SOUTHERN COTTAGES HOUSE PLANS

Shingle RV Garage

2011-07-20T14:12:00.002-04:00

The Shingle RV Garage is a relatively new plan in our collection. If you have an RV, this plan is great for protecting your motor home or recreational vehicle from prolonged exposure to the weather. It has an efficency apartment in the attic and three additional bays for cars or boats. This plan was originally designed to coordinate with the Shingle Cottage, but the architectural features also blend with the Shelter Cottage or Island Cottage.

This rendering shows the exterior of the Shingle RV Garage. There are "rooms in the roof" of the sheltering roof line.

This is the main floor of the Shingle RV Garage. The 39' RV Garage plan provides (3) parking bays for regular vehicles and a drive-thru RV Garage. Also included is a storage room and the foyer to access the apartment upstairs.

Upstairs, the efficiency apartment provides ample living space and opens to a balcony to take in the fresh air. This plan makes it possible to have your own residence in the apartment or to use it as a special place for your visiting guests to stay.

The Woods Cottage

2011-06-22T14:42:00.001-04:00

The Woods Cottage is similar to our Shingle Cottage with the added feature of an attached two car garage with bonus room above. This is an extremely livable house with a cottage charm and many amenities suitable for a large family. Below are some pictures of a built Woods Cottage sent to us from a past client.

This is the front of the Woods Cottage. From this view you can see the way the garage comes together with the main house. The wood plank siding with white trim provide a comfortable look and feel to this cottage.

In this view we see the front of the cottage from the other side of the front yard. The porch is a welcoming area with plenty of space for furniture, such as rocking chairs, to enjoy the outdoors. The house reveals the dining room on the right as it steps away from the main volume, as well as the family room fireplace by way of the chimney.

When we walk through the front door we are greeted in the foyer by the stairs. To the left is the living room, to the right is the family room, straight ahead leads to the remainder of the first floor, and up the stairs leads to bedrooms and additional family spaces.

The living room is visually seperated from the foyer by four columns (two of which can be seen in this picture). This is a great space to make a formal area to greet visitors. Two sets of windows bring natural light into the room.

The family room is seperated from the foyer by a pocket door, in essence making it possible to close off the family spaces from the formal ones. This room features a fire place, built-in shelving (not shown), a pass-thru to the kitchen (not shown) and plenty of natural light.

The dining room is off of the family room and also opens to the kitchen. There are windows facing three sides of the house: the front, the back and the side. These windows provide beautiful views as you enjoy your meals.

The first floor also features a large kitchen, master bedroom suite with an enlarged whirlpool bath, a spacious laundry room, a powder room and an office which connects the garage to the house.

Upstairs, there is plenty of room for a family to move and grow. There are three generously sized bedrooms (each with its own large window), two baths and a den leading to the large bonus room over the garage.

For more information on the Woods Cottage please visit our Southern Cottages website.

Over 1,000 Views!

2011-05-17T09:18:00.000-04:00

We are celebrating the number of views our three-part video series, entitled How to Draw a Floor Plan, have garnered on YouTube! Parts 1 and 2 have had over 1,000 views and Part 3 will reach that number soon! If you want to know what you are missing, here is Part 1 - Tools and Materials.

If you are hungry for more, check out our Southern Cottages page on YouTube!

The Shingle Cottage

2011-04-21T14:33:00.000-04:00

The Shingle Cottage is a glorified, contemporary, bungalow with "rooms in the roof". Large porches and a sheltering roof combine with a free flowing floor plan to give this house a distinctive appearance and a comfortable living quality.

This design has many special features including skylights over the stair, baths and dressing area; an open central stair well; a laundry chute/hamper; vaulted ceilings in upstairs bedrooms; large walk-in closets at all bedrooms; interior columns at living room; built-in storage cabinets and TV/sound system cabinets in the family room; large "table" island in the kitchen; many full height windows with transom windows above and palladian windows at upstairs bedrooms.

We have two versions of the Shingle Cottage.

Shingle Cottage

Shingle Cottage Balcony Option

Getting a Bugetary Cost to Build Your Home

2011-04-01T15:21:00.000-04:00

This house is the Shelter Cottage, available on our website.

Construction costs vary from region to region and city to city. This makes it difficult to get an idea of how much it will cost to build a home. To get an idea of construction costs in your area, have a good local builder or two give you a budget estimate from something like the Study Plans we offer on our website. (If you need help choosing a contractor, please read our post "Selecting Your General Contractor".) He will not be able to provide a firm contract price, though, until he has the construction plan package.

Have your contractor update his quote with the construction plans and specifications prior to signing a contract with a general contractor or any sub-contractors. Otherwise, you will constantly hear "I didn't include that in my quote.”

Waterfront House Plans

2011-03-14T16:17:00.000-04:00

These waterfront house plans were designed to maximize views and create delightful living spaces for gracious coastal living. Each house plan design incorporates a timber piling foundation system to provide protection from flooding and to meet coastal code requirements.

The Winds Cottage is a contemporary adaptation of southern coastal design elements put together in a new and exciting waterfront house plan.

The Island Cottage House Plan is a playful, waterfront cottage getaway. With it's wrap around porch, roof decks and roof-top observation loft, it's a great waterfront house plan.

The Porches Cottage is ideal for a streetscape lot in a beach house community or anywhere that large, covered porches are desirable. The "inverted living area" floor plan maximizes distant views from the living/dining areas on the top floor and makes this a special waterfront house plan.

The Lookout Cottage is a magnificent treehouse with roof decks, balconies and a rooftop observation deck perfect for overlooking surrounding trees and distant views.

The Grand Peaks Cottage provides "rooms in the roof" and a cascading, sheltering roofline to give this waterfront house plan a distinctive appearance and interesting interior spaces.

The Shelter Cottage has a large, sheltering roof and ample covered outdoor living spaces. The linear plan allows for views both front and back from most all rooms making it a light and airy waterfront house plan.

Selecting Your General Contractor

2011-02-17T10:27:00.000-05:00

There is nothing more exciting than building your own home! After having an architect design your custom home, or selecting a plan you like from a website like Southern Cottages House Plans, the next step is finding a general contractor to build your dream house.

The best way to find a good contractor in your area is word of mouth. Ask neighbors or a local realtor if they know some good residential builders that you can contact. You can also call local residential architects and ask them for some contractors they have worked with before.

When talking with a prospective builder, ask for several references that you can contact. Then call the references. This is to help you be confident that you will be working with a reputable contractor. Here are some questions to ask: What are their thoughts about the company in general? Who was the superintendant they worked with (the representative of the construction company who is consistently on the jobsite) and how did they like him? Did they have any problems with the contractor and what were they? How did the contractor resolve the problems and was it in a way they were happy about? Did the contractor stay on budget and finish their home on time? And most importantly, do they love the way their home turned out? People are usually happy to share both good and bad information. Remember, this is your dream home and you do not want a negative experience while it is being built. Checking references is the best way to try to avoid that.

Once you have decided on a contractor, ask for a construction quote based on your construction document set. This will tell you how much they think it will cost to build your home. Be sure to do this before signing a contract with any general contractor or sub-contractors. If you are happy about the quote then sign a contract. If you are not happy with the quote then you are free to take your plans to another general contractor for another quote. Then you can compare two quotes to get a better idea of your construction costs.

Once you have signed a contract it is only a matter of (construction) time before you can begin living in your dream home. Good luck!

Live at the Beach All Year Long

2011-02-16T10:58:00.000-05:00

The following are some of our favorite beach decorating elements to remind us of one of our favorite locations.

1. The use of natural beach items.

Sand, starfish and seashells make a centerpiece extra special.

A picture frame with starfish and sandollars capture beach memories.

2. Lighting

A simple hurricane candle holder as a centerpiece on a dining table or as an accent in a room.

