tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57695341305613639302023-11-26T10:24:50.850-08:00My House Plansthe quest for the perfect house plan.planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-29475515145765512092010-08-20T11:50:00.000-07:002010-08-20T11:53:32.378-07:00House Plans and Customer ServiceSo, it's been forever since I've posted anything. I'm sorry about that. I don't really know what to say; I'm just lame like that... Anyway, here's an article that I really like -- it's from <span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.theplancollection.com">The Plan Collection</a> </span>and it really tells what they're all about<br /><br />Check it out!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plan-related-articles/House-Plans-Made-Easy">http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plan-related-articles/House-Plans-Made-Easy</a>planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-6143579285508280982010-05-11T13:50:00.000-07:002010-05-11T14:31:24.677-07:00Home Design & The Emerging Market<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/MS/elev_ms_lr4401_e_550.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 450px;" src="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/MS/elev_ms_lr4401_e_550.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />EMERGING MARKET HOUSE PLANS<br /><br />We have seen major changes in the economy of the United States in recent years; finances have become very tight for many families and in many businesses and governments. These changes in our economy have resulted in major changes in the residential construction industry, many construction companies are out of business, and many homeowners can no longer afford the level of home they enjoyed in previous years.<br /><br />There is an emerging market for construction that will require many changes to be successful. Our goal in construction is to once again be a vibrant part of the thriving economy found in the United States. This residential construction market that is emerging out of the depression will need to address the new requirements and goals of homeowners who are looking for the right home for the right time, for a home that will meet their families needs in livability, and in affordability. These homeowners may be downsizing to meet new financial goals and to live in a home that realistically works in their budget, now and in the future.<br /><br />I believe that there will be a need for a new breed of house plans to meet the new emerging market in construction, these emerging market house plans will need to be designed and built to meet the new requirements of the family, new requirements based on family livability and upon realistic budgets. I have listed below the new goals and requirements that can meet the needs of the emerging market.<br /><br />1. Smaller homes with similar amenities.<br />2. Cost-effective and simplified construction, yet maintaining architectural integrity.<br />3. Home design with minimum wasted space.<br />4. Open concept plans, resulting larger living homes.<br />5. Home design that looks and lives larger than its actual square footage.<br />6. Architectural impact resources spent more on the front of the home.<br />7. Simplified rooflines that still provide optimum architectural style and impact.<br /><br />I have spent the last two years designing a series of new house plans that will meet the needs of this new emerging market. These new plans will meet the seven requirements listed above. These emerging market house plans can be found on my website, they are listed under the “browse design types” on the home page of www.WLMartinHomes.com. I believe these new house plans will be successful in meeting our needs and goals for the future of residential construction and in the future requirements of our families.<br /><br /> -- Bill Martinplanguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-21109154735956928682010-04-28T09:22:00.000-07:002010-04-28T09:53:51.478-07:00Tips for working with Builders and Subcontractors<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/BL/VillaRosaE1_550.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 450px;" src="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/BL/VillaRosaE1_550.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Back in January, I wrote an article about building your own house. There are hundreds of different factors to consider, but like I said before, <span style="font-style: italic;">"</span><span style="font-style: italic;">if you </span><em style="font-style: italic;">start off on the right foot</em><span style="font-style: italic;">, hire the right professionals, and take it one step at a time, building your own home can still be a fun and invigorating experience."</span> (<a href="http://www.my-house-plans.com/2010/01/building-vs-buying-insights-into.html">Click Here</a> to view the full article)<br /><br />The best way to <span style="font-style: italic;">"start off on the right foot</span>" is to start with a great design. Although finding the right plan can be pretty difficult, each of us at <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Plan Collection</span></a> is committed to helping you find your dream house plan -- so let's just assume you've found "the one."<br /><br />I know that many of you are probably thinking about general contracting your own home. In my humble opinion, being your own general contractor is borderline masochistic; but some people are just made for that sort of thing. For those of you who actually <span style="font-style: italic;">like</span> that kind of stress, let me give you a few hints when it comes to finding and working with subcontractors (but remember, these tips can also be applied to working with a hired general contractor too).<br /><br />First of all, you have to find the right sub-contractor -- but <span style="font-style: italic;">how</span>?<br /><ul><li>*Ask your friends and acquaintances for references (be sure to ask about the sub-contractor and inspect the work).</li><br /><li>*Check the Internet as well as local newspapers.</li><br /><li>*NEVER hire a relative, even distance relatives.<br /></li></ul><br />Once you have found a sub-contractor, be sure to follow these simple tips:<br /><ul><li>*NEVER pay any sub-contractor up-front.</li><br /><li>*When the job is finished, DO NOT just accepts the sub-contractors word "I'm finished" INSPECT IT (twice) to make sure it is finished, and then pay them.</li><br /><li>*VERY IMPORTANT: Require ALL Sub-contractors to sign a Mechanic Lien Release (or lien waiver) form, showing that you have paid them in full. Your local title company probably has a pre-written form.