Country Cabin Home Plan chp-30592

30592This quaint little country cabin is delightful throughout the year. A total of 1451 square feet of living space, plus an 8′ covered porch in the front and a 17’8″ x 6′ grilling porch in the back invites you out for a summer vacation. Most days are hot and humid at this time of year, feeling like a sauna outside- but that’s not enough to deter dad from preparing steaks on the grill. After all, what would summer be without cookouts…or barbecues depending on your place of origin? And how do you like your steak? Well done? Medium rare? In July, thunderstorms do their worst, but the rain cascades harmlessly down the pitched metal roof. Upstairs, the kids switch off the lights and fall asleep to the sound of the rain.

Two good-sized bedrooms and a full bathroom occupy the second level. Bedroom 2 measures 13’4″ x 14’6″, and bedroom 3 measures 11’4″ x 14’5″. Each room has a dormer window for a view of the front yard and a side window to aid the “lookouts” when they are tasked by the “general” to guard the “fort.”30592 fireplace

For three weeks in April, bright pink azaleas bloom around this quaint cottage, and a bright red hummingbird feeder hangs from the eave of the front porch, rocking in the breeze. The boys can impress mom with a bouquet of dandelions, and dad can thrill her with his landscaping capabilities. More than any other time of year, living
and playing and entertaining take place in the outdoors. The air conditioner is given respite, the windows are opened wide, and the roof yellows with pollen.

30592 kitchenThough you love the outdoors, moving back inside in the fall and winter is not at all disappointing with a beautiful stone fireplace casting dancing light into the den on a chilly night. The den space is open to the dining area and separated from the kitchen by a breakfast bar, and the French doors have 12 glass panes on each side to admit plenty of light. Handsome hardwood floors seamlessly tie the living space together and match the kitchen cabinets. Marble counter tops add a a rich touch to country-style living.

The downstairs bedroom measures 11’4″ x 11′ and features a walk-in closet. The full bath doubles as a guest bathroom, and a stacked washer and dryer fits into a niche in the hallway. Additional closet space is located off the dining room, and equipment can be kept in the storage room off the back porch.

Home Security Tips

Capture(BPT) – School is out and summer vacations are in full swing. But while many of us are relaxing, thieves are working overtime. Summer is theft season, at least according to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) statistics that show more home thefts occur in June, July and August than any other month of the year. What families might not realize is that their everyday habits could be making their home more vulnerable to theft.

Nationwide Insurance recently asked home and condo insurance homeowners a series questions surrounding the protection of household personal property to determine how, or if, families are protecting their home from thieves.

“The survey revealed some risky, interesting consumer behaviors,” said Pete Lore, associate vice president of property technical claims for Nationwide. “For example, most of us know locking our doors will make our home safer, yet a quarter (25 percent) of homeowners surveyed admit to leaving the front door of their house unlocked when leaving home at least once in the past year.”

If these common mistakes turn into habits, then it could increase their chances of becoming the next theft victim.

Don’t help a burglar get in:

* Thirty-nine percent of homeowners admit they leave their doors unlocked more often or about the same as their parents did when they were growing up, despite a more than 200 percent increase in theft over the last 40 years

* Homeowners make themselves more vulnerable to theft by leaving windows unlocked on either the ground floor (35 percent) or second story and above (34 percent) at least once in the past year

* About one-third (30 percent) of those surveyed hide a spare key outside their home

* Forty-one percent of homeowners aged 18-34 post social media updates while they are on vacation

Turn on prevention measures:

* Although many (79 percent) homeowners report having at least one common theft prevention measure (e.g., alarm system), three in ten homeowners (30 percent) do not use any, putting their home at unnecessary risk

* Twenty percent of homeowners with an alarm system don’t activate it during the day, even though that’s when most thefts occur

Thieves know where your valuable items are:

* About three in 10 homeowners (29 percent) say the bedroom – the room that thieves visit first – contains the most valuables

* Many homeowners admit they do not document or keep track of their belongings (44 percent)

Home theft takes little time, but can be costly for homeowners. Burglars usually spend no more than 60 seconds breaking into a home, but the average cost to replace stolen belongings among victims of home theft is $3,584, according to the Nationwide survey. That’s why it’s important to implement even the simplest preventative measures, such as:

* Locking your doors and closing your windows before leaving the house

Luxury Mediterranean House Plan chp-24514

elevLuxury house plan chp-24514 boasts 3831 total square feet of living space, 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. Very popular in American states like Florida, Texas and California, a stucco exterior and low-pitched clay tile roof give this design a decidedly Mediterranean flair. Arched windows echo the stately appearance of the front doors, and the covered entryway is supported by spiral columns and topped with a decorative balcony. The formal dining room opens to the front courtyard, reminding you of a cafe where you once enjoyed the best picks from a delicious Grecian menu. From the guest suite upstairs, you may walk out to the wrapping balcony, lean against the gently curved iron rail and call out to your host to wait a few minutes- you have to apply some sunscreen before laying out by that luxurious pool. A covered lanai shelters the back of the house, shading the abundant windows of the master suite, parlor, dinette and gathering room.

A host is well-prepared to entertain with this spacious layout, and thankfully so- because guests may not feel the need tophoto4 go home. In addition to the balcony, the 2nd level guest suite includes a full bathroom and walk-in closet. The smaller bedroom downstairs includes a full bath that opens to the back patio for access to the pool. No need for wet footprints making their way into other parts of the house. Inside, this bedroom opens to the gathering room with built-in entertainment center. Occupants will be drawn from their slumber by the wafting aroma of bacon and eggs from the kitchen around the corner. Breakfast can be enjoyed in the dinette by the elegant bowed windows.

photo3The right wing of the home is taken by the master suite with its coffered ceiling, bed niche and built-in t.v. cabinet in the corner. Pass between two walk-in closets and notice that one is decidedly bigger. The person with the larger shoe collection will have to delegate the smaller closet to the less aggressive shopper. The bathroom features a private toilet room and two vanities, but the ultimate luxury is to pass through a columned and arched entryway to a whirlpool tub set in a tile base. It’s like a Greek portico leading to an ancient bath!

Arches are repeated throughout the house, and other rooms include the laundry, study and powder room. The garage is separated by a covered portico, and enough space is available for three or more vehicles. Click here to see the floor plans and additional photos for chp-24514.

Country House Plan chp-29895

24245-B600Country house plan chp-29895 is embellished with a fanlight window on the dormer, decorative sidelights to match the window in the front door and delicate white balusters for the porch railing. Attractive white lattice skirting allows air to circulate under the house and keeps the critters away. Planters filled with bright yellow flowers really pop with the pale exterior paint that was chosen for this completed design.

The total living area, which is heated and air conditioned space, is 2083 square feet, but we can bet that you will take24245-P4 advantage of the covered porch during good weather. It measures 8 feet deep and 52 feet across the font of the house. Wrapping half way around both sides, 588 square feet gives you more than enough room for an outdoor sitting area with a porch swing or two. The romantic will imagine a first kiss at the door as seen in old movies, and the loving father might enjoy the humor of polishing his rifle while his daughter leaves on her first date.

From the foyer, you may enter the living room to your right under an arched passageway that is lined with columns. Across the room is a stone fireplace stretching all the way to the ceiling.

Family members might use a more casual entrance from the garage or side porch- both lead to a mud room. The powder room doubles as a utility room with convenient laundry closet.

24245-P5The family room, kitchen and breakfast nook share an informal space at the back of the house. Glossy wide-plank pine floors and a denim couch invite you to sprawl in front of the flat screen after a long day or head out to the optional back deck to grill a family dinner. A lovely view of the back yard can be enjoyed through the bay window, and this space is perfect for a small breakfast table. Simple cabinetry of the kitchen is dressed up with marble counters and a solid rustic island. Display antiques or collectibles over the eating bar in the glass front cabinets.

All three bedrooms are located upstairs, and family members are greeted by a window seat and built-in bookshelves at the top of the staircase. Click here to see the floor plans and additional interior photographs.

Cool Your Home & Save Money: Air Conditioning Tips

air conditioning(BPT) – Home cooling costs rise with the temperature, making many homeowners dread the arrival of their monthly electric bill during the good ol’ summertime. Fortunately, with a few simple strategies, it’s easy to cut down on cooling costs so you can enjoy summer, even through record-high temperatures.