Light fixtures reminiscent of a waterfront boardwalk, like this Wire Cage Pendant light.

3. Letting the outdoors come in.

Operable shutters to open the space to outside.

A rug with tropical plant leaves

4. The color white.

Fresh, clean, comfortable.

White furniture with accents that provide pops of color in a room.

5. The use of rattan, wicker and other woods.

A rattan bed completed with beach inspired sheets.

A simple lamp with minimal decoration.

Baskets for storage on a shelf or under a coffee table.

You can add a few of these elements to your room or incorporate all of them to have the feeling of living at the beach all year long.

Nags Head Cottage

2011-02-01T16:59:00.000-05:00

The Nags Head Cottage was designed in the tradition of the Nags Head Vernacular of the Outer Banks of the North Carolina Coast. Wrap-around porches provide protection from the elements. Rooftop balconies take advantage of magnificent views.

Some features of the Nags Head Cottage include 4 bedrooms, each with their own bathroom; a half bath for guests; 3,161 square feet of heated space on three levels; a game room; garage space for two cars; plenty of storage; and an outdoor shower for rinsing off the salt and sand when you come back from the beach.

Front Elevation

Left Elevation

Rear Elevation

Right Elevation

Sloping Sites

2011-01-17T14:05:00.000-05:00

Our unique house plans include this selection of home designs for construction on a sloping lot. Our hillside house plans provide an excellent opportunity to use the basement as a garage or to provide a walk-out patio from the basement level. The house plans below are specifically designed as hillside house plans for sloping lots.

Island Cottage Basement Foundation

Available in 2,058 sf or 2,470 sf sizes, plus basement square footage

The Island Cottage House Plan is a playful, coastal cottage getaway with a wrap around porch, roof decks and a roof-top observation loft. The basement version is designed for a sloping lot.

Mountain Cottage

The Mountain Cottage is a variation of the Island Cottage and illustrates one of the many customizations of this versatile plan. In this example, the Mountain Cottage is built into the side of a hill which slopes down to a large lake providing wonderful views.

Country Cottage

The Country Cottage has all the amenities of a larger house designed in a compact space. The basement version provides a rear drive-in garage in the basement which works well with a hillside sloping lot.

Hip Cottage

The Hip Cottage Basement Option extends living space into a basement with access to an outdoor patio which blends this house into a sloping lot. It is compact, yet has all the features that make for comfortable living including a separate laundry room, large closets and kitchen opening into the living spaces.

Plantation Cottage

The Plantation Cottage draws upon the southern, coastal, low country vernacular and features large, wrap-around porches and a full basement. Designed for a sloping lot, it provides for a side drive-in garage in the basement of the house.

The Country Cottage

2010-12-13T10:05:00.000-05:00

The Country Cottage has all the amenities of a larger house designed in a compact space. We have four versions of the Country Cottage.

1933 SF Standard Crawlspace Foundation

This Country Cottage layout, designed for efficiency and livability, also has special features such as a wrap-around porch and a walk-out roof deck. A light-filled window bay extends the floorspace of the front bedroom. Included are 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and a screened porch. The result is a practical, attractive cottage suitable either for a vacation getaway or a primary residence.

1927 SF Crawlspace Foundation with Attached Garage

This Country Cottage layout is also designed for efficiency and livability, with special features such as a wrap-around porch and upstairs master suite. A light-filled window bay extends the floorspace of the front bedroom and an attached (2) car garage provides added convenience. The result is a practical, attractive cottage.

2039 SF Country Cottage with Basement Foundation

This Country Cottage basement plan works well with a sloping lot. A large basement, downstairs laundry and extra room adds to its liveability. The features include a cathedral ceiling in the living room and a light-filled window bay in the front bedroom. The result is a practical, attractive cottage suitable either for a vacation getaway or a primary residence.

3565 SF with ICF Walls, 5 Bedrooms and Elevator

This Country Cottage layout provides lots of space for a big family including a recreation room and workshop on the ground level. The home is elevated above the ground level giving optimal views to water or other natural features. The drawings provide for an ICF (concrete/foam block) wall system.

Island Cottage Interior

2010-12-08T13:28:00.000-05:00

We often get asked what the Island Cottage looks like on the inside.

To answer that, here are some interior pictures from a recent client. Please note that the client has added some elements that are not in the standard construction document set.

The front door opens to the livingroom. It is a wonderful gathering space with plenty of room for furniture. The fireplace provides a focal-point for the room.

This is a view of the livingroom as seen from the diningroom. The abundance of windows provide a light and airy space. The transom windows help to accentuate the 9 foot ceilings.

This picture was taken looking from the livingroom to the diningroom. As you can see, the wall of windows provides a panoramic view of your surroundings. This is a wonderful feature if your lot is on a lake, ocean or any other beautiful location.

The diningroom has plenty of space for a large table for entertaining. Yet, it is also a perfect place for your family to share a meal while enjoying your surroundings.

The diningroom is right off the kitchen, making for easy serving access.

This is the kitchen as seen from the livingroom. The kitchen is open to the livingroom and diningroom, extending the views and creating an open floor plan.

This is the entry into the kitchen as seen from the front door. Personal touches such as the selection of accent lights create a truly individualized space.

This picture shows the kitchen base cabinets and tall dish cabinet beyond. There is plenty of storage and countertop space for all your essentials and non-essentials. This client chose butcher block countertops with beadboard cabinetry, but the cabinets and counters are fully customizable to your tastes.

From this view you can see the gas range and sink. The window provides more natural light and a view into the screened porch beyond.

The second floor is accessed via stairs near the front door. The stairs open to the livingroom on the right allowing natural light to flow freely between levels. The spiral staircase to the Observation Room is seen while ascending the stairs.

This picture is of the master bedroom before the final paint coat was applied. As you can see, the ceiling height varies because the roof slope that gives the Island Cottage its distinctive exterior appearance is expressed in the second level ceiling. Yet, there is ample ceiling height so that one would not hit their head.

This client combined the two bedrooms upstairs to create a master suite with a sleeping area and a sitting area. This picture is taken from the sitting area (Bedroom 2 on the standard plans) looking into the sleeping area (Master Bedroom on the standard plans). The glass door and windows not only allow light to come in, but also provide access to a private roof deck perfect for taking in the surroundings or watching the sunset.

This is a picture of the finished sitting area. An adjustment to the standard floor plan has provided this client with the feature of an additional fireplace. Again, the view is amazing from the windows.

This is a close-up of the client-added fireplace.

The Island Cottage is available with a crawlspace foundation, piling foundation and basement foundation to suite your site conditions. It is also available in two sizes of heated area: 2,058 sf and 2,470 sf.

Please see our Southern Cottages website for more information on the Island Cottage.

Modern Day Widow's Walk

2010-11-24T14:45:00.000-05:00

A few months ago we posted an article about the origin of the popular architectural feature called a widow's walk. Now we would like to highlight some of our home plans that feature a modern day widow's walk.

Some of our Widows Walk House Plan Designs incorporate a roof-top windowed cupola or "widows walk", which we refer to as an observation loft, accessed via spiral stair from the second story hallway. This observation loft is a great place to glimpse a distant view, to survey the landscape or to find a special place to read a book or to work on a project in your personal studio.

The Island Cottage

The Grand Island Cottage

The Mountain Cottage

The Grand Gazebo Cottage

Our other Widows Walk House Plan Designs feature a roof-top observation deck to provide a panoramic view and provide your own private sunbathing deck or gathering spot high above the crowd overlooking your neighbors roofline for a glimpse of the ocean or distant view.

The Lookout Cottage

The Porches Cottage

Top 5 Beach House Names of Topsail Island

2010-10-27T13:09:00.000-04:00

The summer has ended and fall is in full swing. We would like to commemorate the 2010 summer season with a Top 5 list. There are a number of great beach house names to choose from, but we managed to narrow it down.

