Direct from the Designers
Posts tagged House Plans
You're ready to build your dream home. (Congratulations!) | floor plans
03 weeks ago
You’ve sifted through architecture and design books, looked at models and developed a sense of what you like and don’t like. But now comes the important question – should you design a custom home from scratch or stick to a stock floor plan?
Overall, stock floor plans are an excellent choice. Why?
This best-selling ranch floor plan features fabulous curb appeal with a mix of Boral® Bricks and Cultured Stone®.
Variety: Looking for ranch house plans? Two-story Victorian-style plans? You may think pre-made plans will limit your choices, but you’d be surprised. Unlike many years ago, there are many different types of floor plans available from architects, designers and builders. With so many choices out there, you’re sure to find the perfect plan to suit you and your family’s needs.
Details: What if you find a pre-designed plan you like, but you want to make minor tweaks? No worries – most stock floor plans can be easily modified to your desires. Common changes include making a mirror image of the plan, moving walls and adding small features such as a fireplace.
Cost: Having an architect create a custom floor plan is typically a pricy endeavor that can set you back thousands of dollars. Stock home plans, on the other hand, are far more budget-friendly. You get the advantage of using a professionally designed plan for a fraction of the price.
Time: If you’re on a tight schedule, stock floor plans are an excellent option. These plans are ready as soon as you buy it – whereas custom house plans can take weeks (or even months) to create and approve. You may go through several versions of a custom-designed plan before you are comfortable with the final version.
Reassurance: Building a custom-designed home means doing things no one has done before. Even the smallest details and decisions can be nerve-racking. When you purchase pre-designed stock home plans, you may be able to find an identical home that’s already been finished, so you can easily see how your home will look. You can also visit online forums to talk to others who are using the same plan.
Tips to remember:
- Find out if your neighborhood has any building restrictions or requires your home to meet any specifications.
- Be sure your stock floor plans are in accordance with local building codes.
- Ask about the credentials of the planner who created your stock house plans.
- You want your home to be unique, but not to stick out like a sore thumb – choose a stock floor plan that suits your home’s surroundings.
Direct from the Designers Unveils the Ultimate Kitchen Wish List | house plans
1 month ago
In 2013, homeowners are craving creative, yet functional transitional-style kitchens that include spacious cabinetry and countertops, walk-in pantries and casual dining spaces.
Times are changing, especially when it comes to home design. Gone are the days of the traditional, isolated kitchen, cut off from the rest of the house and crowded with appliances and cooking supplies.
According to the findings of a recent survey conducted by the National Kitchen and Bath Association, more and more consumers are trading traditional for transitional when it comes to kitchen floor plans.
.jpg)
This classic country house plan features a functional kitchen floor plan with cabinetry by KraftMaid and Whirlpool appliances.
Direct from the Designers House Plans, one of the internet‘s leading providers of high-quality stock home plans and home designs, is answering the call for functional and intelligently-designed kitchens that address the changing wishes of consumers. The company offers hundreds of homes with practical and palatial kitchen floor plans, conceptualized by some of the country‘s leading architects and designers, which make excellent use of some of the most popular transitional-style kitchen features:
• Smooth flow: Rather than cutting it off from other living areas, the transitional-style kitchen layout focuses on the room as a functional part of the house, flowing seamlessly into the dining and living rooms.
• A gathering place: Transitional-style kitchens offer community-oriented features such as breakfast nooks and kitchen islands, which turn this once closed-off room into a casual, comfortable place to eat, relax and spend time with family or friends.
• Wide-open spaces: Perhaps the most important features of the traditional-style kitchen, spacious countertops, accommodating cabinets and generous walk-in pantries provide a welcome relief from kitchen clutter.
“People are looking to do more than just cook in their kitchens,” said Tammy Crosby, Chief Operating Officer of Direct from the Designers. “Our house plans feature beautiful kitchens that function as dining and living areas, while still leaving plenty of cabinet and counter space for preparing and storing food. These floor plans also offer unique, customizable designs that can be molded into a true dream kitchen, no matter what your needs are.”
Direct from the Designers offers an array of house plans with stunningly spacious and functional kitchens, including:
One of the most popular features of this best-selling house plan is the open kitchen floor plan.
Vita Encantata House Plan: The most common kitchen complaint is too little space, especially in cabinets and on countertops. This house plan features an expansive walk-in pantry to store your family‘s favorite foods, as well as keep utensils, containers and other items out of sight. The kitchen‘s island feature offers extra counter space and a popular spot for family members to eat and converse, transforming your kitchen into the perfect meeting spot for meals and parties.
Taylor House Plan: Combining an impressive amount of coveted counter and cabinet space, this kitchen plan is a dream come true. A unique archway between suspended cabinets provides a pass-through to keep the kitchen open to the living area, while the spacious island provides plenty of room for cooking and serving. This plan also features a cozy breakfast nook with scenic bay windows, offering a tranquil escape and eating space all in one.
Harrisburg House Plan: A truly open and inviting space, this kitchen features expansive ceilings, an elevated, eat-in countertop and a plethora of room for preparing meals and storing foods, utensils and supplies. The warm lighting from under-cabinet and above-cabinet sources gives off a welcome glow to make both family members and guests feel right at home.
“For those who are building a home, deciding on the perfect, functional kitchen can seem like a daunting task; which is why we‘ve hand-picked an array of high-quality house plans with fabulous kitchen floor plans featuring products from Whirlpool®, KraftMaid® and Delta®. We also offer wide range of resources, advice and tools to help you make the right decision,” Crosby said.
On the Direct from the Designers website, consumers can browse the Fabulous Kitchens collection, which contains hundreds of homes with unique and functional kitchen layouts. The company also offers customization services to ensure your dream kitchen can become a reality.
Portland, Oregon (PRWEB) March 31, 2013
House Plans with Fabulous Kitchen Floor Plans
1 month ago
1 — A regal kitchen like this from the Chatham House Plan has every amenity a homeowner could crave. With rich hardwood floors from Lumber Liquidators® and granite countertops, it has a clean and sophisticated appearance that will be in vogue for years to come. Top off the kitchen with some pendant lights over the counter and you have a kitchen table ready for multiple purposes. Of course, all this luxury is not without practicality, as this kitchen’s storage needs are covered by effective use of custom cabinetry from KraftMaid.®
2 — A kitchen like this doubles as a dining room, ideal for entertaining a small dinner party. Stylish and elegant cabinetry and countertops are perfectly paired with these 5-Star appliances. When it comes to luxury and performance the technology of Wolf® and Sub-Zero® Appliances remain favorites for high-end homes. You can also customize the way you cook with their virtual kitchen designer. The award-winning kitchen is part of the Retreat at Water””s Edge House Plan which won “Best of Show” at the Seattle Street of Dreams and AIBD Design Competition.
3 — An open floor plan blends the kitchen and the living areas together, making it ideal for a cozy family gathering. This luxury kitchen floor plan features a Wolf® range top, which is perfect for the chef of the family, and the island can double as a buffet for entertaining. A Delta® faucet sits center stage at the kitchen sink and an ornate tile backsplash behind the range adds a decorative finishing touch.
4 — Not an inch of storage is wasted in this European-influenced kitchen. The KraftMaid® center island includes drawers that make keeping countertops clear a breeze. Stainless steel appliances from Jenn-Air offset the crisp white countertop and island. Adding appliances to compliment your cabinetry is easy with Jenn-Air’s® DesignVision app for iPhone. The light tile and cabinetry are offset by dark flooring from Lumber Liquidators.®
5 — A thoughtful layout for a family, this spacious kitchen floor plan blends form and function with country styling. At the center of this kitchen is an island with two sink-prep areas outfitted with Delta® faucets. Light square tiles and chandelier lighting from LAMPS PLUS® offset the dark marble. This cozy kitchen is the perfect place to prep meals and spend time together as a family.