<br /></li></ul><br />Good communication is an important key when it comes to building a home, and working with sub-contractors is no different. Before hiring a sub-contractor let them know up-front that you <span style="font-style: italic;">expect</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">require</span> quality workmanship. Be firm on this. Also let them know that the home will be inspected by the mortgage company, and the home must meet codes. Hold back a retaining fee until after their work has been inspected.<br /><br />General contractors can be a little more loose with their subcontractors, because they usually have several projects going at one time, and it is always easy to withhold payment on another project. As a homeowner builder you do not have this luxury. Your payment is your only power. This should help you to eliminate "fly by night" sub-contractors -- and be careful, there are a lot of them out there.<br /><br />I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions or comments. Good Luck!planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-75113223732697453152010-04-26T14:16:00.000-07:002010-04-26T14:25:23.366-07:00Surprisingly Contemporary Craftsman Home Plans<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/VH/TS3309frontrend_1000.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 450px;" src="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/VH/TS3309frontrend_1000.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />This is <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-24554">VH-TS3309</a>, and it has one of the craziest designs I've ever seen. It offers everything you could expect from a home: open living areas, plenty of garage space, a modern kitchen -- all fit into a very smart and thoughtful floor plan.<br /><br />But the thing that really makes VH-TS3309 stand out is its fresh sense of style. One look is all it takes to recognize that this is no ordinary house plan. It combines the rustic, yet sturdy quality of a craftsman home and turns it on its head! Seriously, this house plan is amazing. <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-24554"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Check it out</span></a>!planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-39595064020519411202010-03-26T09:29:00.000-07:002010-03-26T09:38:26.854-07:00Warm Tuscan Hospitality<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/NDG/elev_lrNDG1142elev1_550.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 450px;" src="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/NDG/elev_lrNDG1142elev1_550.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />There's just something comfortable and inviting about <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/tuscan-house-plans">Tuscan Style Home Design</a>. It's like they say in the Olive Garden commercials: "When you're here, you're family!" That philosophy is demonstrated perfectly in House Plan <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-16897">NDG-1142</a>. You're sure to feel at home with it's open great room and vaulted dining, but let's not forget about the huge master bedroom and its personal study. You aren't going to run out of space any time soon in this Mediterranean marvel.<br /><br />Not quite what you're looking for? Well then you should have a look at our entire <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/Tuscan">Tuscan collection</a>. There's sure to be something that will catch your fancy -- <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/Tuscan"><span style="font-weight: bold;">check it out</span></a>!planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-66108880689762177262010-03-11T14:57:00.000-08:002010-03-11T15:48:06.808-08:00Garage Plans and More!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/GAR/29228ArtworkCopy_550.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 450px;" src="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/GAR/29228ArtworkCopy_550.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Y'know, there are some days when I absolutely love working at <span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/">The Plan Collection</a>. </span>I really enjoy coming across new and exciting house plans,<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>but then again, I've always been able to get a kick out of weird things.<br /><br />Anyway, I just wanted to let y'all know about our new line of <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/Garage/best-selling-house-plans">garage/storage shed plans</a>. Now you can purchase a complete set of blueprints for some pretty amazing detached garages, workshops, storage sheds, etc.<br /><br />Need a place to hang your garden tools? Does the lawn mower always seem to be in your way? Would you like a private workshop? You should check out our entire collection -- <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/Garage/best-selling-house-plans">Click Here</a>!planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-4389088604740256602010-03-05T10:11:00.000-08:002010-03-05T11:10:04.671-08:00House Plans: My Favorite Style<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/HW/elev_lrHPC3311_550.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 450px;" src="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/HW/elev_lrHPC3311_550.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I love <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plan-styles/Tudor">Tudor Style homes</a>. When designed well, they are definitely my favorite. I just really enjoy that style, and let me tell you why.<br /><br />When I was probably 2 or 3 years old, my grandpa built my older sister and me a playhouse. It wasn't much bigger than 10' x10', but it was the funnest place in the world! My sister set up her <span style="font-style: italic;">Fisher-Price</span> kitchen set -- complete with oven, stove, telephone, and fold-out table -- and my parents even kept some of our family's food storage out there in our play house. We would play out there for hours, having tea parties (probably not the most manly activity I've ever participated in), making mud pies, and playing house. My grandma would even come out and play with us. Sometimes she'd pretend to be the Big Bad Wolf, and my sister and I would be the little piggies.<br /><br />I didn't realize it at the time, but that little old play house was a Tudor-Styled cottage. My grandpa had built it using brown 4x4s, 2x6s, and OSB, and when it came time to paint it, he used dark brown paint for the exposed beams, and white paint for the OSB, giving the our play house a very "Fairy Tale" quality -- like something out of Sleeping Beauty or Snow White.