legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright used this technique at "Taliesin West". This would facilitate natural ventilation in the summer and continue to reduce utility costs and energy demand. I could go on, but suffice it to say that the 1978 is set up for some easy green optimization.

Favorite Feature #2: Retro-Modern

Funky and fresh, the 1978 has all the clean lines and box shapes one could wish for, but with enough juxtaposition to keep it interesting. My favorite? The grid-like nature of the home against the rough-cut and wild nature of the rock. Oh yeah. Wanna know what else? That sleek garage. The one that anchors the lot, providing balance and flow instead of taking up the whole place. Yeah, that's the one. Sleek, modern buildings started around the 1920's and by '78, they were pros. This piece is timeless, bold, and just really cool.

Favorite Feature #3: Function

Let's get serious here. A house can be flashy and neat, and bask in the sun rays all it wants, but if it doesnt work then it's useless. What does it mean for a plan to work? It means it fits your lifestyle, both private and public, and allows you the stability and flexibility you want from your home, your respite. The open kitchen/dining/living area is perfect for both formal and informal gatherings including both lazy Saturday mornings and chic Friday night parties. The secluded bedrooms offer privacy. Keeping one on the main floor gives the option to house guests without showing them your private sector. The house is effectively set up in zones to give order and stability, but kept open and lofty for flexibility and multi-purpose. Isn't that what we demand of our homes every day? That's a pretty tall order for something a little more boring and a little more regular. The 1978 was born for this (or will be born when you build it).

Favorite #4: Package Deal

Every now and then I have to sit in long business meetings where we talk about productivity and optimization, etc. Im good at paying attention (most of the time) but the majority of what we talk about is what we already know, a lot of which is intuitive by now. However, there is an awesome principle that applies to great architecture, as well as many facets of life, and that is synergy. Synergy is the idea that the result is greater than the sum of its parts. In architecture, as in the 1978, that means that when you add up Big Green, and Retro-Modern, and Function, and interweave them the way this designer has done, then the package deal is greater than simply summing up the benefits. Having a sleek, functional, and green home all together is like having your cake and eating it too. Cake is good, and eating is good, but eating cake is another thing all together. Remember that as you search through our vast and expansive collection of house plans. Switch sleek with whatever you want (i.e. traditional, craftsman, southern, prairie, etc) and the equation is the same.

New from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

The Plan Collection — 2008-04-24T20:22:27Z

Allow me to introduce you to one of The Plan Collection's newest house plans, M-4455 extreme. Unlike most of our new additions, this home is already famous. M-4455 extreme was built and featured on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition".

For those of you who are unfamiliar with "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition", it is ABCs Emmy Award-winning reality TV series that brings entire communities together in service to provide a deserving family with a new home and a new chance at life. Since early 2004, the Extreme Makeover Team (led by Trading Spaces' Ty Pennington) has been traveling the country in search of families that are in serious need of a new home. The family is then given a week-long, all-expense-paid vacation, meanwhile, the Extreme Makeover Team joins with volunteers from the community to build the new home before the family returns on day 7. (Click Here for more information about Extreme Makeover: Home Edition).

The Miller family, from Cheyenne, Wyoming, has dedicated a lot of time and effort into rescuing animals. They purchased a home on a 20-acre lot, thinking that it would be perfect for their animal rescue efforts. Unfortunately, the Millers' children soon began to get sick. They had the house tested and found that it had high levels of toxic radon gas. So, after a spectacular demolitions display, the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Team started working on the Miller family's dream home, a.k.a. M-4455 extreme.

M-4455 extreme is a 4455 square foot Prairie-style home plan that provides both character and comfort. It features everything that a growing family would need, including a two story great room, a large main level master suite, and two upstairs bedrooms. But it also features two bonus areas that are as adaptable as your imagination. Because of the Miller family's animal rescue work, this home includes a huge 29' x 19'10" area especially for dogs and a slightly smaller room for the cats. These rooms could easily be used as office space, an in-law suite, a play room, an exercise room, a library, a home theater, a media center, etc. While you're viewing M-4455 extreme, why not check out more great house plans from the same designer?!

