My Dream Home if Money and Employment Were Not a Factor (Like when I win the Lotto)

When I was younger, I wanted to be an architect. I had a folder that I had a bunch of graph paper in and I would design my dream home. It was always a large box with square rooms. Now that I am older, I love looking at house plans and thinking about what would be in my ideal home. All the options and those cool little accents that I see on Pinterest (oh, Pinterest, how I love you). Right now, my ideal home would be two stories (most likely) with 3 distinct, separate living areas. My husband and I would be upstairs, maybe with a few extra bedrooms for any future children or guests. The downstairs would have to have 2 distinct living (bedroom) areas, one for hubby’s dad who currently lives with us and one for my mom, who most likely will live with us in the future (especially if any of those “future children” show up!!!). This is VERY difficult to find. Most of the houses that we have seen have 1 bedroom downstairs, and it is usually about the size of a closet. Some of the higher end homes that we have looked at have the option, but they are expensive!!!

I would love to actually design and build my own dream home.
Well, with the help of an ACTUAL architect of course. The freedom to put in what I want to see and the ability to eliminate some of those items that I find not necessary. One of my hobbies is to go look at model homes. I love to envision my furniture in the space and what it would be like to live there. I love to go through the model and say “Oh, yes I love that part,” or “We would never use that, it would have to go.” I love walking into a model home and saying, “Oh, I could definitely live here!” The kitchens and the bathrooms are my downfall. And if there is a office/den area with miles of bookshelves, HEAVEN!

So if money and employment was no issue…here is my dream home and location…

When thinking about location, I think my dream would be to live in the country somewhere. I have a friend who recently moved to Tennessee and an account that I follow on Instagram (@naturalhomestead) who recently moved to my dream location. They live where it is green with rolling hills. Acres upon acres of green land that is theirs. Neighbors are not right on top of you. Where I currently live there is about 10 feet between you and your neighbor. I would not want to live in the Midwest as I would be scared to death of tornados. I also would not want to live near the East coast because…hurricanes (been there, done that). So, Tennessee sounds about right. Added bonus, best friend would definitely be closer!

I would want lots of land, no neighbors to have to deal with. I would probably have some space around my house that was manicured but I think the rest would have to be wild area. Just to be able to have the SPACE.

When I think of my dream home vision, I see an old farmhouse, but modernized and expanded. A wrap around porch and a porch swing would be a must. Lots and lots of windows. Rocking chairs and a wicker couch on the porch. A WELCOME mat at the front door. 

FreeImages.com/Laura Leavell

Walking in the door would bring you into the open living area. Living/Family room and open kitchen concept. Somehow, there would need to be two bedrooms on the first floor each with their own bathroom. Large bedroom which would accommodate adults and their stuff, not the size of a closet. A guest bath and a laundry room on the first floor is also a must. The kitchen would need to be large with lots of counter space and cabinets. My hubby is the normal cook in our home so this would be more designed by him. I know the basics, we need a large refrigerator and freezer since we always have lots of food in the home. A big stove that he has his favorite ideas for. I have to have a big sink area, with a window above it. With maybe a window box to put some small plants or herbs in, I know, I know…

The first floor would have to be quite large to accommodate all that I would need in it. The second floor could be smaller, with just the master bedroom and one or two smaller bedrooms and a bathroom for guests or those future children. In the master bedroom, we would need enough room for our California King furniture and the dogs. I would love to have a little sitting room area with a comfy chair and a large window to gaze out of. Oh, and out that window would have to be a perfect view. Maybe some trees with a lake. Yeah, that sounds about right. The master bathroom would have to be closed off from the rest of the room. I hate the model homes that I walk into that have no door between the bathroom and the bedroom. What, you don’t need privacy… The home I live in now has that and I HATE it. So, privacy, a door to be closed. A large walk in shower, big enough for two. We would not necessarily need a bathtub as we never take baths, but if there is one, it definitely should NOT be in the middle of the room, you would never believe how many model homes I go into where the bathtub, a huge garden tub with jets and a large platform is either jutting out into the room or even in the middle of the room. It is silly. Lots of closet space. Although I don’t have as much stuff as I used to. It is good for storage. Double sinks (although we really don’t even use the double sinks now).

The rest of the property would have to include a large barn, not necessarily for animals but for cars and a workshop area for hubby. Possibly some animals, maybe horses and goats with some chickens…

FreeImages.com/Brian Jacobs

This is what I envision when thinking about my dream home. The other thing that comes to mind would be a smaller main house with a couple of casitas or cottages for the in-laws and/or guests. It would be cool, everyone would have their own privacy, kind of my own little compound. A cottage that is a mini version of the main house, perhaps, with a wraparound porch and some rocking chairs…