<br /><br />I wish I had some photos to show you, but unfortunately, as we grew up, our play house fell into disrepair. During my early teenage years I used the play house as a workshop, where I whittled my first bow and arrow and cleaned my first carburetor. But after I moved away from home, my parents just used it for storage, and then they let the dog sleep in it.<br /><br />That play house was my first experience with Tudor Style, and it will always hold a special place in my heart. We also had some good friends growing up who lived in the little town of Mantua (pronounced "Man-uh-way"), Utah. We would visit them at their approx. 2,000 square foot Tudor Home for BBQ's and other get-togethers. It was always a good time. To a 7 year old boy, their home felt like a grand European estate. I absolutely loved going over there and exploring every nook and cranny! There was just something adventurous, yet comfortable and "down-home" about their home (the colored drawing shown at the top of this post is a very accurate portrayal of their home.)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/tudor-house-plans">Tudor Style</a> has always been a part of my life, and now I'm just saving and waiting for my chance; someday I really want a Tudor House of my own. In the meantime, a guy can dream, can't he? Luckily, <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Plan Collection</span></a> has 165 amazing Tudor House Plans. You should <span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/Tudor/best-selling-house-plans">Check Them Out</a>!</span><br /><br />Not what your looking for? Give me a call at (866) 787-2023 or email me at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/sales@theplancollection.com">sales@theplancollection.com</a> and let me know what you like. I'll do my best to help you find your <span style="font-style: italic;">Dream Home</span> and I'll even give you a 10% DISCOUNT.<br /><br />We're here to help!planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-83554720167871954352010-02-25T15:12:00.000-08:002010-02-25T15:26:35.913-08:00Wicked-Awesome Modern House Plans<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/DT/Skiatook_Elev_550.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 450px;" src="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/DT/Skiatook_Elev_550.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Don't judge me for what I'm about to say....<br /><br />I... I watched the movie <a href="http://www.twilightthemovie.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Twilight</span></a>.<br /><br />I'm not proud of that; I was more or less blackmailed into it, but that's beside the point. I'd like to consider myself a <span style="font-style: italic;">manly</span> man, and let's face it -- there is nothing extremely <span style="font-style: italic;">manly</span> about the <a href="http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/twilight.html">Twilight series</a>!<br /><br />I'm sure that many of you Twilight fans would beg to differ -- especially those of you on Team Jacob, but I'm just calling it like I see it. I didn't enjoy the movie, and I'm not going to watch New Moon or any of the other movies that come out. (Although I would be willing to hear some of your arguments as to why I should change my mind).<br /><br />My point in writing today is to show you this: <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-25163"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Skiatook</span></a><br /><br />The <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-25163">Skiatook</a> is an amazing modern-style house plan that really reminds my of the house from Twilight. I may not have enjoyed the storyline, but the house in the trees was pretty sweet!<br /><br />I'll let you make your own judgements (and I'd love to hear about them), but you should really <span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-25163">Check it out</a>!</span>planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-12594143061888065422010-02-22T11:42:00.000-08:002010-02-22T12:19:17.099-08:00Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Houseplans<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.theplancollection.com/PlanImages/blog_images/Extreme.jpg"><img width="490" src="http://www.theplancollection.com/PlanImages/blog_images/Extreme.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />So I recently wrote a post on our homepage about a house plan that was featured on ABC's <span style="font-style: italic;">Extreme Makeover: Home Edition</span> (<a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plan-related-articles/House-Plans-from-Extreme-Makeover-Home-Edition">CLICK HERE</a> to view the article).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-25161">M-3981 Extreme</a> is pretty amazing. I've never been a huge fan of the "prairie style," but there's something about this home that really catches my attention (in a good way).<br /><br />To tell you the truth, I'm not a huge fan of the fireplace that seems to have been "plopped" right in the middle of the home -- I'd prefer to have it on one of the walls -- but that isn't a big deal. Bedroom #4 is kinda funky. I don't like the way that the bathroom distorts the shape, but that's not a big deal either.<br /><br />The only real problem that I have with <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-25161">M-3981 Extreme</a> is the fact that the garage entry is so far away from the kitchen. What happens when you have to carry groceries in from the car? You have to walk all the way from the garage, through the hallway, past the foyer, skirting the great room, and <span style="font-style: italic;">finally</span> you reach the kitchen! What if you have to bring in 2 or 3 loads? You get my point.<br /><br />I'm also not a sold on the idea that the master bedroom has to share a bath with bedroom #2.<br /><br />One of the biggest redeeming features, however, is the fact that this home is <span style="font-style: italic;">wheelchair accessible. </span>And just because <span style="font-style: italic;">I </span>don't particularly care for this home doesn't mean anything. I'm just really picky. You should really take some time to <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-25161"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Check it out</span></a> for yourself. You might like it!