<p>The master needs to be first floor with an outside door to the fenced yard, so that your pooch can be let out easily in the middle of the night. (We have this, and count our blessings nightly when pooch taps on the french door to go out at 2am.)</p>
<p>Hardwood floors throughout. Three to four bedroom, single level house with high, beaned ceilings in most rooms. Baths for every bedroom, and a powder room near the living area. Large windows letting in plenty of light, and fireplaces in living room, family/den, and if you’re really getting lux, a second “family/eating room” attached to the kitchen with a third fireplace. While I like modern appliances and fixtures in the kitchen, I also want warmth and a lot of wood, many cupboards and yes, a pantry.
House would be set back from the street a ways, with a circular driveway and a three car garage. I would keep the house under 3000 sq. feet, but I’d also have a little guest house in back for MIL or kids to stay when they visit.</p>
<p>Fireplaces in both the kitchen and the master bedroom. A nice screened porch. With water nearby…a lake, a stream, an ocean…even a fountain would be nice There’s something wonderfully relaxing about hearing the sounds of water from your screened porch…</p>
<p>I don’t think a pond, just because it will be in North Carolina and the snakes there like the water areas.</p>
<p>A tin roof. Low country style house. (I like indiginous architecture). I would go arts and crafts if I were out west. So, I will try to incorporate some of the two. All on one floor is a great idea.</p>
<p>Maybe a covered pool for you, Poetgirl. Are there also alligators in North Carolina?
We have a large front porch and a smaller back porch, but I’d love a wrap around.</p>
<p>a turret with a circular library with floor to ceiling bookcases
a secret passage or at least a concealed door
a basement with a safe room in case of weather events
wood burning fireplace connected to the duct work</p>
<p>In North Carolina what you will really need is a Mosquito Magnet</p>
<p>I love my mud room, it also has the extra freezer and fridge and some drinks storage. My neighbor has an extra washer and dryer in her mudroom which I was envious of when the kids were little.</p>
<p>I also saw someone who had a area to wash down the dogs in the mud room too. </p>
<p>Laundry room with a big table for folding clothes.</p>
<p>I’m looking forward to hearing about this project developing over the next couple of years, poetgrl! I hope you’ll let us in on the details as it progresses!</p>
^How does that even work? I have mental images of smoke pouring through the vents, although I’m sure that’s not what happens :eek:</p>
<p>Going back to the one floor plan idea, it sounds kind of morose, but try to make the whole thing handicap accessible, with the extra wide doorways, etc. You’ll probably never need it, but if the dog bolts out after an alligator and knocks your DH on his rear end as he works on his MG roadster in his 4 car garage, it’s nice to come home from the hospital to a house where DH can get his own beer out of the fridge while he’s convalescing in the wheelchair… :p</p>
<p>Sally, no tub for us. We have a tub and have not used it in 10 years.</p>
<p>Walk in shower with tumbled tile enclosed with glass.<br>
Dual rain shower head (one for the front and one for the back side - no need to turn around to get the back wet! )</p>
<p>Kitchen - double dishwasher, double oven, lots of hidden drawers to hide appliances, clutter, etc.
View - overlooking mountain and Caribbean ocean. Aahhhh!
Circular driveway where you can drive up to the front door.
Smart House - energy efficient, automatic blinds, temperature control, monitoring, etc.</p>
<p>poetgrl, haha…we recently built a house in NC on the river…no problems with snakes or alligators…just lots of deer,birds,turtles and the occasional bear.</p>
<p>Our all tile shower is a walk in (no ledge to step over) and no door at all. Love not having to deal with glass enclosure.</p>
<p>I would love some water. So, you are finding no problem with snakes? I had heard it could be an issue near the water, but I have no experience with that.</p>
<p>What I never knew I wanted until we went to an open house and ended up buying:</p>
<p>A large master suite with TWO master baths: HIS-shower, sink w/granite countertops, toilet, and large closet; HERS: shower, sink w/granite countertops and vanity area, large jacuzzi tub, toilet, larger closet.</p>
<p>To have my own space within OUR space after 24 years of marriage, I am in heaven.</p>
<p>Big mud room with built-ins for shoes, etc and built-in benches. Plus a big closet
Another closet off foyer for guest coats
Butler pantry
Fireplace in bedroom
Hardwood floors throughout
Big laundry room on floor with most of bedrooms
Finished the fourth floor (attic area) and have a large home office and guest bedroom with full bath. Our guests love it up there plus it offers some privacy for them.
Gas line to outdoor grill - a MUST!! Never worry about propane tanks again!</p>
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