Colonial House Plans

Colonials are known for having a timeless, historical, regal style. They have simple, classical design details. Colonial style house plans were influenced by traditions brought by the settlers of the 13 original colonies. They are rectangular in architectural design and have symmetrical facades. Colonials are 1, 2, and even 3 stories. The 2 story designs with grand front columns are the most common. Today, Colonials have family rooms or great rooms and attached garages. Attached garages are convenient and add additional living space with the completion of the area over the garage. The living and dining areas are typically on the first floor, while the bedrooms are on the second floor or upper floor. To maintain that symmetrical facade, a central front door, (which may be slightly offset), is a definite identifier. Central front doors may be paneled and have window sidelights, transoms, or fanlights. These centralized front doors allow for a center entry hallway and center entry floor plan. Multi-paned, double hung windows are equally spaced on both sides. Colonials may also have beautiful Palladian windows. Palladian windows are usually divided into three sections with the center section being arched and the largest. Shutters and dormers complete this classic, polished look.
Colonial exteriors may be brick, stone, wood siding, or vinyl siding. The wood siding exteriors or vinyl siding exteriors of Colonials are often painted white and accented with black shutters. Roofs are generally gabled. The roof ridge is often horizontal. This roof pitch facilitates the prime setting for a covered porch. Great pillars and grand columns decorate the front of the Colonial. Detailed dentil moldings are features of the Colonial. Another distinguishing note is the large chimneys and fireplaces that may be on both ends of the home. This enables fireplaces to be both upstairs and down. The great rooms, or family rooms, kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms may all have fireplaces as well.
If you are looking for a timeless, classic home design that offers functionality and convenience, consider the Colonial style house plan for your dream home plan!

European House Plans

European style house plans offer grand exteriors and exquisite ornamental details. This style offers as many architectural influences as diverse as the countries from which they originate. European house plans have quite a romantic feel that is reminiscent of castles of long ago. Luxury is implied at first sight. European style home plans offer a touch of elegance and refined style combined with large, oversized proportions. They are a reminder of the history and the beauty of the Old Country while exhibiting that old world charm. European house plans have a wonderfully centralized layout.
European home plans may be 1, 1 ½, 2 and even 3 stories. The two story versions are the most common. The impressive exteriors are clad with brick, stone, or stucco with dramatic polished wood accents. The façade is elegant with rich ornamental detailing. Generally large, these homes work best on good-sized lots, where their grand facades can best be appreciated. Today, most European style plans have large attached garages as well.
Multiple roof lines of the European style house plans tend to be hipped (a type of roof that all sides slope downwards to the walls) and steep. This hipped roof is ideal for the many gables. Copper-topped bay roofs are common. Keystones and elegant polished wood add to these outside design features. Subtly flared curves at the eaves complete that grand ornamental detail. These areas are faced with stucco and stone. The roof typically connects down to the windows. The second floor often is in the roof.
As earlier mentioned, the European style house plans have a great centralized layout. The Living room is the main focus of the home and is on the first floor. The bedrooms may be on one side or on the second floor and the living and dining areas located on the other. Palladian windows (the three sectioned windows with the largest in the center and an elliptical above) and large vaulted or cathedral ceilings are perfect in these expansive, open homes—especially the foyer. Grand marble staircases and glimmering chandeliers transport you straight from the foyer to the old world! These large, open, airy areas allow for lots of natural light. Tile floors and regal, arched doorways add to this sense of luxury. Potfillers, stone ovens, and large islands make the kitchen warm and inviting.
European style home plans offer a sense of luxury inside and out. If luxury and expansive living areas with a touch of elegance are your criteria for your dream home plan, then perhaps European style house plans are exactly your style.

