[ h o u s e p l a n ]: Bay Point Cottage – Allison Ramsey Architects

On October 3, 2013October 3, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

I would like to start by saying that Allison Ramsey Architects are brilliant. Their website is over the top fabulous for those of you thinking of building a home one day. They provide so much information, photos, links… You MUST check out their site… amazing is all I can say! AllisonRamseyArchitects.com – I would also like to thank them for use of their images… This house was built in Beaufort, SC and images of the interior are on their site at AllisonRamseyArchitects.smugmug.com. Wow, does it help to see actual images of the inside of this house. Not everyone is good at picturing the floor plan in their mind.

The windows upstairs make this the most charming house ever! I love how they open out, just like the old cottages that you see that are in pristine condition. It isn’t easy to tell if this house is old or new. It has wonderful detail and charm, something missing in a lot of today’s house plans. The Bay Point Cottage is a clear winner! It boasts a heavenly porch, screened porch, Master bedroom downstairs, and an open plan in terms of the kitchen, great room and eating area. I’m not at all concerned about having a formal dining room. It’s not a priority to me… we would rarely use it. We can always repurpose a room when the need arises instead of being saddled with an unused dining room all year long (if it’s not your thing).

This floor plan is roughly 2300 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. It is in Allison Ramsey’s “Carolina Inspiration Book I” Page 35 (C0058).

Contact the architects at info@allisonramseyarchitect.com or 843.986.0559 to verify square footage, house dimensions and additional information or to purchase a set of plans. Their house plans show how their attention to detail time after time makes them a great architect to choose!

F L A S H B A C K

O N E Y E A R A G O… Featured Artist… Robert Norieka!

T W O Y E A R S A G O… A Stay at the Island House Hotel on Mackinac Island, MI = HEAVEN!

Rub a dub dub…

On September 28, 2013September 23, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTS2 Comments

Charlie right after a bath... — Charlie right after a bath…

A little shake back and forth to fluff the hair…

Ta da! I wish that’s all I had to do!

Happy Saturday!

F L A S H B A C K

O N E Y E A R A G O… Featured Artist… Brad Betts!

T W O Y E A R S A G O… Thanks to Paula Deen’s sons for a lighter fried chicken recipe!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

GOLogic Home – 1500 square feet of BRILLIANCE!

On September 26, 2013March 29, 2018 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans2 Comments

This house plan is from a company I respect so much. GOLogic. It is our dream once Fred retires to build one of their homes. We’re always looking at the plans and trying to figure which one would work best for us. Why not save money (and the environment) all while living in a beautiful, efficient, well thought out house?

Just look at all the standard options, the construction, and the overview… this company truly has their act together! It’s a house you can feel good about building! See a plan that you’ve fallen in love with? Check out the Process of Buying a House link…

Living Room Photograph by Trent Bell — Photograph by Trent Bell

Here is the plan, via the GOLogic website. If you’re interested in building one of their plans, here’s the link… there is also a separate link if you use your own contractor and you want to purchase plans only. Personally, I want the people who have done it time and time again with great results to be the ones to build my home one day…

This is the GO Home by GOLogic… it was awarded the US Green Building Council’s residential project of the year award.

GOLogic "GO Home" 1500 square feet, 2 floor/3 bedroom - Image via: GOlogic.us — GOLogic “GO Home” 1500 square feet, 2 floor/3 bedroom – Image via: GOlogic.us

It’s so nice to have a mudroom, a place to store all the shoes, jackets, etc and keep them out of the way! A small powder room down stairs is perfectly tucked in the corner. I love the open kitchen/living/dining spaces… and the exterior of this house… whoa! Good looking! Did I mention the windows? Read about them… they’re gorgeous, but they’re also about as efficient as you can get!

GOLogic "GO Home" Upper Level - 1500 square feet, 2 floor/3 bedroom - Image via: GOlogic.us — GOLogic “GO Home” Upper Level – 1500 square feet, 2 floor/3 bedroom – Image via: GOlogic.us

This plan has all bedrooms on the upper level. There are variations of this plan, and one has the master bedroom downstairs. Since we’re planning for our next house to be the last house we build, we would probably opt for that plan. Check out the other plans available, they’re fabulous!