Top 5 Beach House Names of Topsail Island

5. Gritty Britches

An amusing name for a common situation after spending some time on the beach.

4. Sandcastle

A name reminiscent of a favorite beach activity.

3. No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem

A perfect description of the laid-back attitude of the beach.

2. Summer Daze

A great illustration of your state of mind as you sit and watch the ocean waves come in and roll out.

1. Attitude Adjustment

This name best describes what will happen to you as you spend time on the beach.

Honorable Mentions:

All About the View

It's what everyone wants when they come to the beach.

Escape Hatch

Just like in the TV show "Lost", we all need an Escape Hatch once in a while. What better place to escape to than the beach?

License to Chill

One more reason to sit back and chill out during your beach vacation.

If you like a beach house name that we did not mention, we would love to know it! Please leave it for us in the Comments!

**All of these beach houses are available to rent and can be found on http://www.rentabeach.com/.**

"We truly love the Island Cottage"

2010-08-23T12:25:00.000-04:00

We recently received an email from a couple in Texas who were interested in purchasing a second set of plans from our Southern Cottages House Plans website.

We truly loved the Island Cottage we built last time, and received so many compliments. The compliments we got that meant the most to us were the ones by all the contractors that bid on the home and worked on it. They stated how well designed it was, and sturdy. THEN... Hurricane Ike beat up all the homes near the Island Cottage, and yet she stood totally unharmed! Proving this house was well designed! So when it came time to build again, I could not even consider anyone else's plans. We are very excited!

Thank you,
Michelle

Here are some pictures of the Island Cottage Michelle built.

Thank you, Michelle, for your kind words and trust in our company. We are happy to have customers like you!

Have you built one of our Cottages and love it? Let us know by emailing us at mike@mcleodarchitectpa.com.

What is VOC-Free Paint?

2010-08-19T17:26:00.000-04:00

VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds. They are organic chemical gases that are emitted into our environment from a number of sources, such as carpet and cleaning products, as well as paint. VOC's are released into the air as paint dries, creating the distinctive smell of a newly painted room.

VOC's also contribute to your indoor air quality. A study by the Environmental Protection Agency "found levels of about a dozen common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher inside homes than outside, regardless of whether the homes were located in rural or highly industrial areas."

They can have an effect on your health, too. They contribute to headaches, dizziness, respitory problems, immune system problems and more.

If you are worried about the health effects of VOC's or perhaps just do not want your house to have that lingering new paint smell, here are a few of the options available that are worth looking at:

Sherwin-Williams has two lines of paint in their GreenSure program: Duration Home Interior paint (low odor and low VOC formula) and Harmony Interior paint (low odor and no VOC formula).
Benjamin Moore has a paint called Natura Interior paint, which is virtually odorless and has no VOC. It has been named as one of the Top 10 Green Building Products by BuildingGreen, Inc.
Home Depot carries Freshaire Choice paint, which has low odor and no VOC in the paint nor colorant.
Lowe's carries Olympic Premium Interior paint, which has a zero VOC formula.

Stacey in our office used the Freshaire Choice paint when painting her baby's room. She said there is a huge difference between using it and regular paint; the whole house did not smell like a room just got painted. There is an odor while painting, but once she left the room she could not smell the paint at all. A gallon of the low- or no-VOC paint does cost more than the other paints on the market, but it might be worth it to have breathable air after painting a room.

Have you ever heard of a Lego Architect?

2010-08-10T16:16:00.000-04:00

Lego's are the construction toy that a lot of us grew up with. We built houses, gas stations, airports and towers of as many Lego's we could stack on top of each other. They came in many shapes and sizes to help you build whatever you wanted.

One architect, Adam Reed Tucker, has taken those pieces and used them to make replica's of famous buildings around the world. Stacey from our office went to Washington, D.C. to visit the exhibit at the National Building Museum.

This is 11 of the 15 Lego models. (l to r) Jin Mao Tower, St. Louis Arch, John Hancock Building, Empire State Building, TransAmerica Tower, Willis (Sears) Tower, Trump Tower, one of the World Trade Center towers, Marina City, 7 South Dearborn, and Chicago Spire.

The tallest Lego building at the exhibit is also the reigning tallest building in the world, Burj Kahlifa, in Dubai. This Lego model is 18 feet high and made out of 450,300 Lego pieces! That's a lot of Lego's!

These models are of the Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai, China, on the left, and Trump Tower in Chicago, on the right. Most of the Lego models have windows made from clear Lego bricks, as you can clearly see on the Trump Tower model.

Stacey said one of the most interesting facts about the exhibit is that there is a section on most of the buildings where the wall has not been filled in. This exposes a structural system on the interior of the models, similar to how an actual building has a structural system. This model is the Jin Mao Tower.

This model is of the Chicago Spire, a highrise that was planned but has not yet been built. This model is one of Stacey's favorites because of its height, design and the way that Tucker was able to construct the twisting of the spire. Also, because of the design of the building, when the sunlight hits the clear Lego windows it shines in an intriguing way.

This picture is a close up of the John Hancock Building model showing the Lego pieces (actual building located in Chicago, IL). It is interesting to us to see how Tucker constructed these models.

Not all of the models are of skyscrapers. This is Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater. This Lego model is quite large, with most of it being the topography (white Lego's) which sets the foundation for the house (tan Lego's). This view of the model shows the detail that was put in to represent the exterior stone walls of the house.

Another of the low-rise models is this one of the White House. It is not finished because Tucker is progressively building this model at the National Building Museum.

This is a close up of a pilaster on the White House model showing the detail that is included on the Lego models.

This exhibit is a two-part exhibit. After the 15 Lego models, there is a big section of tables with a bunch of Lego pieces for the patrons to play with. It attracts children and adults alike!

The Lego Architecture exhibit runs until September 5, 2011 and only costs $5 per person. It is worth a visit if you are in the D.C. area.

An Interview with Jody Zimmer

2010-07-22T15:45:00.000-04:00

Jody Zimmer is our intern from Medford, OR. He recently completed his Associates in Architectural Technology at Brigham Young University in Idaho. This fall he is transferring to Portland State University in Portland, Oregon to finish his undergrad degree in architecture. We sat down with Jody to have a final interview with him and see how his experience was at Michael R. McLeod Architects.

Q: This is your last day at Michael R. McLeod Architect. How have you liked working in an architecture office?

A: This has been my first internship and first real world experience in the profession. I have really enjoyed seeing the inner workings of a real architectural office. Before this experience I only knew the life of a student working in a college architecture studio. I have learned a lot, and I know it will benefit me greatly as I finish up my undergrad degree.

Q: Your leaving us here on the East Coast to go back to the Pacific Northwest to finish your undergrad degree in architecture. Has your experience helped your interest in the profession?

A: It really has. I remember feeling extremely overwhelmed with this profession. But after participating in this internship I feel a lot more confident about being a part of the architecture community. I will admit it's still overwhelming but I think that's just one of the characteristics in the field of architecture.

Q: How has your time here measured up to your expectations?

A: I've been fortunate to have a longer internship than most students. I actually started my internship towards the end of January and was able to work through the summer, which means I've been able to work here for the past six months. Most student internships only last three months. So really this experience has exceeded my expectations. I've learned a lot in the past six months; I couldn't ask for anything more.

Q: What did you like most about working here?

A: I loved the work environment. I felt comfortable here the first day I started. The staff here at the office is so nice and willing to help you with any questions you might have. And you couldn't ask for a better boss. I respect Mike McLeod so much. He's a hard worker, a good friend, and a great example to me.

Q: What was your favorite part about spending most of 2010 in North Carolina?

A: The weather! I was already swimming in the ocean by early April while my family was still getting snow back in Oregon and Idaho. I know I have been known to say that I enjoy the humidity here, but I recently changed my mind since the AC went out in my car. There is nothing worse than a broken AC in the south.

