‘‘Which house design"

Q: What are the most important points to look for in
a good house design? S. Williams, St. David’s

A: Traffic flow. In other words, the path you take to travel
from one room to another. Carefully designed plans address
this by placing short hallways and galleries that
connect the various areas of the home. For example,
upon entering the home, you should be able to walk to
the bedrooms or the kitchen without being forced to cross
through the family room.
Another indication of thoughtful design relates to storage
areas. Bathrooms should have ample linen storage and the
kitchen obviously needs plenty of cabinets
While open designs work wonderfully for most families,
there still needs to be a certain amount of privacy, especially
for the master suite. Be very cautious of selecting a
plan that allows the master bedroom to open directly into
the family room!
In general, a second-floor master suite is often the preference.
The reasons for these preferences probably have to
do with the simple fact that this is “traditionally” what
homeowners have been accustomed to.
Nevertheless, there are several practical considerations
when choosing where to place your master suite. A firstfloor
master suite is obviously more convenient for those
who prefer not to climb stairs. A first-floor location also
offers more privacy. However, for parents with small
children, a second-floor location, which is close to the
children’s rooms, provides a greater sense of security.
Second-floor master bedroom may allow the homeowner
to take advantage of a spectacular view that their site
might offer.
Each client and each site is unique. The best solution can
only be discovered by careful analysis.
Finally, the ultimate cost depends on the amenities you
select for your home. There are vast differences between
the cost of countertops and flooring, not to mention that
of windows, doors, and roofing etc. Consider this analogy,
when you purchase an automobile, the final price is
drastically impacted by the accessories