Structural Review - Engineers and Architects Stamps

The Plan Collection — 2008-04-16T21:04:53Z

We want to revisit a topic that we covered quite a while ago. We continuously get questions regarding architects and engineers stamps, or structural review. Our very own Jake England wrote the following quite some time ago, and it still holds true today:

What is structural engineering?

Structural engineering is the analysis of home plans or a building's proposed structure [or even existing at times] to verify that the framing members and the method of construction is sufficient to withstand local weather patterns, soil types, earth movements, wind speeds, and so on. For example, the areas where homes receive significant amounts of snow in the winter will require a roof structure strong enough to hold the weight, while homes in areas that receive no snow, will not need that much support. Parts of the country that get high wind speeds, or are prone to hurricanes or tornadoes, will likely have different construction requirements than areas that do not have these types of issues. Another situation that would require structural engineering is a home that is built on a steep incline that may be prone to mud slides, more than normal run-off, etc. Engineering is a professional service performed by qualified individuals who stay abreast of current trends, codes and regulations to assure that homes and other structures are built with structural integrity and sufficient for local conditions.

Is an Engineering Review the same as an Architects Seal or Stamp?

No, these are two separate services. Both professionals have a stamp or seal that they issue on reviewed or designed plans. An architects stamp provides verification that the project was designed by a licensed architect, but it does not include engineering. These stamps are more common in commercial construction as cities will require design by a licensed architect and engineering by an engineer. As a result, commercial plans would include the stamp or seal from both professionals. In residential construction most cities do not require a licensed architect to design the plans – however, they may require a licensed architect to review the plans, or an analysis by a structural engineer.

Why is my city requiring an engineer or architects stamp on my house plans?

In recent years I have noticed that engineering is becoming a requirement by more and more cities than it used to be. Cities are concerned that your home will be built sufficiently strong to support local conditions (soil, weather, etc). Naturally they want the neighborhood to be a safe place to live and filled with quality structures to maintain the neighborhood integrity. Engineering may not be required by your local municipality. After purchasing your plans – and if your city requires it – you can take them to a local engineer who will make any necessary drawings or adjustments to the home plan to assure that it meets the requirements of the city. Structural engineering is not included in your stock house plans purchase because it is a site specific service and needs to be done by a local professional who understands your area.

The cost of engineering will vary across the country. I would call your local home builders association for referrals and get prices from a few before deciding on which company to use. Or, if you are working with a Home Builder, ask him/her who he/she recommends.

A True Craftsman

The Plan Collection — 2008-04-04T21:14:22Z

Home design has long been plagued by home budgets. Sky rocketing costs have pushed us to build track homes and other poorly designed homes to keep the cost low and the profit high. The damages this has caused are various and are topics of more in-depth discussions. Suffice it to say that theyve created a cost driven society that ignores quality in areas like proper indoor flow, aesthetic detail, materials, environmental safety, health, etc. Home designers arent to blame for this, and neither are builders. Society evolved this way and its a problem in more than just homes. Lets look at a home that strives for something beyond quick construction, low cost, and mediocre design.

The Corbin Park, from one of our newest home designers, is a beautiful Craftsman with a thoughtful design. The floor plan flows well, has both formal and informal rooms, and uses all available space. The garage is hidden and allows the charming front porch with iconic tapered columns, the detailed shingle and masonry work with Frank Lloyd Wright/Falling Water style rock, and nostalgic clapboard siding to gently invite your guests and intrigue the passer-by.

Key features that make this house work so well are apparent in the floor plan. The upper floor is reserved for bedrooms, giving maximum privacy and main floor cleanliness. Of particular importance is the existence of storage space. The closet under the stairs offers quick access storage, while the bonus room could provide organized storage for the whole house. The den also relates to this as it can keep paper work and mail organized as an office. The home doesnt leave much dead space, and builds up rather than out to alleviate cost per sq. foot.

This lovely home design has answers that counter-act the misfortune of the quality=cost equation, and the ensuing poor quality. A little history will help us understand this better. The term Craftsman comes from a magazine started by American Gustav Stickley in 1901, a follower of the British borne Arts and Crafts movement. Its important to note that the Arts and Crafts, or Craftsman, movement was against mass production and a fear of its common side effect: low quality goods and cheap assembly. The Corbin Park is a true Craftsman house plan and offers real design value and real estate worth. The elements of this particular plan call for a higher plane of construction, all while remaining fairly square and tall to save money. From the designers website:

"Our pledge to you is that our [plans] are clear, easy to read, easy to understand and are drawn with a nod to construction industry dimension modules, which reduces cutting and waste. Nothing hurts a builder more than taking a large pile of unneeded debris to the dump and throwing away that money. Our designs are both beautiful and efficient, designed not only for the pride of the homeowner, but for the builders' bottom line."

Quality and cost can work together. I decided to write about this not only to show you a beautiful home, but to discuss real worth. I hope it helps you as you search through our plans and create your home budget.

There are home plans out there that use selective design principles based on creating a better lifestyle. These plans use aesthetics, space planning or flow, and good building techniques to create an easier build, and a smart floor plan. I always tell people to build smart, not big. What I mean is that a well-designed house plan that is smaller will feel and act bigger than a big home. If youre worried about your budget, for example, find a smaller home that has all the rooms you need, multi-function capabilities, storage, and size where it needs to be. You can then afford to spend more on materials and finishes that really make a space. If you love the spaces youre in, you stop being concerned with size. Guests will pay attention to the details and the beauty of it all. Youll be complimented by everyone who stops by.

Look for some upcoming articles on which rooms are most important and why. Well talk about the hierarchy of rooms and sizes, and how to make the most of the limited space you have. For now, pay attention to smaller homes. See what they have to offer. Pick the kind of house you want, or the grade of house, and finish materials, then find the plan that will accommodate that and your budget. Look into ecologically friendly materials and systems that will optimize the performance of your house. Spend your money on real quality, not just on big. Bigger isnt better, its just bigger. A great resource is greenandsave.com. Youll find a wealth of information there. Feel free to contact us with any questions or ideas and well be happy to discuss it. Click here for one more look at the Corbin Park. Good hunting.

A Beautiful Southern Belle

The Plan Collection — 2008-04-02T19:02:33Z

Southern house plans wouldn't be southern if they didn't display the generous hospitality known for the region. House plan number SU-5669-2538-1607-I has a long name and a longer list of outstanding features. Without question, this southern belle has a sense of hospitality to the owner and visitors alike.

The stunning and refined look of the exterior is easy on the eyes and very inviting. The style gives an Italian villa on a horse ranch kind of feel. Upon entering, you are greeted with a large two story foyer with formal rooms at either side. The great room is beyond and is open to the large kitchen. A guest room with a private full bathroom ensures that friends and family are welcome.

The main floor also enjoys one more feature that is uncommon to most houses even twice this size; a full, attached guest house. This addition is perfect as an in-law suite, a rental, twenty-somethings, and frequent guests. While guest houses are nothing new, many building codes restrict them as they're often a second building. With this one integrated into the house, such regulations should not apply.

The upper floor houses five more bedrooms, including the master suite. Additional niceties include a rather large utility room, and a recreation room perfect for the little ones or a home theater. The luxurious master suite enjoys a fireplace, a private covered porch, and a large master bath and closet. The bathroom has direct access to the laundry room to save time and effort.

This unique member of our Southern house plans offers a rare luxury with its combination of fantastic features. You and your guests will feel at home in this beautiful southern belle.

Luxurious Craftsman on the Beach

The Plan Collection — 2008-03-21T20:49:23Z

DDI103-206, one of our best Craftsman house plans, is truly something to behold. After just one look, you can see that a lot of time and effort was involved in designing this charming set of house plans. This home designer was able to incorporate so many unique and exciting features, and at the same time, avoided the pitfalls that are often associated with luxury home design.

Oftentimes, a luxury home will offer every amenity, but it just feels forced or rushed - like the designer was trying too hard and included features that just don't fit. Although they are designed specifically for comfort, luxury plans often lack that indefinable quality that makes a house a home. This is where DDI103-206 breaks away from the mold.