Q: You did a lot of things while you were here. What are some of your most memorable or favorite things you did?

A: A lot of my friends and family back home think that all I do is play back here. And for the most part they're right. I've done so much while I've been back here, but if I had to pick my top three I woulds say: visiting Washington DC for the first time, touring the Biltmore Estate, and Skydiving! A good mix of architecture and little bit of thrill!

Jody standing in front of the White House in
Washington DC

Jody standing in front of the Biltmore Estate in
Asheville, North Carolina

Jody skydiving from 13,500 feet in

Raeford, North Carolina

Q: Is there anything you didn't get to do while you were here?

A: There is so much to see and do here. I have to keep telling myself that it would be impossible to do everything. I'm ok with that; it gives me a reason to keep coming back. I wanted to see the sea turtles hatch out on Topsail Island, but I'm leaving a few weeks before they start to hatch. And I still haven't seen the Outer Banks. But like I said, it just gives me a reason to come back.

Q: Its a long drive across the country. Will you be making any stops and what will you see or do? Are you excited about anything in particular.

A: My route seems to change every couple of days. Originally I had planned to take a few weeks and see as much as I could on the way home, but since the AC in my car is out of commission I decided to save that route for another time. At this point my plans are to stop in Chicago and stay with one of my brothers and spend some time wandering around downtown. Next stop is Lincoln, Nebraska. I don't anticipate too much excitement there. I'm just planning on getting some rest before meeting up with more family in Idaho. I have to admit, I'm mostly excited for the end of the trip when I get out of the car and realize I won't have to make that trip again for awhile!

Q: Is there anything you will miss about North Carolina or the east coast?

A: Everything! Except for maybe the bugs. There is so much history and great architecture back here. Oh, and the beach! How could I forget about the beach? I have become quite the seasoned beach-bum. But I think mostly I will miss this job and those I worked with. I consider everyone in this office great friends.

Q: Are you excited to go home?

A: I'm excited to see family, especially my niece and nephews. I miss them a lot. We have a really close family and we like to spend as much time together as possible. Hopefully the kids will still remember their Uncle Jody.

Jody (far right) with his parents, three brothers,
and their wives

Jody and one of his nephews

Portland, Oregon skyline

I'm also excited to start a new adventure. I've never lived in a major metropolitan area before. Portland State University is located in the heart of downtown Portland, Oregon. It's going to be exciting, and I'll admit, maybe even a little scary. But I can handle scary, I'm a skydiver, remember?

Q: Will you be back to visit anytime soon?

A: I'm always thinking of ways to get back here. Give me an excuse to visit and I'll be back. But maybe next time I'll just fly. It really is a LONG drive!

Top 5 Outdoor Kitchens

2010-07-21T13:38:00.000-04:00

Since it is summer, and a great time to be entertaining outside we decided it might be nice if we gave our top 5 picks of our favorite outdoor kitchens. These types of spaces have become increasingly popular within the last few years and we couldn't help but drool over these outdoor kitchens pictured below. Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Outdoor Kitchen #1

Dinner and a ~~Movie~~ View

Forget the movie, you won't want to leave after dinner if you have a view like this! We found this outdoor kitchen at http://www.vikingrange.com/. The kitchen is meant for the most extreme grilling enthusiast. It features a commercial quality gas grill with 41" cook top and rotisserie system. It also includes a 30" charcoal cart with side burners. And if that isn't enough, there is also a gas range with warming drawer. Did I mention the ice machine, refrigerator, refreshment center with a sink and built in cooler to hold all your drinks? After all that eating you'll love being able to sit back and relax and enjoy the view of the Montana mountains in the back ground. Now that's an outdoor kitchen!

Outdoor Kitchen #2

Rustic Charm

We found our #2 outdoor kitchen from an article written by This Old House. We like the idea of a kitchen matching seamlessly into your outdoor environment which was achieved through this kitchen's use of stone and concrete. The kitchen is positioned between the house and the pool witch makes it a central location and great spot to entertain. The owner achieved a rustic look by applying an acid-stain to the concrete patio and kitchen island. They also used painted plank cabinets to conceal all their plumbing lines as well as hide their storage. You might think you're in an old village somewhere in Europe when in reality your in the comforts of you're own backyard.

Outdoor Kitchen #3

Family Fun

Take the pizza deliveryman off of speed dial and enjoy a homemade pizza in your own outdoor wood fired pizza oven. The focal point of this outdoor kitchen is the 8 1/2-by-6 foot pizza oven. But equally impressive is the 53-inch stainless steel gas grill with rotisserie, smoker box, and storage. All the counter tops are built from poured concrete and stained in a rich terra-cotta. Overhead a pergola stands to create shade without blocking breezes. There is even built in halogen track lighting in case you have one of those late night pizza cravings.

Outdoor Kitchen #4

Woodsy Retreat

Our #4 kitchen came from LogHome.com and is perfect for anyone who spends their summers at those cherished cozy log homes. This kitchen stays true to the log cabin feel with all wood accents but mixes a little bit of modern design through its use of stainless steel cabinets and grill. The charm of this outdoor kitchen continues with its three tier chandelier centered over a large table that can seat up to eight of your closest friends and family. Adjacent to the dining area is a seating area with over sized outdoor furniture so you can snuggle up with your loved one on those chilly nights in the mountain or by the lake.

Outdoor Kitchen #5

Tuscan Lite

In most outdoor kitchens the grill is the main focal point of the kitchen, but in this outdoor space the main feature is the table. It's a 15-by 5 1/5-foot slab of Wyoming sandstone that weighs 4,500 pounds. The dining area is enclosed by a trellis that has fabric panels which slide from one side to the other to provide shade during a hot sunny day. Outdoor lighting is used through the space: task lighting under the chimney, strip lighting in a metal rail behind the banquette, and more strip lighting in the trellis over the table. The result is just a glow, very soft, which gives the appearance of dining by candlelight.

Which on the 5 is your favorite outdoor kitchen? Or maybe you have a favorite we didn't feature. If so, send us a link. We would love to see it!

Coming Soon - The Grand Island Cottage

2010-07-19T10:16:00.000-04:00

Here's a little sneak-peek of what will be appearing soon on the Southern Cottages House Plans website. It's called the Grand Island Cottage and we'll have more information available on our website soon. So keep checking in with us to get the latest cottage designs!

FRONT

LEFT

BACK

RIGHT

Don't forget to check out our most recent addition to the Southern Cottage House Plans website - The Grand Gazebo Cottage!

Grand Gazebo Cottage

The Grand Gazebo Cottage is a contemporary adaptation of a grand southern mansion. The wrap-around porch is ideal for hot southern climates. The gazebo elements provide opportunity for entertaining and capturing that special view or sunset. The observation loft is the crowning glory of this exuberant structure enabling a spectacular view.

Intern's Visit to Ashville, NC

2010-07-14T10:57:00.000-04:00

Last month our Intern, Jody Zimmer, headed up to the mountains of North Carolina looking for another adventure. What he found was America's Largest Home, The Biltmore Estate. Here are a few pictures and some interesting facts about George Vanderbilt's home in Asheville, North Carolina.

The Biltmore Estate

The Biltmore Estate is over 175,000 square feet, making it America's largest home.

Pond Reflection of Biltmore Estate

Several Hollywood movies have been shot at the Biltmore Estate, including Richie Rich and Forrest Gump.

Biltmore Estate Interior Garden*

There are 250 rooms, 65 fireplaces, 34 bedrooms, an indoor pool, bowling alley and more at the Biltmore Estate.

The Banquet Hall*

During a 2007 poll, Biltmore Estate was chosen as the 8th favorite structure in the United States.

George Vanderbilt's Bedroom*

The Biltmore Estate draws in one million tourists each year.

Biltmore Estate Walled Gardens

* Pictures of the inside of The Biltmore Estate are not allowed. The interior picture you see above are take from The Biltmore Estates travel website.

