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RULES OF THUMB
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Minimum stair width 3’-6", wider if possible. |
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Minimum hall width 3’-6". |
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Maintain a basic work triangle in the kitchen between sink, cooktop,
and refrigerator with a maximum of a couple of "strides" between each. |
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22’ deep garages are a minimum. Increase if you wish additional
storage space. |
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A 3’-6" wide by 8’-0" front door. A nice touch
with practicality, big furniture can be more easily moved through it. |
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Master bedroom: minimum of a 12’ bed-wall, 6’-7’
dresser wall and a 5’-6’ highboy wall. |
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Master bedroom closet: once you think it’s big enough, make it
bigger. |
STANDARD ITEMS
every house should have…
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Covered entries – provide shelter at the front door. |
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Minimum of a 5’ entry closet. |
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A front foyer with "greeting space". Large enough for
several people and a piece of furniture. |
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Incorporate entertainment centers in the family room and master
sitting areas. Make sure they can accommodate a large screen television in the family
room plus
speakers for surround sound. |
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Kitchen pantry – not a closet or a cabinet but a walk-in
storage area. Open shelves for food storage, hooks for brooms and drawers for misc.
kitchen storage. |
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Kitchen layouts allowing for two cooks to work at once. Add a
vegetable sink on the island. Centralized the cooktop location. An island is a must.
"Eat at counter," as well. |
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Clothes chute. |
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A hanging rod between upper cabinets in the laundry. |
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In a house over 3,500 sq. ft., a back stair. Nothing dramatic, just
functional – connecting the informal areas of the home to the upper floor. |
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A study with built-ins: to accommodate a computer, printer, fax, etc.
A dedicated electrical circuit for the computer. Two telephone lines. |
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A minimum of 9’-0" main floor ceilings with 8’-0"
window heights. |
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Ceiling details in every room. |
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Additional garage storage and workshop. |
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A master bedroom sitting area or retreat. |
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Minor bedroom walk-in closets. |
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42" upper cabinets in kitchen. |
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Well arranged "informal triangle" nook/kitchen, family room
and exterior space (deck or patio). |
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Private baths for each minor bedroom. |
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Intercom system. |
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Security system. |
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Exercise alcove in master bath. |
CUSTOM FEATURES
special touches…
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A butler’s pantry for serving between the kitchen and dining
room. Incorporate a warming drawer, wine racks and small sink. |
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Hot and cold hose bibs in the garage. |
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A walk-in shower complete with bench and double shower head
with shampoo bottle recesses. |
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Saferoom- a hidden room or walk-in closet for concealment of
valuables, collectibles or the like. Concealed door or hinged bookcase opening. Fireproof. |
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A collector car garage bay. A place to put that special sports car or
classy convertible. |
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Home theater. Almost a must, rear projected screen, surround sound,
and with terraced seating. A refreshment bar is an added bonus. Never go to the theater
again. |
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Dual dishwashers. |
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Recirculating water pump on the hot water system. |
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Walk-in closet in the master with specialty shelving for sweater and
shoes. Built-ins for jewelry. A place to sit, luggage storage; a packing table for
suitcases; a full length dressing mirror. Stacked washer and dryer. Pull down ironing
board for touch ups. A cedar closet. |
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Serve-from-behind wet bar. |
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A walk-in linen closet/storage. |
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Radiant floor heating. |
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Smart house technology. |
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Barbecue centers. |
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Mother-in-law/nanny’s suite. |
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Children’s computer areas. |
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Master bedroom morning bar and exercise area. Provide microwave and
under counter refrigerator for juice, etc. |
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Door switches. When the door opens to a pantry or wardrobe closet the
light comes on automatically. |
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A bedside sensor light in the master suite indicating garage door
left open, etc. |
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Master bedroom television. |
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