Pre-Designed Plan, The Kingsbridge

The first house built from our "Kingsbridge" plans has hit the market, and that gives us a chance to take a peek inside.

The house has an open living area and a sumptuous master suite on the main floor, and three bedrooms and an activity room on the second, all combined in just under 4,000 square feet.

The front of the house showcases arched windows and a mix of painted brick and stone.

The two story foyer has an elegantly curved stair.

A view of the open great room and dining area.

The spacious kitchen with gourmet island.

The octagonal vestibule leads into the master suite and directs traffic to dual walk in closets, the master bath, and the master bedroom.

Another view of the master vestibule.

The Master bath is spacious and bright.

For more information on the Kingsbridge, email us at southgateresidential@gmail.com

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New Pre-Designed Plan: The Foxchase

This 7,000 square foot manor house began as a quick design study for a couple who wanted very different "looks" for a new house. One wanted a graceful Georgian--symmetrical and stately. The other wanted a Charleston single house. So what better way to accommodate their wishes than to give them both? Designed for a corner lot, a graceful formal facade faces one street, while an inviting Charleston piazza faces the other.

The formal facade of the house features copper collector heads, and cast stone accents at the watertable, window surrounds, and entrance portico.

The facade facing the other street is pure Charleston style. A leaded glass entrance opens to a double piazza that overlooks the courtyard.

 The floor plan of the house is designed for entertaining on a large scale. The two entrances of the house converge in the center of the plan where a reception sized foyer and light filled round stair hall present a grand sense of arrival. Graciously scaled rooms round out the plan--a paneled library, banquet sized dining room, and beautiful living room occupy the front of the house, while more casual living areas, and the chef's kitchen fill another wing that wraps around the courtyard.

A vaulted family room has one of two fireplaces on this level. A sweeping staircase set into a half round wall of glass makes a memorable statement. Other features include built-ins, thick arches, and a flowing floor plan perfect for entertaining

Upstairs, three bedroom suites occupy the front portion of the house. A large master suite includes another fireplace, oversized bath, large dressing room, and a convenient coffee bar. This room accesses the second floor piazza and enjoys a view of the courtyard. Two other large bedrooms also include private baths and walk-in closets. Walk-up attic space on the third floor is accessed by another staircase off the hallway. Over the garage, a flexible suite of rooms features over 1,100 square feet of space. Perfect for media, games, and craft space, or as a self-contained apartment for staff, in-laws, or long term guests, the space is accessed via the back staircase near the family room.

The primary bedroom suites all feature walk-in showers, ample closet space, and generous proportions. The suite over the four car garage offers flexibility for various life stages.

If you're interested in more information on the Foxchase, please email us at southgateresidential@gmail.com, and be sure to like our Facebook page to see more of our designs.

On The Boards: The Altamont

Here's a new design we're working on: The Altamont. Designed for a lot with a view and a relatively shallow building footprint, it's a plan that is great for entertaining.

The exterior showcases fantastic details and a high mountain style. Stone, timber work, and a flared foundation tie the house to the natural surroundings. 

A wide open floor plan with tons of glass at the rear blurs the line between inside and out. Grandly scaled great room and kitchen are complimented by more intimately scaled nooks and spaces. A large screened porch increases the living area. 

The second floor includes three bedroom suites, all featuring walls of glass looking over the view. The two smaller rooms are on the left...each with a private bath and walk in closet. The left side of the house is home to an enormous master suite with sitting room, spa-like master bath, and double walk-in closets. The laundry room is conveniently located upstairs also.

If you're interested in learning more about the Altamont, please email us at southgateresidential@gmail.com.

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Small Space, Large Style

If you spend much time on Pinterest, or reading shelter magazines or blogs, you know that small space living is a big thing now. It's partially a reaction to the housing and economic downturn that we've been climbing out of, and it's partially driven by people who have had the big house, and are tired of cleaning it, maintaining it, and paying to keep the lights on in it. In my own work, more and more clients are coming to me wanting to downsize. They all want quality over quantity. They want beautiful cabinetry, high end finishes, but they don't want a bunch of rooms they'll never use or echoing great rooms that require a riding vacuum cleaner.