<br /><br />If you want to see this home as it was being built, check out the Oklahoma episode of <span style="font-style: italic;">Extreme Makeover: Home Edition </span>(aired April 17,2007) -- it really is pretty interesting!planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-75402700928955085702010-02-19T14:21:00.000-08:002010-02-19T14:34:30.702-08:00A Quick New Cabin<div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/ADI/30012color_550.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 450px; " src="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/ADI/30012color_550.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><br />So, I just added this house plan to<span style="font-weight: bold;"> The Plan Collection</span>. Check it out!<br /><br />This is the <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-2997">Altamont</a>, one of the newest Log Cabin plans from <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/designer-42">Associated Designs</a> -- the design firm who brought you classics like the <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-2978">Eddinger</a> and the <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-3002">Aspen</a>.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-2997">Altamont</a> isn't huge, but every square foot is used wisely to provide you with a rustic and relaxing experience. The <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-2997">Altamont</a> isn't just a house plan, it's a way of life!planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-33088633403216084342010-01-22T12:59:00.000-08:002010-01-27T12:58:37.229-08:00Building a House? -- Start with a Plan!<p><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-14328');" href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-14328"><img class="alignnone" src="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/AR/ELEV_LRChatteauNovellaFront_550.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="404" /></a></p> <p>Are you thinking about building a house?</p><p><br /></p><p>Conceptually, the idea of building a home seems so <em>exciting</em>! You are starting totally fresh; You get to watch an empty piece of property literally transform into your own personal kingdom! You are in charge of every major decision from start to finish! It is so exciting and empowering!</p><p><br /></p><p>Over my time at <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.theplancollection.com');" href="http://www.theplancollection.com/"><strong>The Plan Collection</strong></a>, I’ve talked with hundreds of people who are at this stage. Even though most of them are calling from across the country — even across the world — I can practically see the stars in their eyes and the smiles on their faces. They have the idea that — “<strong><em>I</em></strong> <em>am in control of my destiny, and my first order of business is building my</em> <em><strong>dream home!</strong></em>” The only problem is that with great power comes great responsibility (Sorry, Uncle Ben).<br /></p><br />Sure, you get to make every major decision from start to finish, but that sweet thought can quickly turn sour. You have to worry about getting permits, hiring a builder, deciding every little detail: shingles, bricks, siding, stucco, flagstone, mortar, paint colors, ceiling texture, flooring, light fixtures, cabinets, appliances, tile work, windows, insulation, landscaping, and so forth — even electrical outlet covers! And that list <em>doesn’t even scratch the surface</em>! You have to decide what your <a href="http://www.my-house-plans.com/2009/08/finding-your-dream-home-part-1.html">budget</a> is going to be. You have to pick and choose between which is more important: <a href="http://www.my-house-plans.com/2009/09/size-vs-luxury.html">size or luxury</a>. You might end up having to choose between having a nice refrigerator or spa tub. — And then there’s the whole worry that comes when you and your spouse don’t agree! Just thinking about it all can make you want to crawl back into bed and forget about the whole thing! It can be terribly overwhelming.<br /><br />But remember, building your own home is not, and should not be a scary process. Sure there are a lot of factors, but if you <em>start off on the right foot</em>, hire the right professionals, and take it one step at a time, building your own home can still be a fun and invigorating experience. The most important thing to remember when building a house is that you <em>need</em> to start off on the right foot. It is absolutely <em>essential</em> to start with the right house plan — and I’m not just saying that because I work for a house plan company. Nothing will blow your budget (and your enthusiasm) faster than starting out with the wrong plan. Your life can easily become a living nightmare. All of those horror stories you’ve heard about building your own home could easily be dwarfed. At best, you’ll end up uncomfortable your new home (and nobody likes that — just look at this post from <a href="http://www.houseplans.info/building-vs-buying-dont-settle/">Houseplans.info</a>).<br /><br /><p>You’ll never find a plan that is 100% perfect, but that’s a discussion for another day (Remember the <a href="http://www.my-house-plans.com/2008/12/words-to-live-by.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">90% RULE</span></a>. If you need help finding the house plan that’s right for you — check out <a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.theplancollection.com');" href="http://www.theplancollection.com/"><strong>The Plan Collection</strong></a>. Sure, I’m a little biased, but I know how much work those guys put into helping people find their dream home. Really, you should <strong><a onclick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/www.theplancollection.com');" href="http://www.theplancollection.com/">Check it out</a>!</strong></p>planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-52826412753599362872010-01-13T15:41:00.001-08:002010-01-13T15:48:02.958-08:00Unique Craftsman Style<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/ADI/ELEV_LR10428COLOR_550.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 550px; height: 293px;" src="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/ADI/ELEV_LR10428COLOR_550.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Hey yall! Check out this plan I just stumbled upon. It's called the <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-13145">Aberdeen</a>, and it's pretty amazing!<br /><br />First of all, there's the unique shape. The main portion of the home is a very thoughtful and innovative hexagon, but just in case that isn't spacious enough for you, the <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-13145">Aberdeen</a> also includes nifty wings on each side. I love the Craftsman Style with its heavy use of flagstone. The metal roof is a very practical move as well.