| Author |
Across the Fence:  someone should design mom friendly homes  |
|
|
_Rebecca_
True Blue Farmgirl
568 Posts
Rebecca
OK
USA
568 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 27 2007 : 12:53:26 PM
|
My neighbor is selling her house. I told her the only way I would go to the trouble of moving is to have at least 2 times the square footage and a huge yard.
She just wants a big home. Not a fancy home, just more space. She keeps 3 daycare kids and wants to keep 2 more. And she has 2 of her own.
I told her I don't want a big closet, I don't want a fancy kitchen, I just want a large living room and dining area and I want a really ample mudroom/laundry with a big enough doorway that I can carry one kid on my hip and groceries or laundry on the other. That would be nice.
So, you ladies who are with it, get busy designing some "mom-friendly" house plans. I mean really, where are the smart women out there??? I think you would have quite a market for this. 
.·:*¨¨* :·.Rebecca.·:*¨¨* :·. http://boinglink.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
sleepless reader
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
CA
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - Jul 27 2007 : 8:59:30 PM
|
For starters, I'd NEVER locate the cutting board over any drawer, especially not the one with the knives and silverware! I'd have all my counters be able to pull out like a Hoosier surface can so that there would be room when you needed it, but it wouldn't be out all the time to gather clutter.
A laundry room with extra high celings so I could have one of those cool dryer racks that can be raised and lowered. And as long as we're dreaming, the laundry room would not involve a trip outside or up/down stairs with baskets of clothes...unless taking out to hang.
I'd have a sleeping porch for summers! I love the wide-entrance mud room too. Oh, and all doors would have transome windows above.
It isn't so much that I'd want more indoor space, I just want it to work better. More outdoor space I could always go for!
Now, if only we could all afford these new designs!
Sharon
Life is messy. Wear your apron! |
 |
|
|
_Rebecca_
True Blue Farmgirl
568 Posts
Rebecca
OK
USA
568 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2007 : 10:33:31 AM
|
I agree. You have expressed ideas that I have thought about over the years too. I am going to do that sleeping porch idea. I have wanted one for years and I don't think it would be very hard to do for my house. My sister needs one too. I think I'll start working on her as well!!!
We have the transom windows. Why did you specifically want those? We have them over almost all the windows in our home except the bathroom windows.
.·:*¨¨* :·.Rebecca.·:*¨¨* :·. http://boinglink.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2007 : 10:36:28 AM
|
I want those handi-cap accesible door things that you push the big button and it opens for you! That way when I am carrying two diaper bags, a car seat, a bag of groceries and trying to get the dog in as well- all I would have to do is bump the button with my hip and the door would open!
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
|
|
|
DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2007 : 11:03:37 AM
|
Seems to me it would be totally logical to design a house with the laundry room in the same "wing" as the bedrooms...I mean, where does 90% of the clean laundry go??
I would sure like to change the layout of my entrance to this house too...the main door to the house enters right into the kitchen. I don't know about you, but when I do a major clean, the kitchen is always last...nice sight for anyone coming to the door! I'd like a large mudroom entrance for working muddy family and dogs!
Di |
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2007 : 2:46:26 PM
|
Oh and I would make a cupboard that is big enought wheel in and out a vacuum and a carpet shampooer without having to fight to get it in!
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
|
|
|
_Rebecca_
True Blue Farmgirl
568 Posts
Rebecca
OK
USA
568 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2007 : 07:56:38 AM
|
No, they should just come up on a platform through an opening in the floor. : ) Ha!
.·:*¨¨* :·.Rebecca.·:*¨¨* :·. http://boinglink.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
_Rebecca_
True Blue Farmgirl
568 Posts
Rebecca
OK
USA
568 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2007 : 07:59:23 AM
|
Di, I would like to have 2 laundry rooms. One for the kids on their side of the house and one for hubby & me.
A couple at our church just built a new house. They have a washer & dryer in their master bedroom closet! That would be so awesome. Or just to have a laundry shoot from the closet to the laundry room would be great. I've seen them before. Sometimes I've seen the laundry room and the kids bathroom back to back. That would work.
