skip to main content

Building a Home Design Dilemma

Where do you start?? house design advice

5 years ago

Hi everyone. My darling wife and I are building our forever home and are constantly overwhelmed. She wants a double storey because she likes french provincial, but a ranch shaped home would utilise our land better. We own half an acre on a rising slope, with mountain views around so ideally a style that takes in the views.

Is there such thing as 1 storey french provincial ranch (long) house?

Sometimes we think we should just pitch a tent and call it a day.

Featured Answer

oklouise

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

you would still need to decide the best place for the tent and then decide which tent!! ...start with the block of land, climate and orientation and aim to have all the major rooms facing north and the best views...check out yourhome.gov to better understand passive solar design... with half an acre you have the luxury of extra space which can sometimes be more challenging than a restricted site and the slope adds to the challenge...what's the length and width of your block, where is north, what direction does the land slope, what is the angle of the slope (check the survey plans) where are the best views, are there any special covenants or bushfire restrictions... You can always hire a professional to design your home but it will be extra helpful to narrow down your priorities by collecting ideas first..how many people will live in the house, how many bedrooms, baths, garages, do you want or need a study, pantry, what sort of outdoor areas, do you need space for overnight guests or special hobbies or adult children or would you prefer to downsize to a better quality smaller home with multi purpose spaces....the look of the house is really the last phase of the process as many floor plans can be modified to suit your preferred style...do you have any major home builders in your area? many companies can modify their plans to suit your site and you could post some basic details and invite specific suggestions

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (14)

