How to Start Your Home Design

Thinking of building a new home? Here are some tips for getting your ideas together for your home design.

• Find and purchase your land
• Start documenting your ideas to present to Bonin Architects

Why is it important to purchase your land before you start getting too far in the process of the home design? The land will undoubtedly have an impact on the design of the home: its footprint, number of stories, whether or not you can have a walkout basement, orientation, etc. Once you have your land, Bonin Architects will visit the property with you to help site the home within the town Planning Board regulations and the Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act guidelines.

Then it’s time to start gathering your ideas for your new home. General requirements such as the use of the home (primary residence, vacation, or retirement home), the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the location of your Master Bedroom, the use of outdoor space, and having an eat-in kitchen or separate dining room are some things to start thinking about.

Bonin Architects will work with you during the Schematic Design Phase of the home design to develop the size, footprint and layout of the home. In this phase you will also address any specialty features, rooms, and other priorities you have for the home, including a home theater, office and/or media room, craft room, sun room, porches, decks and basement use. Use your current home as a comparison for what you like and what you do not like about each room, space, and its use.

Working with Bonin Architects for your home design will result in having much more than a home with a standard floor plan – together, we will create a custom home design that matches your philosophy and lifestyle, a reflection of who you are, how you live.

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Design Your Home Before You Find Property?

Once you decide to build a home, it’s hard not to think about it. There are many design elements to consider, and your architect will guide you through the decision-making process. Some of these you can decide on before you find the perfect piece of property; however, there are some decisions that will be influenced by the characteristics of your land.

Design elements to think about before you find property:

• Specialty rooms for hobbies or activities;
• The number of bedrooms and bathrooms you will need;
• Storage space requirements;
• Design details such as a gas fireplace vs. wood;
• The theme of your interior design (colors, light, textures)

Wait until you find your land to determine these design fundamentals:

• The home’s size and number of stories: site or local restrictions may limit the size, height, or even the placement of the home on your property;
• Type of foundation: the type of foundation system you choose may be dependent upon local or state codes, the lot size, slope, and soil type;
• Walkout basement: a sloping lot can allow for a walk-out basement, providing more usable square footage for recreation areas or additional guest bedrooms.

If you’re excited to get started on planning your home design, we suggest you create a binder of clippings and samples you are collecting. Include design elements and details you do not like: sometimes these are more valuable to your architect than features that you do like.

Ready to get started? Call or stop by to schedule a free site visit!

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NAHB Predicts New Homes in 2015

We may not know how many new homes will be built in 2015, but we do know what they will look like.  The National Home Builders Association’s Economics and Housing Policy recently asked 3,019 builders, designers, architects, manufacturers and marketing specialists in various locations to describe the  likely characteristics of the average, new single-family detached home in 2015.

The findings have some surprising, and not-so-surprising, results:

• The average new single-family home will be smaller, between 2000 square feet and 2,399 square feet
• Needs will outweigh wants in terms of size and features
• Universal design will be a key architectural design consideration for new homes
• Energy efficiency is one of the top goals for newly constructed homes, and new homes will have more green features, like low-E windows, engineered wood products, and make efficient use of water
• Technology will be a top priority in a home built in 2015
• Landscaping and outdoor living space will receive more attention as homeowners will utilize their outdoor space more
• 2-car garages remain high on the list

Specific room priorities:

• The formal living room will either be combined with another room in the house, like the music room or library, or completely disappear
• Kitchens will feature a double sink, recessed lighting, and table space or a breakfast bar for eating
• First-floor master bedrooms with walk-in closets will be a priority

Least-likely features of the 2015 home?

•     Two master bedroom suites
•     Sunrooms
•     Hobby rooms
•     Formal living rooms

 Read the rest of the survey  

Whether you’re building or remodeling a home in 2011, 2015, or anytime in between, Bonin Architects has various architectural services to help you design, build, or remodel a home that fits your priorities.   We’re located on Main Street in New London, NH.  Call or stop by to set up a free consultation!

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Progress on Lake Sunapee Custom Home

Progress is ongoing on our custom home being built on Lake Sunapee!  The crew has worked through good and bad weather in order to hit a target finish date of July 1st.  Check back for more construction photos and product descriptions!

Kitchen cabinets being laid out

Crown molding

Custom stair

French doors leading to balcony

Lake elevation

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Vermont Custom Cabinetry

Are you building a new home?  If so, you know the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house.  Picking cabinetry is one of the bigger decisions you'll make.  We’ve been introduced to Vermont Custom Cabinetry – and if you haven’t seen their beautiful cabinetry, you should plan to visit one of their showrooms.

As you would expect, Vermont Custom Cabinetry hand-selects their woods for color and quality, then cuts and assembles each component to meet the specific requirements of your project. Each piece is hand-finished to your taste and carefully blanket-wrapped for delivery and installation in your home.

Let’s face it:  you want your cabinetry to be as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside.  Vermont Custom Cabinetry creates exciting designs with specialty features and accessories to make your life easier and to complement any room, style or décor. They have a wide array of racks, dividers, pull-outs, shelves, lazy susans and more to accommodate all your work and storage needs.

Beaded Inset

Flush Inset

Frameless

Of course you want quality. One of Vermont Custom Cabinetry’s most important assets is their reputation.  They continually upgrade their materials and construction to ensure quality both in aesthetics and construction.

Talk to Bonin Architects about your new home design.  Our staff can guide you through the process of designing a custom home and design each interior space – kitchen, living areas, and private areas such as bedrooms and baths – around your site and your lifestyle.

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Vacation Cottage Plans, Sunapee NH

Construction will begin right after Labor Day on our client’s vacation cottage in Blodgett’s Landing on Lake Sunapee. The new cottage was designed within the Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act (CSPA) guidelines and the historic nature of Blodgett Landing’s architectural style.

