Full Disclosure - part 1

I mentioned before that in the planning process I realized my obsession with symmetry.  Looking at the front elevation in the previous post, the living room is on the left (East), the dining room on the right (West).  Then the house continues from there.  I had in mind a central core that would be the entry, stairway and kitchen/family room.  On each side would be generous hallways with rooms adjoining.  I've split the main floor plans into two drawings below.  

I wanted all the same rooms that I had before.  However, this is the house of my dreams, so I also wanted a couple rooms that I'd always longed for (coffee bar, butler's pantry).  I should add here that I diligently measured the main rooms in my previous home.  It was cozy, and I didn't want to lose that.  But I have plenty of furniture, and I figured each room could use a couple extra feet, so as not to feel quite so cozy.  

Past the living room on the East side, you come to a small bar.  I love my morning latte and enjoy making them for friends.  I wanted a small coffee bar where my back wouldn't be to my guests as I made coffee.  And of course, it would also function as a drinks bar.  Balancing that on the West side, is a butler's pantry, accessed from the dining room and the kitchen.  As you'll see, the kitchen is quite compact, with very little cupboard space.  So this pantry is larger than usual, to house all my dishes, and even a second range.

So we've come to the middle of the house.  The core, as I said, is the entry, a powder room, and a central stairway--both up and down (to a partial basement).  Facing the stairs on this level are more storage cabinets--for serving pieces, food storage, paper towels, cookbooks, etc.  The plan below is where I'll do most of my everyday living.  (I've shown the cabinet facing the stairs again, for reference.  It backs up to the kitchen wall.)

I had a very small family room before and wanted room this time for a casual dining table and a good sized television with ample seating.  And of course, a continuation of the--less defined--hallways on either side leading to symmetrical doors to the breezeway.  There's been a revision since these plans were completed; the doors flanking the fireplace in the family room have been changed to double French doors on each side.  The kitchen consists of a wall of appliances, and an island with the sink and bar stool seating.  To the East is a patio, with a table to sip those lattes while contemplating Mt. Hood, and a built-in barbecue.  Opposite that is the walled, glass-covered patio with a wood-burning fireplace.  Just inside is a second powder room.  On the East again, is a sunroom.  I added a sunroom to my last house and loved the light and how I felt surrounded by lush gardens.  It's obviously not a necessary room, but again, my folly.

I spend most of my days in my office.  I can't tell you what I do, but it sure keeps me busy!  My various ongoing projects (like photos) have a tendency to spread to other tables in other rooms.  Then someone actually wants to sit down to eat, so I have to put it all away.  And then, out of sight... until I finally get it all spread out again, only to have to clean up.  You see where I'm going with this.  Thus, a big office with plenty of counters (that can stay cluttered), files and storage.  And in a stroke of inspiration, I put a dog door in the storage closet in the office, so Sadie can be close to me and also get her fix of fresh air without me.

Then my beloved breezeway--probably my favorite feature of the house.  The pattern in the floor is brick divided by wood.  I look forward to spring and fall, having the doors at each end wide open, with a breeze and a dog (or two!) running through.

That completes the main floor.  The garage is in the process of being moved on paper.  So more on that later.