F L A S H B A C K

O N E Y E A R A G O… Featured Artist… Roger Dale Brown!

T W O Y E A R S A G O… Meatless Monday recipe… Penne with Spinach, Feta and Olives!

All images via TheGOHome.us (Trent Bell photographer) used with permission…

Images are not for construction or reproduction, they are property of the design firm.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

[house plan]: Bluffton SL-594… A Coastal Living Houseplan…

On September 19, 2013September 19, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

HP Bluffton sl-594 exterior cl — Bluffton SL-594 – A Coastal Living House Plan

I swear Coastal Living has some wonderful house plans on their website. This featured plan is called the BLUFFTON (SL-594) and it’s an exclusive design for Coastal LIving by Hall and Hull Architects, Inc. A beautiful plan that can be used in different ways, which is so nice these days! Proves that when you have a good plan you can fit a lot of living into a 1,435 square foot space!

Just look at all the wonderful porches! It’s nice to have French doors in the family room… let the cool air in (well, as soon as we can open windows!)… One thought, it might be a good idea to screen the back porch, that way the French doors could be opened without mosquitoes getting in the house, as well as sit on the porch without being “bugged”, hee.

It’s so nice when a house plan can be versatile, and this one is. There is a lovely dining room off of the kitchen, and while many people enjoy a formal dining ensemble, some of us just don’t use it. So personally, I would put my desk, a few wing backs (ours aren’t formal, they’re slipcovered in white duck cloth), maybe a neat old table that we could use if we had people over for dinner, but otherwise would put books and a lamp on it. I would maybe even tuck one of those cool (and compact!) wood stoves made by Rais (love this model!) in the family room for the cooler months. Heat and fire add such ambiance, and they take off the winter chill! Elegant, a bit modern and useful!

This plan is available for purchase through Coastal Living’s website. It’s a winner!

Catch you back here tomorrow! ALL IMAGES VIA COASTALLIVINGHOUSEPLANS.COM

F L A S H B A C K

O N E Y E A R A G O… Featured Artist… Eric Zener!

T W O Y E A R S A G O… Live Long, Live Strong, Eat Seafood: The SLIPWAY RESTAURANT (formerly the Dip Net)!

[charlie photo] Waiting for a carriage??

On September 14, 2013September 14, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn HOME2 Comments

DSCN2397 — Fred and Charlie – Charleston, SC

Is Charlie waiting for a carriage to come and pick him up? Is he on stage? I’m thinking it’s more of the latter, although he would be too thrilled if a horse came by to visit him! This was taken on a hot humid day downtown Charleston, SC… we are all looking forward to fall/winter/spring! No complaints about the cold from me! This has been the best summer since I moved to Charleston in 1989… amazing! Windows open two days in August, and again today in mid September… that NEVER happens!

Woohoo, grateful for the small things! Have a great day… Catch you back here tomorrow!

FLASHBACK

O N E Y E A R A G O: Featured Artist… Nancy Rhodes Harper!

T W O Y E A R S A G O: Our Favorites at Trader Joe’s!

[solution]: find a gorgeous painting, but have no wall space? here’s what you do!

On September 12, 2013September 12, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn ART, HOMELeave a comment

Circa 1970 Lighted Easel by Restoration Hardware

At Restoration Hardware I believe they have a solution for everything. How many people have run across a beautiful painting, but you hear that they have no wall space… hmmm… well here is a solution! This is the Circa 1970 Lighted Easel available at Restoration Hardware! The price isn’t cheap ($895), but it affords you the ability to sneak in one more painting to your collection! This easel is height adjustable. Its design is sleek and classy. This easel is constructed of stainless steel and has cast brass fittings and a nickel finish. The built in spotlight adjusts at three points. The base is weighted for stability…

F L A S H B A C K

O N E Y E A R A G O… Featured Artist… Robert Lange!

T W O Y E A R S A G O… Giada’s Carbonara… oh! What could be better for a meatless Monday?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Image via Restoration Hardware

Don’t Labor your day away… this is the best grill EVER!