View our Floor Plans and Elevations!

2010-07-13T10:50:00.000-04:00

We have lots of floor plans and elevations available for you to view at our Southern Cottages House Plans website. Once your on the site simply click on any picture or cottages name and you can view its elevation or floor plan. You can also view it in reversed layout. If you have any questions regarding any of our plans, please feel free to contact us. We update our site often, so save us to your favorites and check us out regularly!

Designing Your Kitchen - Part 2: Materials

2010-06-21T14:14:00.001-04:00

Now that you have selected a comfortable layout you can start focusing on customizing your space with the materials and features that will personalize your kitchen. Lets start from the floor up.

Flooring

Tile - The most common type of flooring used in the kitchen is tile. Tile flooring is extremely strong and durable and will handle your everyday foot traffic. Maintenance is also relatively easy.
Cork - Cork has a look all its own. The material is baked in various degrees to achieve different colors. It will definitely be a topic of conversation with your dinner guests.
Concrete - One of the fastest growing trends in flooring today is concrete due to its durability and wide variety of finishes. One drawback to concrete is the weight. You may want to consider reinforcing the floor if you live in an older home.

Cabinetry

Raised Panel - The possibilities for cabinets are endless. The classic raised panel style will look good in just about any kitchen.
Glass - A glass panel door is really beautiful but should be used as an accent piece in a few locations of your kitchen. You probably don't want your cereal and canned goods on display for everyone to see.
Hardware - There are endless possibilities for the hardware you decide to use on your cabinets. For a quick update in your kitchen consider switching out the hardware for a cheap change.

Countertop

Concrete - If you're looking to go modern in your kitchen then concrete might be the answer. Concrete can be mixed in a variety of colors and it makes for a very durable surface.
Marble - A marble countertop will impress your friends but may leave you with an empty wallet. Marble is a high end material with a high price tag. And it's not as durable as most other stones. However it does look amazing.
Silestone - Silestone is a manufactured stone. It has a similar price tag to granite but comes in more colors and is more durable.

Sink

Farmhouse - This style of sink depends on your personal taste. These sinks can be highly detailed or very minimal. There aren't really any pros and cons for a Farmhouse style sink, just be aware that they are generally pretty big.
Self Rimming - These sink come in a variety of materials from stainless steel to cast iron to porcelin and more. Stainless steel is easy to keep clean and can match your fridge and dishwasher.
Undermount - An undermount sink will give your counter space a clean finish and looks especially good with a stone or solid surfase.

Backsplash

Tin - Some have said the easiest backplash to clean in the kitchen is tin. It also comes in a variety of patterns and colors and is easy to install.
Subway Tile - A great way to recapture the vintage nostalgia is through this classic rectangular tile. What once was considered old is now a popular trend in todays kitchen.
Glass Tile - This type of tile is a great way to personalize your space and add a punch of color. Glass tile comes in a variety of sizes, colors, even shapes.

Lighting

Decorative - A great location to introduce decorative light fixtures is over a kitchen island. Find a fixture that matches the style and mood you want for your kitchen.
Under Cabinet - A great way to highlight your countertop and backsplash while providing task lighting.
Recessed - Recessed lighting will put just the right amount of light where you need it.

Designing Your Kitchen - Part 1: Layout

2010-06-17T16:27:00.000-04:00

Congratulations! You're designing your kitchen!

One of the first steps to consider when designing a kitchen is the layout. The layout will determine the placement of the major components in a kitchen such as the refrigerator, sink, stove, dishwasher and storage areas.

The placement of the refrigerator, sink and oven create what is called a "work triangle." These components are the most commonly used stations in the kitchen. The total length of the triangle should be between 12 and 26 feet, so as to cut down on leg fatigue while cooking and preparing food.

Now, imagine yourself in the space preparing a meal. What would feel most comfortable to you? Do you prefer an open layout concept where you can have multiple people in your kitchen at one time? Do you have limited space and need a compact kitchen? Do you prefer an eat-in kitchen? These are just a few of the questions you should consider when picking a layout for your kitchen design.

According to KraftMaid.com, there are five different layouts found in today's kitchens. They are the L, U, G, single-wall, and galley. Below are illustrations of each of these, taken from the article "Five Common Kitchen Layouts". Click on any of the pictures to find out why that particular layout has become a design favorite.

The L-shaped Kitchen:

The U-shaped Kitchen:

The G-shaped Kitchen:

The Single-Wall or Straight Kitchen:

The Corridor or Galley Kitchen:

Here are a few examples of our Cottages which successfully use three of the layouts:

L Shape: Shingle Garage

U Shape: Woods Cottage

G Shape: Shelter Cottage 2466 SF

Once you have selected a layout you can then move on to personalizing the space with materials and custom touches. We'll discuss this step in "Designing Your Kitchen - Part 2: Materials". Stay tuned!

Island Cottage Available on SimCity

2010-06-15T09:44:00.000-04:00

SimCity, a popular city-building computer and console video game series, was first published in 1989. Since then, the popluar game has gone through several different editions which have sold worldwide. One of there spinoff games, The Sims, became the best selling PC game in history after selling 6.3 million copies worldwide.

It was recently brought to our attention that one of the Southern Cottages was modeled and made availbale on SimCity. The Island Cottage can be downloaded on Simtropolis from the user onlyplaces4. In his description he says:

[The] Island Cottage is based on an actual building that has been designed by the architect Michael R. McLeod. You can actually buy the plans to have this house built...

Thank you onlyplaces4 for making us a part of the popular SimCity world. View his model of the Island Cottage here. Or check out a few of his pictures below.

He did a pretty good job don't you think? And here are a few pictures of the actual house availabe at Southern Cottages House Plans.

We're on Twitter

2010-06-14T15:18:00.000-04:00

Don't forget to follow us on twitter. Just click the button below to subscribe and get up-to-date information on our Southern Cottages, the architecture community, energy saving techniques, and more!

Garage Plans

2010-06-14T13:41:00.001-04:00

Looking for a little extra storage space or simply somewhere you can park your vehicles? At Southern Cottages House Plans we offer several different styles of garage plans. Click on any of the pictures below for more information.

The Porches Garage was designed to compliment the Porches Cottage. This plan provides for a studio apartment above a double bay garage.

The Hip Garage was designed to coordinate with the Hip Cottage. Used together on a site, they create a compound of complementary forms and shapes. This plan is for a (2) bay garage.

The Shingle Garage was designed to coordinate with the Shingle Cottage. It also goes well with the Island Cottage. See this example of the shingle garage connected with a breezeway to the Island Cottage. This plan provides for a studio apartment above a (3) bay garage with separate ground entrance.

100 Views!

2010-06-14T13:41:00.000-04:00

We were excited to learn that a few of our videos on the Southern Cottage's YouTube Channel reached over 100 views! We consider this a great success considereing these are some of the first videos we have ever made. Thank you for viewing our videos and we hope to get some new ones up withthin the coming month. Until then, here is a video we enjoyed viewing here at the office. Makes us want to head to the beach and start building with sand! Enjoy...

List of videos made by Southern Cottage's YouTube Channel:

Out on the Porch - by Patrick Joseph Hubauer

2010-06-10T15:55:00.000-04:00

I came across a poem the other day and it reminded me of one of our pictures of the Island Cottage porch.

Out on the Porch

Come sit with me out on the porch in early morn,
And watch a new day struggle to be born.
A tinge of orange upon horizon's breast
And stars now tired--flicker low and rest.

Look through dark leaves to lighter skies in space,
At patterns that resemble finest lace.
So quiet hear the beating of our hearts
As slowly day arrives--and night departs.

The moon now pale high in the sky,
Watch morning birds as they begin to fly.
Tranquility abounds, air crystal clear,
A moment stopped in time, devoid of fear.

