Billie's Folly

EAST This side of the house will be viewed as cars enter the property from the (flagpole) driveway.  T he house looks quite long since the garage move.  All windows on this side should have beautiful views of Mt. Hood.  WEST Rooms on this side look into fir trees.  From upstairs there may also be views of my neighbors' pastures.  I'm always a little startled at how tall the house looks.  I'll need some mature landscaping to soften the affect.

I'm very pleased with the final exterior elevations.  There's been quite a few cosmetic, economic and practical changes to the plans in the last few months.  For example, along the way, I added some features (dormers, a Juliet balcony) thinking they added charm.  But they also added a more embellished and stylized look--which I don't want.  They've been removed, and I'm much happier with the simple old-world aesthetic of plain exterior stone walls. NORTH                                                                                                                                          There will be a circular drive, wi...

As I mentioned, it was wisely suggested that I consider moving the garage--that had been on the south end of the house since conception.  As we worked on the plans from California, my whole focus was on the eastern view of Mt. Hood.  But one sunny day Skip (builder) and Ralph (local architect) had me look at the southern territorial view I'd be missing with the plans as drawn.  They were absolutely right.  Had they not brought this to my attention, I would have lost out on the afternoon sun, and the use and view of the majority of my property.  What a waste that would have been!  They're good people to have looking out for you. Here's the garage--now perpendicular to the house. I'm pretty sure Skip and Ralph expected me to eliminate the breezeway (which also encloses the south end of the house) to take full advantage from the family room of the large new courtyard.  But, I'm just not willing to sacrifice my breezeway.  I pondered and shuffl...