IT’S A GOOD WEEK TO HAVE A GOOD WEEK

Welcome friends to a Week in Review, where I’m showcasing a sampling of projects that were front and center last week in the design studio, along with floor plan and spatial design take-aways.

Here’s a list of what’s included in this post:

Floor plan design - Feather River Farmstead Project, a new build located in the Sacramento Valley of Northern California
Virtual Floor Plan Reviews and Design Consultations - throughout US and Canada, and beyond
Tile and stone selections - Citrus Point Project, a new build located in Mesa, Arizona
Boys bathroom design - Project Saint Waterways, a new build located in Ontario, Canada
Design book - all things custom floor plan and spatial design

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FLOOR PLAN DESIGN - FEATHER RIVER FARMSTEAD PROJECT

Just before the end of the year, James Jones and I, the architect on the Feather River Farmstead Project, from Hebdon Studios, met with the clients to review the floor plans that I designed for their custom home. After getting the client’s feedback, I went back to the drawing board to make an assortment of small adjustments to the main floor plan, relocate the stairs and then redesign the 2nd story to accommodate the new stair location.

Last week we had a follow-up meeting to review the floor plan revisions and then to consider the position of the house on the lot. Below, I’ve shared a screenshot that I snapped during our meeting showing one of the potential site layouts that James presented to the clients. Some of the primary goals with the site plan include:

Position the house to optimize the best orientation to the sun
Create direct lines-of-sight to a stunning, yet unusual tree, starting from the front door, all the way through to the backyard
Preserve as many trees as possible
Utilize the existing driveway that leads to where the original house is currently located
Establish the most optimal views and connections between the approach, the front door and parking

THE TAKE AWAY
Not every custom home project has the benefit of being able to position the house perfectly on the lot but when it does happen, it is truly magical! If you are fortunate enough to have this luxury, before selecting or purchasing a lot, be sure to consult with a skilled and talented architect that can guide and direct the exact location of the house.

SEE MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT

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VIRTUAL FLOOR PLAN REVIEWS AND DESIGN CONSULTATIONS

Each week I set aside time to provide virtual appointments for Floor Plan Reviews and Design Consultations for clients from all over the US and Canada. Since providing this service I’ve even done a few international reviews that were outside of North America.

After sending some redline notes and an overlay sketch to one of last week’s virtual Floor Plan Review clients, I received this note that made me grateful that I was able to help.

I'm so relieved to have your expertise on our side. Once construction starts, there's no going back and your valuable input will ensure our spaces are designed in the best way possible. We will contact you again once we have the final design. Thank you again for your prompt response to me that day that I was so desperate and especially for welcoming me, a stranger, at a vulnerable time.

THE TAKE AWAY
Most often our homes are the single, largest personal investment we’ll make during our lifetimes. When it comes to custom homes, along with the financial investment, there’s a huge emotional investment too. One of the benefits of booking a Floor Plan Review is receiving a second opinion so you can move forward with confidence.

SEE MORE ABOUT WHAT VIRTUAL CLIENTS ARE SAYING

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TILE AND STONE SELECTIONS-CITRUS POINT PROJECT

Another highlight of the week was having the client from the Citrus Point Project, travel to Sacramento so we could source stone slabs together and review the tiles that I had selected for their project. Our time together was full and busy, enjoyable and productive!

THE TAKE AWAY
During the design process, custom home clients are often anxious to get started on finish material selections. Its best however to wait to make selections until the floor plans and the elevations are designed. That way it’s clear exactly what’s needed rather than spending time looking for selections that aren’t needed, or overlooking things that are.

SEE MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT

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Boys Bathroom Design - Project Saint Waterways

If you’re a regular around here, Project Saint Waterways might sound familiar to you. It’s been a long while since I’ve shared anything about the project, which is a new build in Ontario, Canada.

CITY VARIANCES AND REQUIREMENTS
Just as we were finishing the design of the floor plans, we learned that new city variances would require the footprint of the house to be significantly reduced, along with utility restrictions. After mapping out a preliminary footprint on the site plan which was based on the city allowances, we all put are heads together (me, the clients, the architect, and the engineering consultant that specializes in planning and permitting) to explore how we could potentially still achieve the clients goals, given the the significant restrictions.

REDESIGN THE FLOOR PLANS
Once it was decided that it was still possible, the next step was for me to redesign the floor plans based on the new footprint established with the required setbacks and variances, etc. Initially, I thought that in order for me to get the majority of the client’s programming, within a much smaller footprint, that I would have to design the floor plans in a complete different direction than we had done previously. However, once I got started at the drawing board, I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to define the main and basement floors very similar to what we had previously, only with a lot less square footage.

And to make things even better, though very different from the previous plan, I was able to redesign the 2nd level floor plan to meet the client’s objectives but on a much smaller scale. To illustrate, below I’ve shared isolated floor plans for the boys bathroom from the previous and current floor plans for comparison. Both plans are well designed and will easily accommodate multi users, but as you can see, there’s a big difference with the amount of square footage that was allotted for the space.

Here’s a portion of an email the client sent following the presentation of the floor plan design:
“We are very impressed with what you’ve been able to achieve with a smaller footprint in the latest draft of the plans. And the 2nd floor…it’s amazing. The whole idea that we can literally close off the area to the kids rooms- really lends itself to the idea of a transitional home for when the kids have moved on. You packed so much punch into that space!!! “

THE TAKE AWAY
It’s not easy to shave off a ton of square footage from a floor plan without it adversely affecting the quality of the plan. Even so, if you find yourself in this type of predicament, all is not lost. The best thing to do is to start anew with the floor plan design rather than trying to force things. It’s quite possible with the skills of an expert spatial designer, they will be able to maintain a significant portion of the original program but in a condensed, new and improved way.

SEE MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT

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DESIGN BOOK - ALL THINGS custom FLOOR PLANS AND SPATIAL DESIGN - IN PROCESS

If you’re someone who enjoys my Design Journal and you have found a lot of value in it, I have some exciting news! I’m thrilled to share that I’m in the process of writing a design book about all things custom floor plans and spatial design. In the book, I’ll be diving into the why's and why nots of good spatial design and sharing important and specific spatial requirements. I believe the book will prove to be a valuable guide and trusted resource for both design professionals and enthusiasts alike.

If this news excites you, I would love to hear from you. I’m sure that you’re enthusiasm will help propel me along! Drop me an email at tami@tamifaulknerdesign.com.

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 as thoroughly as you can. Once received, I’ll review and get back with you.

FLOOR PLAN REVIEW + CONSULTATIONS

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.

SCHEDULE YOUR FLOOR PLAN REVIEW

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 more than 22 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 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.

SCHEDULE YOUR DESIGN CONSULTATION

“The Design Consultation with Tami was a great investment. Tami provided very detailed recommendations on how to improve our design and gave many tips on the do’s and don'ts when redesigning spaces. This helped us have a clearer understanding of design, thus expediting the design process and getting us one step closer to a complete home.” - Gilbert, OREGON