To feel the warmth of rising sun,
Another day for us begun.
Reach out your hand for me to hold.
Together, watch this day unfold.

--Written by Patrick Joseph Hubauer

The porch pictured above is from the Island Cottage plan. The Island Cottage house plan is a playful, coastal cottage getaway which could feel at home anywhere there is a view. With its wrap-around porches, roof decks and roof-top observation loft, it is the embodiment of a style we might call "Island Victorian".

Complaints, Comments, Compliments

2010-06-10T11:30:00.000-04:00

We would love any feedback you might have regarding any of our posts. Please don't forget to leave a comment and let us know what you think! Thanks for checking in with us.

New Renderings - Check them out!

2010-06-10T10:15:00.000-04:00

Keenen Altic, our graphics technician, has been very busy updating some of the renderings on our Southern Cottages House Plans website. Here are some of his most recent completed houses.

The Shingle Cottage balcony plan has many special features including skylights over the stair, baths and dressing area, an open central stair well, a laundry chute/hamper, vaulted ceilings in upstairs bedrooms, large walk-in closets at all bedrooms, interior columns at living room, built-in storage cabinets and TV/sound system cabinets in the family room, large "table" island in the kitchen, many full height windows with transom windows above and palladian windows at upstairs bedrooms with easy balcony access.

The Hip Cottage plan is compact, yet has all the features that make for comfortable living including a separate laundry room, large closets and kitchen opening into the living spaces. Front and rear porches extend the living space to the exterior. A special feature of this design is the clerestory light well above the kitchen and living areas. Light from the clerestory bathes the vaulted ceilings and rooms below to create a cheery mood. Large overhangs protect the interior from direct sunlight.

The Hip Cottage with wrap around porch plan is similar to the hip cottage above. This plan also includes a separate laundry room, large closets and kitchen opening into the living spaces. A major difference in this plan is the wrap around porches that also extend the living space to the exterior. This plan also features the clerestory light well above the kitchen and living areas. And don't forget the large overhangs that help protect the interior from direct sunlight.

Keenen did a great job on the renderings. Which one is your favorite?

Our Crazy Intern...

2010-06-07T12:32:00.000-04:00

Last month we posted some pictures that our intern brought back to the office after his first trip to Washington DC. Today, he showed up with some new pictures from his most recent adventure. Our intern, Jody Zimmer, decided to go skydiving over the weekend in Fayettville, North Carolina. Here are a few of the pictures from his jump.

Jody and his tandem partner, and good friend Joe Jones.

They jumped from 13,500 feet in the air.

Traveling at 120 miles per hour.

Looks like he enjoyed it.

Smooth landing!

This jump was Joe's 4,000th and Jody's 1st

What kind of pictures will he bring back to the office next weekend?

Local Legend Gains Interest

2010-06-01T10:53:00.000-04:00

Recently an article was published in the Mormon Times about a little girl who was buried in the Hampstead Latter-Day Saint cemetary 85 years ago and the mystery of her identity.

Looking for answers about a Mormon girl buried in a N.C. grave

By Jake Hancock

HAMPSTEAD, N.C. -- The father had helplessly watched his little girl deteriorate from sickness to death a few days earlier. And now he stands 2,500 miles from home with a borrowed shovel in his hand.

Besides the company of a 9-year-old local boy who happened upon the scene, the solemn father, a Mormon traveling from Utah, was alone as he buried his child in an unfamiliar North Carolina cemetary just off the atlantic shoreline. There were no pallbearers or relatives to help carrythe actual and emotional weight of it all. There were no flowers. And there were no prayers -- as least none uttered aloud

It was just a father in a grassless, windswept cemetary toiling to tear open a fresh wound in the earth as precisely wide as the size of the hole left in his heart...

For the complete story click HERE

The article has recieved a lot of attention since being published in the Mormon Times. Deseret News, WECT Channel 6 News of Wilmington and KSL Channel 5 News of Salt Lake City, have all featured the story. Click on any of the logos below to view videos and articles about the story.

Laura McLeod has been recieving many phone calls from concerned and interested followers of this story from around the United States, eager to help in any way they can. We're excited and hopeful that the mystery of the girls identity will be solved, and look forward to sharing it with you when it happens.

The Problem With Stairs

2010-05-26T12:30:00.000-04:00

This picture may be a little extreme, but at the end of the day, have you ever felt like you've been climbing stairs like these in your 2 or 3 story home?

Stairs are a struggle when you need to move in large furniture or simply a car load of groceries. But they can also become more difficult to handle when getting older. How nice would it be to have your own private elevator to take you up and down the levels of your home? Southern Cottages House Plans offers several plans that incorporate a personal elevator into the design. The cottages below all feature an elevator.

Winds Cottage - The Winds Cottage is a contemporary adaptation of southern coastal elements put together in a new and exciting way.

Porches Cottage - The Porches Cottage is ideal for a streetscape lot in a beach house community or anywhere large, covered porches are desirable. The "inverted living area" floor plan maximizes views.

Shelter Cottage - The Shelter Cottage has a large, sheltering roof and ample covered outdoor living spaces. The linear plan allows for views both front and back from most all rooms making it light and airy.

Peaks Cottage - "Rooms in the roof" and a cascading, sheltering roofline give this house a distinctive appearance.

Is Your Home Ready for the Hurricane Season?

2010-05-25T12:37:00.000-04:00

The 2010 list of hurricanes names has been released and predictions have already been made that this year's hurricane season will produce fifteen named storms and eight hurricanes. Names you hope you don't hear during the next 6 months are:

Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Igor, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Matthew, Nicole, Otto, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tomas, Virginie, Walter

Although the hurricane season doesn't technically start until June 1st, we're already seeing the start of an anctive hurricane season here on the North Carolina Coast. A non tropical low pressure system is drifting towards the southeast coast and has the potential to take on some subtropical characteristics through the overnight. The storm could produce occasional heavy rain showers, gusty winds and dangerous rip currents. Hopefully the storm only produces a friendly reminder to get your home retrofitted for this years hurricane season.

According to the National Hurricane Center "The most important precaution you can take to reduce damage to your home and property is to protect the areas where wind can enter. According to recent wind technology research, it's important to strengthen the exterior of your house so wind and debris do not tear large openings in it."

The National Hurricane Center suggests these five critical areas to protect and reinforce your home during hurricane season:

#1 Roof - "Does your home have a gabled roof? If so, the end wall of your home takes a tremendous beating during a hurricane. If not properly braced, it can collapse..."

#2 Straps - "Metal hurricane straps or clips provide the proper measure of strength and safety for the roof-to-wall connection."

#3 Shutters - "One way to protect a home from damage in wind storms is to install impact-resistant shutters over all large windows and glass doors."

#4 Doors - "Your home has either double or single entry doors. If they are solid wood or hollow metal they probably can resist wind pressures and hurricane debris..."

#5 Garage Doors - "Because of their width, double-wide garage doors are more susceptible to wind damage than single doors..."

For more information on these five critical areas simply click on the name next to the picture or visit the National Hurricane Center Website. Hope you have a safe and uneventful Hurricane season. (Uneventful or not - it doesn't hurt to be prepared.)

Keenen's Trip to Spain

2010-05-20T13:39:00.000-04:00

Last month Keenen, an employee of Michael R, McLeod Architect, took a trip to Spain for two weeks and took in the sites of gardens, fortresses, historic buildings and more. These are some of the pictures he shared with us when he came back from his vacation.

Left: The Cathedral in the city of Seville where Christopher Columbus' tomb is. Right: Mezquita, also known as The Great Mosque of Cordoba.

Left: Architectural arches at the Alcazar of Seville (alcazar is a type of Spanish Castle). Right: More detail of the alcazar in Seville.

Left and Right: Two buildings at the front of Parq Guell Park.

Left: Stone arch walkway in the Parq Guell Park. Right: Courtyard at General Life's garden.