Affordable Fireplaces for Your Home Design
3 months ago
No matter what size or style home you have, adding a fireplace to your home design will create a warm and cozy living space. Traditional fireplaces are not the most energy efficient, but you can still enjoy the comfort and warmth of a fire without wasting energy by installing an electric fireplace or insert instead. Here are three beautiful built-in electric fireplaces that are also affordable to operate:
The Kendal Electric Fireplace from Dimplex® has traditional grace and elegance. Take a look at our collection of traditional house plans for beautiful homes that complement this fireplace.
This Dimplex® Kendal electric fireplace is beautifully crafted and operates at a low cost. You get the look and feel of a fireplace without having to retrieve wood. The Kendal electric fireplace operates for pennies an hour, four cents with flame only and nine cents with the heat cycling at fifty percent. With high-efficiency and beautiful craftsmanship, this would make a beautiful centerpiece to any room.
The Modern Flames® Home Fire series is a more contemporary fireplace. With sleek lines this hearth will look perfect in any of our contemporary house plans.
The Home Fire series from Modern Flames® operates with a low energy LED flame. Unlike the Dimplex® model, this fireplace is sleeker with a more contemporary fit and finish. This fireplace can be used with or without heat, so the ambiance of a fire can be found enjoyed all year around.
The Lennox® Ravelle™ fireplace comes with a variety of facing and insert options, making it perfect for any decor. Take a look at our collection of French country house plans for design ideas.
The Lennox® Ravelle™ fireplace is a high-efficiency, furnace-rated fireplace. With everything from white to black arches to nickel, gold, and black inserts, this fireplace is a stylish fireplace that will meet high heating demands. This is perfect for anyone who wants lots of options and can””t quite find the perfect fireplace for their decor.
The charm of a fireplace is enthralling, but it doesn””””t have to be expensive. Consider an electric fireplace and make sure you get the most for the cost of your heating bill. These beautiful fireplaces are energy-efficient and perfect for your home and any style home. Take a look at any of Direct from the Designers”””” specialty collections and you are sure to find the right match for your vision.
Make This the Year Your Holiday Lights Go Green | house plans
5 months ago
by Christine Cooney
in House Plans
For many, outdoor decorations and lighting are as much a part of the winter holidays as gift giving and enjoying our favorite foods. With the rising cost in electricity, using LED (light emitting diode) lights can save you money without sacrificing your holiday display. LED holiday lights use 10 times less energy than mini bulbs and 100 times less than traditional holiday bulbs. For outdoor lighting, consider solar powered LED lights.
Twinkling and bright, outdoor decorative lighting brings holiday cheer to your home and yard. View our collection of small country house plans with front porches.
If you’re concerned about how holiday LED light strands compare to traditional incandescent lights, you’ll find you’re in for a wonderful treat. Here are some great, green reasons why making the switch to LED lights makes sense this holiday season.
LED lights are energy efficient. They can save up to 98% of the electricity needed to power incandescent light strands. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the amount of electricity consumed by just one 7-watt incandescent bulb could power 140 LEDs — enough to light two 24-foot strings.
White lights give this great room a warm and luxurious appeal. View additional images of this luxury house plan.
The environmental benefits of using LED holiday lights are numerous. They use less electricity, are recyclable and don’t contain ultraviolet light or mercury.
Because they generate less heat, LED light bulbs are cool-to-the-touch. There’s also less risk of them overheating and catching fire.
The cost is surprisingly affordable if you’re a smart shopper. LED Holiday Light Exchange programs from your local utility company and government are making it easier for consumers to switch. Consult the website of your local utility, city or county for holiday light exchange or reduced-fee programs.
Unlike incandescent light bulbs, LEDs don’t have a filament that might break or burn out. They have epoxy lenses that are almost indestructible, which means you can drop them or step on them and they’ll keep on shining brightly. LED bulbs can last for more than 100,000 hours. That means you could potentially have your LED holiday light set around for several holiday seasons.
LED holiday light strings that have earned the U.S ENERGY STAR® rating last up to 10 times longer than traditional incandescent strands. They are also independently tested to meet strict lifetime and electrical requirements. Check for manufacturers that offer five-year warranties.