So, I've collected a number of pictures over the past year or so that highlight some great small spaces. They remind me of the kind of spaces you might find in a New York apartment (where even a mulit-million dollar budget means small space living), or aboard a beautifully crafted yacht. Then I took a handful of my favorite inspiration pins and brought them together into one beautifully crafted floor plan that is under 900 square feet.

First the inspiration photos:

This is a detail that I love in any size house...the bed set into a beautifully panelled niche.

Dresser as footboard! Genius! And makes the bed a cozy little cocoon.

Gorgeous but tiny kitchen.

Living room with generous built ins is small but very comfortable.

Who needs a huge guest room that only gets used a time or two each year? Here, a bed is built into an alcove. Great for guests, and a wonderful little reading nook the rest of the time!

 

So I decided to combine all of these inspiration shots into one house...and here is the result:

 

Here's the result. Hard to believe but its less than 900 square feet! In addition to the inspiration spaces, this little gem has a rotunda entrance, a skylit gallery leading to the sleeping spaces, two full baths, and a laundry area.

 

What do you think? Could you live here?

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New Pre-Designed Plan: The Landfall

Here's a new plan we have in the works, the Landfall. With a rather formal, traditional facade, this house would blend perfectly into an older, established neighborhood.

The floor plan is up-to date and memorable. The front of the house is anchored by formal rooms that flank a foyer with a beautifully sweeping set of stairs. At the rear, a wide-open play of spaces includes a gourmet kitchen, huge great room, and an octagonal morning room which opens to a screened porch with fireplace and vaulted ceiling.

A three car garage provides storage for cars and more. And the workaholic in the family will love the library with adjoining office. The powder room features a shower, and a murphy bed in the library provides a spot for guests.

Upstairs, three bedroom suites round out the floor plan. Two smaller suites on the right side of the house each enjoy a full bath and walk-in closet, while the left side is home to the jaw dropping master suite.

An octagonal vestibule welcomes you into the master suite. Built-in niches display art, and a tray ceiling adds drama. The enormous bedroom with adjoining sitting room, features a romantic fireplace. Two enormous walk in closets, a morning kitchen, and a dramatic bathroom with free standing tub, glass walk in shower, and barrel vaulted ceiling complete the master suite. Imagine waking up every morning feeling like you've just spent a night in a fine hotel!

The Landfall encompasses right at 5,000 square feet. If you're interested in learning more, please feel free to contact us.

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Skyridge

Here's a very unusual addition to our Pre-Designed portfolio. And an interesting story behind how it was created. Forgive me as I wander a bit...

I often take a route home that sends me over a mountain...its a fun road for driving and, as the highest point in town, gives some great views in a few different directions. There is one spot along that road That offers an absolutely breathtaking vista of the skyline of the city, and long range views to the mountain range beyond. I've always thought "That would be an amazing place to put a house." Only problem, it appeared to be a cliff face. From the road at least, there didn't seem to be a way to access the property short of doing an elevated "bridge" (as had been done on a few residences along that road.) The other bridges scream maintenance headache to me, so I didn't see that as a real option. So when I noticed a "for sale" sign on the promontory, I looked into it.

Turns out, the property was slightly wider than I imagined, and behind the overgrowth along the road there was  a roughed-in semi-circular driveway that had TWO access points off the main road. The price was high, but not totally out of the question. I was smitten. And decided I would design a house for that lot to explore whether it might be our new home.

Despite the surprise driveway, just off the edge of the it the property was a cliff. Seriously, the lot drops over 200 feet from the front property line to the back. So I needed a small footprint and knew I'd have to go vertical with the house. And here is the result:

The garage, with sky lounge above, sits toward the front of the property, and keeps the house from looking too much like a firetower.

