FLOOR PLAN DESIGN - BIGGER ISN'T ALWAYS BETTER
There’s been a lot of twist and turns with Project Saint Waterways, an Ontario, Canada new build, since I first started working with the clients in June of 2021. After I completed the floor plan design for the main and second floors, and while working on the basement floor plan, the clients learned about some unexpected restrictions that wouldn’t allow for the home to occupy as much of the lot as originally thought, significantly reducing the amount of square footage for the project.
MEETING PROGRAMMING REQUIREMENTS
After further evaluation and consideration between the clients and the rest of the design and engineering team, it was decided that even with all the restrictions, it was still possible to meet the majority of the clients’ programming for their new home. So with that, I went back to the drawing board to redesign the floor plans in a much more compact way.
PROJECT SAINT WATERWAYS
WATERFRONT HOME
Several years ago, the clients purchased a waterfront home adjacent to a beautiful river that they love. Though they weren’t overly excited about the home, they were elated with the lot and location, and reasoned that they would eventually remodel the awkwardly designed, 1980’s custom home.NEW HOME- SAME LOT
After a lot of exploration, thought and consideration, the clients came to the conclusion that no amount of remodeling will satisfy their needs and wants for their new home. So with that they decided to replace the existing home with one that will meet their needs both functionally and architecturally. Upon coming to that decision the clients reached out to me a couple of years ago to see if I would be able to help them.
FLOOR PLAN COMPARISONS
BIGGER ISN’T ALWAYS BETTER
To illustrate that bigger isn’t always better, for this post I’m sharing the isolated floor plans of both the initial and current design for the great room, kitchen and dining room for comparison purposes. In reviewing the floor plans side by side, here’s a list of the differences between them.
.01
In the original plan, the dining room is shown as a veranda style nook off of the kitchen, whereas in the current plan, for space saving purposes, I located the dining between the great room and the kitchen. Notice how I was able to create some architectural distinction, though subtle, between the great room and dining room by stepping the exterior wall in by 6”, while including a large framed opening between the spaces. Notice too, how I designed framing on each side of the dining cabinet to further enhance the visual definition.
.02
In both the original and current floor plans, I was able to keep the arched doorways leading to the scullery and mudroom and the overall design of the kitchen layout, but notice how both of the kitchen walls have been reduced, as well as the size of the island.
.03
In the original flood plan, notice the second set of arched doorways shown on each side of the fireplace wall that perfectly align with those in the kitchen. When facing the fireplace, the doorway on the left leads to the primary suite, while the one on the right goes to a short hallway with a powder bath, and walk-in closet.
Due to the lot restrictions, the fireplace location with the current plan is now the exterior wall. When I said that I had to go back to the drawing board and significantly cut square footage from the plan, I wasn’t kidding! Besides reducing the sizes of the spaces shown in the current plan, knowing we had to completely eliminate the dining room square footage (on all three floors) plus the entire primary wing and guest powder bath and walk-in closet (along with the space above and below) puts it into perspective with how much square footage was eliminated from the original plan.
.04
Did you notice the difference with the stairway design between the two plans? Besides having different access points, based on the architect James’ recommendation we went from a u-shape to winder stairs as a way to save space. Given the barreled hallways and details that I’ve included throughout the design, the winder stairs are going to be the perfect addition in terms of architectural style and repetition of line and shape.
GREAT ROOM, DINING AND KITCHEN DESIGN - ADDTIONAL VIEWS
Below I’ve shared larger individual floor plans and top view perspectives of both the original and current floor plan design for the great room, dining and kitchen.
ORGINAL FLOOR PLAN
CURRENT FLOOR PLAN
WHICH IS MY FAVORITE FLOOR PLAN?
Would it surprise you to know that with nearly every room and space in the current floor plan that overall I like it better than what I designed originally? Sure there are places like the dining nook that I absolutely love and the bookend arched doorways between the kitchen and great room, and a few places that I wish we had more space to work with, but all in all, if I had to choose a favorite floor plan between the original and current plans, the current plan would win out. I love the efficiency of space, and how I was able to still fit in nearly all of the original programming.
CLIENT FEEDBACK ABOUT THE CHANGES
I’m loving the changes Tami. The mudroom looks awesome and the kitchen and dining areas are so distinct now, even though they occupy one big space. S’s bedroom is going to be beautiful and I’m loving our bathroom and the master suite!I just can’t get over the massing James for the exterior architecture and how elegant, but slightly whimsical it looks. It’s just beautiful!
All very exciting!!!
THE TAKE AWAY
I want to circle back with the important point that I made above about the winder stairs being the perfect pairing with the architectural style of the home and how it will add to the beautiful repetition of line and shape that will weave itself throughout the project. It’s these types of details and features that elevate a homes esthetically and offer continuity, flow and architectural order.
When embarking on the design of your custom home be sure to partner with design experts that will design your home holistically, marrying your needs with architectural beauty.
Have you ever wondered why I typically share only portions of the overall floor plans in my Design Journal? The reason is two-fold. First, it allows me to focus on very specific floor plan design topics by showing only the portion of the plan needed to illustrate the design points.
And secondly, but actually being of more importance, I limit what I share out of regard to my clients and their personal and financial investments to the design and construction of their custom homes. Consequently, I don’t respond to inquiries asking for additional information and specifics about what’s been shared. This includes, but isn’t limited to the request for dimensioned floor plans, dimension callouts, fixtures, colors and finish material selections, etc.
TF DESIGN
GOOD FIT?
Due to my comprehensive approach to design I invest a lot of time, energy, and even a lot of love into each of my projects. If you are hoping to work together, and think that TF Design would be a good fit for your new build project or whole house remodel (full service only - starting with the floor plan phase and working all the way through to the completion of construction), reach out via the contact page on my website, and answer all the questions in completion. Once received, I’ll review and get back with you.
FLOOR PLAN REVIEW
Don’t need full service design but you have a new custom home project in the works where you are feeling unsure about the floor plan? You can get expert spatial guidance and direction with your your floor plan through the Floor Plan Review and Consultation. I’ll redline your floor plans and then provide potential solutions. This service is intended for those needing an extra layer of expertise with their floor plans before they are finalized.
“We are so pleased with our meeting with Tami. We needed another set of eyes on a custom home design. Tami’s point of view showed us how to make the home livable, emphasizing balance and flow in each space. It was exactly what we were hoping to get from the meeting. So thankful we found her while we could still make changes!” - Stephanie, Arizona
DESIGN CONSULTATIONS
Don’t need a floor plan review exactly, but you’re feeling stuck in uncertainty and are looking for guidance with design questions specific to your project but don’t know where to go? I’m here for you.
With nearly 25 years experience as a custom home designer, I can help guide you through the design dilemmas that you are facing through my new 60 minute virtual design consultations. During our time together I will answer your questions, provide potential solutions, all while explaining the reasoning behind them. That way you have a better understanding of the why’s and why-nots of good design and can move forward with confidence.
NEW WEBSTE COMING SOON
Soon, as in possibly later this week, my new website that has been in the works for months will go live. I’m excited to share that I have added an additional service that will be introduced with the launch of the new site, so be sure to check back soon.
