Category: HOME

House Plan: Curlew Cottage by Flatfish Island Designs!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans4 Comments
Curlew Cottage - First Floor Plan
Curlew Cottage by Flatfish Island Designs

Flatfish Island Design… a cool architectural firm based on Sullivan’s Island in South Carolina. Many of their plans have wonderful porches where you can spend time and appreciate the beautiful area that we live in… For living in the South, these wonderful porches would also help keep some of the heat at bay so that the strong sun isn’t beaming in your windows warming your home up even more. This is a very attractive plan both inside and out. I love this one! The Curlew Cottage is 1,922 square feet and has 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms!

Curlew Cottage by Flatfish Island Designs - First Floor Plan
Curlew Cottage by Flatfish Island Designs – First Floor Plan

This plan has a first floor master suite, which is located in the back of the house. Perfect! The living, dining, kitchen is all located in the front part of the house and is an open plan. Look how open! Can you imagine the ways you could change your rooms around when you got tired of them? The possibilities… ENDLESS!

Curlew Cottage by Flatfish Island Design Second Floor Plan
Curlew Cottage by Flatfish Island Design – Second Floor Plan

The upstairs has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a laundry. For just Fred and I personally, I would try to have the laundry downstairs (stackable perhaps??) and one bathroom upstairs, maybe two guest rooms and storage! I love storage, ha ha! That’s the good thing about Flatfish Designs, they will work with you to make a plan work for you and your family. What’s not to love?

Be sure to check out their other HOUSE PLANS, and their FAQ! Do you love this house plan, but you don’t need the upstairs? Check out Nippers Escape house plan! It’s basically the first floor… Also check out their Facebook page: Flatfish Island Designs great photos!

Read a bit about Flatfish Island Designs from their website, they seem like a really cool company – check them out!

At Flatfish Island Designs, we believe that comfortable living begins with great design, and that great design should be accessible to everyone. This sounds like a simple concept, but bringing those two aspects together has been difficult in the past.

Great Home Plans are not often Accessible

Great design is certainly available. There are capable architects in every city that can design a house plan to truly suit your lifestyle and your location. Of course, this takes extra time, effort, and cost. So, for many potential homeowners, this option is out of reach.

Accessible Home Plans are not often Great

Accessible, affordable design is also available, if you don’t mind making lots of compromises. At any home center you will find an entire wall of house plans-for-purchase. Or, you can choose from your homebuilder’s limited inventory of generic home plans. Unfortunately, there is very little connection between these cookie-cutter house plans and the people who will live in them.
Until now, you have had to choose between skilled, personal design and accessible, affordable design. Now, one home design team offers both.

Introducing Flatfish Island Designs

For years, Stephen Herlong and a team of talented designers have been creating exceptional quality custom homes for clients from around the country. Our team has worked through every detail of both the exterior and the interior of each house plan. This experience has given us an ingrained sense for purposeful design – that is, design for the way people live in their homes.
Today, Steve has created Flatfish Island Designs, a compilation of house plans for sale that capitalize on this experience. Each home plan in this expanding collection offers beautifully detailed architectural style and superior livability, without the significant investment of time and money that a truly custom home plan requires.

Flatfish Island: Purposeful, Livable, Accessible House Plans

So, whether you are looking for a cozy cottage house plan, a breezy bungalow beach home plan, or an expansive luxury open floor plan, there is a Flatfish Island design for you. And, if you don’t find precisely the house plan you desire, you are free to make modifications to your home plan using skilled Flatfish Island home designers, or the architect of your choosing.

For a truly livable, purposefully designed home plan that fits your personality, your lifestyle, your neighborhood and your budget, choose Flatfish Island Designs.

We invite you to view our Designs Gallery of house plans. If you have any questions, please contact us.

ALL IMAGES VIA flatfishislanddesigns.com, used with permission…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

MY perfect summer day…

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS1 Comment

IMG_1293

Hee hee… I love weather. I love a good storm or at least cloudy skies during the hot summer months. While I know that cloudy skies make some people sad they put a smile  on my face!

Everything in moderation… sun included ;)

Have a great Sunday and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: TNH-B-06A – Small Cottage Plan by Moser Design Group!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans2 Comments
TNH-B-06A by Moser Design Group
TNH-B-06A by Moser Design Group

Another great cottage house plan by Moser Design Group out of Beaufort, SC. Amazingly talented, brilliant design in every single plan. This plan is the TNH-B-06A (Oh, I do wish they had names, I think that would be easier…) it is 1,471 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. This home has 9′ ceilings so it’s not squatty, it’s classy in every sense of the word. Who says small can’t be anything short of spectacular? Great porch on the front, and a nice covered stoop so if you’re going in the side entrance in pouring rain you won’t be soaking wet! Nice feature! Note they have two different elevations (check out their website via the link above to see the other elevation), which is the one I would choose…

TNH-B-06A by Moser Design Group
TNH-B-06A by Moser Design Group

I would tend to make the guest bedroom as you come in the door, that way guests have their own peace and quiet.  There is a Jack & Jill bathroom between Bedroom #2 and the front bedroom. Which is plenty. I would make bedroom #2 a study. I like the Living, Dining, Kitchen areas. I see one thing that Fred wouldn’t care for, the island on a diagonal, but that could easily be put straight (listen to me, I sound like I know what I’m talking about!)… I like it either way. Do I spy a pantry?! Woohoo! A great use of space for sure!

Check out the Moser Design Group website they have guest cottages, petite cottages, small cottages (which this is) right on up to homes over 2,800 square feet, so their website is definitely worth your time. Quality homes, I’ve seen them in person. Gorgeous!

***Some of you may have seen this post before… in your IN BOX. Anyone who signed up to receive an email version of this post would have received this on 8/12/14 (when I actually wrote it), because I didn’t enter the scheduled date, sigh… Also, if you want to get to the easier to read version from your email, just CLICK ON THE TITLE of the post via your email and **POOF** it’ll take you right there!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Pull in gas station… which side is tank on??? Now you know!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS4 Comments

IMG_1291

You’ve done it, you know you have… pulled into the gas station and can’t remember which side the gas tank is on… I know I’m not the only one! What I didn’t realize is that there is an indicator by your gas gauge. Did you know that? In the example above it shows a little gas tank on the right, which means that your gas tank is on the right hand side! I just thought they placed that symbol there for whatever reason! I had no idea there was a reason behind it, ha ha…

IMG_1303

I’m sure cars do it all different ways, this one shows a gas tank and an arrow indicating the tank is on the right.

Brilliant! Tell me, did you know?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: Small Cottage plan TNH-SC-17B by Moser Design Group

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans2 Comments
TNH SC 17 B by Moser Design Group
TNH SC 17 B by Moser Design Group

Moser Design Group… FABULOUS house plans. If you haven’t checked them out yet, you may want to check them out! Gorgeous, timeless design. Fred and I saw this plan being built in Palmetto Bluff, SC – gorgeous! Matter of fact, you could rent it! Just noticed that you can no longer rent this house… darn, it would have been a good way to see how the plan works for you!

TNH SC 17 B by Moser Design Group
TNH SC 17 B by Moser Design Group

I love, love, love how the master bedroom/bathroom is separated by the rest of the house by a screened in porch and hallway… how wonderful, it’s like a separate little house. I love that! Unique!

TNH SC 17 B by Moser Design Group
TNH SC 17 B by Moser Design Group

Moser offered a few variations on the upstairs, I like option B which includes two bedrooms, a bathroom and STORAGE! I. LOVE. STORAGE! Be sure to check out the other MOSER house plans… lovely!

All images via MoserDesignGroup.com used with permission…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: Ribaut Square by Allison Ramsey Architects!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House PlansLeave a comment
Ribaut Square C0557 plan by Allison Ramsey Architects
Ribaut Square C0557 plan by Allison Ramsey Architects

This is the Ribaut Square (C0557) house plan by Allison Ramsey Architects. This plan is 2155 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. I haven’t featured a plan like this, because these types of plans don’t normally catch my attention, but… this one did. It is masterfully laid out, check it out…

Ribaut Square C0557 plan by Allison Ramsey Architects
Ribaut Square C0557 plan by Allison Ramsey Architects

A 10′ deep porch. Nice! So very nice! Master bedroom and bath separate from the rest of the house… very nice! Laundry in close proximity to master… a big plus! Then you have the living space, open, but not too open…  So nice!

Ribaut Square C0557 plan by Allison Ramsey Architects
Ribaut Square C0557 plan by Allison Ramsey Architects

Two bedrooms upstairs, (perfect for guests!), with walk in closets, bathrooms and a sitting area, not to mention that fabulous porch! Nice to give guests their own space! Caution: with this plan, guests may never leave, ha ha… I wouldn’t want to!

I really like this plan, and am so happy I stumbled upon it!

All images via AllisonRamseyArchitect.com, used with permission…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

A beastie birthday!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME4 Comments

Charlie's Birthday Preparation!

Yes, can you see how much fun Charlie is having during the annual “strap the birthday hat on for a birthday photo”? It’s the coolest little birthday hat, not sure why he doesn’t like it, I think he would prefer to chew it up!

Well, the beast turns 5 today… oh they grow up so fast, ha ha…

H A P P Y  B I R T H D A Y  C H A R L I E ! ! ! !

He is accepting balloons, cards, frozen green beans and carrots, hee hee…

Have a great weekend!  Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: Snead’s Ferry by Allison Ramsey Architects

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House PlansLeave a comment
Sneads Ferry C0574 by Allison Ramsey Architects
Snead’s Ferry C0574 by Allison Ramsey Architects

Allison Ramsey Architects – always doing something that makes great sense. Snead’s Ferry (C0574) is a house you can grow in to, or not if you choose not to. This plan is 2623 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms that also leaves room for a future second floor with 844 additional square feet. Pretty cool, eh? Are you trying to think of a scenario where you might need additional space (like a spare living room?), say your children are now teenagers and want their own space for watching TV/playing video games, etc. (or more likely YOU would like your space!), tada, that spare living room comes in handy. Or say one of you loves sports and the other doesn’t… two living rooms are essential, ha ha…

Sneads Ferry C0574 by Allison Ramsey Architects - Main Floor
Snead’s Ferry C0574 by Allison Ramsey Architects – Main Floor

This plan is quite amazing. I like that the living room isn’t right on the front of the house, it’s set back aways, more private and cozy. The open kitchen, living, dining space works nicely. If you have the spare rooms for guests, it’s nice that they’re tucked away on the other side of the house, so they have their privacy. A great screened porch off the living room is the icing on the cake. I love, love, love when I can open windows and let the fresh air in, woohoo!

Snead's Ferry C0574 by Allison Ramsey Architects - Future Upstairs (844 square feet)
Snead’s Ferry C0574 by Allison Ramsey Architects – Future Upstairs (844 square feet)

The future living room/bathroom… Smart thinking!

To see actual images of this home as it was built, click here… I love how Allison Ramsey does that, it really helps to visualize when you can see an actual house built.

ALL IMAGES VIA AllisonRamseyArchitects.com – used with permission…

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Hot tip: Easiest Way to Cut Grape Tomatoes Quickly!

On By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HOME1 Comment

IMG_1208

I saw a video on this… and had long since forgotten about it. The other day I was making a fabulous cold med pasta salad, and the pasta was almost done, I had 3 minutes to wash and cut a package of grape tomatoes in half. Then I remembered “the trick”, I wasn’t sure if it would work, but I thought I would give it a whirl, because in this recipe the hot pasta sits on top of the cool tomatoes which softens them a bit and makes them really nice. I made it with time to spare!

The trick… A SERRATED KNIFE and two lids to plastic containers. I wouldn’t even attempt this with a regular knife, none of mine would be even close to being sharp enough!

Step one:

IMG_1202

 

I could have done it even quicker if I would have used a larger lid, but in my haste, I found two this size, so it worked great!

Set the lid down on the counter, RIM SIDE UP. Fit as many tomatoes as possible, all in one layer.

Step Two:

IMG_1203

Now put the other lid on top of the tomatoes, RIM SIDE DOWN so it holds them all in nice and cozy…

IMG_1205

Now use your serrated knife, and while holding your hand flat and lightly pressing down on the tomatoes slice back and forth until the knife gets through all the tomatoes, this step takes no time at all! Good grief, who’s meaty hand is that??? Eeek.

 

IMG_1206

Tada! Repeat as many times as you need to! Woohoo! I remembered this FINALLY, and I certainly won’t forget it!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: Plan TNH-SC-47A by Moser Design Group!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans, UncategorizedLeave a comment
TNH-SC-47A Houseplan by Moser Design Group
TNH-SC-47A Houseplan by Moser Design Group

Moser Design Group has some fabulous house plans. If you aren’t familiar with them, they are located in Beaufort, SC – they have their plans online and the site is easy to navigate. I selected one that I really like. It’s 1,693 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. The ceiling height downstairs is an impressive 10′, while upstairs the ceiling height is 8’6″. I love the bungalow cottage look of this house. The fabulous porch really makes it! What you don’t see is a screened porch around back… very nice!

TNH-SC-47A House Plan by Moser Design Group
TNH-SC-47A House Plan by Moser Design Group

This is an open plan with the living/dining all in one room, which would work perfectly for us! The kitchen is an impressive 12’x13′ – I cannot imagine! What a treat to have a screened porch off the kitchen. It would be nice to be able to open that door while you’re cooking in the cooler months!

TNH-SC-47A House Plan by Moser Design Group
SECOND FLOOR – TNH-SC-47A House Plan by Moser Design Group

Can I say… I love storage? Ok. I LOVE STORAGE! And there is plenty of it fit into this house plan! I’m not a packrat by any means, but it’s nice to have a place to put certain things like Christmas decorations, out of season clothing, or things that you use on occasion (luggage, etc).

Read a blip about Moser Design Group, Inc – from their website:

OUR TEAM:

Over the past 20 years, Eric Moser, President of Moser Design Group, Inc. (MDG), and his staff of professionals have built a reputation as designers of fine custom residential architecture.  Their primary focus over the past decade and a half  has established the firm as a major proponent of the New Urban movement.  As a member of the Congress for New Urbanism, the New Urban Guild, and the Institute of Classical Architecture and Classical America, MDG dedicates their work to the planning and architectural fulfillment of New Urban and Traditional Neighborhood Developments (TND’s).
OUR APPROACH:
MDG’s involvement with New Urbanism began in Beaufort, SC in 1992 with the pioneering neighborhood of Newpoint.  Since then, they have been involved with many TND’s including Eric’s home town of Habersham in Beaufort, SC.  In 1997 Eric participated with the highly acclaimed firm, DPZ Architects in the planning charrette for Habersham.  Today it is a growing, vibrant coastal village where Eric chairs the Architectural Review Board and works closely with town founder Bob Turner in fulfilling the town plan.
Eric is a frequent consultant on charrettes across the United States for new and old towns, infill projects, hamlets, and neighborhoods. He collaborates with other professionals to plan, analyze and reintroduce the historic local and regional building patterns that made most old towns so successful and memorable. MDG has established itself as one of the most prominent providers of Traditional Neighborhood building types, ranging from 600 square foot bungalows, to manor houses to town center civic buildings.  Over time, this broad array of experience has allowed the team at MDG to refine the craft of place making. 
The firm has also been active in the Katrina and Rita recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast.  Eric was a participant of the Mississippi Renewal forum and remains very active in developing and providing emergency housing solutions for the victims of the storms.  A significant portion of that work has been the design of multiple Katrina Cottages and building relationships with manufactured and modular home companies to affect the quick delivery of dignified, permanent alternatives to FEMA trailers.  A MDG Katrina Cottage design was chosen as one of the first four plans to be engineered into a material package in partnership with Lowe’s Home Improvement Store.
MDG endeavors to provide high quality authentic designs and stay involved with the growing number of New Urban projects.  The firm is also dedicated to finding new approaches to make their buildings and projects more sustainable.
All images via MoserDesignGroup.com – used with permission…
Catch you back here tomorrow!

Circa Lighting and a gorgeous floor lamp!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOMELeave a comment

DSCN2988

Circa Lighting. Fabulous. On trend. It’s nice to have a place here in Charleston to look for lighting and find something every single time. It simply is the best of the best. Inexpensive is probably not a word used to describe Circa, but quality definitely is! Keep an eye out, they do have sales on occasion. Lighting makes a room. It’s so important. More than for the light, which we need, but the look of the lighting makes all the difference! The staff here is knowledgable and helpful. Check them out if you’re in town, you won’t be sorry. (Psssst: they ship… and it’s free, now that IS a deal!).

Image: CircaLighting.com

When my parents were in town they were looking for a light to go beside a chair. Mostly for reading. This is what they ordered and they couldn’t be happier. This lamp has a dimmer switch, so you can turn it down very low, or up as bright as you may need. It’s one gorgeous floor lamp! This one is called the STUDIO ADJUSTABLE LIGHT FLOOR LAMP – Stock # 91025 and it comes in a variety of finishes.

Check it out if you get a chance and I’ll  catch you back here tomorrow!