Victorian Homes

Simply, a Victorian style house plan originally meant a home style built during the reign of Queen Victoria.
Victorians may typically bring to mind story book images of a fairy-tale home. They are indeed famously known for quite ornamental facades. Picturesque, grand towers and steep, regal turrets are two of the most common features associated with the Victorian. However, today, Victorians may vary in many architectural styles and combinations of these diverse designs. These homes are asymmetrical. From romantic to cottage-like on to unique and even a bit whimsical, these can be a Victorian.
Victorians may be one, two, or three stories; however, the two and three stories are the most common built. Exteriors may be wood siding, clapboard siding, or shingle-shake siding. They may even be brick or stone. “Gingerbread” trim work, fanciful dormers, decorative cornices, striking spindles, beautiful dentil moldings, grand gables, and florid brackets are some of the features of the Victorian. Roofs have multiple roof lines with varying roof pitches that are steep. Wood roofs or slate roofs with patterned shingles often decorate and define the Victorian’s roof. Exterior siding and trim work paints range from pretty pastels to bold, primary colors, and even to deep, jewel-toned colors. There are certainly no strict boundaries nor set limits to the exterior paint scheme. Decorative, detailed porch railings and intricate, turned posts make the wrap-around porches just perfect! Sunrooms and enclosed porches are also functional, visually pleasant traits of the Victorian.
Interiors are similarly composed of diverse architectural styles. Octagonal rooms make a unique design statement. Bay windows and sash windows add to this romantic style. Stained glass windows are a beautiful addition. The paint scheme from the exterior may be transferred to the interior to carry on the design theme throughout. Creating the right balance of both color and texture between walls, moldings, ceilings, and woodwork further create the Victorian. Wallpaper and paint finishes in marbleizing, stenciling, and spattering add to this design style. Spiraling floral themes, Gothic inspired trellises, stylized leaf work, and even simulated woodgrain texturing are often found. Tin ceilings with hammered designed details complete the look. Wall sconces, claw foot bath tubs, and deep, dark hardwood floorings are complementary. Today, truly, a Victorian’s interior may range from old world charming to modern convenience to unique whimsy or a great combination of them all.
When choosing your home style, consider the Victorian as a possible match to your perfect home plan!

Southern House Plans

Southern house plans bring to life a home that is an idyllic setting for that southern hospitality and genteel charm!
Southern home plans were certainly designed to accommodate the warm, humid air of southern climates. They are symmetrically designed with decorative porches and balconies under a low pitched roof. Homes of the southern house plan style have tall ceilings, large wrap-around front porches, are generally built of wood, and are sprawling (southern plantation style!). The wrap-around porch takes the number one spot for a characteristic of a southern house plan. A wrap-around porch was and is perfect for enjoying the fresh, country air while providing shade during the heat of the day. Imagine enjoying a glass of sweet southern iced tea in a swing or rocker on that peaceful wrap-around porch. Great open spaces for entertaining and a huge kitchen for preparing meals for just such events are also design traits of these home plans. A hearth room or family room is quite common. What could be cozier than sipping a cup of hot cocoa and making s’mores by the crackling fireplace? High ceilings (that were useful in toning down the heat), crown moldings (that add a grand, finishing touch), and wide plank hardwood flooring (that adds just the right amount of warmth) may complement and complete this home. Generally, they are two stories (to accommodate that wrap-around porch or balcony) with pitched or gabled roofs. These roof pitches are usually shallow, low, or medium in height and quite often have dormers.
This home style has similar design characteristics to plantation styles, southern colonials, also known as colonial plantation styles, and low country home styles.
When considering your new home plan, take a look at our southern style house plans. The interior of our southern home plans include many modern amenities unavailable during those “days gone by”, but the open floor plans and design remains. Southern may just be your perfect dream home plan style!

