Definition: Open Floor Plan
Open floor plans make use of large, open spaces to connect “separate” rooms by minimizing the use of walls and small, enclosed areas.
Architectural Styles
NEW HOUSING TRENDS 2015: The Great Outdoors
By Chuck Tripp
Whether you’re young, old, or somewhere in between, most people love the outdoors. Especially in mild, temperate climates that afford numerous opportunities for getting outside for a little R-and-R. One trend we have noticed at Donald A. Gardner Architects in recent years is that homeowners value living spaces that extend beyond the walls of their house proper. Depending on your interests and imagination, there are seemingly unlimited possibilities to bring the outdside in…or rather, to expand your living experience beyond walls, doors, and windows to the great outdoors.
The Difference Between Craftsman and Country Home Floor Plans | Video
Choosing the right architectural home style when building your new dream home is an exciting task whether you’re a building your first or fifth new home. With over hundreds of different styles and features to choose from, the sky is the limit when it comes to choosing the right features and details that will help set your new home apart from the rest.
Two of the most popular styles are the Country and Craftsman home plans. To the untrained eye, these homes may seem very similar based on the exterior appearance. However, there are, in fact, a lot of distinct characteristics and features to both craftsman and country home plans that help those who live in them feel right at home. Let’s take a look at some of the elements that make country and craftsman home plans unique.
Craftsman Home Plans
The Craftsman Style Home rose to popularity during the American Arts and Crafts movement of the early 20th century. The movement began in Great Britain and Europe before making its way across the Atlantic. The American movement sought to reform the current design trends in favor of producing simple designs with handcrafted materials to meet the needs of an expanding middle class.
Today’s Craftsman house plans are a modern adaptation of the early 20th century Craftsman home plans. Craftsman style homes typically use stone, brick and wooden materials during construction, allowing contractors and designers to showcase their skill and expertise during the building process while providing an artisanal feel to the home.
Homeowners are greeted by wide front porches detailed with decorative columns and wooden trims. From there, large gables, shed dormers, decorative brackets and handcrafted stone or woodwork make up the exterior focus of any craftsman home plan.
The interior’s open floor plan helps to create a larger than life feel, with exposed columns, built-in wooden furniture and large fireplaces highlighting the finer, more decorative details of the home.
Craftsman home plans can be found all across the country, but are most commonly found in suburban neighborhoods in the United States.
Country Home Floor Plans
With a form and detailing that pays homage to the styles of classical Colonial and Victorian times, country home floor plans provide their homeowners with a more traditional American feel. Using large living spaces and an expansive front porch that stretches the length of the home, Country home plans help their residents feel at home in this larger than life layout.
One of the more defining characteristics of country home floor plans, their dormers, come from the popular residential styles of Colonial times. These vertical windows project out from a roof-line that is parallel to the street to create more usable space within the interior of the home.
Country style homes are most commonly found among the cottages and farmhouses of suburban and rural America. Country home floor plans are available in a variety of styles, and can even be adapted into a one-story home plan to meet the lifestyle needs of any homeowner.
No matter what size or variation of the Country style home you choose, you can be assured knowing that your home will help you feel welcome from the moment you step through the front door.
At Donald A. Gardner Architects, our team is focused to staying true to both the traditional Country and Craftsman style home plans while adding modern amenities and features to make living easy. With more than 1,000 customizable home designs in a variety of styles, you can be certain there is a home plan made to suit your specific needs. Shop Donald A. Gardner Architects’ collection of timeless home designs today!
Modern Farmhouses
Modern farmhouses capture traditional curb appeal with open-concept floor plans for today’s homeowner.
The Santee Plan #1011. Click for more info
Farmhouse style homes are typically characterized by wraparound porches and a roof that breaks to a shallower pitch at the porch. They often have a Country feel and feature dormers for a traditional look.
The Peppermill Plan #1034. Click for more info.
Siding is a common choice for a farmhouse exterior, but more and more modern farmhouses are built with brick, stone, or any mix of materials. Brick can lend a grand appearance that is warm and inviting.
The Arbordale Plan #452. Click for more info.
Whether they are small or expansive, farmhouses are usually two stories with some of the bedrooms upstairs. Most modern farmhouses feature a master suite on the main level for convenience, with some or all of the additional bedrooms on the second floor.
The Northwyke Plan #759. Click for more info.
Open-concept layouts are popular in modern farmhouses, with vaulted ceilings and skylights adding volume and bringing in plenty of natural light. Kitchens are open to the great room and dining areas to allow conversation to flow freely, allowing the family cook to stay connected at gatherings.