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-13145">Aberdeen</a> provides plenty of living space, a very luxurious master bed/bath, and a nice home office. What's not to love? You should really <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-13145"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Check it out!</span></a>planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-24094316117240153822009-12-17T14:08:00.000-08:002009-12-17T14:15:52.724-08:00Checking InHi y'all! Have you missed hearing from me? Probably not. Anyway, I thought I'd just drop you all a quick line to let you know that I haven't completely disappeared.<br /><br />It's been a few months since I last wrote anything, and so I feel like I owe you all an apology. I know I never got around to finishing my series about finding the right house plan. Sorry about that. I'll keep posting articles about it when I get the chance, but I'm just gonna take my time on it and post whatever I feel like -- not limit myself to a specific series of topics. I hope nobody's offended by my decision. If you are, please let me know.<br /><br />I am going to commit to being a little more consistent, and hopefully I won't get burned out again. Let me know what you think.planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-50809989684337584152009-09-11T07:28:00.000-07:002009-09-11T07:44:01.000-07:00Size vs. LuxuryToday’s discussion is going to be about SIZE vs. LUXURY. But in order to have an effective discussion, we should probably define both of these terms first and see why they are important.<br /><br /><strong>SIZE</strong><br /><br />Everyone wants a big home.<br /><br />Well, I take that back – not everyone wants a <em>big</em> home. I certainly don’t (see my post on <a href="http://www.my-house-plans.com/2009/01/big-house-plans.html">BIG HOUSES</a>). It would be much more accurate for me to say that everyone wants enough space; nobody wants a cramped home. It isn’t comfortable, it isn’t inviting, and cramped houses usually lead to cranky attitudes.<br /><br />So although not everyone wants a <em>big</em> house, the size of a home <em>does</em> matter.<br /><br /><strong>LUXURY</strong><br /><br />Everyone wants the right amount of luxury.<br /><br />Some people are overjoyed with a large walk-in closet and a nice master bath, others won’t be content until they have a home theater, a billiards room, a wine cellar, an indoor swimming pool…. You get the picture.<br /><br /><br />My point is that everyone has an idea of luxury, and although your idea of luxury might be different from mine, it’s important to feel like your home fulfills your wants and your needs.<br /><br /><strong>FINDING BALANCE</strong><br /><br />Now let me share with you a little secret: <em>You can’t have everything you want</em>. Period.<br /><br />In this life it is impossible to have <em>everything</em> – especially when you’re talking about a house. Even if money was no object (defenestrating your budget), it would simply be impossible to have <em>everything</em>.<br /><br />Don’t get me wrong – you can and should have a very nice house that meets all of your needs, but perfection isn’t a realistic goal for a house. The key to true happiness is to find a good balance. Some things are more important than others and you just need to sit down and set your priorities, then do your very best to balance things according to your priorities.<br /><br />If you want to get a little help with this, you might want to check out my older post about "T<small>HE</small> 90% R<small>ULE</small>". In the meantime, let me know what you think.planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-50293488454188650672009-08-11T13:52:00.000-07:002009-08-11T15:46:48.560-07:00Finding Your Dream Home -- part 1<h1 align="center">The Budget<br /><img src="http://www.theplancollection.com/PlanImages/blog_images/Money.jpg" width="350" /><br /></h1><br /><p>So you’ve decided that you’re going to build a new home.</p><br /><p>With a task this monumental, where do you even begin? Do you try to find a builder? Do you start looking for a house plan? Do you purchase a building lot? --- Actually, the first thing you should think about, before you begin to spend any money, is <i>setting a <b>budget</b></i>.</p><br /><p>The reasons for this should be pretty obvious, so I’m not going to pound it into the ground. Simply put, your budget is <i>how much house you can afford</i>. More specifically, your budget represents the maximum allotment for the entire building process. In essence, you are limiting yourself by saying “I will <i>not</i> spend more than $xxx,xxx.”</p><br /><p>Your budget will prove to be your guiding star throughout the entire building process. It will help you figure out how big your home should be, how luxurious your furnishings can be, and even what style you should go with. You will be consulting with your budget on almost every single decision (and homebuilding is all about decisions!).</p><br /><p>I shouldn’t have to say this, but it is <i>very</i> important that you adhere strictly to your budget once you have set it. The act of building a home has proven to bring a lot of stress into any marriage, but this stress increases significantly when you throw in an over-shot budget. Besides, it’s a hassle to have to go to all of the trouble of getting a bigger loan.</p><br /><p>You might have heard several horror stories about over-shot budgets, but I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I call it <b>T<small>HE</small> 20% R<small>ULE</small></b>. Whenever you get an estimate for any cost, add 20% to that estimate -- that’s probably what you’ll end up paying in the long run. When you’re getting bids from builders, add 20%; when you’re estimating landscaping costs, add 20%; seriously, add 20% to <i>every</i> estimate. It may be hard to watch that much of your budget sit unused, but believe me, you’ll be glad you set that money aside. There will <i>always</i> be hidden costs, and there will <i>always</i> be unexpected expenses. If you’re lucky, that extra 20% will ensure that you come out even.</p><br /><p>When all is said and done, life will be MUCH happier if you set a budget at the very beginning and stick to it! Please stay tuned over the next few days and weeks. I will be telling you everything I know about how to find your <b>Dream Home</b>. (In the meantime, remember to set your budget!)</p>planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-46339011012410280362009-07-28T12:04:00.000-07:002009-07-28T12:17:59.237-07:00Info for Future HomeownersHey yall!