Left: The Catholic Church, The Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia. Right: A mosaic sculpture found on top of the many towers of Sagrada Familia.

One of the many buildings at the Alcazar of Seville

Another building at the Alcazar of Seville

Homes built into the side of a hill next to the Alcazar of Seville

Mocarabe - also known as Honeycomb Work or Stalactite Work

Art or Graffitti? All depends on how you looks at it I guess.

Thanks for sharing your trip to Spain with us Keenen. Who will be next in the office to take a vacation and have some adventures? Whoever it is we hope you bring back some pictures so we can blog about it.

What's Your View?

2010-05-17T16:36:00.000-04:00

Ocean View

Waterway View

Lake View

Mountain view

The House Plans below make the most of special views and vistas for that special beach cottage overlooking the ocean, coastal waterway, lake or hills. With features such as roof decks, windowed cupolas or "widows watch", "rooms-in-the-roof" and elevated, covered porches, our "house plans with a view " can capture that special visual appeal that made you love your lot in the first place.

The Island Cottage House Plan is a playful, coastal cottage getaway. With it's wrap around porch, roof decks and roof-top observation loft, we'll call it "Island Victorian".

The Winds Cottage is a contemporary adaptation of southern coastal elements put together in a new and exciting way.

The Porches Cottage is ideal for a streetscape lot in a coastal house community or anywhere large, covered porches are desirable. The "inverted living area" floor plan maximizes views.

The Shelter Cottage has a large, sheltering roof and outdoor living spaces. The linear plan allows for views both front and back from most all rooms making it a light and airy beach house.

"Rooms in the roof" and a cascading, sheltering roofline give this coastal house a distinctive appearance.

The Lookout Cottage is a magnificent coastal home with roof decks, balconies and a rooftop observation platform perfect for overlooking surrounding trees and rooftops.

(ocean, waterway, lake and mountain view pictures found on google images)

How to Draw a Floor Plan

2010-05-12T10:50:00.000-04:00

A few months ago we posted a three part video on our YouTube channel titled "How to Draw a Floor Plan". Architect Michael R. McLeod takes the viewers through the beginning steps of drawing a floor plan. The process of creating and drawing a floorplan can be really fun and easier than you think.

How to Draw a Floor Plan

Part 1 - Tools and Materials - This video focusses on some the tools and materials needed to start drawing your design.

How to Draw a Floor Plan

Part 2 - Creating a Bubble Diagram - This video discusses the process of creating a bubble diagram, a technique used to scale and organize your living spaces.

How to Draw a Floor Plan

Part 3 - Adding Detail - This video goes over adding detail to your floorplan.

What is LEED?

2010-05-10T12:17:00.000-04:00

You may be hearing more and more about LEED Certified houses and buildings being built in your state, community, or even neighborhood. And in case you were curious what LEED is, we came across an article that sums up what this green movement is all about.

What is LEED?

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) created LEED as a rating system for green building.

Green building refers to the design, construction, and operation of buildings in an environmentally friendly way. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. The rating system is specific to the type of project being worked on. Some of the specific programs are LEED-New Construction, LEED-Existing Buildings, LEED-Commercial Interiors, LEED-Core and Shell, LEED-Homes, LEED-Neighborhood Development, LEED-Schools. The rating systems are broken down in to points for each type of credit. Certification levels within the systems are:

•Minimum points: Certified
•Second highest points: Silver
•Third highest points: Gold
•Fourth-maximum points: Platinum

For more information check out the USGBC website.

Barbara Buffaloe, Architectural Studies, College of Human Environmental Studies, University of Missouri-Columbia

If you have a project you would like to consider for LEED Certification, feel free to contact the owner of Southern Cottages House Plans, Michael R. McLeod, Architect and LEED Accredited Professional, for more information.

Pleasent Outdoor Living on the Wrap Around Porch

2010-05-06T12:58:00.000-04:00

Weekend Weather Forecast for Hampstead, NC

Looks like it is going to be a warm weekend here in Hampstead, North Carolina. There may even be a chance for scattered thunderstorms on Saturday. Most people would agree these conditions make for a perfect evening to sit in their rocking chairs, enjoy a cold lemonade and take in the views from their wrap around porch.

Our selection of house plans with Wrap Around Porches are designed to enable you to enjoy the outdoor views and breezes. Wrap Around Porches are a great asset to a house because they extend the living space to the exterior, they shelter and protect the windows and doors from water damage and they shade the exterior walls and windows reducing heat gain and thereby reducing energy costs. You can also screen-in a portion of the porch for pleasent outdoor dining.

The Island Cottage House Plan is a playful, coastal cottage getaway. With it's wrap around porch, roof decks and roof-top observation loft, it's a great coastal house plan.

The Plantation Cottage draws upon the southern, coastal, low country vernacular and features large, wrap-around porches and a full basement.

The Country Cottage has all the amenities of a larger house designed in a compact space. Its wrap-around porch extends the living space to the outdoors.

The Mountain Cottage is a variation of the Island Cottage and illustrates one of the many customizations of this versatile plan. Its wrap-around porch is a key element in its design.

The Lookout Cottage is a magnificent treehouse with roof decks, balconies and a rooftop observation platform perfect for overlooking trees and rooftops to see the coastline.

The Nags Head Cottage draws upon the charactoristics of the historic, rugged, beachfront cottages found along the coast of Nags Head, NC. The wrap around porches protect the walls and window and door openings while also providing shade from the heat.

Jody's Trip to Washington D.C.

2010-05-04T11:54:00.000-04:00

This past weekend, Jody Zimmer, our student intern from Oregon, ventured up to Washington D.C. to visit the mall and take in the sites. This was his first time visiting the Capital of the United States and was impressed by all the amazing architecture in the D.C. area. Here are a few of the pictures he brought back with him.

In 2007 the American Institute of Architects came out with a list of "America's Favorite Architecture", and six of the top 10 were located located in the District of Columbia. They were:

1. The White House -

Jody just happened to be there when The President was getting dropped off by Marine 1. Talk about good timing!

2. The Washington National Cathedral -

(This picture was taken off of Google Images)

3. Thomas Jefferson Memorial -

(Another picture taken from Google Images)

4. United States Capital -

5. The Lincoln Memorial -

6. and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial -

Although this building wasn't found on the top 10 of "America's Favorite Architecture", Jody's favorite building was actually the old Executive Office Building, pictured below.

Apparently there was so much to see in the DC area that Jody has already began making plans to visit again. We look forward to the next round of pictures from his future visit.

New Video!

2010-04-22T16:09:00.000-04:00

We recently added a new video to our YouTube Channel. This video feature some of the projects completed by Michael R. McLeod, Architect, PA. You can find a complete list of his completed projects at http://www.mcleodarchitect.com/.

We would love any feedback you may have for us regarding and of our projects. Thanks for checking out our blog!

Happy Earth Day

2010-04-22T14:26:00.000-04:00

How well do you know the History of Earth Day? We found a quiz from Planet Green that tests your knowledge about this green holiday. These questions may be more difficult than you think. Here's a few to get you started, good luck!

1. When was the first Earth Day celebrated?
A. 1968
B. 1970
C. 1975
D. 1980

2. Which politician is considered the founder of Earth Day?
A. Senator Gaylord Nelson
B. President John F. Kennedy
C. President Richard Nixon
D. Senator James L. Buckley

3. The first Earth Day consisted mostly of enviromental demonstrations, but also resulted in which of these legislative moves?
A. The creation of the EPA
B. The Ammendmant of the Clean Air Act
C. The development of the Clean Water Act
D. All of these

Are you ready? Take the complete earth day quiz from Planet Green here

What are your plans for this years Earth Day? Leave us a comment and let us know your plans are and how you did on the Earth Day quiz.

Answers: 1. B, 2. A, 3. D

The Island Cottage

2010-04-15T14:38:00.001-04:00

Last month on our blog we featured the Porches Cottage, a design ideal for a streetscape lot in a beach house community or anywhere large, covered porches are desirable. If you missed our post on the Porches Cottage you can can get caught up to speed by clicking here, or watch the feature video on our youtube channel here.

This month we created another youtube video to feature a Southern Cottage classic, the Island Cottage.

The Island Cottage house plan is a playful coastal cottage getaway with wrap around porch, roof decks and roof-top observation loft. The plans are available in several different foundation arrangements and sizes such as the standard crawlspace foundation, piling foundation or basement foundation. For more information on this popular cottage design please visit our website or get comfy, pull out a bag of popcorn and enjoy our youtube premiere of The Island Cottage.

Once playing click on video again to view in larger format.

Stevenson Mazda, Wilmington

2010-04-15T12:29:00.000-04:00

If you live in the Wilmington area, and have driven down Market Street lately, then were sure you have seen the eye catching Stevenson Mazda Dealership. At night it is hard to miss the dealership's "jewel box" double-stack car display. The facility was based on the Mazda national prototype image program and represents the latest cutting edge of auto sales and marketing.

Stevenson Mazda Wilmington, NC

mCafe

Stevenson Mazda at night

For more information on this project or others completed by Michael R. McLeod please visit our website at http://www.mcleodarchitect.com/.

2010 Azalea Festival Fun

2010-04-13T09:40:00.000-04:00

A few of us from the office headed down to the Azalea Festival this weekend and participated in some of the shows and and activities offered downtown. Here are a few pictures from what happened this past weekend.

Stacey and her daughter Lana ventured out to the annual Garden Tour which featured 12 different gardens and the famous Azalea Belles.

The Bellamy Mansion

Lana won over the hearts of all the Azalea Belles she met on the Garden Tour.

Mike and Laura took their grand kids out to see the elephants, tigers, clowns and others perform at the Cole Bros. Circus.

Cole Bros. Circus

A circus would not be complete unless there were some face painting. Pictured above is Mike and Laura's daughter Jenny, and her husband Scott, and their three children: Landon the Pirate, Braden the Zebra and Laura Kayte the Tiger.

Jody braved the Saturday afternoon crowds with a few friends to watch the parade and wander around the many booths and exhibits.

We all had a great time in Wilmington this past weekend and look forwards to nexts years Azalea Festival.

63rd Annual North Carolina Azaelea Festival

2010-04-08T15:23:00.000-04:00

The 63rd annual North Carolina Azalea Festival kicked off its 5 days of celebration this week here in the greater Wilmington area.

The Azalea Festival started in 1948 for the purpose of showcasing the beauty of the local gardens such as Airlie Gardens, Orton Gardens, and Greenfield Garden. Since then the festival has grown to include a circus, parade, art show, concert, architecture and garden tours, a firework show and more.

The forecast for this weekend is said to be sunny and in the mid 70's. Hope to see you out there! We'll be sure to post some of our pictures from this upcoming weekend activities.

Legend of the Widow's Walks

2010-04-08T12:12:00.000-04:00

If you have visited our Southern Cottages House Plans site, you may have noitced a few of our cottages featuring the popular widows walk. But have you ever wondered why they call it a widows walk? You may be surprised where this architectural detail actually originated from.

You may be familiar with the most common legend of the widows walk. It goes something like this:

"The faithful and dedicated wife, performing her daily circumambulations on the cold and lonely widow's walk: The next sail to top the horizon may well carry her husband, gone to sea these many years. But not today. the sun sets, bring to a close her lonely vigil for this day. Perhaps, though, the much anticipated vision will appear tomorrow and if not tomorrow, the next day."

Recently we read an article from the Fisherman's Voice titled Widow's Walk which discusses the evolution of this popular architectural detail. The author, Tom Seymour, believes that the legend of the widows walk may be nothing more than a "sentiment-laden myth". Here is a summary of his article and his idea of where the widow's walk originated.

Originally, widows walks served as an access point in the roof located near the chimney. Back when houses were generally heated by wood, the residents ran the risk of chimney fires. The widow's walk provided a quick and safe route up to the chimney in which water or sand could then be poured downed the chimney to douse the fire.

The actual appearance of the widows walk has gone through a lengthly evolution. On most colonial structures the widow's walk was nothing more then a simple hatch opening to the roof. At this point in time the widow's walk was strictly used for practicality and lacked any aesthetic appeal.

When the New England economy had begun to improve in the late 1800's, and budgets for buiding increased, more stylized and ornate widow's walk started to become the trend. These newly altered widow's walks were generally fully enclosed with windows that were able to open to allow for ventilation during the warm summer months. They also provided a great place for people to have their afternoon tea or evening cocktail while enjoying the view.

In the late 19th century after the advances of highly stylized widow's walk came about, the legend of the lonely wife waiting for her captains safe return from sea came about as well. Since then this has became the most popuar origin of this popular architectural detail found in many historic homes, and homes still being built today.

The modern version of the widow's walk can regualry be seen in seaside towns. Since the price of ocean views comes at a premium, many have chosen to build a little farther back from the shoreline, and still take in the ocean view a top the widow's walk.

Our Widows Walk House Plan Designs incorporate a roof-top windowed cupola or "widows walk", which we refer to as an observation loft, accessed via spiral stair from the second story hallway. This observation loft is a great place to glimpse a distant view, to survey the landscape or to find a special place to read a book or to work on a project in your personal studio.

Island Cottage

Mountain Cottage

Hotel vs. Motel

2010-03-31T11:14:00.000-04:00

Ever wondered what the actual difference was between a hotel and a motel? Or even, where the words hotel and motel came from? Here are a few facts you may or may not have known about these terms of lodging.

The english word hotel comes from French, where the world also means residence. It is derived from the Old French term hostel.

The word motel, is a blend of motor and hotel or motorists' hotel. It is a type of hotel consisting of a single building of connected rooms whose door faced a parking lot.

We recenlty wrapped up a hotel project in Leland, NC. The West Gate Best Western is now open for travelers looking for a place to rest and relax and enjoy that beautiful North Carolina weather!

Best Western West Gate Inn & Suites

Hotel Lobby - Front Desk

Hotel Lobby

Breakfast Area

Swimming Pool

Southern Cottages on YouTube!

2010-03-30T16:06:00.000-04:00

At Southern Cottages we are breaking into the world of web videos. You may have noticed one of our first videos featuring the Island Cottage. And there are plenty more on the way! You can stay up to date with whats going on at Southern Cottages House Plans by subscribing to our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/southerncottages.

Until we get some more videos uploaded to our channel here are a few YouTube videos you might find of interest.

Looking for some furniture for you new place? How about this chair that can go from seating one to sixteen with a simple pull at each end. The chair, from the company Flexible Love, is made from recycled paper and recycled wood waste and can hold up to 4,224 pounds. Leave us a comment and let us know if you have room for one of these in your living room!

To view this video larger click here

Porches Cottage

2010-03-24T09:32:00.000-04:00

The Porches Cottages is just one of the many cottage plans offered on Southern Cottages House Plans. This style of cottage is ideal for a streetscape lot in a beach house community or anywhere large, covered porches are desirable. Views are afforded front to back from nearly all rooms even if adjacent houses are close together on a crowded waterfront site.

This plan is available in four different styles: the Standard Crawlspace Foundation, the Standard Piling Foundation, the Side Garage Entrance, Piling Foundation, with Elevator, and the Roof Deck, Piling Foundation, with Elevator. Please click on any of these styles and you will be directed to additional pictures and information on each variation.

Recently at Southern Cottages we started to get our feet wet with making videos. This is one of of our first videos which features the Porches Cottage. This video can also be viewed on our YouTube page in a higher quality, just click on the video. Hope you enjoy, and please let us know what you think!