“Air conditioning is the main way homeowners cool their home, but it’s far from a one-size-fits-all solution,” says Laura Johnson, home economist for LG Electronics USA. “How you choose to cool your home can make a big difference in comfort levels and energy costs.”

She suggests starting by asking yourself a few simple questions:

* How hot is it likely to get in the region where you live?
* What is the square footage you want cooled?
* Do you have one room that just doesn’t cool effectively while others are fine?
* Do you have an existing duct system?
* Do you want to install a whole home system, but don’t have months to work with a contractor?

If you have an existing system that doesn’t seem to be cooling your home as well as it should, it’s time to explore other options. If your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system is more than 12 years old, it’s likely not working as efficiently as it could. Have a professional HVAC contractor evaluate the system. A tune-up may help the system work better, or reveal that it’s time to consider a replacement.

Heating and cooling costs the average homeowner about $1,000 a year – nearly half the home’s total energy bill, according to EnergyStar.gov. When researching new air conditioners, always look for the Energy Star label. If your air conditioning unit is more than 12 years old, replacing it with an Energy Star qualified model could reduce cooling costs by 30 percent.

A variety of air conditioning systems are available. If you have an existing duct system, installing a central air conditioning system is a good option. Those without ducts aren’t stuck choosing between inefficient window units or extensive construction – newer duct-free systems provide efficient cooling with high energy-efficiency ratings.

For example, duct-free systems like ArtCool models from LG, allow you to cool your entire home or just a single room without the need for invasive ductwork. There’s no tearing down walls or altering your home’s appearance. In most cases, a professional contractor gets the job done in less than a day. The contractor will help you determine if you need a single- or multiple-room system. Be sure to research your contractor carefully, because proper installation is key to achieving maximum energy efficiency. Plus, some duct-free systems qualify for a tax credit of $300 if you install your system before Dec. 31.

No matter what air conditioning system you choose, be sure to check the “SEER rating.” SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and is the industry-wide performance rating. The higher the number, the more efficiently a product will perform. The average air conditioner rating for an Energy Star-qualified window unit is a 9 to 11, while duct-free systems like the Art Cool Premier have SEER ratings up to 28, which can translate to bigger energy savings.

You can also take steps to conserve energy in other areas. During sunny, hot periods of the day, use appropriate window coverings to block heat and conserve the cool air. Avoid using the oven or excessive electronic devices – like TVs or computers – which can put off a lot of heat.

Southern House Plan chp-27613

27613Popular home plan chp-27613 is what we choose to call an “Elegant Southern Country” style. This 1-½ story home is a simple Southern design but becomes irresistible with its full wrap around porch and symmetrical dormers. If you can bear to leave the delightful porch for a while to go inside, you’ll find a somewhat contemporary design with lively angles, room brightening clerestory windows and a spacious open floor plan.

This is a “master on main level” floor plan, giving mom and dad the whole downstairs to themselves after the little ones settle down for the night. Included in the master suite is a door to the back screened porch so the couple can listen to crickets chirping in the evening while also enjoying protection from those pesky mosquitoes. Sneaking outside with a glass of wine or two is all the more fun with a private exit. Preparing to go out is convenient and comfortable with the layout of the master bathroom with its double vanity, large shower, whirlpool tub, private toilet area and a walk-in closet that measures almost 9′ x 9′!fl1

Daytime chores are made easy as the laundry room is right outside the master bedroom. Don’t worry about carrying heavy baskets downstairs- a special convenience is the laundry chute just outside bedroom 2. Though tossing it down the chute is delightful for the kids, getting it back upstairs is a challenge that we must leave to your discretion.

The open family room shares a flow of space with the breakfast area which is lined with windows and has a door to the deck. This casual space is preferred by close-knit families as those in the kitchen have only to pass the dishes over the counter to enjoy meal times with the family or form an assembly line out to the deck for outdoor dining. Formal dining room, powder room and coat closet are located front and center for the guests.

Upstairs are two sizable bedrooms and a loft. Bedroom number 2 has a walk-in closet with a pass-through to attic storage and built-in bookcase. Bedroom number 3 has a built-in desk and bookshelves.

The ceilings on the main level are 9’ except for the clerestory areas above the master bedroom, family room, eating area and dining area which rise to approximately 18’. Upstairs ceilings are 8’. This southern house plan is one of our best selling home plans.

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