With LEDS you don’t have to worry about your lights burning out if one fails because holiday light strands have tiny built-in fuses. Be sure not mix incandescent and LED strands together.
Holiday LED lights come in vibrant colors, bright lights and a variety of shapes and styles. You also get the same special effects like blinking, dimming and color shifting but with new and more efficient technology.
Since they’re made of plastic and aren’t breakable, like their incandescent forefathers, they don’t require the extra cardboard, special slots and packing material that the old ones do. This makes them lighter and easier to store.
By using LEDS you are can still create a big holiday light display while being eco-friendly.
The Spookiest House on the Block | house plans
7 months ago
by Lauren Busser
in Home Plans
October means more than pumpkin spice lattes and falling leaves, it is also the time for ghouls and goblins to come out and play for Halloween. If your new home is going to be in a neighbor full of children there are bound to be trick-or-treaters at your home, and a house with the right architecture can provide the perfect atmosphere for a frightening All Hallows Eve.
Victorian Gothic
The Victorian era has some fantastic architecture, ranging from the simple to the elaborate. With details such as stonework and archways, these homes provide the base for a haunting Halloween display. A large veranda provides enough space to display jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, or even some antiquated bottles with distressed labeling.
This unique Victorian house plan features stonework that gives it a spellbinding appeal perfect for Halloween.
The Villain’s Cottage
Perhaps your dream home is more in tune with the witch’s cottage that Hansel and Gretel happen upon. While gingerbread and other baked goods won””””””””t make for an easy to maintain home, you can still make the creepy cottage in the woods a reality with a home that features detailed millwork.
While homes like this have charm, they can easily be made into scary exhibits for Halloween with a few well placed decorations and jack-o-lanterns along the entryway. Dress as the wicked witch and you’ll have a façade that is sure to fright neighbors and friends alike.
This house plan is reminiscent of a fairy tale cottage, but whether that cottage belongs to the seven dwarfs or the wicked witch, remains a question.
Dracula’s Mansion
If your dream is to live in that house on the hill that looks like it came out of a Shirley Jackson novel, then consider a large towering mini castle house plan. Homes with castle-like silhouettes will also provide a sturdy backdrop for Halloween displays.
Ideal for a home with a spacious yard, small castle house plans like this can be made into instant Halloween spectacles with very little effort. Put a few pumpkins on the porch, and light the windows artistically, and before you know it, your home will be the stuff of legends.
This spooky small castle house plan is interesting to look at and chilling at the same time.
These detailed houses might seem a little off-beat for a modern home, but with the right styling they can be the envy of the block on Halloween. Whether you go for understated Victorian or out-right Gothic, if Halloween is your holiday, your ideal home exists somewhere in the Direct from the Designers library.
Fall Decorating Ideas & Tips from Direct from the Designers House Plans
8 months ago
by Christine Cooney
in House Plans
Decorating your home for the fall months can be both an enjoyable time spent with family and relatively inexpensive. There are plenty of great things about this particular time of year like the return of cooler temperatures (gather round the fireplace), fall colors and nature changing before our eyes (take in the gorgeous foliage). Adding fall touches of décor to the interior and exterior of home will help you transition into a new and exciting season of holidays and family traditions. Here are some great ideas and tips to decorate your home for the fall from the leading designers and architects of American’s most popular house plans:
The warmth of this classic two-story Craftsman house plan starts at the front entry with wraparound porch and continues through the opening living space to the rear covered patio cozy breakfast nook. Curb appeal and efficiency is easily achieved with fiberglass doors, columns and trim from Therma-Tru® and Fypon®. View Direct from the Designers extensive collection of Craftsman House Plans.
Dress up your porch
You can easily give your front porch and entry fall inspiration by wrapping corn stalks, raffia or straw around your columns and railings. You can easily add rich colors to this theme by adding thick ribbons and placing mums on your front steps. If you have children, don’t forget the pumpkins. Pumpkins not only symbolize Halloween but fall harvest. The best thing about using pumpkins to decorate your porch or entryway is that you can turn them into Jack-o-lanterns for Halloween night, while snacking on homemade pumpkin seeds.
