Robinson Residential Design

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CRAFTSMAN SERIES - GALLERY

FEATURE HOME STORY

DON AND BARBARA'S E-1681

Don and Barbara's dream of a craftsman styled retirement cottage came one step closer to reality with their purchase of a large sloping hillside lot in Washington. Living within the confines of a smaller lot in Huntington Beach California, this view became their priority as they searched for home plans. The fantastic south-west facing lot features many mature trees as well, adding to the complexity of their intent to keep the site as intact as possible.

Building on a sloped lot does have challenges. How do you acess the site as owners and guests? What extra costs will be incurred getting a driveway? Where do you put the front door? To take optimum advantage of their incredible view, Don and Barbara found the Robinsonplans "E" Series to be a suitable starting point. This plan features access to rear views from all the principal rooms and bedrooms. A long veranda offers spaces for relaxation overlooking the hillside an development below.

The front door was relocated to the side from the back to better suit their specific lot situation. A covered veranda offers an inviting approach to the craftsman styled door with matching sidelights and transom. Upon stepping inside you are immediately drawn to the view thru the great room windows. Afternoon light streams in thru the upper clerestory dormer windows. The owners selected slate tile and hardwood for the floors, with the millwork and trims painted white.

	The greatroom and dining room are open to the kitchen. The flat ceilings of the dining room and kitchen are a contrast to the soaring height of the greatroom. This architectural feature helps define the spaces, while still allowing the spaces to be open to each other for views and light.

The sloped site provided challenges for the landscaping as well. A walk-out basement provides space for a small apartment and storage. The detached garage is steps away from the entry porch. Once the house was complete, it was time to restore the site with retaining walls and planting beds. Care was taken to retain as many tress as possible.

The owners are thrilled with their new home. They enjoy how the light changes through out the day and year as it finds its way into the interior. The home feels larger than they had anticipated, due to its open layout and abundance of windows. While they were planning their home, they had the opportunity to tour some homes recently built from "Robinson" plans. If anyone has questions, Don and Barbara will be pleased to correspond with you. Their email is blusky45msn.com. The crew at robinsonplans.com thank Don and Barbara for sharing their story and pictures with us. We wish them many enjoyable years in their cozy craftsman home.