From the back, the house shows it's height. Four stories, clad in stone and composite siding, it's a decidedly contemporary house. On one level, off the kitchen and dining area, is a wrap around porch, supported from below by huge sweeping brackets.

From the side, the house reveals itself even more. The "tower" element is at the rear, with a sweeping roof that reached out to the view. The garage wing, set far forward of the main house, has additional living space above it, accessed by a light filled "bridge" that serves as a library.

At the top of the house, offering the most spectacular view, is the penthouse level. A large great room is wrapped in glass and features a stone fireplace and an arched vaulted ceiling. Bathed in light by day, and the twinkle of the city by night, this room is a showstopper. The fireplace also opens to an elevated bridge space...with built in bookcases below the windows, it would be the perfect place to display a collection of books. It leads to the sky lounge over the garage, another large gathering space that looks out over the courtyard and past the main "tower" to the view beyond. A cantilevered corner balcony gives a one of a kind vista, and a full bath not only takes care of that floor for entertaining, but allows the sky lounge to double as overflow guest sleeping.

This is the level the house is entered on. The garage is semi-attached and forms a courtyard with a spa that sits out over the edge of the view. The house is all about the view. Floor to ceiling glass wherever possible makes the most of the stunning views the property offers. The foyer is accented by stone wrapped columns, and the island kitchen has a vaulted ceiling and joins an open dining and sitting area. These spaces open to a covered porch and would certainly be the heart of the house.

One level down from the kitchen is the master suite. Again, the view is the focus. Even the shower looks out over the mountains and city, with glass walls to the view and also inward to the bedroom itself--making light move through this floor no matter the time of day.

The very lowest level is home to the guest quarters. Two nicely sized bedrooms share access to a patio and a hall bath. A large laundry room is also off the hallway.

Unfortunately, for me anyway, the cost to build Skyridge is out of my budget right now. So we are offering it as a pre-designed plan. Please contact us at southgateresidential@gmail.com if you'd like more information.

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New Pre-Designed Plan: The Meadow Rose

Our latest pre-designed plan, The Meadow Rose, features a common layout and uncommon details. It may seem familiar...indeed, the basic arrangement of rooms is classic, and the exterior is an expanded "five over four and a door" look that is as American as apple pie. But what sets this plan apart are the details. A cast stone band delineates between the stories, a graceful eyebrow dormer accents the roof, and a beautifully detailed front porch and classical front door highlight the front of the house.

The rear elevation shows even more a departure from the norm. Walls of glass flood the interior with light and patios, terraces, and a screened porch expand the living space into the outdoors. Again, the details make the difference. Insets of herringbone brick dress up the chimneys, and brick piers bring solidity to the terraces.

The main floor has a traditional layout...formal living and dining rooms flank the foyer. A gracefully sweeping staircase climbs from the foyer and joins a back stair at the landing. At the rear of the house, the floor plan opens up, a two story great room, large chef's kitchen, and vaulted morning room combine to form a generous space for entertaining. A huge walk-in pantry, mudroom with built-ins and closet provide a place for stowing all the essentials, and a main floor suite is privately located--making it perfect for guests, as an in-law suite, or even a private spot for live-in help. An oversized two-car garage has room for not only the family autos, but one corner can serve as a shop or potting area. At the opposite side of the main floor, a large sunroom expands the entertaining area and a book-lined library is a great spot for taking in the latest best-seller or working from  home. Throughout, intricate trimwork, built-ins, and special ceiling details set the house apart.

Upstairs, three more bedroom suites round out the sleeping quarters. Each bedroom has a private bathroom, one so grand it can serve as a second master suite. The true master suite rivals the finest hotel rooms. A corner fireplace, tray ceiling, and double door entry highlight the sweeping space. A morning kitchen is conveniently located--perfect for late night snacks, or a cup of coffee to get the owner's day started. The closet space is absolutely enviable. The smallest of the two walk ins features as much space as most couples need, and a room-sized second closet will satisfy the most discerning clothes horse. With walls of shelving, a center island, and convenient access to the laundry room, it's a dressing room that will have people talking for years. And the bath is no less memorable, with its barrel vaulted ceiling, glass walk-in shower, and sunken tub separated from the vanities by a pair of columns. The hallway overlooks both the foyer and great room, giving the whole house a bright and open feeling.