PRO
Compass Kitchens
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Is there such thing as 1 storey french provincial ranch (long) house? Yes...
dreamer
5 years ago
Wow what a wonderful husband you are, I love the look you are going for. Yes you can have your compromise, if you have the budget.
Jason K thanked dreamer
Related Discussions
How do you find the right design for your new home?
Q
Comments (3)
The best house I have owned I designed myself. (That's not to say it was perfect...when you design it yourself the mistakes can annoy you) This link explains how I went about it House Design
...See More
Design Advice for first home new build
Q
Comments (35)
I'm going to thro a wobbly into this mix: Have you thought about going two storey so there is some outside space for boys to play? Looking at your site plan play is either in the pool or the street! Master bedroom, with all the robe you want upstairs and a kids free zone! Or boys rooms above as long has they do not own hob nail boots! Then do not use ALL the extra space on ground for your film works! Seriously this would give you some breathing space and some real outdoor living area to enjoy which you can do in Ipswich climate. Four beds separate bath rooms and stairs above with a laundry chute. Down stairs a real laundry (proportional to a five bed house) A powder room with shower for after pool. Your study of a size worthwhile and theatre room for family second sitting room as well as clients. The master can then have better sized robe, all the bits you want in ensuite including separate loo (lovely idea) but please on outside wall with window. Personally, I'm not one for two storey but in this tight site I think it would be much better. Good Luck, Margot
...See More
What tips do you have for designing a house suitable for disabilities?
Q
Comments (14)
The term used is universal housing design. that might help you find some resources. https://universaldesignaustralia.net.au/category/housing-design-guidelines/ A lot of agencies release pdfs and guides with info like what standard measurements etc for halls and kitchen benches etc. I wouldn't install anything specific like because it will be easier to source those as required. but the things like space and layout certainly need to be done now! Access in an out. When I used a wheelchair we really struggled to find houses to rent I could access. the best we could do was a house with 4 steps in and out, and my husband had to carry me up the stairs. generally speaking wider passageways and traffic zones. You need space around furniture placement for mobility aids and wheelchairs. A shower that is open and is continuous with the bathroom floor. non-slip tiling. A bench or sitting area in the bathroom for changing and showering. As someone with mobility issues sometimes things that don't seem an issue are, like when your mobility is affected even slight level changes are an issue. my most frustrating level change is just the 5cm rise on the kitchen tiling and around the fireplace hearth. It's hard to explain but the small level changes are harder than stairs! So a flat floor that stays flat with no lips or trimming or metal capping on the carpets is important. Overall, keeping things low maintenance because any illness or mobility challenge brings fatigue and things can get too hard if the house is fussy. simple no fuss surfaces and hard-wearing materials. I really like cork floors as they are easy to clean and if you fall its not as painful. Good connection to outdoors and a nice view. The worst thing is it becomes harder to get out and about and sometimes you aren't well enough to, so for those days staring at a blank wall is the worst, an interesting view with good bright light and fresh air helps a lot. . don't use taps and door handles that twist and turn on, use sliders and knobs and handles that you push down with your whole hand to open. Good easy access to the home for emergency services. A wide front door that could allow ambulance access. One home I visited with universal design positioned bedroom and bathroom on opposite sides of a wide tiled entrance area that also had the laundry in a cupboard. It meant for good access to the bathroom and easy laundry use, and good emergency access to bed and bathroom in case of a fall. they also had a help button in the bathroom. but I would suggest phone access across the house or a handy (Dry) mobile phone nook works just as well. a bathroom close to the bedroom, but not so close that a partner is kept up at night. Think about the overall traffic flow, if you have to move too far and cross back and forth a lot it's going to be really exhausting. Disability modifications actually kinda suck and aren't always useful. The wheelie walker i was supposed to use as I learned to walk again actually was so heavy it would exhaust me, I find grasping dado rails and chairs and doors is often easier, so an oversized timber dado rail that could be grabbed hold of would be useful, and making sure its not far to sit down and rest. a chair in the bathroom, a chair in the bedroom, a chair near the front door for sitting and sorting shoes etc. they can be pretty corner chairs and not disability chairs iykwim. often just good efficient design and layout are key. Flexibility so that things can be adapted to suit specific requirements.
...See More
Where do you start with building a new home?
Q
Comments (5)
Many volume builders here in Western Australia have a design team, and will design a home for you if nothing in the display villages or on their files suits your needs. This is great because they have the buying power of a volume build and you get to design your home. If your block of land is sloping or rocky or a awkward shape,the design team with volume builders may still be able to help. If your budget allows and you have a difficult piece of land an architect may be the best way to go. But I would start by visiting the display homes in your area, with a copy of your block plans. The salesperson can be quite helpful with free information and would be aware of the zoning and setbacks for your piece of land. Budget is the starting point.
...See More
Sara Graham
5 years ago
Great advice from OkLouise.
Also check out the podcasts from the Undercover Architect. Start from season one. Her advice is invaluable.
And hire a design professional, either an architect or a building designer. But the more knowledge you arm yourself with, the better.
Best of luck with your new home.
PRO
MB Design & Drafting
5 years ago
Hire a building designer, architect or good draftsman. Write down a brief for them. You will have many decisions to make and one of them isn't the floor plan design, thats the designers job to come up with a suitable plan. You can have input along the way but follow their lead.

