House Hobby

I sometimes wish that I had a different hobby. Most people pick a hobby and they get to go ahead and pursue it because the cost is often reasonable. Photography, scrapbooking, firearms, woodworking... Then there's my inexplicable interest in homes - mid-century modern homes no less - the single most expensive purchase most people ever make. It's not like I can just collect homes. All I can do is read about them, draw them and plan for the perfect mid-century ranch house that I may or may not have some time in the future.

Here is a house that I drew using a consumer grade home design program. For now, I call it Courtyard House because it was designed with the kitchen and eating area as the central focus of the house with a huge glass wall overlooking a private front courtyard. Click any image for a larger view.


The front elevation. Imagine it with a gate next to the screen wall to fully enclose the courtyard.

The software I was using doesn't have a 6 foot screen wall and gate to enclose the front yard. I added a screen wall with Photoshop in the image above. Also, the landscape options are limited, so just imagine a serene patio area with a fountain.


The entry with sliding closet doors on the left and the garage and powder room doors on the right.

The kitchen is designed to feel like a stage with a u-shaped central area and a wall of pantry cabinets on the back wall with the appliances.


The kitchen overlooks a large dining room with an open view to the outdoors. Plenty of room for artwork and a sideboard on either side.


The Living Room has a lower ceiling height to delineate from the kitchen and make it feel more cozy.


Click the Floorplan for a larger view.