finishing touches

There should be a back stairway close to the kitchen that has a huge tube slide leading from the upstairs bedrooms to the downstairs (kitchen) so the kids can slide down for breakfast.  I like the spiral slide on the left - no tube required!

Near the garage should be a boot room with lockers for the kids to put their coats and stuff.  (Doors, a bench, hooks, and a place for shoes.)
A drinking fountain near the boot room is also a good idea.

the bedrooms

One thing I took from the Perot house in California was the idea of having a room for each child - even after they had left home to have families of their own.  To be self-sufficient, each room had a fireplace (a working wood one since they lived in a forest and could heat each room if need be.)  Each room also had a bathroom attached and a queen sized bed.  There was plenty of space for kids to lay down sleeping bags, etc. as each room was the size of a master bedroom suite.
Not saying we could afford all that, but the idea has merit.

the apartment

Whether planning for rental income, kids coming home, or staff to take care of you when you are old, a separate apartment is a good idea.  The Perot's house in California had a nice setup where their living was all on the main floor (7 bedrooms and all!) At the end of the hallway was a door that led to a flight of stairs.  The only thing on this second floor was a 2 bedroom apartment complete with full bath, kitchen, dining room and living room.  This is where their hired help would live so they didn't have to go to a rest home when they got old and couldn't do stairs. 
I remember how the doors were all solid wood and had beautiful door lever hardware. 

fireplaces

I love carved wood! (and the contrasting colored wall sets it off nicely.)
A fireplace is the focal point of any room.  I want it warm and inviting.  (I love the view and how this room draws you in and invites you to sit down for a spell.)  But I'd choose a different mantel and furniture.  I just like the wall - but it would be hard to hang pictures!  This would be great for a family room on a lower level.

I want the fireplace to feel sturdy and not like a last-minute addition!

I like how this traditional stone fireplace has a large mantel to incorporate it into the design - plus it is carved and curved (plus, plus)

master bedroom

how about a romantic fireplace that serves both the bathtub and the bedroom...

music room

formal dining room

I already have the table, chairs, and china cabinet.  Now I just need a nice room to put them in!

the kitchen

I remember the Perrot kitchen in California.  It was the size of two large kitchens with double sink areas, double dishwashers, an island long enough to be a serving bar, a wall of stoves and oven burners (think commercial kitchen) and cupboards that went to the ceiling.  The fridge and freezer were stand along (subzero), but David remembers the Butler's pantry best - a separate room for meal preparation - microwave, sink, counter tops, etc that let you prep a meal and then close the door so no one could see the mess!  
Every kitchen should have a hidden walk-in pantry, a center island and breakfast bar, etc.
I am a cross between country and romantic.  Here is a romantic traditional:


 I like the warmth of wood.
Romantic Victorian design (below).  Not that I would use all those different wood colors, but I love carvings and details.

paneled doors:

having a dining area off the kitchen is a plus - if it were a bay window, even better!

Use slide-out drawers in the home for spices and pantry items

Add a small cabinet to extra space in the kitchen for cleaning supply storage.

Install your outlets underneath your cabinets so you don't ruin your backsplash.

Use kitchen drawers as cutting boards you can hide.

kids play room

We need a whole room just for kids and their toys.  There should be a storage place for toys (like under the eaves of the attic/garage).  There needs to be a bathroom just off the toy room.  There should be a quiet section for books with bean bag chairs and plenty of pillows.  A table for drawing, writing and playing board games.  Lots of empty floor space for building legos and dancing.  A stage with theater lighting and curtains, dress-up clothes in a wardrobe nearby.  Sound system for music (and an intercom for mom to call the kids down to dinner!)  A built-in castle with slide or something like that for imaginary play would be fun.  A small kitchenette for snacks and a water fountain for quick drinks.
 I like the bright colors and lots of pillows plus large playing area.

castle with a slide:



This one is more for girls...

We have the bed - just need a horse!

I like themed rooms.


 What a fun way to divide the room into different uses!
This could be a fun store!


This one is of water and boats.  I have thought about a jungle with hammocks and stuffed animals.

here is a stage and kitchen area:

I like the painted house:

Marilee likes the tree with a swing:

 A dedicated kids playroom & living room to encourage more family time. (here's one in the upstairs)

Or a secret playroom with a hidden, kid sized entrance

If you can dream it, you can achieve it! The library

I have always wanted to build my own house.  And although we may never have enough money to do so in this life, I can at least plan it out for the next!
First rooms first: the library!
It needs to be a place of learning.  A place you love to be.
I picture the library from Beauty and the Beast: two story tall bookshelves with ladders that move along ridges and a balcony for upper access.  Deep wood - mahogany or cherry - makes up not only the bookshelves, but the paneling on the walls as well.
Every good library needs a hidden room behind a bookcase.  My room would be a scrapbook room where I could work on my creations and leave my supplies out without worrying about someone messing it up!
The library would house reading books, genealogy books, journals and photo albums.  It also needs a children's section - where you might find stuffed animals that relate to a book on display.  There is also fine art - such as the book worm statue - that would be in a lit recess on the wall.
You need comfortable places to read - like a window seat with lots of pillows.  I like how the Hales Center theater has a large room with couches, fireplace, etc that is circular. They are more bow windows than bay, and they alternate between windows and walls.
The library needs access to computers and printers, and such.  Probably in an adjoining room known as "the office" that can be reached through a wooden arch way or another hidden door.
The feel is old-fashioned timelessness.  (I could see a grandfather clock or mantel clock in this room, but not LED!)  Leather couches, preferably burgundy, would welcome in the occupants.
Here are some photos to help visualize:
two-story bookcases with balconies (painted ceiling not required!): - this one is found in Austria



classic wooden library ladder

secret passageway bookshelves

hale center theater round room: