House Plan Guru Creates New Concepts!

I received a call from a fellow a couple of days ago.  He told me that he has been exhaustively searching for house plans but cannot find one that fully meets his needs.  I always find  it amazing how many people have this problem given the tens of thousand of house plans available online.  But the fact is every client has individual needs.  Why should they settle for a house plan that comes up short?

His condensed building program is this:

• 1 level home with walkout basement - walkout will initially be unfinished


• 2 main floor bedrooms - one with en-suite - one using a shared public bath


• walkout lot from front to rear


• views of mountains at the rear of the house - rooms should take advantage of that


• finished floor area  must be 1500 square feet or less 

So based on his building program I sketched out a couple of concepts.  See below.

Spaces are spread across the width of the lot to take advantage of the mountain views.  Simple massing with one dominant gable form running from front to rear.  

A more compact arrangement with a "bungalow" inspired form.

This is one great example of the service we provide that sets us apart from our competition.  Can't find the right design solution?  Give our Guru (Architect) a call!
Simply Elegant Home Designs

Old simple house plans - design inspiration

I posted an article the other day on gaining inspiration from old houses. Below is another great example - a bungalow that I stumbled upon near Forestville, California. It is so simple yet so well done. Why aren't builders and designers creating more homes like this anymore? Has the idea of doing a modest, simple and well detailed home escaped them? There must be a niche for this kind of house plan, but perhaps it's a lost art.

So here is the brilliant idea:

• keep the overall form and roof line very simple - this costs less to build
• use nice deep overhangs - this protects the walls, windows and doors from the elements
• create a good composition of windows - here picture windows are combined with double hungs and centered between the porch columns and the wall surfaces
• use minimal ornamentation - the window grid patterns and the exposed rafter tails are pretty much the extent of it here
• create a focal point - the simple shed dormer with louvers and the stair that is "captured" with side walls helps to create a center line and create focus on the entry
• give the house a base - the white clapboard siding provides a platform for the house to sit on and it contrasts nicely with the red shingle siding.

Simple,Unique, Small House Plans Cottage, Craftsman and Modern Home Plans

New Interior Video of Stillwater Craftsman

Simply Elegant Home Designs has added an interior animation of their "Stillwater Craftsman" house plan.  The animation can be seen below.

Simply Elegant intends to publish more interiors information on all of their home designs.  The idea is to provide customers with better information so that they can make more informed buying decisions.

Hudson Cottage Interior Animation

Simply Elegant Home Designs has added an Interior Animation of their Hudson Cottage house plan.  The home includes an open family and friend gathering room accomodating cooking, eating and sitting areas.  The space features a vaulted wood ceiling with exposed truss framing.