Building a Dream House!

What would be on your dream list if you could build from the ground up and not worry about the money?  Seriously, what would be in it?

Would you go over the top with gold plated and diamonds?  Or would it be practical and really nice to have? 

I'd fall into the second group, nice and practical, but not over the top.

Basics, right off the cuff, of what I'd want:

• kitchen where multiple people can be at one time cooking
• bath bit larger to have some counter space (with sink not near outlet)
• real sized garage (we're not driving Smart for Two cars folks!!!)
• lot that doesn't have a major hill, but does slop away from the house for good drainage
• parking for family and friends
• yard for playing ball

That is pretty good for off the cuff.  If we were to actually move and have a list of requirements there would be a whole lot more on that list, but think I'll build that into my dream home.

My list is a work in progress!  I'll tweak and add more ideas as I stubble upon them.  I know the reality is that I may never see all of these in one house, but I can dream!  So here goes the list:

KITCHEN:

• island with outlet
• peninsula if possible
• closet pantry
• two ovens
• separate cook top
• one sink (not double)
• minimal blind cabinets
• a corner cabinet like this one if a blind cabinet can't be avoided
• room to have an eat in area
• places to store onions and potatoes like this (click on link and select the first small photo) or this
• built in book shelves for cookbooks
• good storage fore cookie tins, bread pans, etc. like this or this
• under cabinet lighting
• pendant light over sink
• breakfast bar

PANTRY:

• outlet for small, rechargeable vacuum
• automatic light switch
• adjustable shelves
• area for large items (especially if you grind your own grain)
• places to park kitchen equipment you don't need on counter ALL THE TIME, but still need easy access
• lazy susans in the corners
• freezer
• second fridge ~ maybe and with filtered water!

BACK FOYER:

• access to garage
• locker cubby type things, one for each person and one for dog stuff
• washer & dryer on pedestals
• shelf just over top of washer and dryer so nothing falls behind
• cabinet or shelves above for laundry soaps and such
• place to wash the dog
• place for guest to put their coats, purses or whatever

GARAGE:

• wide enough to have two current cars in it, be able to open the door of one with out denting the other or dinging a wall.  
• would be nice to have some storage in garage
• have an area to take off sport or work shoes (less tracking in of dirt and grass)
• ball corral
• sports equipment corral

WIRING:

• speakers through out the entertaining areas of house (inside and out)
• logical places to charge phones, pads, pods, computers, kindles, etc.
• if there is a fireplace, outlet near mantel for Christmas Village.  Possibly one at each end.
• certain outlets, designated for Christmas Window Candles.  How cool to be able to flip one switch and get them all on
• depending if there is a walkout basement and doors off kitchen and family room, having back door lights all turn on by any of the door switches
• plan ahead where TVs MIGHT be so that cable (or whatever) can be run ahead of time
• where is wifi going to be located?  Pre-wiring for that too?
• outlets that make sense in the bedroom ~  think about where beds are going and are there enough outlets there for two people (two lamps, two clocks, double whatever else!)

HVAC:

• two zone totally!  
• duct work taped at all joints

PLUMBING:

• put water heater more centrally located ~ if possible ~ so less wasted cold water while waiting for hot water to make it to the tap or shower
• piping insulated
• water heater insulated

MISCELLANEOUS:

• when a door is slammed (leading outdoors or to bedroom or to bathroom) whole house should not shake
• built in book cases with window seat (somewhere ~ living room or study)
• fireplace that doesn't take up to much space, but throws out a good amount of heat

MASTER BEDROOM:

• just large enough that we don't trip over each other while getting ready for the day
• sitting area/room (that could be turned into a bedroom if necessary) so that you can read and not wake spouse up 

BATHROOM (S):

• regardless if it has a window, have an exhaust fan strong enough for the size of the room
• in master bath, have a "water closet" with window and exhaust

 OUTDOORS:

• place for a garden without mature trees to close
• place for kids to run, jump, throw, be kids
• place for dog to run
• fire pit
• flower gardens
• herb garden
• swing
• porch
• hot and cold spigot near garage to wash cars

Do you care to join in?  Want to leave any additions of what you'd want?
 

Dreaming

I've been dreaming a lot lately, about our house versus moving.  Could we afford to move to one that has most everything that I've wanted in a house, but more importantly, a yard that is more flat than our current one and with a good sized two car garage.  Not so sure that will happen as most we can afford look just like the one we're in or is a the category of "huge fixer upper".

Reality has brought me back to our house and gets me dreaming about this one.  What can we do to get it back in shape?  What can we do to make it more friendly for guests?  Probably the two bests things we can do is to do a HUGE purge.  We've been in this house for almost 10 years and we have so much stuff, shoved in nooks and crannies that just hasn't gotten used in years.  I may possibly just need to take advantage of those folks that call saying they'll have a truck in my area on such and such date and find a couple bags and boxes of stuff for them.  Some stuff may be hard to get rid of, but would love to be strong enough to purge our house as if we were moving into a 800 - 900 square foot house (currently ours is about 1800 sq. ft. according to tax records, but that doesn't include the basement we had remodeled and the extra 1/2 bath down there).

After a big purge, it would be nice to be able to actually clean in all those nooks and crannies.  Add some fresh paint, new trim ~ possibly (builder used door molding as floor molding).  Possibly change out the flooring on the main level to all hardwood and redo the carpeting upstairs in the bedrooms. 

Yes, I even have dreams for outside too!  Lots of wishing and dreaming there for various things.  Just don't want to dream to far in advance so that it seems out of reach.