On the lowest level, the Meadow Rose provides more space for entertaining, with a large media room, fully outfitted wet bar, and a wine cellar. Another garage is perfect for storing the four wheeled "baby" in the family. Several thousand square feet of unfinished space provides room for storage, mechanical systems, and whatever rooms the lucky family who calls the house home may need in the future.

Including the finished portion of the lower level, The Meadow Rose is just over 6,000 square feet of bright, comfortable, beautifully detailed space. It's an heirloom house that's sure to be cherished for generations.

If you're interested in The Meadow Rose, or any of our other pre-designed plans, please contact us at southgateresidential@gmail.com.

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New Plan: The Kirkwood

Here's the latest plan we are adding to our pre-designed portfolio: The Kirkwood. It's a 1690 square foot  cottage that has the features and feel of a much larger house.

The exterior is a mix of shake siding, metal roofing, and natural stone veneers. Accents of heavy timber and paneled shutters complete the look.

Inside, hallways have been kept to a minimum to make the most of the square footage. The core of the house is a wide open space with vaulted great room and dining space, and a kitchen with angled peninsula. A tall fireplace anchors the room, and a wall of glass overlooks a large screened in porch. The sleeping quarters are split...with two large family bedrooms sharing a large bathroom at the front, and a luxurious master suite at the rear. With a tray ceiling, corner tub, and a large walk-in closet, it's the sort of suite you might expect in a house twice this size.

As always, we would love to hear your feedback! And remember to join us on Facebook!

The Fairview

The Fairview is a new pre-designed plan in the Southgate collection. It actually began several years ago as a "napkin sketch" study for an infill lot on one of the finest streets of old homes in the upstate. The exterior is brick, with cast stone watertables at the base and to delineate between levels. Detailing is restrained, but handsome. The house is perfect for the sort of neighborhood it was originally conceived for, but would also be right at home in a newer subdivision.

 Cast stone details are used sparingly, giving the house a timeless quality that doesn't rely on faddish architectural gimmicks. Gables can be either cast stone panels or stucco scored to look like limestone. 

The main floor encompasses just over 2100 square feet and features both formal and informal living and dining spaces along with a comfortable study and a spacious kitchen. Large arches open the floor plan, allowing light to cross throughout and insuring perfect flow for entertaining.

The second floor offers 1800 square feet of private space. Three family bedrooms are located at the front of the house, two have private baths and walk-in closets, while the third accesses a hall bath. The master suite, at the rear of the house, overlooks the courtyard below, and features a stunning bathroom with groin vaulted ceiling and to-die-for walk in closet.

As always, we would love to hear your feedback!

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The Woods Lake--A New Cottage Plan

The latest design in our collection of small homes and cottages is The Woods Lake, which offers fine details and cottage charm in 1,000 square feet of living space.

A variety of materials, heavy timber bracket work, and a rooftop cupola lend charm to the exterior of The Woods Lake.

The floor plan features a host of "just-right" sized rooms, including a beamed ceiling great room, dining space encased in built ins, and a master bedroom with coffered tray ceiling. A convenient office nook and tons of carefully planned storage make the most of the small square footage. The oversized one car garage allows for even more storage and space for hobbies.

For more information or to purchase the Woods Lake plans, please CONTACT US

Poolhouse Plans

I was recently hired to design a poolhouse structure as part of a family's backyard makeover, and posted some serious poolhouse eye-candy here on the blog a while back. Since then, I've noticed a lot of search engine traffic for people searching for poolhouse ideas and plans.

If you've got a pool, you already know why a poolhouse is a great idea. Providing swimmers with a bath and kitchenette outside means less wet feet trampling through the main house. I've seen some poolhouses that were little more than sheds for housing pool toys and chemicals, and some that were big enough for a family of six to live in full-time. This design lies somewhere in between.

