We Love Water

Water is an interesting element.  It is fluid.  It flows.  It moves.  It takes the shape of its container.  It can be loud.  It can be quiet.  It trickles.

As humans, we have an intrinsic need for water, both emotionally and aesthetically.  Because of this we incorporate water into our lives.  The sounds of water are relaxing and calming.  Watching water flow creates visual interest and also brings a sense of calm.

Water is in our environment in two ways.  The first is as a natural element.  The second is a man-made element.  The following are some ways we love to use water:

Rivers, Lakes and Oceans

French Broad River in NC

Our landscape naturally incorporates rivers, streams, lakes and oceans.  Emotionally, just being near them and listening to the sound of water helps us relax and rejuvenate ourselves.  They create locations where we love to sit and think or spend time with friends and family.  Each of these bodies of water can also be used recreationally.  Fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, surfing, white water rafting and boating are some of the ways we enjoy large bodies of water.

Outer Banks, NC

 

Fountains

Residential fountain

The use of fountains in landscaping is one way to bring a visual and auditory experience to your home, office, city center, etc.  On a small scale you can create a hidden focal point in your garden or an accent to your outdoor living.  Large plaza fountains create a sense of place and are a destination where you meet friends, eat lunch or enjoy their detail and beauty.  People naturally gravitate to fountains.

Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy

Swimming Pools

Swimming pool

Swimming pools bring recreation home on a personal level.  Being able to go in your backyard to swim and play is appealing and fun.
Some pools have a dual purpose and are also built for beauty.  They have clean lines and lush landscaping.  Others include water sprays and fountains to delight our senses. Listening to and watching water glide through the air creates a calming and relaxing experience.

Pool with water sprays

 

Waterfalls

Waterfall

There is a natural beauty to waterfalls.  Seldom seen everyday, the anticipation of visiting a waterfall engages our senses while creating a thrilling adventure.  The sounds of water falling combined with the cascading water is a breathtaking experience to look forward to.

Mingo Falls, Cherokee, NC

Water is one of those things in life that we truly love.  Whether for recreational use or its psychological effects on our senses, most people have a desire to be near water. The sound of moving water is relaxing.  Water also brings visual interest and creates a sense of calm.  Finding a way to incorporate water into our environment brings anticipation and excitement in our lives.

We at Southern Cottages are lucky to live on the Atlantic coast and enjoy the beach regularly.  A few of us also have swimming pools in our backyards.  As you can also see from the pictures in this post, we are privileged to have rivers, lakes and waterfalls nearby in our state, too.  We love water!

Let us help you incorporate a water feature in your design project at www.mcleodarchitect.com.  Or view our architect designed house plans at www.southerncottages.com.

The Value of A Porch

 

A porch can make a world of difference if the sun is shining or if it's a downpour outside. A porch will provide a shaded place to sit, relax and watch the world go by. It's perfect for grilling dinner and spending time with friends and family. If this is your lifestyle, the Shelter Cottage is perfect for you. It has two large porches--plus a deck--available for "outdoor living". It would be perfect at a lake, beach or beautifully wooded lot. Inside you will love the open livingroom/diningroom/kitchen, four bedrooms and extra space. Check it out! All of the Southern Cottages House Plans are designed by an architect to give you style with a comprehensive design at a price you can afford.
 
Let us help you create a building to serve your needs at www.mcleodarchitect.com.
View our architect designed house plans at www.southerncottages.com.

Lighting Reminiscient of the Beach

The lighting at the beach, a boardwalk, or the lakeside is made up of hurricane lamps, twinkling lights and boat or boardwalk inspired fixtures.  Here are some examples to bring the beach home through lighting: 

Hurricane candle holder


  
Hurricane candle holders.

Display your beach treasures in this simple lamp.

Boardwalk light fixture

Nautical Outdoor Light

Marine Bulkhead light.

Kichler Outdoor Nautical Wall Light

Let us help you create a building to serve your needs at www.mcleodarchitect.com.
View our architect designed house plans at www.southerncottages.com.

A House For A Family

 

Shingle Cottage with Balconies

If you have a large family & are looking for more space, the Shingle Cottage w/ Balcony Option is the house for you. The Shingle Cottage has 4 spacious bedrooms - plus a den - with 3 1/2 baths. No more arguing over who's taking too long in the bathroom. The Shingle Cottage includes a living room & a family room to separate the formal space from the family space. Also included are a generous dining room & kitchen, laundry room (with laundry chute) and a master suite. If you're looking for a family home, the Shingle Cottage with (or without) Balcony Option is the house for you. All of the Southern Cottages House Plans are designed by an architect to give you style with a comprehensive design at a price you can afford.

Let us help you create a building to serve your needs at www.mcleodarchitect.com.
View our architect designed house plans at www.southerncottages.com.

Planning For A Residential Elevator

An important aspect of residential home design is taking into account our clients current and future needs.  This includes finding out if an elevator is something required now or will be in the future. 

If you are starting from scratch and designing a brand new house, an elevator can be planned for easily.  You have two options:  you might build your house with the elevator installed from the beginning or a designated space can be planned into the house now so that in 10 or more years the elevator can be installed easily.  Either way, you can work with your architect to find an ideal location for the elevator shaft in the house. 

You might be in the situation where you need to add an elevator to your existing home.  This requires working with your architect to decide the best place for the elevator shaft.  Since the shaft must line up on each level of your home there are a few questions to think about.  Do you already have an ideal location to add an elevator?  Which spaces in your home can be altered to work around the best shaft location?  You might also wonder how exactly an elevator can be installed into your existing home.

The company Adapted Home & Business, out of Portland, has put together a video series about an elevator retrofit.  They have made four short, two-minute videos where they describe how they install a residential elevator into an existing home.  Here is the first video.

Let us help you create a building to serve your needs at www.mcleodarchitect.com.
View our architect designed house plans at www.southerncottages.com.