fantasy dream house

[Flynn]

Ok, lets have some fun....

We all LONG for the day when we can afford "the bigger house with all the bells and whistles." Or maybe that's just me??

What do you LONG for in the house you can afford on an attendings salary -- or maybe 5 years out of training? Lets assume you live in a "reasonable" place for realestate where you can get at least 3000 square feet for 450,000 to 650,000$

What's on your wish list? DREAM BIG HERE KIDS!!! Why not, IT'S FREE IN OUR DREAMS!!!

I like new construction done WELL or total remodels on houses that are classic looking.

Mine:

• covered wrap around porch outside
  
  in the back yard a patio plus a covered area with outdoor fireplace and grill area
  
  the lot size of the house is at least .25 acres
  
  decent sized driveway (flat) for bball hoop
  
  a heated garage -- minimum two car
  
  mud room off kitchen in back
  
  4 bedroom 3.5 baths plus den, and a rec room or bonus room
  
  darker hardwoods through out main floor and possible hallway upstairs
  
  a kitchen with great room PLUS a dining room
  
  butlers pantry PLUS a walk in and get-lost-in- it - regular pantry
  
  gas fireplace in kitchen/great room
  
  CLOSETS -- big ones anywhere there is space
  
  buit in book cases in classic places (stairs?)
  
  a master bedroom with attached master bath plus walk in closet (with dressing area)

ok I'll stop.

What's your pleasure?

[rainbabies]

[spotty_dog]

My dream house is more in the 2000 to 2500 sf range. Maybe three or four bedrooms, two full baths and maybe a half/guest bath. It's on several acres of land, much of it wooded or pasture, a large plot cultivated for a kitchen garden. There's a flower garden out front, and somewhere an secure and moderately large fenced section (for kids and dogs and maybe even secured enough for cats) accessible straight out the door (probably kitchen door).

There's at least a two-car garage, maybe three, because the equivalent of a 1-car garage will be taken up with bicycles and workshop for DH. (We'll probably own a station wagon and a small fuel-efficient vehicle.)

I think there's hardwood throughout, with plenty of rugs.

There's a wood stove or maybe just a fireplace.

There is a TON of counter space in the kitchen. A gas stove. A big fridge, plus a deep freeze in a storage area somewhere.

The laundry room has a counter for folding clothes on, an ironing board set up, a drying line (and easy access to an outdoor clothesline), and a mesh drying thingie for sweaters. Oh, and a utility sink.

The living room and dining area kind of merge together. The TV is in the living room but not obvious, probably stays behind a cabinet door most of the time. The fireplace is the focal point. The kids' bedrooms might be assigned as one sleeping room and one playing room, to be reassigned when they get older and want their privacy. The computer/office area might share the playroom.

Definitely a sittin' porch. Maybe with a porch swing, or just adirondacks. And an outdoor "room" for entertaining/barbeques.

*sighs*

EDIT: Mmm, likey: http://www.realtor.com/Prop/1050667727
I just saw Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets this weekend. The movie's portrayal of the Burrow, though not what I'd gotten from the book, just SCREAMED "Home" to me.

[Vanquisher]

Well in order for it to be my dream home, the one I envision 5 years out of training, it has to fall a little outside of said perameters.

I want new or close to new construction. I am assuming the price will be close, and maybe over 1.25 million dollars. You said dream right. It is feasible though.

I would like 5000-8000 sq. ft. I would like a basement. I don't know if that's possible because I also want to live in the South, and homes in the South tend not to have basements. Though, maybe in Texas.

Anyway, the basement will include an in-law apatment for stuffing awat the in-laws, a mini second kitchen/bar with a game room attached, a large storage room, movie theater room, and home gym with walk-out to the backyard.

The backyard will be beautiful and be away from neighbors. It will have a beautiful pool with faux rocks, maybe a waterslide. There will be a sport-court. It will also have a large deck with a grill and patio furniture.