On September 2, 2013August 26, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

First of all, let me start by saying HAPPY LABOR DAY! Hope you enjoy the day off, and if you have to work, hope you don’t have to work too hard!

Years ago we invested in a good grill, a Vermont Castings grill… and its still going strong many years later. Ours has a little side burner, which we’ve only used a few times. If this grill ever poops out we’ll get a two burner model, that’s all we need. This grill has porcelain covered cast iron grates, which they say creates an even cooking temperature… I would have to agree! Ours is much like this model, but we don’t have backlit controls… the easy flame ignition is awesome as is the fact that it’s made in the good ole US of A… yep, right here in the states! Buy American and help keep the country strong! The 323 Tribute Series Grill is the one pictured above…

They have some great grilling recipes on their site… check it out! We bought ours at Home Depot years ago, but they don’t carry them anymore… check out their store locator to see if they sell them near you!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

FLASHBACK

O N E Y E A R A G O: A pretty flower and a happy day to you!

T W O Y E A R S A G O: Artist to watch… Shannon Runquist!

Image via: VermontCastings.com

[house plan] – An energy efficient home built by Brightbuilt!

On August 29, 2013December 21, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House PlansLeave a comment

This is the Brightbuilt Barn… it can be configured as a studio/office space, or as a 1 or 2 bedroom home. This plan ranges from 670-960 square feet. Small. Efficient. These homes consume 50% less energy, are easier to maintain and can be built in approximately four months. 960 square feet seems pretty small, but if the plan is efficient then it could work!

Note that there is a loft space above Bedroom 2, the bath and the kitchen (in the two bedroom plan). See the stairs situated between bedroom one and two? This loft space could be for storage or even an extra guest… who knows!

There are options available to make this home a net zero (pay no electricity) option… from the Brightbuilt website:

Energy efficiency features available

Super-insulated construction R-60 roof

R-40 walls

R-20 basement, R-10 slab
Photovoltaic solar panels

High-efficiency heat and air conditioning • Energy-efficient, triple-glazed windows
Airtight construction
Low-flow showerheads and faucets

Add to that the low VOC paint, high efficiency heat/AC, low flow fixtures… it just gets better and better.

This gives yet another option to the very well built homes that are net zero, or as close as possible. Wouldn’t that be nice?

Check out their website for the other (larger) plans!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K

O N E Y E A R A G O… Featured Artist… Joe Paquet!

T W O Y E A R S A G O… Plantar fasciitis? Any foot pain? THE FOOT STORE!

All images via Brightbuilthome.com

[featured product]: everyone needs this! makes a great gift as well!

On August 27, 2013August 27, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn FOOD, HOMELeave a comment

[featured product] is something that I really like… in this case its something that is so useful, cuts down on foil and plastic in landfills and is a treat to the eye… whatever could it be??

One of the gifts I received for my birthday from my mom and dad were a few of these Charles Viancin silicon lids. I was thrilled! They know I LOVE THIS STUFF! I’ve had my eye on silicone lids for a while, but haven’t bought any… Why am I so excited about silicone lids you wonder? NO PLASTIC WRAP (can you imagine?) or FOIL to cover bowls with! Sweet! Everyone loves dealing with plastic wrap, right? Ugh. And foil… the price keeps going up like crazy (what’s up with that??)…

As you can see these silicone lids are good for many reasons, they’re BPA free, the may you eco friendly but reducing waste, they seal tightly, I tried it on a cereal bowl (the small size, 6″), I just set it on top, and I could pick the bowl up by the center stem that sticks up…. the suction is unbelievable. To get it off, set it down, and lift it off… comes off easier than you can imagine. The lid creates an airtight/waterproof seal keeping your food fresh! You can even use it while cooking to retain steam… you can use it in the dishwasher and the microwave!

As you can see they make all sizes, even small lids for glasses, stoppers for wine bottles (how cool is that?), cutting boards, etc. All different flower patterns, and I saw on their Facebook page that they have a snowflake design coming out soon for the holidays! Check out their STORE LOCATOR to see where you can purchase them near you… if there isn’t a place, you can find them on Amazon.com!

I love smart things! Catch you back here tomorrow!