The exterior is a combination of brick, stone and timber. The central open-air living space is framed with gorgeous timber truss work. An outdoor fireplace features an inlay of herringbone brick, and the entire structure is skirted with a stone foundation.

The plan shows a large central outdoor living space. A cathedral ceiling framed with timber makes this a dramatic addition to your home and provides shade for when the sun gets too hot. To one side, a small, fully equipped kitchen means poolside snacks are just a step away from the action. And a large bath and changing room is conveniently located. With built-ins for storage and a walk-in shower for cleaning up after a swim, this bath is a perfect pit stop for pool parties.

Interested in the plans for this poolhouse? Then please contact us at southgateresidential@gmail.com

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The McAllister--a New Pre-Designed Plan

For all you movie buffs out there, the newest plan in our portfolio of pre-designed houses might look familiar.
When the real house from the movie "Home Alone" hit the market recently, the internet and blogs were abuzz with photos and information on the house in Winnetka, Illinois. It seems the classicly styled house had captured the hearts of many. And, it's easy to see why. The curb appeal is just amazing!

The real "Home Alone" house.

The interior, as recent listing information revealed, was very nice as well, but had a somewhat convoluted floor plan and was predictably lacking in closet and bathroom space demanded by modern families. (The original house was built in 1920, afterall.)

So we have created the modern version of the house, keeping the curb appeal that makes it so timeless, and incorporating a floor plan that's more satisfying to the way we live now:

The Front of our "McAllister"

The Main Floor of our McAllister Plan. Incorporates formal living and dining rooms, but the wonderful open floor plan, with circular traffic flow, is an entertainer's dream! the gourmet kitchen opens to the principal living areas, and the inclusion of an attached garage is a welcome convenience.

Upstairs, four bedrooms provide plenty of room for family and guests. All of the bedrooms are generously sized. One of the secondary bedrooms has a private bath, while the other two share a generous hall bath. The master suite is pure luxury. An arched and paneled bed alcove, a sun-filled sitting room, and dual walk-in closets join a spa-like bathroom for a true owner's retreat.

At just under 4,000 square feet, the McAllister is a reasonably sized house, and it's simple form and graceful hipped roof make it economical to build. (Additional space could be captured in the attic if desired.) If you've always dreamed of having the "Home Alone" house for your own, now you can! Please contact us at southgateresidential@gmail.com for information on ordering these plans.

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Echos of Another Era

I designed this house to blend seemlessly into an established neighborhood. The exterior--a mix of stone, brick, and half timbers, speaks to the sort of homes that were built in the 1930's and 1940's. There is a definite sense of arrival here, with the charming half round front door accented by rusticated stonework. Cast stone door and window surrounds, brick banding at the foundation, and copper guttering and conductor heads are some of the exterior details.

Inside, a traditionally arranged floor plan is mixed with elements and spaces that keep this house current. Formal living and dining rooms flank a foyer with a gently curved stair. The family living spaces are at the rear of the house, a large kitchen with a large island for gathering and food prep, and a comfortable hearth room that is overlooked by a built-in breakfast banquette. A mudroom with generous built-ins provides a spot for dropping off bags, shoes, and coats. And a large walk-in pantry could also be called on to serve as a family computer room. The main floor is rounded out by a handsome library (a built-in murphy bed allows it to serve double-duty as a guest room) and a brick-walled sunroom. Many of the first floor rooms open to the terraces.

Upstairs, a book lined loft is the perfect spot for bedtime stories or a lazy afternoon spent catching up on the latest bestseller. The master suite, with a luxurious spa bathroom and room-sized walk-in closet, is to the left, while two family bedrooms share another bath with walk-in shower on the right. The laundry room is positioned ideally to make clothes-cleaning chores as efficient as possible.

While the house has a small cottage feel from the street, it's actually right at 3500 square feet. And the space over the detached garage could be finished off for even more space. If you're interested in this plan, please contact us!