If you presume the whole process maybe overwhelming with decisions and second guessing hire just the architect as this is their profession. The architect will design, get approvals and tenders as well project manage the construction from start to finish. To use them for plans only is underutilising there skill set.
siriuskey
5 years ago
I would check out any major home builders in your area to help keep costs down, they will be able to give you a French Hamptons country style house as it'scurrently a very popular style of home.
PRO
Wild Bear & Co Hervey Bay
5 years ago
I agree with Siri.... and some will have heard me say this before.... we'll be building with GJ Gardner and they have been super accommodating, fantastic and more than happy to make numerous plan changes for us - so that our plan is/will (lol!) more likely resemble a customised design for our personal situation. I can not recommend them more highly .... they have been absolutely brilliant! Although I hear you when you say, "sometimes we think we should just pitch a tent and call it a day..." - we have said that many times too .... or, "let's sell the block and buy acreage somewhere and just live in a shed with a huge undercover outdoor area lol".... it sure would be a lot easier, more cost effective and a far more relaxing process than going through a full house build lol. Whatever you decide Jason - a home is what you make it .... do what makes you both happy :) And if you don't have any major home builders in your area, try to find some floor plans online that you like or work out a 'brief' of what you both want in a layout and then take that to a designer and let them resolve it for you. It can be done.... chase the dream :)
PRO
Wild Bear & Co Hervey Bay
5 years ago
And Jase.... you should know... that awesomelouise and Siriuskey are very very very generous with their time and talent too.... I wouldn't know half of what I've learnt without them.... they are incredibly giving with Houzzers .... they both offer very intelligent and well thought through house plans when time permits ... they are remarkable ladies xxx It's their fault really that I keep upping the ante with GJ to lift their game and sort this plan out LOL!!!!! ;) Definitely not my fault, nope, not-mine-at-all hehe.
PRO
Paul Di Stefano Design
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Jason.....3 factors: 1. your requirements/goals/"brief" 2. Budget 3. Site/context........these 3 things will define the project outcome/direction one way or the other...and that outcome/direction will depend upon how these factors are negotiated, balanced and managed..........I could go on for days about all this stuff, but as start, perhaps think about developing a home from the inside out, rather than the outside in, because if you do that it generally will reflect/respond to and be better suited to and derived from you, your needs and the lifestyle you seek. You already have some reference points (land, certain styles that appeal etc)...perhaps best you reach out/speak with some design professionals about your potential home and begin to hone in on your priorities and what aligns with your goals.........

Be aware that you will be predominantly EXPERIENCING your home, rather than sitting outside with a cup of tea admiring it like they do in the Colorbond TV ads......so what it looks like, really should come from what it is internally....form follows function.....also arguably some of the beautiful European architecture is not necessarily that well suited to the Australian climate & environment......a house that deeply connects to the site/context, functions & performs to a certain level and "feels" great and appropriately balanced will provide an immeasurably greater living experience on many levels, as opposed to one that may look pretty in a brochure or on instagram, but in reality is disconnected to context, arbitrarily sited and configured or misaligned in various ways the homeowner's various particular & practical needs........

Fantastic & exciting opportunity.....

Hope this provides some preliminary food for thought....feel free to reach out if you'd like some further direction/guidance

Good luck! Cheers PD :)

www.pauldistefanodesign.com
siriuskey
5 years ago
Well said Paul, design from the inside out and not the other way around and build to suit our Australian Climate
PRO
User
5 years ago
www.abbottbuild.com.au offer a huge range of facade and floor plan design styles to suite any budget. You should give them a call. www.abbottbuild.com.au or 1300 881 689
PRO
Anita Jean Design
5 years ago
You are not creating a ranch style - french provincial house, you are creating YOUR HOME! You and your wife should independently compile a list of wants needs and images you love. A capable designer or architect should be able to design your dream home from this brief and bring the styles together harmoniously.
PRO
User
5 years ago
Incorporate the french provincial roof line and details to the external as well as colouring whilst utilizing the ranch long house configuration. Make it your own and own it.

Nothing good comes easy and nothing easy looks good X

French below design facade - Get the facade design idea concept, then just make the size happen as you would an ranch homes configuration on the block. Lots of shape needed and condensing of windows and height contrasts.

I would be seeking in architect who specialises in french provincial, hampton or colonial style builds to give you the added flair. Not to mention an draftsman cant do scope for this nor can he understand build costs.
Jason K thanked User
Jason K
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you all so kindly for your brilliant advice! We are definitely closer to 'the one' now. Exciting times ahead. You have all given us a lot to think about

Sponsored

More Discussions

Ideas for window treatment

18

Tiny living area help

17

The middle has something missing, how can we elevate this design?

21

Cladding and roof choices for renovation of ordinary house near beach

3

Better/roomier bathroom floor plan

17