F L A S H B A C K

O N E Y E A R A G O… Featured Artist… William Berra!

T W O Y E A R S A G O… Sullivan’s Island Home Tour, Day 1!

All images via Charles Viancin

What a neat building downtown Charleston, SC!

On August 18, 2013December 21, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn HOME3 Comments

Carolina Antique Maps & Prints sure has a cool building. I love the trim color, it’s so Charleston! Walking downtown and taking photos is so much fun, there is beauty everywhere you look! Of course I can find beauty just about anywhere, but some great strong colors downtown. I’m not really into maps or prints, but I just looked through their website and I have to say, they’ve got some really interesting things!! I’ll be stopping in this place!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

My post from one year ago… A walk downtown… (Charleston Photograph)

My post from two years ago… Foods that should never cross your lips – part one…

House Plan: Low Country Beach House – Plan W44091TD by Architectural Designs

On August 15, 2013December 21, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House PlansLeave a comment

Low Country Beach House [image] — Low Country Beach House

This is a neat house plan if you had a great water view… Perfect for the Charleston area, but would be great anywhere there is water! This home is 2,621 square feet…

As you can see by the sliding door system, this plan optimizes the use of windows to capture the view. That feature coupled with the wonderful deep porches makes this quite the perfect home… and if that isn’t enough, if this plan is a bit too large for your needs, they have created another plan that is a bit smaller and it’s fabulous! Plan W44116TD: Low Country Beach House (1,581 square feet) – personally, I would go for this one!

One good thing about this plan is it offers a space for everyone to spread out and have their own quiet time. A nice feature! From Architectural Designs:

Video Tour: Fly around this house plan in a 32 second You Tube video. What a novel concept!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

My post from a year ago… Featured Artist… Jane Chapin!

My post from two years ago… Quick and easy macaroni salad, perfect for a warm summer day!

All images via ArchitecturalDesigns.com

Do you know what today is? Don’t miss it…

On August 11, 2013August 11, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Just a reminder, if you’re in the Charleston, SC area, that today is SECOND SUNDAY ON KING. If you haven’t walked on King Street while its closed to car traffic, let me tell you it’s quite the treat. Music playing, tables and chairs set up in the street where you can dine at some of the restaurants along the way… sales of all kinds. LOTS of people! It’s so much fun, truly it is! It makes you realize what a cool city we have here! Second Sunday begins at noon, when they block the street to traffic.

When you finish on King Street take a short walk to Queen and State Street… pop in the Anglin Smith Fine Art Gallery and say hello!

Click HERE to print a parking voucher, good for two free hours in a city parking garage (or email info@charlestonppt.org and they’ll send you one)!

Hope to see you there! Catch you back here tomorrow!

My post from one year ago… Port Clyde, Maine – Truly the way life should be!

My post from two years ago… Cancer Prevention Tip #12

House Plan: Nipper’s Escape by Flatfish Island Designs!

On August 8, 2013August 8, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Nipper's Escape by Flat Fish Island Designs [image] — Nipper’s Escape by Flatfish Island Designs

Fred found this house plan and I have to say, I LOVE IT! Nipper’s Escape is such an efficiently designed plan! It has it all and only 1,100 square feet! An open plan with an optional upstairs, great living space on the porches, a master suite tucked away in a secluded spot and STORAGE! I know I’ve been showcasing small cottages, I will move up to the moderate sized 2,000-2,500 square feet roughly… in the coming future. I just know when we look for a home to build one day AFTER we retire… it’s going to be small. Neither of us want a large home with more room to spread out and collect “stuff”. We’re pretty good at getting rid of excess just because we don’t have a lot of extra space to store. So a pantry, and a few closets… fabulous!

So many great features. Especially if this house were built here in Charleston, SC. Just look at these wonderful porches! We could easily be outside on our porches the majority of the year (all but summer with the mosquitoes and heat/humidity). A little powder room right inside the front door, can’t beat that for convenience! I LOVE the kitchen, lots of counter space, and open to the living/dining room… and A PANTRY! Oh, how I would love a pantry! Fabulous design, done right here near Charleston! Check out their website… full of amazing house plans!