<br /><br />I totally realize that this is definitely not the most <em>popular</em> blog on the face of the planet. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to find out that nobody besides me has ever even read a single article.<br /><br />If someone is actually reading this blog, I would say he or she would fall into one of three main categories. He or she is either:<br /><br /> 1) A future homeowner looking for a house plan<br /> 2) A home-design freak like me<br /> 3) An extremely bored blog-aholic<br /><br />I normally just post random house plans that I happened to stumble upon recently, but I’m going to try something new. I’m going to start a series of blog posts showing how YOU can find your <em><strong>Dream Home</strong></em>.<br /><br />This will be geared primarily to the people in category 1 (the future homeowners), so please bear with me if you belong to category 2 or 3. I am flattered beyond belief that anyone would actually read my ramblings, and I hope you will continue to share the adventure that is my life.<br /><br />I don’t know much about how to create and maintain an interesting blog (especially a blog about <em>house plans</em>), but I do have a passion for stylish, yet practical home design -- and I want to share my views.planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-77148935536748345202009-07-14T15:36:00.000-07:002009-07-14T15:50:01.615-07:00Country Heaven<img height="293" alt="Country Heaven House Plans" src="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/LMK/lr40956cl_550.jpg" width="490" border="0" /><br /><br />This must be what heaven is like. There you are in a comfortable rocking chair, surrounded by family and friends. Your grandparents are laughing and joking. You haven't seen them this happy and lively in years. Children are squealing and giggling with delight. Everyone is happy. There isn't a care in the world. The evening sky is deep blue, but the clouds are brilliant fuschia with blazing gold edges. The sun has nearly gone down, but is just peaking through some of the leaves and casting shafts of gentle fire all about. There are two or three hummingbirds buzzing around a feeder.<br /><br />After the late summer sun has set, everyone migrates inside from the porch into the family room. Now, as the party goes on, everone is enjoying some finger foods. After a good visit the guests leave, the children are put to bed, and you go off to a relaxing and dream-filled sleep in the secluded master bedroom. This is what life is like in the <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-24281">Country Heaven</a> House Plan.<br /><br />This is luxury at its simplest. Luxury at its most poignant. <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-24281">Country Heaven</a>; you really need to <strong><a title="Click Here" href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-24281">Check it Out</a></strong>!planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-33279828745453274982009-07-01T11:15:00.000-07:002009-07-01T14:42:33.552-07:00Small Shelter Competition!<a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/DT/Sooner_Elev_550.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/DT/Sooner_Elev_550.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I have some big news today!<br /><br />The <strong>Guggenheim Museum</strong> and <strong>Google SketchUp</strong> are teaming up to hold a special design competition. They are inviting amateur and professional designers from all around the world to enter their <a href="http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/education/sackler-center/design-it-shelter">Design It: Shelter Competition</a>.<br /><br />The competition is an extension of the <a href="http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/education/sackler-center/sackler-exhibitions/on-view-now">Learning By Doing</a> exhibition currently on display at the <strong>Guggenheim Museum Sackler Center for Arts Education</strong>. The exhibition features models, plans, and photographs of shelters designed by students from the <a href="http://www.taliesin.edu/"><strong>Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture</strong></a>. According to the Guggenheim's article: </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br><blockquote><p>For the past seven decades, students at this school have taken on the challenge of designing, building, and living in small shelters nestled in the landscapes of the school’s Arizona and Wisconsin campuses. In working on these shelters, students consider human needs for safety and comfort, as well as the relationship between architecture and place.</p><p></p><p></p></blockquote></div><div></div><div></div><div>The Design It: Shelter Competition opens this project to the public. Amateur and professional designers from all over the world are entering to show off their creativity. In fact, <a href="http://dantyree.com/contact/">Dan Tyree</a> -- one of my favorite home designers -- has two entries: <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-25082">The Sooner</a> and <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-25144">The Coconut</a>.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>These are some great designs; <em>and </em>they're available at <strong><a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/">The Plan Collection</a>!</strong> <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/designer-91/smallest/">Check 'em out</a>!</div>planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-30189697721205554152009-06-26T09:16:00.000-07:002009-06-26T09:27:57.296-07:00Ranches Galore!<a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/MAS/mas1000_150_100.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 100px" alt="" src="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/MAS/mas1000_150_100.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/MAS/mas1015_150_100.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 100px" alt="" src="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/MAS/mas1015_150_100.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/MAS/mas1020_150_100.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 100px" alt="" src="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/MAS/mas1020_150_100.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/MAS/mas1024_150_100.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 100px" alt="" src="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/MAS/mas1024_150_100.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div align="left">Here's some exciting news! <strong><a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/">The Plan Collection</a></strong> just started adding a bunch of house plans from a new home designer.