Light up your home’s exterior
Luminaries are not just for the winter holiday season, they are perfect for fall too as the sun starts to set earlier in the afternoon. Try some harvest string lights in fall colors, Maple leaf garland string lights and of course there’s a wide selection of Halloween themed lights. Battery powered candles placed inside paper bags with sand in the bottom, makes perfect luminaries for your walkway and front stairs.
Nature-inspired door wreath
Welcome visitors with a beautiful autumn wreath at your front entry door. You can use simple grapevine wreaths, which are gorgeous on their own. If you prefer more adornment consider adding pinecones, leaves, berries and corn husks to your wreath. If you have a lot of windows that face the front of your home, consider hanging similar wreaths from these windows as well.
Roll out the welcome mat
Accent your front entry with a fall themed doormat. Whether you’re searching for a harvest, football, school or any other fall theme, there’s a bounty of options to choose from. To help with visitors tracking in the elements, you should consider both an outdoor doormat and an indoor entrance mat.
Add autumn artwork to your walls
Display artwork that depicts fall themes and colors in your front foyer or on a predominate wall in your family room or dining room. Consider nature themes with fall colors like oranges, reds and golden yellows, which can alter the mood in your home. Wall candles will not only provide ambiance, but also bring the aroma of fall into your home with the scents of apple, cinnamon and pumpkin.
This is Direct from the Designers most popular selling house plan. It’s packed with amenities and lots of style. Enjoy additional images and the floor plan for L’attesa di Vita.
Use your fireplace mantel to showcase seasonal décor
Your fireplace mantel is a great place to showcase your seasonal décor. Simply by taking a walk in the woods or your own backyard you can find a treasure chest of pinecones, dried leaves, cattails and red berries to create a simple decoration. Adding small pumpkins, gourds, dried arrangements and rich colored candles will add appeal to your mantel.
Create cozy sitting areas
As the cooler temperatures begin, you’ll want to bring out the colorful throw blankets and cozy pillows so you can cuddle up with a good book or movie. There are so many variations in pillow and throw sizes, styles, prints and textures that you can give your living room a whole new look for the fall.
Don””””t miss out on the latest home design ideas and the newest house plans from Direct from the Designers, simple sign up for Dream Green, a free weekly e-newsletter.
House Plans: Inspiring Outdoor Living Spaces
10 months ago
Direct from the Designers presents Her Dream Home Magazine. This issue features fabulous outdoor living spaces so you can enjoy the summer outdoors with family and friends.
Now that summer is in full swing it is the perfect time to think about cookouts, backyard swimming and creating outdoor living space to enjoy with family and friends. Something as simple as a covered patio or a grilling station or as extravagant as a fully functional outdoor kitchen with a dining area and fireplace that surrounds a custom pool and patio, can increase the amount of time you spend outdoors.
This issue of Her Dream Home features house plans with our best outdoor living spaces to inspire you to design a new outdoor area or to redesign your existing space. You’ll find everything from covered patios, grilling stations, dining and sitting areas, fully equipped gourmet kitchens, custom pools and much more in a wide range of architectural styles. A personal favorite is the Terrebonne House Plan featured on the cover. This two-story European-styled home is absolutely gorgeous inside and out and features plenty of photographs.
You’ll also find some great articles including Stepping Outside: Creating an Outdoor Living Area featuring innovative design ideas and tips including helpful suggestions for lighting, patio furniture, decks and more! To inspire the cook in all of us, there’s 5 Sizzling Tips for Cooking Outdoors so you can create the perfect grilled dishes.
This is also the perfect time to think about building a new home or remodeling your existing home. The key to a well-designed house plan is one that offers flexibility with an open floor plan and bonus spaces. Learn about all the benefits of an open floor design in Create a Spacious Home with an Open Floor Plan.
Latest Issue of Her Dream Home Magazine Features Step-by-Step Home Building Guide | house plans
11 months ago
by Christine Cooney
in House Plans
This issue of Her Dream Home features a step-by-step guide to building your new home from creating a home building budget to knowing what to expect during each building stage. Preview new house plans and our most popular Craftsman house plans.
The newest issue of Her Dream Home magazine from Direct from the Designers House Plans features a step-by-step guide to building your new home. This guide includes important information consumers need to know before they begin this exciting project.
From creating a home building budget to knowing what to expect during each building stage, 10 Steps to Building A New Home is a “must read” article that will assist homeowners every step of the way.
This issue also features a small sampling of Direct from the Designers most popular house plans, which combine the latest in green building techniques and products. These designs also feature open floor plans, large gourmet kitchens, luxurious master suites and comfortable outdoor living spaces to accommodate the demands of homeowners.
One of the most popular architectural styles is the Craftsman House Plan. DFD House Plans extensive collection features homes in a wide range of sizes with classic Craftsman styling touches like front porches, dormers, plenty of interior woodwork and warm earth tones to create a charming design inside and out. To view the entire collection, click here.
Enjoy fabulous photography of two brand-new home plans: the Riverside House Plan is a sleek, one-story contemporary design, and the Randolph House Plan is a two-story classic with lots of natural light featured on the magazine cover.
Direct from the Designers House Plans recently created their DFD House Plans boards on Pinterest to showcase photographs of their best-selling house plans, as well as added the “Pin It” button to all their house plan images to make it easy to add to your own boards.
Stay connected by signing up for Dream Green, a free weekly newsletter where consumers and builders can learn about the latest sustainable interior and exterior home building products and design trends and tips to build a new home. Click here to sign up.
Celebrate Mother’s Day with a Dream House Plan | house plans
1 year ago
Celebrate mother’s special day with a dream house plan from Direct from the Designers, where she will feel like the queen of the castle. If she loves to cook, surprise her with a home plan with a fully equipped gourmet kitchen. Special attention has been give to create functional work zones with plenty of countertop and storage regardless of the size of the kitchen floor plan. Everyone loves to be pampered, which is why these homes all feature master suites with spa-like baths, walk-in closets and sitting areas so mom can escape for some private time to rejuvenate and relax after a busy day of taking care of the family.
One can never have enough storage space, which is why all of these designs feature walk-in closets, built-ins, bonus rooms and optional basement floor plans. If you’re considering having your mom live with you, you’ll enjoy our extension collection of home plans with in-law suites, many offering the comforts of a small apartment with private entrance, full kitchen and living room.
Here is a sample of some of our favorite house plans, designed with mom in mind:
The Retreat at Waters Edge House Plan is a luxurious estate featuring five unique structures that are joined by trellised arbors and covered walkways with complementing floor plans designed for large families and those that love to entertain at home on a grand scale. The kitchen is absolutely amazing with marble countertops, two center islands, including one with ample seating. There’s plenty of cabinetry including a built-in desk area to keep you organized. View over 50 photographs and the floor plans for this luxurious home.
Mom will absolutely love the laundry room/craft room, which is approximately 500 square feet and located right next to the kitchen.
This master suite is the perfect retreat from a long day with a window sitting area, spa-like bath and exercise room.
You’ll feel like you’re at a 5-star resort when you step outside to the large covered patio with outdoor living room and fully equipped kitchen. Enjoy family time swimming in the large in-ground pool. There’s a beautiful, versatile cabana that can easily be converted into a private living quarter.
This sophisticated cottage house plan offers an abundant of unique features throughout its three floors. Beyond the soft arched entry is a gourmet kitchen that serves for casual and formal entertaining. Speaking of entertaining there’s a music room, large coffered great room, recreation room, two game rooms, a home theater, bar and wine cellar. This is home that one won’t want to leave. Upstairs is a true master retreat with a sitting area, fireplace, extensive his & her closet spaces and a private screen porch where one can relax and refresh.
The gourmet kitchen of the Olmstead House Plan is only one of the many appealing features of this two-story home. An optional finished basement floor plan gives this 5,342 square foot home the potential for an additional 2,092 square feet.
With over 6,000 house plans to preview in a wide range of architectural styles and sizes you are sure to find your dream home. Check some of our favorite designs, including our newest home plans at Pinterest.