This luxurious home plan offers many large windows (perfectly located) to fill each room with wholesome sunlight. The windows, along with numerous decks, porches, and patios, make sure that fresh air and nature are right at your fingertips. This also serves to give the entire home a sense of spaciousness. Just take a moment to look at the master bedroom. Here you have his/her walk-in closets, a large master bath with dual sinks and a large corner tub, a private deck, a fireplace and a personal study. This entire home is full of little comforts and big character. You should check it out!

Ranch House Plans = Affordable Style

The Plan Collection — 2008-03-04T22:51:54Z

Most of the time, when we feature a house plan on The Plan Collection, we usually choose the biggest, the best, and the most impressive set of home plans that we can find.

I have to admit, it is really fun to look at (and fantasize about) 8000+ square foot luxury homes, top-of-the-line log homes, and cutting-edge passive solar houseplans, but for most of us it just isn't practical. That is why I am featuring one of our Ranch House Plans number GAR-74007.

This classy Ranch Home provides a lot of comfort and style, but won't empty your pocket-book. GAR-74007 is very attuned to the needs of today's family. There is a large bonus room above the garage that would make a great playroom for the kids, but it could be used as an office or a studio just as easily. The master bedroom, with its vaulted ceiling, private bathroom, and walk-in closet is a great place to relax and spend some quiet time. One of the greatest characteristics of this beautiful little Rancher is the way the designer has used its space. The great room is a wonderful example of wise home design and floorplan layout. It is already rather large, but the vaulted ceiling, the picturesque windows, and the fact that you can see over the cupboards into the kitchen seem to make the great room even more open and spacious.

So if you're like me financially, and you want a quality house plan that will cater to your needs, Check out GAR-74007 and our entire collection of affordable Ranch House Plans!

Modern Prairie House Plans

The Plan Collection — 2008-02-27T22:04:45Z

Once in a while, we get to be surprised as we find a new house plan we havent seen before, and its awesome. This time its plan number CD-R5300A3F-0DB, a mouthful. Though the name may be hard to remember, the design is not. This unassuming Prairie home opens up to an immaculate interior that features excellent line and a slightly retro-modern floor plan.

The Prairie exterior is an elusive façade that does not portray the depth of the interior. Passing through the front door, youre met with and elegantly informal floor plan, with a large kitchen to the left, the great room beyond, and the dining room ahead and to the right. The gallery is the centerpiece to this design, giving curvature of line and creating a barrier between the public and the private. The main floor is surrounded at the rear by plenty of deck space for additional entertaining grounds, and a lovely view. The master suite enjoys its own private deck, as well as a large bath and closet.

The lower floor houses three more bedrooms, a den, rec room, media room, and a large shop under the garage. Thoughtful layout makes this space an amazing extension of the floor above. Open to the rear, this walk-out basement enjoys plenty of light and a world of amenities. The theater/media room, as well as the enormous shop, add value that youll enjoy while living there, and when you sale. The rec room and den are no different, and the patio and deck space is icing on the cake.

Craftsman Bungalow House Plans

The Plan Collection — 2008-02-20T00:08:50Z

There has been a lot of buzz lately about craftsman and bungalow house plans, so we’re ready to show you what they’re talking about. Craftsman home DD-3608 is a good way to start.

Craftsman home plans start with an old world charm and quality that honor the artisans that brought them to us. This architecture cut out all the fluff of the Victorian era and gave the average citizen something they could appreciate: craftsmanship. This rudimentary design offers a close up on the raw beauty of the material. Stone and wood combine to create a natural art piece, something that doesn’t need to be polished and kept on a shelf. The charm that comes from our craftsman house plans is that blue collar quality, that humble elegance that can only be seen when we clear away all the extras.

This particular design conforms to contemporary lifestyle. The open main rooms give a healthy environment to your entertaining, and offer the flexibility of multipurpose capabilities. The size of the house is also a strong point for many reasons. It’s big enough to live in, but small enough to afford. The smart design makes it feel bigger than it really is, and the smaller footprint means more nature to enjoy. DD-3608 is an affordable, efficient, and charming home for you and your family.