Here’s a blip about Nipper’s Escape from the Flatfish Island Design website:

For a couple or a small family, the Nipper’s Escape house plan has a cozy, casual, outdoors feel perfect for a weekend retreat.

The Nipper’s Escape home plan features classic cottage styling, including distinctive gables with shed dormers. A private master suite on the living level features three exposures and a private patio offering spectacular views

This house plan features wrap around porches that offer a relaxed setting and lovely views. The deep-set design of the covered porches provides excellent shade for the entire ground floor living area, making the Nipper’s Escape home plan an efficient, eco-friendly green design.

Nipper’s Escape is a simple house plan that allows for easy expansion or modification. For example, you can add three beds and two baths to the second floor to create a loft space if you wish.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

All images via flatfishislanddesigns.com

House Plan Thursday: the Beach Bungalow plan…

On August 1, 2013December 12, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans7 Comments

Beach Bungalow SL-243 {image} — Beach Bungalow SL-243
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The Beach Bungalow plan from Coastal Living… this is an exclusive design for Coastal Living by Dennis Wedlick. My husband, Fred, found this plan years ago while looking through Coastal Living magazine while we were renting a cottage in Port Clyde, Maine. It’s a great small plan… I can’t tell you how small because that part of the site isn’t populated… hmmmm? Isn’t this the perfect beachside plan for a quiet weekend getaway, or for some empty nesters?!

I saw this plan and the first thing I said… cute… but I don’t like spiral stairs… Fred’s idea was to remove the spiral staircase, enclose the porch to make a sunroom and have part of the stairs there as well as the area to the left of the fireplace. Another good thought… pocket doors for the bedroom, saves on space! What would you do??

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Let me tell you about the harrowing saga…

On July 30, 2013December 12, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn HOME, THOUGHTSLeave a comment

Let me tell you about the harrowing saga that filled our weekend… I was working away… attempting to write a post. Everything was painfully slow… and then all I could see is that little colorful ‘death wheel’ as I like to call it spinning around… computer unresponsive. Thankfully, I purchased the Apple Care extended warranty (adds two years on to the regular one year warranty). So I was able to call support to get some much needed help. I’m not an Apple genius. I try to keep up, but whew, some things are beyond me, and this was one of them! I got a great support person I could understand, he was clear, we went through steps and he determined I needed to wipe the hard drive and reload Mac OS X Lion. “Uuuuhhhh”, I heard myself stutter “ooooo-kkkkkk”, but really my innards were screaming NOOOOOOO! “Do you have a backup?” he asked. “Yes” I replied, without hesitation. I mean I have an external hard drive plugged in, I assume it works? I have taken a trip through the TIME CAPSULE just to see what riding in space is like… it miraculously captures your info from each day… We wiped it clean, and reloaded Lion. After that, the computer was unresponsive. We determined that we would make an appointment and take it to the ER (Apple store)… luckily we were able to take it that night. Genius Brian ran the first diagnostic on it. “Everything looks like it should”. Oh. Great. I don’t want everything to look like it should or these problems are going to keep happening, I mean I DO want everything to be ok, but not unless it really is… He said there is one more test… he ran it… and it could not recognize the hard drive. Ok… now we have a diagnosis… that’s a relief! It was scheduled to have the hard drive replaced, and I am sooooo very thankful that it was still under warranty (I LOVE YOU APPLE CARE!)! We were able to pick it up the next morning…

It was nice to have it back in our hot little hands. The backup worked like a miracle. It costed us nothing. Dropping it off we even got a parking spot in the front of the store, WHEN does that ever happen. One more thing… next week is tax free weekend… which means it would have taken MUCH longer for the computer to be worked on, because the Apple store becomes a zoo during tax free weekend! After all, that’s when we bought it a few years ago! It was worth standing in the heat for hours to not pay tax on it!

All this blah blah blah, to say… if you’re about to purchase an Apple product… do not hesitate to buy the Apple Care extended warranty. It’s worth Every. Single. Penny. We, in Charleston, SC, are so fortunate to have the Apple store right here. First class all the way.

So glad to be back among the living… !

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Image: Apple.com