Robie House Plan Tags

“We wanted to develop a program that would help people obtain a significant asset so that we weren’t just ending homelessness for people but actually providing the opportunity for them to climb out of poverty,” Fowler explains. “Owning a house means collateral for a loan, or something to sell and/or...

When touring a model home – take away the upgrades in your mind: If you’re shopping around for homes one of the best ways to experience the floor plan of a home before you buy it is to walk through the developer’s model homes before hand. One of the easiest...

Outdoor Fireplaces. Outdoor fireplaces have reached flashover – taking off throughout the country, even in warm environs. Why? They are an inexpensive way to create a frequently used amenity. We probably do more outside than inside fireplaces, says Binkley, who primarily works in Florida....

Modern Plan 497-19, which is 43 feet wide and 74 feet deep, with a great room and separate living room on the ground floor and could work in a mid-block location. So what does building on spec in such a situation entail? Designer Monika Strunk interviewed one of Houseplans.com's customers...

Trust your instincts on what “feels” right when choosing a floor plan. All of us have the ability to “feel” when a space feels comfortable and able to fit their needs. Take these instincts into consideration when touring different floor plans. You will be surprised how many styles of plans...

Know your budgetary limits before choosing a floor plan. Let’s face it; there is always the fantasy side of us that wants to go bigger and better than our wildest dreams. Before getting your heart set on one type of floor plan – know what the costs are associated with...

Board-and-Batten Siding. The board-and-batten look, originally associated with farmhouses, is showing up on the exterior of homes of all stripes -- as you can see in some of Houseplans.com most popular new designs, like Plan 430-156, above. It’s also being used for decoration inside homes. Batten strips add texture to...

Circulation is something else to think about. As Dan Gregory points out in a post called Watch That Layout! the best house plans provide two ways in and out of the living room, dining room, and kitchen -- as illustrated here with Plan 929-1 by Donald Gardner. See how you...

Location, Location Changing your floor plan options. While you can change your floor plan in the future, remember you can’t change the location. With this in mind, don’t make the mistake of falling in love with a floor plan and forgetting about the property and surroundings of your home. If...