This is posted for all my friends who have recently gotten SNOW!  It looks so peaceful, quiet and serene doesn't it?
I am glad to see the smoke coming out of the chimney though because it looks like it is mighty cold!

This is house plan 005H-0095 courtesy of the house plan shop. I love all of their house plans but of course I have a preference for anything cottage! This darling house is a little over 1200 square feet and has two good sized bedrooms split by a bath off the Master bedroom and the Hall Bath which is conveniently located to the center of the house and the second bedroom. The laundry room is located between the garage and the house, with easy access to counter space in the kitchen to drop your groceries.

The family room and kitchen with eating area is all one large space running the width of the house. The open floor plan and vaulted ceilings make the room feel even larger than it is. Situate your living room furniture around and close to the fireplace, perhaps use a long table behind the back of your couch in the center of the room, to visually divide the room into two areas.

This would be a great home for retirement or a young couple just starting their family. 

So as we close out this winter season, enjoy the comforts of your home, dream dreams of a new one or just enjoy the one you have!

Happy New Year Everyone!  May you be blessed with health , happiness and prosperity.

Country Farmhouse Charm

As I travel down the road to my daughter's place, there is a house that looks just like this one. I would love to go inside and browse around.  I can picture my daughter and her family living in this house.

This house plan, from the house plan shop, has 1250 sq ft with an additional 341 sq ft of bonus room. Downstairs there are two good-sized bedrooms, the master bedroom suite with its own bathroom and a hall bath to serve the other bedroom and guests. Upstairs a loft and a 3rd full bath can be finished out. Build this house on a basement, slab or crawl space; but with a basement underneath, developing this additional space later on would be easy.

As you approach this home, the first thing you will notice of course is the big wrap-around porch! What a great place to enjoy the morning solitude, watching the sun comes up, drinking a cup of coffee  or relaxing over an ice tea with a neighbor in the afternoon. The soaring cathedral ceiling and an upper level loft, makes this home feel very spacious and large. This is actually a one-story home, with the loft being available for another bedroom, office or game room. The open floor plan of the living room, dining area and kitchen creates a feeling of spaciousness while the fireplace in the living room gathers you in for a feeling of coziness and old farmhouse type gatherings. I can picture the mantle decorated for the holidays with Christmas stockings, fresh pine boughs and hurricane lanterns.  The Christmas tree in front of the living room windows, decorated with old country ornaments. Family and friends will gather around the handy kitchen island with breakfast bar, enjoying a meal or just good old conversation as you prepare a batch of cookies or make some homemade bread. There is easy kitchen access to and from the covered rear porch, which is great for entertaining during the summer months, or getting out the smoker to cook a turkey even in the winter!  A great feature about this house is the laundry closet, which is near the bedrooms saving you many steps on washday. A private bath and walk-in closet enhance the master bedroom while the second bedroom accesses a hall bath. I do not know about you, but I am getting the boxes packed because I am ready to move in!

Spotlighting House Plans from The House Plan Shop

Two Story Farmhouse
I want to show you some of the other wonderful houses from The House Plan Shop website that might give you some ideas about a house that you would like to either build or own some day. I will be doing some interior decorating hints on how to decorate these particular types of homes as each is individual in their style.

Of course first I wish to show you a lovely 2 story farm house, with its large front porch to enjoy. You will use casual type furnishings, harvest type tables, rocking chairs, overstuffed sofas and chairs in practical fabrics or leathers and in many cases often slip-covered. You can click on the picture above to be taken to their website to see the floor plan if you desire.

Craftsman Style home
You will notice the structure change in the posts and pillars, which are typical of the Craftsman design. Many people in the Midwest and East are familiar with this style of home. Typical decorating for this house is comfortable, usually dark wood and practical fabric on chairs and sofas. Usually very informal type of decorating is used. They have a very easy flowing floor plan that many people really like. Again, you may click on the house plan and it will take you to their website.

European Style
This style of home is usually very formal, both in interior decorating and in the exterior landscaping. Elegant fabrics are utilized in materials for furniture as well as in draperies. Chandeliers are at home in the entrance way and in the dining room. Bathrooms will have beautiful fancy tubs and sinks with elaborately styled faucets. Deep plush carpet, fancy marble and tile also abound in this home. You may click on the picture to go to their website.


The Mother In Law Quarters or Carriage House
This great little house can sit at the back of you property to house a mother in law or to be used as a rental property.Because the unit is small, utilize a lot of self-storage type furnishings, possibly some built-in's and smaller furniture. You will want to use at least one large piece of furniture as a focal point.