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Although each plan is one of a kind, they all share a very simple, yet elegant style. Everything is so neat and clean-cut. And the floorplans are amazingly comfortable! I'm not going to single any one of these plans out today, but you should really take some time to <strong><a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/designer-140">Check them out!</a></strong></div></div>planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-32982914824599625092009-06-19T13:26:00.000-07:002009-06-19T14:11:50.181-07:00Rock Star Status<div align="center"><a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-22571"><img alt="Cool Modern House Plans" src="http://www.theplancollection.com/PlanImages/DT/0049fr.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br />Y'know, there are a few things in this world that are just so cool that everyone wants to copy them. That is what I like to call "achieving <em>Rock Star Status</em>."<br /><br /><em>McDonald's</em> achieved rock star status with the way it cranks out burgers and fries at the drop of a hat; <em>The Matrix</em> achieved rock star status with its signature bullet-view slow-motion scenes; even a co-worker of mine achieved rock star status by wearing his sunglasses to work (everyone else joined in by wearing their shades the rest of the day); but let me introduce you to the rock star of home design -- the <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-22571">Barbados</a>.<br /><br />This is a great <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/modern-house-plans">Modern Home Plan</a> that was featured on the homepage of <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/">http://www.theplancollection.com/</a> a few months ago. Since that time, several other version have come out trying to reproduce the winninng style of the original. I'm not going to go into any specific details, but here are a few of the followers:</p><p><br /><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/designer-91/newest/"><img src="http://www.theplancollection.com/PlanImages/blog_images/Barbados_Family.jpg" width="450" /></a><br /></div><br /><p></p><p><a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-22571">The Barbados</a> truly is a real-life Rock Star!</p>planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-68172895368123883992009-06-10T15:34:00.000-07:002009-06-10T15:55:30.631-07:00Spacious, yet Cozy!<a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/GAR/44100B600_550.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/GAR/44100B600_550.jpg" border="0" /></a> Check this out! This beautiful <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/craftsman-house-plans">Craftsman Home Plan</a> is <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-24762">GAR-44100</a>, and it is simply amazing! Please let me take some time to take you through a make-believe walkthrough:<br /><br />After standing in awe of the beautiful facade, we will pass the quaint covered porch and enter in through the front door. To the left is a C-shaped staircase with dual landings, to the right is a formal living area with plenty of natural sunlight flooding in through the windows.<br /><br />My favorite feature about <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-24762">GAR-44100</a> is actually a little further inside. After passing the living room and staircase, the entire home seems to open up as you can see from one end of the house to the other. The kitchen and breakfast area are both open and spacious (making for a very functional work area), but the real kicker is the great room. They don't call it "Great" for nothing! It is really big, but the warm fireplace helps it keep a nice cozy feel.<br /><br />A little further around the corner you'll find a small mud room, 1/2 bath, and an awesome corner office. It may not be huge, but this office space is great for any quiet computer project you might have -- and it has a window!<br /><br />The upper level of <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-24762">GAR-44100</a> is pretty simple. You have two decent-sized bedrooms sharing a bath, a laundry room, and the master bedroom. The master bedroom is a perfect sanctuary. It has a 9 foot trayed ceiling, a private bathroom, and a large walk-in closet.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-24762">GAR-44100</a> may not be very big, but it does a fantastic job of making you think otherwise. Why don't you <strong><a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-24762">Check it Out!<br /></a></strong>planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-20573158768888859692009-06-03T14:51:00.001-07:002009-06-03T15:35:07.034-07:00Modifications?<a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/"><img alt="The Wonders of House Plan Modification" src="http://www.theplancollection.com/PlanImages/blog_images/Modifications_Elev.jpg" width="450" /></a><br /><br />Do you ever get frustrated looking through house plan websites? You'd think that with over 20,000 house plans, you'd be able to find at least one plan that would meet all of your needs. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case; some plans come pretty close, but it seems like there's always something missing. I'm not talking about the 90% <small>RULE</small> (<a href="http://www.my-house-plans.com/2008/12/words-to-live-by.html">see previous article</a>), I'm talking about something <em>major</em>.<br /><br />Sometimes the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">floorplan</span> is perfect, but the exterior is hideous; other times the elevation is simply gorgeous, but the layout just won't work; sometimes the plan is almost perfect, but there are a few flaws inside and out (and by "flaws," I am referring to your personal preference). What is a person to do? Should you settle for less? Should you go back to the drawing board and start your tedious search again? This is where modifications come in. The picture above shows three very unique homes; the surprising thing is that they all have the exact same <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">floorplan</span>. Isn't it amazing what a few simple modifications can do?