1299 XHouse4 finally! all the way upstairs

If you've been following along with us we've been on a slow walk up the stairs to the attic floor of the XHouse4. And here we are - we've arrived! The attic floor is one large room, with wide dormers that admit a lot of light. There is a full bathroom, and an hvac closet, and storage closets under the sloped ceilings. This space can be split into two rooms if you wish, used as bedrooms, a great home office, a playroom for the kids, or anything else you can think of. So enjoy, its does not get much better than this. Continue reading "1299 XHouse4 finally! all the way upstairs"

1201 XHouse5 top of the stairs

On our way up stairs in the XHouse5, the last stop is the finished attic level. From the middle landing to the attic we can see the big common room on this top level, as well as the second floor hall and a sliver of a view into one of the bedrooms. The big attic room can be divided if it makes sense into another bedroom, guest room, or home office. Or remain a big play room or family room for all. Continue reading "1201 XHouse5 top of the stairs"

1299 XHouse4 on the stair second floor landing

If you've been following along with the image posts of the XHouse4 you've been coming along for this walk up the stairs. Not a better way to get a feel for the house and its vertical dimension. Today we've arived at the second floor and we have a view of the bedroom areas and the hallway leading to the master bedroom at the far end. The bathrooms and laundry room are on the left, and the kids bedrooms are on the right. The stair landing also has this nice bench, flanked by some storage cabinets, or bookshelves. Next we'll continue up to the attic floor. Continue reading "1299 XHouse4 on the stair second floor landing"

1299 XHouse4 on the way upstairs

Here we go upstairs in the XHouse4. When you get to the first landing look back towards the living room kitchen dining and and the front study. The powder room is there under the stair. A bench for pulling your shoes off just to the other side. Ok, now we know where we've been, lets go on up! Continue reading "1299 XHouse4 on the way upstairs"

1299 XHouse4 but before we go upstairs..

Before we go upstairs in the XHouse4 lets just look up - Whoa! From the bottom of the stair in the entry hall you can look way up to the attic floor. Ok, cool - just wanted you to see that. Lets go upstairs now! Continue reading "1299 XHouse4 but before we go upstairs.."

1299 XHouse4 lets go upstairs

So here is the great entry foyer of the XHouse4. Like many classic American houses the entry foyer is also where you will find the staircase for the house. Since we've seen outside the house front and back and side, and the ground floors open living-dining-kitchen space, why don't we take a trip upstairs on the next series of posts for the XHouse4. Come with us! Continue reading "1299 XHouse4 lets go upstairs"

1299 XHouse4 look at that back yard, just look at it

Follow me up to the garage roof just for a moment, watch your step on the ladder, mind the basketball hoop and backboard. There, now that we're here look at the XHouse4's awesome backyard! Just look at it! Continue reading "1299 XHouse4 look at that back yard, just look at it"

1299 XHouse4 here's the whole deal with that detached garage thing

So this XHouse4 is all about the traditional neighborhood development pattern, which generally means a narrow deep lot with a freestanding garage in the rear portion of the lot. So what is with that, and why would you want that when we are all so used to having our garage glued to the house and being able to come right into the house from the garage? The gist of it is that it reflects a different  priority, the suggestion that getting around by car may not be the most important mode of travel. Oh sure, it may be necessary and unavoidable, but not the favorite by any means. And if you've ever had the pleasure of living in a small town where you could walk downtown to a small business district, well then you know what we mean. Once you've shed that garage and put it in its place your front door can once again take center stage in its role as your connection to the street and the world at large. Continue reading "1299 XHouse4 here's the whole deal with that detached garage thing"

1299 XHouse4 New Open Plan Deal

If you've been following along you know how the XHouse4 is a modern house conceived to slip effortlessly into the narrow deep lots you find in traditional neighborhoods. But here's the deal: Along with its modern look it delivers wide open plan living to your traditional neighborhood too. A discreet kitchen niche off the living and dining space keeps the kitchen nearby but not in your face. The living area is large enough for two distinct sitting areas, one focused on media, the other for conversation. The dining area can expand for holiday gatherings with room for a huge table. All this and there is still space for a mud room and home office on the ground floor. So life in a traditional neighborhood is not limited to a series of boxy rooms! Continue reading "1299 XHouse4 New Open Plan Deal"

1299 XHouse4, the best example of MoTrad

So what's the MoTrad thing I keep talking about? And what's it have to do with the XHouse4? MoTrad is a mix of Modern and Traditional, leaning towards Modern details and minimalism, and Traditional house forms and profiles. Think of a monopoly house with a peaked roof, that spares nothing for traditional detail and is all sharp lines and crisp geometry. This is the XHouse4. If you google MoTrad one of the first hits you'll come up with is a Pintrest board called Motrad, which I've assembled and I constantly add to. Here you'll see dozens of houses that fit the description, mostly european. Continue reading "1299 XHouse4, the best example of MoTrad"

1201 XHouse5 is living the good narrow lot life

You've all been places like this, house after house on narrow lots, front porches overlooking the street, modest front yards (but who wants to be cutting the grass anyway). Maybe your grandmother's house was in one of these neighborhoods, maybe its the new "Traditional" neighborhood across town. We've come full circle to realize that this kind of suburban pattern promotes great neighborhoods and the smaller lot sizes support the reality of todays development pressures and density targets. The modern house should not be blocked out these kinds of places because of a lack of designs. The XHouse5, and its slightly wider brother the XHouse4 are made to slide right into this kind of neighborhood. Heck, if we're lucky a developer near you will build a whole neighborhood of these just for you. Continue reading "1201 XHouse5 is living the good narrow lot life"

1299 XHouse4 fits great in traditional neighborhoods

The XHouse4 is a great fit for the deep and narrow lots found in old neighborhoods and new Traditional Neighborhood Developments. These are great neighborhoods, often in walkable towns and cities. But if you are a fan of modern homes, chances are you won't find one in these places. And you're even less likely to find a modern house design to fit on those narrow lots. Until now! Continue reading "1299 XHouse4 fits great in traditional neighborhoods"