The Palmetto Plan #737. Click for more info.
Some farmhouses have Low Country flair and are well-suited for coastal areas, whether for vacation or year-round living. Post/pier foundations are specifically designed for waterfront lots, and if your dream farmhouse isn’t already designed this way, you can have it modified if needed.
The Jonesboro Plan #983. Click for more info.
Even if you have a narrow lot in the suburbs, there are farmhouse plans that will suit your location! The Advanced Search option lets you enter the maximum width your lot can accommodate while searching only farmhouse style homes.
Let the experts at Donald A. Gardner Architects assist you in your search for the perfect modern farmhouse, and make sure you are getting the most out of your search with a myDAG membership. This free, easy-to-use service allows you to search easily and save your favorite farmhouse designs, streamlining your search.
Browse all farmhouse home plans here!
7 Things to Include in Your Vacation Home
If selecting a new place to vacation every year is more energy than you want to spend, consider having a vacation home built in your favorite destination. Your vacation home plans can include customized features that allow you access to everything that is lacking in a typical hotel.
Consider location
The first thing to consider when selecting your vacation home plan is location: Do you find yourself drawn to warm or cold climates? Would you rather enjoy the ocean or the mountains? Perhaps you have a favorite destination? Start by narrowing your search down to a specific style:
- Lake House Plans
- Beach House Plans
- Mountain Cabins
- Inland Cottages
- Golf Course Home Plans
- City & Suburb Home Plans
- Southwest Home Designs
 The Silvergate Plan #1254-D |
 The Palm Vista Plan #5021 |
 The Peekskill Plan #780-D |
 The Cleary Plan #948 |
 The Clubwell Manor Plan #5037 |
 The Merrill Plan #1209 |
 The Sedona Ridge Plan #986 |
The Comforts of Home
Be sure to think about which comforts of home are most important to you. This includes everything from having a well-laid out kitchen, multiple bathrooms, or even a home gym. On top of that, don’t forget to ensure that you have the comforts you most enjoy. This includes everyday items like a comfortable bathrobe, throw blankets, plush furniture designed for rest and relaxation, a fireplace, and the other home features you most enjoy on a daily basis.
A Few Luxuries of Vacation
While there are many benefits to staying in your custom designed vacation home opposed to a hotel—don’t forget to include some of the luxuries you desire while on vacation. This could include ensuring your location is close enough for delivery from your favorite nearby restaurants, adding luxury outdoor living spaces, or adding a swimming pool, spa or sauna.
Entertainment for Your Downtime
Whether your dream vacation home plan is a small cottage or a golf course estate, make sure there is room for the entertainment you enjoy during your downtime. This can include everything from a billiards room, Ping-Pong table, small den to lounge and read, or a dining room table or seating area large enough to play games together as a family.
Enough Room for Individual Interests
Make sure that your luxury home design allows enough flexibility and freedom for everyone to achieve the vacation of his or her dreams. While the kids may want to spend their time outdoors playing in the pool, you may prefer to spend some solo time soaking in a garden tub, or watching your favorite movie in a media/rec room. Even if your vacation home is small, make sure it has separate areas that allow everyone to enjoy both individual and group activities.
Timeless Décor
Regardless of the style of vacation home you have built, ensure that your décor is timeless. Since you may only be visiting your vacation home a few weeks or months out of the year, or sporadically throughout the year—it is not essential to decorate in the latest home trends. Instead, opt for timeless, comfortable décor that will ensure that your home never feels dated.
Creative Storage
Another all-important feature to take into consideration with your vacation home design is storage. Sometimes you may head to your vacation home for a week-long getaway, and other times you may want to be there for extended periods of time. This makes it essential to have thoughtful storage options, such as closets that will fit large suitcases, under the bed storage options, and enough closets, cabinets and drawers to keep the essentials you would like to leave in your vacation home year-round—such as toiletries and seasonal clothing that will make packing for vacation faster and easier.
The tips above are an excellent way to ensure your vacation home plan is comfortable, luxurious, and fully functional. The building process for any new vacation home starts with finding the perfect home floor plans for your lifestyle. Let the experts at Donald A. Gardner Architects lend you a helping hand in your search. With over 1,000 house plans to choose from, you are guaranteed to find the timeless design and functionality you are looking for with your new vacation home plan. Make sure you are getting the most out of your search with a myDAG membership. This free, easy-to-use membership allows you to search easily and save your favorite home floor plans, streamlining your search for the perfect vacation home. The road to rest and relaxation is only a short step away, get started and browse Don Gardner’s selection of home floor plans today.
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