My main floor will have the master bedroom, with a walkout to a private outdoor hot-tub. The bathroom will be large and have the biggest bathtub you have ever seen. THere will be a place to sit and read in the bedroom. There will be his and hers walk in closets.

The kitchen, also on the main floor, will be the center of the house and be the largest area. There will be a breakfast bar and countertops as far as the eye can see in granite or maybe Zodiaq. I will have a huge fridge and huge freezer, double ovens, and a fully decked-out gourmet kitchen of my dreams.

The kitchen will be attached to a breakfast nook and a great room with beautiful but confortable sofas and a large built in entertainment center and fireplace.

There will also be a laundry room near the garage with a mud room near the garage. The laundry will be large, and there will be a sink and countertops. A half bath nearby, perhaps?

The main floor will also have a formal dining room and study, but no formal living room.

Upstairs, there will be kids bedrooms, and an area (loft?) for them to hang out in.

I have had this home in my head for years, and I can't wait to have it some day (or something close, I hope).

[spotty_dog]

http://www.billbeck.com and scroll down to Apple Brook Farm.

Wow! That's gorgeous. Except for the size, it fits the bill for my dream house too! Love that rustic charm, and the orchard...*swoon*

Vermont is lovely, we vacationed there this summer and enjoyed it a lot. Brandon Rocks!

[houseelf]

ummmm...is self cleaning an option?

I guess I'd have to go with a place that was less than perfect. You know, the kind of place where you could hang a tire swing and have a pot bellied pig running around. (Don't ask--I seriously want a pot bellied pig for a pet because my kids are allergic to everything else. We saw one of these cuties at a baseball game and I fell in love. DH thinks that this is the capstone of my impending mental illness diagnosis).

Anyway, I want big trees and a wooded lot. A firepit and a huge barbecue...although not a pig roast for the above mentioned reason. A big front porch on which I can sip lemonade (or beer). Think: Forest Gump's home. I want family pictures and heirlooms decorating the place throughout. Lots of wood and built ins, but again not too perfect. Barefoot kids running about because, I can tell you this much, the climate of this house is a *heck* of a lot warmer than it is here.

Big windows, four poster beds, interesting architechtural features like stained glass and trussed up walls.

Hmmm...I like this thread.

Kelly

[rainbabies]

[spotty_dog]

alison_in_oh...its funny that you think Brandon is so great. It has gotten a serious overhaul in the past few years.

LOL! No, I was just quoting the town "slogan" that was everywhere. They even had a little yellow rocking chair in every yard because Brandon Rocks! I presume this was part of the image overhaul you refer to.

We stayed in East Middlebury and visited Middlebury proper a few times. What an utterly adorable town. We loved it so much.

[Rapunzel]

For everyone who loves new "old" houses here's a cool website with tons of plans based on historic design (from Victorian to farm house to Charleston row houses, to colonials - you name it!):

http://www.historicaldesigns.com/

Jennifer

Oh, this is so easy.

Mid 20th century modern/Usonian/Prarie.

4 beds, lots of windows, fireplace, lauan paneling. Hardwood floors. Modernized kitchen . A playroom for the kids. Original landscape so I can play with it.

Eichler. Neutra. Fritz. Any of Wright's apprentiaces.

In Madison, at the moment:

http://madisonwest.yourkwoffice.com/lis ... id=2996942

http://www.starkhomes.com/ mls 1415085

http://madisonwest.yourkwoffice.com/lis ... id=2707893

[Auspicious]

We are so far from this we haven't had to think realistically about it, so I haven't. Also I've stolen several things from your dream houses (but not the pot-bellied pig.)


