[Thor]

I've been out of the loop for awhile, because my husband and I have sold our big house (3 stories with no more children in it) and are downsizing behind my business. I have gotten my house plans now, and the builder is at the stage of getting the cost estimate to dry it in for us. Then, we'll do the finish work ourselves...... Let's hope this goes well.

It occurred to me that the plans we're using are being used as a shop by lots of folks on the forum associated with the plan's website, and someone here may enjoy seeing it. The price is right for the plans too.

This is the link to the web site: http://www.countryplans.com/

I'm building the 20 X 30 1 1/2 story house. http://www.jshow.com/y2k/listings/50.html
It will look like an old farm house with porches around 2 sides and a gable roof bedroom off to one side when it's done with corbels on the roof extensions and carvings all across the front above the porch and around the windows.

Thor

[Micky]

WOW--That's a serious downsizing on your part. I checked out their website--I really like the style of the solar salt-box and the cottage you picked out is beautiful. We have spent so much time looking at home plans and modular plans I can't even think straight anymore.

Congratulations and good luck with the building.

micky

[Eddy Smiles]

Thor... I'm with Micky! That sure is some serious downsizing. I built a 24x24 cabin with loft and an 8ft wide porch across the front for a get-a-way in Tennessee. My wife and I still have the house that we raised our four kids with here in Florida. And although we love our moutain home when it's time to return to the flat lands we sure are happy to have the extra room... 600 sqft sure does get close! If we didn't have the porch we'd probably make the evening news! At least me and the dog have someplace to go when Mama goes on the warpath!

[Thor]

It does sound like a lot of downsizing doesn't it? We will still have a 5 studios in a building 12 feet by 80 feet with a ten foot porch roof all along the front, a gallery that is 85 feet by 36 feet with a huge back porch with a fire pit and almost 4 acres to hide in. Oh, I almost forgot the 36 foot by 60 feet horse barn and the 16 foot yurt too. The house is just a sleep box to relax for a few hours before we pass out from exhaustion. Small will be a welcome change.

The house that really appeals to me is in the picture, but I don't dare go that small. I think it's in the Pyrenees.
Thor

[Lightningbolt]

Hey, I think that I could be quite happy living in the quaint little house you posted... I just don't know what I'd do with all my "stuff" though. Lot's of outbuildings I suppose. I also found the website you mentioned a year or so ago and it's amazing all that's posted there- a lot of good information! They also have a good informative forum too.

A few year's ago I found the following website about a young lady named Heather who used one of the countryplans.com to build her own house, asking questions in that forum along the way. At the same time I was surprised to find that she had even linked my own website to hers. http://peaceandcarrots.homestead.com/index.html
You can scroll down to the "Heather's House" link for more details. Quite an intersting young lady... but then again, aren't we all?!

If (when) I ever build again I too will be seriously looking at the plans on this website. Thank's for sharing your new adventure in housing with us and continue to keep us posted!

[Thor]

Dave, you'll be surprised to know that I found Heather's web site off of your web pages, and then proceeded from there to the web site that I bought my plans from.
You have played your part in my universe. Weird huh?
Thor

[Lightningbolt]

Never again will I take the saying, "It is a small world" lightly, for indeed it has been proven true again!

Best wishes with all your plans!

[chuckt]

And I too have looked at the Peace and Carrots site when I was in one of my "gotta get the freak away from NYC and these killer property taxes" funks. I am still working through raising our 4 kids though - so it'll be awhile before I can downsize. I would love to get a big piece of property where we can build small houses for our kids - together but in our own spaces - should the need arise. I don't know how they'll ever afford housing. We were barely able to get into a nice home here in Cornwall NY back in 98 with help from my FIL. We were 38yo and had lived for 11 years stuck in a one bedroom co-op. Talk about tight quarters. Yikes!!

But I'd happily live in tight quarters again if it was in the country and I could have outbuildings for workshop, gallery, and guest quarters.

Good luck Thor.

ChuckT