.·:*¨¨* :·.Rebecca.·:*¨¨* :·. http://boinglink.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
_Rebecca_
True Blue Farmgirl
568 Posts
Rebecca
OK
USA
568 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2007 : 08:00:48 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Alee
I want those handi-cap accesible door things that you push the big button and it opens for you! That way when I am carrying two diaper bags, a car seat, a bag of groceries and trying to get the dog in as well- all I would have to do is bump the button with my hip and the door would open! Alee
Yes!!! Or even the automatic sliding doors like at the grocery store. Why do grocery stores get all the perks???
.·:*¨¨* :·.Rebecca.·:*¨¨* :·. http://boinglink.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2007 : 08:16:47 AM
|
I want some sort of "The Jetsons" like house where you just throw the laundry in machine and it washes, dries it, folds or hangs it up! LOL
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2007 : 08:18:08 AM
|
Oh! And counter tops that aren't too tall for women! I can't reach the top shelves of my cupboards and I have a hard time kneading bread on my counter tops. If everything was 6 inches lower in my kitchen my life would be much easier!
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
|
|
|
_Rebecca_
True Blue Farmgirl
568 Posts
Rebecca
OK
USA
568 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2007 : 09:24:21 AM
|
Alee,
You should work your dough at the table. That's what my 4'10" friend does. She sits at the table to do most of her kitchen work.
.·:*¨¨* :·.Rebecca.·:*¨¨* :·. http://boinglink.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2007 : 09:41:33 AM
|
I have done that before- and it would be a good excuse to clean off said table wouldn't it? Right now it is covered in mail and my arts and crafts supplies! LOL
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora! |
|
|
|
_Rebecca_
True Blue Farmgirl
568 Posts
Rebecca
OK
USA
568 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2007 : 11:17:00 AM
|
I have a love hate relationship with arts&craft supplies!!!!! While it's great to have them. I really have no where to keep them. I was going to put them in my bedroom, but I would need cabinets for them and I need bookshelf space, so I don't know what to do. I'm not good at utilizing space.
.·:*¨¨* :·.Rebecca.·:*¨¨* :·. http://boinglink.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
Miss Bee Haven
True Blue Farmgirl
4331 Posts
Janice
Louisville/Irvington
Kentucky
USA
4331 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2007 : 11:53:28 AM
|
There are transom windows in our old farmhouse. They are for ventilation, especially in houses with high ceilings. The hot air near the ceiling can escape(usually fans were turned on). They also let light into the otherwise dark, windowless front hallway.
Diane - I agree with you about the laundry being near the bedrooms. People have looked at me funny when I tell them that my washer and dryer are going in the master bath on the second floor instead of the basement. I wonder how washers and dryers ended up so far from dirty laundry? My really old applicances seem to have better design(to me) than newer ones. My old GE two door monitor top sits flush against a wall and up on legs as well. And my old gas stove sits on legs, too. I don't have to bend over to put something in.
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?" - 'Brother Dave' Gardner |
|
|
|
_Rebecca_
True Blue Farmgirl
568 Posts
Rebecca
OK
USA
568 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2007 : 12:15:16 PM
|
Okay, thank you for explaining the windows. It makes sense to me know. None of mine will open. Maybe someday if we get new windows I could get the kind that open. Great idea!! And yes, the light coming in is very nice. Our house we used to live in was designed in the 80s and I HATED the lack of light!!!!
The isn't really a reason today for putting them in the basement. I totally agree. See, women really should be more a part of the design process!! I love it when things are very logical!!
.·:*¨¨* :·.Rebecca.·:*¨¨* :·. http://boinglink.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
Miss Bee Haven
True Blue Farmgirl
4331 Posts
Janice
Louisville/Irvington
Kentucky
USA
4331 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2007 : 12:45:44 PM
|
Yes, Rebecca. We women need to take back our power(as my holistic health professor says) and get involved in the design process. I think a lot about this subject. I wonder when the siting of houses on lots stopped having anything to do with 'catching a breeze' or avoiding afternoon sun. Builders don't seem to think about that at all any more. Just how many houses they can cram in a small area. :(
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?" - 'Brother Dave' Gardner |
|
|
| |
Across the Fence: someone should design mom friendly homes |
|
someone should design mom friendly homes