Cork Flooring

When choosing the flooring for your new home design or your home redesign, you may wish to consider cork. There are a variety of options in cork flooring including floating cork flooring, natural cork flooring, and bamboo cork flooring. The raw material used for the cork floor is a tree product. Basically, it is the bark shed by the tree every 9 to 15 years. Cork flooring is a green product and environmentally friendly (since only the bark that is shed is used). As an added benefit, cork flooring has anti-bacterial properties. A preferred quality is it’s resistance to mold, mildew, and even termites. In kitchens, baths, and basements, rooms where there are high chances of water seeping under the flooring and making it moist, using cork flooring is a wise choice. The cork flooring is springy and soft under your feet (which may be a pro to some and a con to others.). Cork flooring offers insulation properties. It prevents the heat of the home from escaping and seeping through the flooring. During the cold months of winter, and if you live in a cold climate area, cork flooring is an energy efficient choice. The insulating properties offer sound and noise insulation as well. Cork flooring requires very low maintenance compared to hardwood flooring and other types of flooring. To clean and maintain your cork floor, simply sweep or vacuum, and then use an only slightly water dampened mop. Be certain to check with your professional installer for a complete guide to cleaning and maintaining your cork flooring. It is extremely durable, but it is necessary to refinish the cork flooring with a polyurethane coat every 5-10 years depending on the amount of traffic and wear and tear. Cork flooring is available in many natural shades and tones. There are even artificially manufactured colors to perfectly complete your home’s décor. A few flip-side notes: Cork flooring is generally 3/16 of an inch thick and sanding and refinishing is not an easy task. With that thickness, there are a limited number of times that sanding and refinishing is possible as the flooring will crumble. Also, if you have pets, you will want to research the best cork option with an expert. Thirdly, if a chunk of the cork flooring is missing, this remains permanent. Lastly, never use a soaking mop nor harsh cleaners as these will permanently damage the cork flooring. As you select your perfect dream home plan, you may consider the innovative, green option of cork for your flooring.

Garage Floor Finishes

Garage Floor Finishes
Many homeowners are deciding to upgrade their garages when choosing home plans today. The garage is a functional part of the home. Storage cabinets and organizers in the garage have become quite the standard, and homes are being built with superior garage flooring. Paints, epoxy coatings, rubber mats, and interlocking tiles are a few choices for finishing your garage floor. Garage flooring was considered a high end feature that for years was reserved for car collectors and enthusiasts. Not so today! The majority of garage floor coverings go right over your base concrete flooring. Many of the finishes and coverings are able to have cars parked on them and other items placed on them in the very same day. Ultimately, you want garage flooring that protects your floor surface from oil spills, chemicals, dirt, and stains. So whatever your reason for installing garage floor coverings, whether it is easy to clean or simply decorating a part of the home, choose the finish that is best for you and your home design.
Painting the garage floor is an easy solution that yields a quick result. Choose any color to compliment your home design and your garage décor. It is best to use a three layer system that includes a primer, a basecoat, and a clear top coat. You may choose an epoxy shield too. Some of these epoxies even include a 2-3 year warranty. Just check your local home improvement or paint store for exact details. To make your garage floor resist grease, acid, or oil, you need an effective finishing compound. These are what you call garage floor finishes and they maintain the look of the floor for years. These compounds are used to keep the floor protected from all liquids that may accidentally be spilled. This compound is necessary for homeowners who want to keep the garage floor looking new and pristine.
If your goal is to just address those “trouble spots” in your garage, i.e. where the vehicles are parked or the work, tool, and cabinetry area, you may opt for mats. Many of these mats are designed with PVC non-porous surfaces. These components keep your floor protected from oil, fuel, grease, grime, salt, anti-freeze, and other debris. Mats come in many sizes and are easy to cut to specifications that are right for the area, and they are so simple to install. You can clean them with a simple water and soap mixture. Also, mats offer a great slip-resistant surface to keep the conditions safe while you are working and going in and out of the garage.
Another option is the interlocking floor tile system. They are great for garage floors, because they are attractive and provide a non-slip surface for safety. These tiles come in wide variety of styles, patterns, and colors. The tiles are easy to install and/or remove. Some of the heavy duty garage tiles can even support up to 2500 lbs per square inch without cracking or fading. One great benefit with tiles is that you can always just replace a tile or two if you have a stain or problem without having to redo the entire floor. Garage floor tiles are generally less expensive than epoxy coatings and some other coverings. These interlocking tile floors in a garage will also hold up to oils, chemicals, grease, anti-freeze, brake fluid, and even kickstands!

When finding your perfect, dream home plan, don’t forget the garage…and the garage floor!