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Here I share the projects that I am currently working on, or that have been newly released to the wild...or for permit, but saying I released them to the wild is much more fun.

All Access Mudroom

I know they say that the kitchen is the heart of the home, but I’d argue that the mudroom is a close runner-up. It can be such a multi-use space and there’s always a flurry of bodies throwing shoes, coats, backpacks, and random craft projects made at school into the cubbies and onto the bench.

This mudroom takes it one step further and adds a door out to the backyard, which allows the mess of dirty shoes to stay out of the main spaces and keeps the house cleaner. Plus, that’s where the coats and shoes hang out anyway, why not make them easy access on the way out rather than having to fetch them to use a door somewhere else?

Split Garage

If your property is able to accommodate a split garage, give it some consideration.

What I mean by ‘split garage’ is that your home technically has two garages. One is typically a two-car garage for your everyday parking, and the second is typically a single-car garage which can house the project car, or be the workshop, or for your golf cart or yard tools.

There are so many uses for a secondary garage that helps keep your main garage clear of clutter!

Check out this example:

Colour Changes Everything

The fun thing about developing a front elevation for your home is that colour choices can make all the difference.

These two homes are the exact same, but give off a different feel based on the materials and colours chosen:

One is more traditional, while one gives off that farmhouse feel. Cool, isn’t it?

Floor Plan Zones

Every home has zones that cluster similar uses:

Private zone

This is where the bedrooms are, a quiet space to get away.

Public zone

This is where any guests would access, such as your great room, dining room, kitchen, and entry.

Service Zone

This is a zone that encompasses service spaces that only the occupants of the house would access. This would include pantries, mudrooms, and laundry rooms.

The house shown below uses a back service hallway to access a washroom for anyone enjoying the outdoors. The benefit of this is that the flooring will likely be of a material that could take some water, say, for kids running in from the pool, plus any wet bathing suits could be easily dropped off in the laundry room for drying.

The extra benefit of a layout like this is that while you are cooking in the kitchen, you can also be running a load of laundry without having to truck up and down stairs. It’s a multi-tasker’s dream!

Sleek Two-Storey

Looking for a contemporary home with a three car garage? Look no further!

Wait – does this sound like an infomercial? Because I’m hearing an infomercial voice in my head when I read that sentence.

I digress…

Check out the contemporary influence on this two-storey home:

Low slope roof, mix of materials in a block-type distribution, contemporary style windows. All are factors that go into making a contemporary-style home look fantastic.

Feel free to use this as inspiration for your home build!

Homes in the Wild

Even after all these years, it’s still so exciting to me to see my house plan designs come to life. When you pour your heart and soul into a plan, it’s almost like birthing a baby – something I have no idea about, but I assume it’s similar 😉

Sometimes the colour choices are a surprise to me when I do a drive-by (I will typically envision a particular colour scheme while working on an exterior), but sometimes I’m there along the whole process with a colour rendering to nail down the exterior choices.

You can see that renderings are never exact, but usually very close to what the final product becomes!

Extra proud that this ‘house in the wild’ grew up to be the Fall of 2021 London Dream Home Lottery home!

Getting Ready in the Morning

When you’re getting ready for the day, having your closet next to your bathroom is amazing. You can have a shower and walk right into your closet to pick out what you’re wearing for the day.

There are three ways you can do this:

  • walk through your closet to get to your bathroom
  • walk through your bathroom to get to your closet
  • have a landing area that accesses both but doesn’t require you to go through another room

I’m not sure if my bias is showing, but my preference is the third option. I don’t want to have to wait if someone is using the washroom just to grab a sweater, I’m cold now!

Here is an example of how the common ‘landing’ can be used. You could even put a door on the opening to the landing so you don’t disturb your spouse if they’re still sleeping. Win-win!

Trim is the Cherry on Top

Trim adds so much character and pizazz to a home.

Add thick bands around windows, under your soffit, and on exterior corners to add that little somethin’-somethin’ to your home’s curb appeal.

Easy Access Laundry

The connection between a laundry room and a closet is quickly becoming a popular choice.

It just makes sense, right? That’s where the clothes are.

Having that connection allows you to have your hampers either in your closet or in your laundry room. Then when your laundry is finished and folded, it is easily put away in the adjoining closet. Or, if we’re being honest, the laundry room just becomes an extension of your closet so when you don’t put away the clean clothes immediately, they are still easily accessible.

I don’t know about you, but I’m all for making everyday life’s chores easier!

Material Blocking

One of the characteristics of contemporary design is material blocking. Just like colour blocking, material blocking takes masses of the building and makes them one material and colour.

Take this house for example:

Everywhere there is horizontal siding would be one colour, everywhere there is stone would be another, and the stucco would be a third colour. It all adds up to in interesting facade while being cohesive.

It’s almost like building with lego all over again!

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