One of the great things about renovating a home on your own is that you are forced to take it slow. This provides more time to think through all possibilities. When Michael chose to spend some of his saved birthday money on home design software, we were able to come up with a completely new plan for the downstairs layout that more efficiently met the needs of our growing family.
Old Layout
New Layout Plan
We still intend to stay within the original footprint and classic silhouette of the farmhouse. We wish to avoid the “unsightly add-on look” as well as sky rocketing the budget. Bigger is not always better. The challenge is how to make a home designed in the 19th century fit our 21st century lifestyle without compromising character, quality, and charm.
The new plan will add a second archway and swap the bedroom and kitchen. We not only get a bigger kitchen, but we also get a master suite on the main floor. This new layout allows the girls to both be upstairs giving them their own space. That will be important as they get older.
One of the many reasons we fell in love with this 1893 farmhouse was because it had so many original details. Staying true to the “Folk Victorian farmhouse” aesthetic is very high on the priority list. Things like the original millwork, windows, and hardware may sound like trash to some, but we see them as gems. Incorperating these elements into the new spaces will give our farmhouse a seamless look.
Someday when we are all finished with the renovation I want people to wonder if everything is original. A home that is both seamlessly designed and functional is the mark of a well thought out plan. Let us know what you think of the new Layout.
If you love art, design, and the country life follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Subscribe to be part of the Bryarton Farm family.
Michael and Sara Jo,
I just love this plan! I think it is a really good use of the space and will increase the value of your home significantly. I like that you are putting a laundry room on the main floor also!
Sorry you must have gotten confused. We are opening the back porch up to its original state. The previous owners sloppily filled in the back porch to house their laundry room. We value the natural light, backyard access, and historic authenticity more than a laundry room on main. You might remember we converted a small bedroom upstairs for this purpose.
Ah, yes, I see I was very confused. 🙂 I still love the idea though. I guess this will open up another bedroom upstairs for the girls and will be more like a modern house with the master on the main floor.
Literally perfection! You guys are amazing! Loved the idea of the two closets in the Master. A+
Michael,
Have considered doing one of these floorplan things for Mom and Dad? They are thinking to put hardwoods on the original main level of their house soon. If they are going to change their floorplan, now would be the time to do so. I kinda think if they turned the existing kitchen into a laundry room, and tore down the wall between the old back bedroom and the existing dining room making mom’s side of their old bedroom into a kitchen that is open to the living room and Dad’s side of the old bedroom into a keeping room or formal dining room that the space would be more open and attractive. I have it drawn out on paper to show them, but I’m afraid it doesn’t really bring it to life the way your demonstration has done here. By the way, what software did you use? Is it pretty simple to use?
Hope things are going well for ya’ll. It was sooo good to see you both and your beautiful little girls. Cami has the most adorable little girl personality. She is so sweet and girlie. Be sure to get lots of videos of her right now! Love, Kristen
We use Home Designer Suite 2016 by Chief Architect (I eventually want to do a post about it). Overall it is fairly easy to use, but there is definitely a learning curve. Once you start to understand how it works, though, it goes much faster. Getting the measurements and placement of windows is the first essential step, so I couldn’t do the plan for them unless they measure the space exactly (including window and doorways) for me.
I agree with you that they should change their layout. They have never been happy with their layout, and adding brand new hardwoods throughout will make it so that they won’t likely ever change it. The great thing about seeing it in the software with the measurements is that you can see problems ahead of time. We altered our layout after seeing it that way.
Your idea of changing a bedroom to the kitchen was spot on. However. Where do you suggest your guests go to use the bathroom? Just curious. I wouldn’t want all my guests trapsing through my bedroom.
Well don’t for get we have another bathroom. We would ask guests to use the large family bathroom that you see in out farmhouse tour
I’m interested in that short wall next to fridge. I need to do something like that. How did you achieve that?