<br /><br />Some people get scared when they think about making modifications. They may have heard horror stories from friends about how the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">draftsman</span> charged an arm and a leg to move a few windows. They may get nervous when they hear that an inexpensive modification specialist will charge around $65 an hour to draft changes. Some people are even frightened off because people have told them that modifications can take months to complete. These are all very valid concerns, so I am going to take a little time to tell you about how the folks at <strong><a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/">The Plan Collection</a></strong> have made modifications as simple and easy as possible.<br /><br />The first step is to know <em>exactly</em> what you want. You can't email the plan sales representatives and tell them "I love the way this home looks, but I need you to reduce it from 5,000 square feet to about 2,000 square feet." That just doesn't cut it. They need to know exactly which rooms are going, which rooms are staying, how the remaining rooms are going to be configured, and how you want the exterior to adapt to these modifications. If <em>you</em> can't figure out how to do it, how can you expect <em>them </em>to figure it out in a way that is sure to please you? You should always <em>come to them with a detailed idea or <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">game plan</span></em> (sketches are always helpful, too).<br /><br />After you have explained your vision to the folks at <strong><a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/">The Plan Collection</a></strong>, you will usually get a quote within a day or two. When you get your quote, it's important to remember that any modification below $500 is usually quite a steal -- $1000 is pretty typical for in-depth modifications. If you aren't willing to pay that much for changes, you probably shouldn't even consider modifications. In all my experience, it seems like<strong> <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/">The Plan Collection</a></strong> usually offers the lowest prices for modifications by at least $100 or $200. I'm not sure how they get such a sweet deal, but I'm glad they do!<br /><br />After getting your quote, the choice is all up to you. To buy, or not to buy? That is the question (sorry about that; I know that was super-lame). If you choose to purchase the plans, the rest of the modification process is a piece of cake. You'll get a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">phone call</span> from the modification team; they'll discuss all the details; and then within 3-4 weeks, you'll have yourself a set of modified house plans -- perfectly matching what you requested.<br /><br />Modifications aren't for everyone, but if you've got the vision and the cash, you might have found yourself a winner. <strong><a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plan-related-articles/Everything-You-Need-to-Know-About-Modifications">Check it out!</a></strong>planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-71277461073834592232009-05-29T13:02:00.000-07:002009-05-29T13:23:39.676-07:00New Plans at The Plan Collection!<div align="center"><img alt="House Plans with In-Law Suite" src="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/BB/11124_Elev_550.jpg" width="390" /></div><br />The folks at <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/"><strong>The Plan Collection</strong></a> sure have been busy lately, they've added over 200 new house plans from a brand new home designer -- <a href="http://web.me.com/alanmaki/BP/Alan_J_Maki.html">Alan Maki </a>from <em>Beyond Basics Drafting and Design</em>.<br /><br />Now I have to be honest, most of these plans are very simple and very mundane. By now, you know that I hate mundane cookie-cutter homes, but <em>Beyond Basics</em> does offer a few shining little pearls. Check out <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-24966">House Plan 1-1124</a>, for instance. This little beauty offers a spacious and livable single-family floorplan with an attached in-law suite, but it does so with great taste and an impeccable style.<br /><br />You really ought to check out the entire collection. <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/designer-142">Here it is</a>!planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-56028877540813560222009-05-05T13:08:00.000-07:002009-05-05T13:50:12.433-07:00Apologies and House PlansHey yall, I'm sorry that it has been so long since my last post. For those of you who have been through college, I hope you'll understand when I say that I was swamped during finals this semester. I've been really busy, but that's really no excuse.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Now that life has calmed down slightly, I hope to be able to share some of the cool new house plans I've found -- like this one:</div><br /><div></div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/SK/Alpine_Elev_550.jpg" border="0" />This, my friend, is the <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-22641">Alpine House Plan</a>; and I dare you to find a house plan that's as stylish as this, that still offers as much livability and comfort. Sure, it's pretty big, by my standards, but you can't deny that it's got class. You really ought to <strong><a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-22641">Check it Out</a>!</strong>planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5769534130561363930.post-80898958551491368022009-02-03T16:04:00.000-08:002009-02-03T16:13:28.363-08:00Exciting New Home Designs!<a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-22749"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 490px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans-images/SK/Weston_Elev_550.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />What do you think of that? I really like the style and charm that this wonderful house plan exhibits. This is the <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-22749">Weston</a>, and it was designed by the same people who brought us the Manchester (see my last blogpost).<br /><br />This is just one of many wonderful new house plans that can be seen on <strong>The Plan Collection</strong>. I love the way the texture varies between brick and siding. I'm also really impressed with all the different angles of the roof. There is something about it that draws my attention and won't let go.<br /><br />The best thing about all of these new house plans is the way the designer was able to incorporate "Old World" style with today's lifestyle. I just think it's fabulous! Let me know what you think, but in the meantime, why don't you look at the entire collection of stylish house plans? <a href="http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/designer-137/largest/"><strong>Check it out!</strong><br /></a>planguyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03441988075229112196noreply@blogger.com0