2,000-2,500 sq. ft.

brick

new construction, but uniquely designed (those old houses with character should go to the people who appreciate that kind of thing )

one-story (probably I would give up this idea, because it's just too sprawling)

finished basement (basement holds toy room for the kids, office for the husband and I, a couple of pieces of exercise equipment, and storage for seasonal items like Christmas and some of the camping stuff--messiness and ugliness are more acceptable down there than in the main part of the house.)

mudroom connects the garage and the kitchen, and holds the laundry area

Small front porch

4 bed, 2 bath (1:1 kid-bedroom ratio, plus a master suite for us)

kitchen-livingroom/greatroom. A bar or island demarcates the line between the two "rooms" but you can work in the kitchen while still socializing with family/guests in the living room and at the bar/island.
Sort of like this:http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/pac_ctnt/te..._16265,FF.html (although I have issues with the 2nd floor of that house--I just like their kitchen/greatroom/diningroom/porch flow.)

smallish front and side yards, but a long backyard with a wooden fence for playing in. Somewhat dense neighborhood with lots of other families, very walkable to playgrounds, coffeshops, the schools etc. (I guess I'll have to choose between this and a garage, though :| )

[DCJenn]

OK, city girl checking in here:

NO MORE than 3000 sq feet. Preferably in Capitol Hill or Georgetown, brick row house. Vestibule in the entrance way for coats, shoes, umbrellas (why they stopped making these I'll never know)

Hard wood floors, original or well done replacement mouldings, 12 ft ceilings in common area.

A REAL dining room, and living room. Three bedrooms, Since we're talking dream here, let's pretend this is a four story rowhouse here- so, the Master BR now takes over the entire fourth floor- with a huge clawfoot tub and a new shower with at least 4 shower heads. Third floor had BR for Nikolai and a guest room. One full bath. Second floor (the main entrance) has the living room/library and the dining room. Hopefully a small powder room, Basement- restored kitchen with a Viking Stove, a full-size fridge, a water and fuel effiencient set of appliances- the washer/dryer and dishwasher. Enough cabinet space for the appliances, each with their own pullout drawer- and dedicated plug. Enough area down stairs for a country kitchen type long table for eating, folding laundry etc.

Since this is MY dream, there is no TV. If a gun were put to my head, I guess I'd have a flatscreen plasma beind a hidden wallunit in the library- like behind a mirror over the fireplace thing. I hate TV more and more, especially since my parents handed off their monstrousity to me and I find myself resenting the large black hulk in my living room. Besides, my husband needs to give up the TV addiction.

Out back there's an alley with a one-car garage (I'm a realist, we're talking city living here). A small yard with a patio, enough room for the dog to pee in the winter, and to hold two or three cherry tomato plants in the summer. It's got a HUGE Oak or Maple towering over it, so in my dream, nothing else will grow, so everything is landscaped- ivy and hostas. A small holly bush somewhere for some winter color.

Close to fun restaurants and bars but not so close that they steal the parking in front of my house. A park and a dog park nearby would be great, walking distance to a Metro station and a grocery store. Since we're talking city here, Nikolai's education is up in the air (new Superintendent is kicking arse here but not sure he'll have enough arse kicked in time for N. to start school) but close enough for him to walk or to catch the bus (kids here take Metro or Metro buses to school for the most part)

So, there it is. No animals, no farms, no land, no maintenance.

and, since this is a dream- a maid.

Jenn

a sample: http://www.realtor.com/Prop/1052397899

[Phoebe]

I'll chime in....

We have a decent size house now. but I am missing a nice size laundry room, mud room and I would love a kitchen with a better set up, more counter space and a double oven. I also need a bigger dining room. I love bay windows and would enjoy a house with those as well. A two story great room with lots of windows would be nice.

One can dream....

Jennifer

[rainbabies]

Annie check this link out...

http://www.lottaliving.com/gallery/resi ... est?page=2

The area I live in in Middleton is filled with modernist homes. It takes me half an hour to walk the 4 blocks to DH's school because I am looking at the houses LOL.

I am asking for a night at FLW's Seth Peterson Cottage on Mirror Lake for an anniversary gift the year after next for our 10th anniversary.
http://www.sethpeterson.org/