Designing your own home is one way to get what you want.  That is exactly what we did.  Inexpensive software programs are available that enable average people with a bit of design and computer skill to design homes.  Realistically, what this means is the designs created by these programs can be an excellent way of communicating your specific requirements (right down to the inch) to home design professionals that can create real blueprints for the contractor.  More importantly, through the process of design, my wife and I were able to work through a variety of wants and ideas and eventually land on a plan that gave us everything we wanted.  Some aspects of our design were found in stock plans but other aspects were uniquely ours.

Highlands Plan...  Our New Home

Using 3D Home Architect Deluxe software from Broderbund, my wife and I designed the home we currently live in.  We love it!  We went through about 18 versions before we said "thats it, lets do it".  The plan, called the Highlands, is a 2250 sq. ft. two story with a large two story open foyer and staircase, open great room-kitchen-dining room concept, a side utility area with bathroom, laundry room and side exterior door, and a varanda that is big enough to actually use.  The garage is triple wide and has a garage door on the back of the third stall to enable vehicles to drive through and into a double garage size shop in the back yard. Click on the thumbnail for a larger picture. Download the floor plans if you wish (3D Home Architect files).

Victorian Plan...  Perhaps Our Next Home

I enjoyed designing the first home so much that I proceeded with another.  We don't plan on moving but when we do it might be to an acreage.   So a completely different design would be needed.  I was happy with the software I had, but after some research decided to try a new product, the Home Design Architectural Series 18 software from Punch Software.

Using the Punch software, my wife and I designed a 2500 sq. ft. two story Victorian style home with a turret and wrap around veranda.  The triple garage faces the side to allow the driveway to go past it to the shop in the rear. Click on the thumbnail for a larger picture. Download the floor plans if you wish (Punch Home Design file).