Changes and Flexibility
For those who don't know, we have been on a continual home building journey. Four and a half years ago we sold our home, moved in with an older lady from our church and what was to be a 6 month building process turned into 2 1/2 years of building, AND that was only half a house. See this post and others in the category of home building for more details. It was an interesting 2 1/2 years but worth it and we have now been in our new home for almost a year and a half and love it!. There are still things that need to be done (doors painted, backsplashes put on, paint touched up) but it's home.
We had submitted plans for the second building phase that would finish the house, only to find out that they had changed codes on us and we were going to have to add sprinklers to the entire house (including the existing portion). They had changed the square footage requirement and when they count square footage, they count garages and any porches that have three walls. Well, we had all of those and it upped our square footage. We thought of building a pond or a pool to use as a resevoir with a dry hydrant (that was an acceptable option), but decided we did not want to pour our money into that since we didn't have much money anyways. Sooooo we decided to change the house plans and lower the square footage. I will say I was very sad at first. I loved our original plan and I don't do change well.
Sometimes though, change is necessary and we need to be flexible. This new plan will also be more affordable for us. It is growing on me. I've had to let go of my idea of my "dream" home and go with what is workable for us and allow that to become my dream because when it all comes down to it, is it the HOUSE that makes it a dream home or what goes on inside that structure that does. I'm thinking the latter. I think it will be fun and it puts the kitchen as the focal point of eating and entertaining.
We designed the kitchen to be open to a living area with a very large island that will also function as a main eating area. How fun will that be! Our supposed garage (which is our current living area), will remain as is and become kind of an entertainment room for movies, games, etc...someday we will build a carport or detached garage somewhere. I think the one thing I will miss the most from the old plans is the wall of windows we had thought to have in the great room. I love light and was really looking forward to this aspect. I'm sure we could have still worked that in, but we are not.
Here are some pictures of the house plans. You can click the above link to see what the old plans looked like. Quite a bit different.
Sometimes we just have to go with the flow and be flexible with change. Believe me I prayed and prayed for another way but so far it's looking like this is it! Now we just need the financial breakthrough to get it done!
With Joy UNquenchable,
We had submitted plans for the second building phase that would finish the house, only to find out that they had changed codes on us and we were going to have to add sprinklers to the entire house (including the existing portion). They had changed the square footage requirement and when they count square footage, they count garages and any porches that have three walls. Well, we had all of those and it upped our square footage. We thought of building a pond or a pool to use as a resevoir with a dry hydrant (that was an acceptable option), but decided we did not want to pour our money into that since we didn't have much money anyways. Sooooo we decided to change the house plans and lower the square footage. I will say I was very sad at first. I loved our original plan and I don't do change well.
Sometimes though, change is necessary and we need to be flexible. This new plan will also be more affordable for us. It is growing on me. I've had to let go of my idea of my "dream" home and go with what is workable for us and allow that to become my dream because when it all comes down to it, is it the HOUSE that makes it a dream home or what goes on inside that structure that does. I'm thinking the latter. I think it will be fun and it puts the kitchen as the focal point of eating and entertaining.
We designed the kitchen to be open to a living area with a very large island that will also function as a main eating area. How fun will that be! Our supposed garage (which is our current living area), will remain as is and become kind of an entertainment room for movies, games, etc...someday we will build a carport or detached garage somewhere. I think the one thing I will miss the most from the old plans is the wall of windows we had thought to have in the great room. I love light and was really looking forward to this aspect. I'm sure we could have still worked that in, but we are not.
Here are some pictures of the house plans. You can click the above link to see what the old plans looked like. Quite a bit different.
Sometimes we just have to go with the flow and be flexible with change. Believe me I prayed and prayed for another way but so far it's looking like this is it! Now we just need the financial breakthrough to get it done!
With Joy UNquenchable,
How exciting for you! House plans are always having to be changed and I know it is a pain, but won't you be trilled to have your house complete? I look forward to following the progress!
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday,
Jen