The cottage design has its roots in the Landing’s Victorian influenced architecture; steep gables, expansive porches and lacy "gingerbread" trim all have been distilled into a clean modern interpretation of the area’s homes.

 

The floor plans are designed to enjoy lakeside living with the basement level providing access to and from the lake, along with a ¾ bath, media room and game room with a snack area and wine refrigerator.

The cottage plans feature a spacious porch overlooking the lake and adjacent open kitchen, dining, and living room for entertaining. The master suite on the second level also features a covered balcony for quiet evenings spent watching the sunset over Lake Sunapee.

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Lake Sunapee Open House with Q&A July 10th

It's not too late to register to attend our Free Open House Tour at a custom home near Sunapee Harbor on Lake Sunapee, NH!  Here are the particulars:

Saturday, July 10, 2010

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Custom Home near Lake Sunapee

Whether you're a local or are visiting and thinking of owning a summer home on the Lake, if you are building a new home, adding square footage with an addition, or remodeling a lakefront home or cottage, get answers to your specific questions at this unique Open House! 

Q&A with Green Building Experts
Ask your questions to a local green architect, builder, and realtor!

NH Architect Jeremy Bonin, Custom Homebuilder Everett Pollard, and Local Realtor Dan O'Halloran answer your questions about the Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act guidelines (CSPA) and how they may impact your anticipated home design, green building products and cost, reasonable time frames for designing and building a custom home, and more!  Your questions direct the discussion.

Directions to the Custom Home are given to registrants only!

To register, call 603-504-6009

The heat wave will take a break just in time for the weekend!  Sunapee weather for Saturday predicts a high of 79* and a 50% chance of a scattered thunderstorm or two - the perfect weather for being inside enjoying a home tour!  You'll have plenty of time to catch the fireworks in Newbury at the town's Old Home Day after the Open House!

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Things To Do in NH This Weekend

Planning to build or remodel a home in the Lake Sunapee, NH area?  If so, make plans to attend a special Open House this weekend!  Not only can you tour a beautiful custom home but you can get all of your questions answered about building a home from local green building experts Bonin Architects & Associates, Northcape Design Build, and Colby Real Estate!

Open House with Q&A

Saturday, May 1st   4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Call for Directions!

Bonin Architects & Associates  603-504-6009

Ask questions about eco friendly homes, green technology, sustainable design, green materials, smart building, and more!  A question-and-answer session will be guided by what you want to know, so bring your ideas and questions!  See you there!

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Lake Sunape Area Open House

Our next event will be held at a spectacular custom home near Lake Sunapee, NH. If you are looking for land in the Sunapee / New London area, or already have property and are planning to build a new home, this event is for you!

Open House at a Lake Sunapee Custom Home

~ Talk with the Green Building Experts ~

Green Architect Jeremy Bonin, Bonin Architects

Green Builder Everett Pollard, Northcape Design Build

Lake Sunapee Realtor Dan O'Halloran, Colby Real Estate

Here's your opportunity to get your questions answered about building a new home or addition or remodelling your existing home. Q&A based on audience discussion! Ask about Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act guidelines (CSPA), budgeting and costs, green home design, working with an architect, custom home costs, green building materials, and more!

Saturday, May 1, 2010

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Registration is required. Directions will be given to registrants only.

To register call Bonin Architects & Associates, New London, NH
603-504-6009

Relaxing atmosphere - Refreshments

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Georgian House | Colonial Revival

Our newest home design is for clients building a Colonial Revival in the Lake Sunapee area. This home style is also called a Georgian House, and is one of America’s favorite architectural styles.

This 4200 square foot, two story home has traditional form and simple, elegant lines indicative of colonial architecture. The home design is symmetrical and has a centrally located entry door and curved stairway. Windows are proportioned and balanced, and two fireplaces are located on each gable end of the home, also true to colonial home design.

The floor plan features an abundance of open and defined living space for hosting dinner parties and accommodating private conversations or visiting grandchildren watching television. The large, top-of-the-line kitchen is open to the dining and living areas, while a sunroom captures property views and adds to entertaining space.

The home also features an elevator to accommodate any future accessibility issues to the second floor master suite and guest bedrooms.

A guest house and barn were built last year on the property, allowing our clients to living in the carriage house while the main home is being built this spring.

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Lakefront Green Home

The design is underway for a lakefront home for our clients, a newlywed couple building on their property overlooking Chase Pond in Wilmot, NH. The home is a traditional New England style home designed at approximately 2500 square feet.

Goals for this custom home are energy efficiency, low maintenance, and flexibility in the design, as our clients are planning to live in it well into their retirement years. The home has several special features: an open floor plan, three bedrooms, each with private baths; a tower, and a large media room.


Having an open kitchen, dining area, and great room are a priority for this couple. Holidays are filled with visiting friends and extended family.


The second floor Master suite will be the couple's private retreat. Years down the road they will be able to move to the first floor suite.


Check out our other house plans in the works on our website!

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Ocean View Home

One of our architectural design clients is building an ocean view home in Middletown RI, overlooking Third Beach, Sachuest Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean.

The 2400 SF ocean view home is in the preliminary design phase. With the garage in the basement, this plan makes efficient use of space.

The first floor features an open floor plan, with a lower level conservatory to capture views of the ocean in four seasons. The dining area is open to the kitchen and living room. Exterior decks are designed to maximize outdoor living space and to enjoy the beauty of the coastal architecture and surroundings.

Two bedrooms and two baths are located on the second floor. Multiple windows take advantage of gorgeous ocean views and allow for ventilation to capture the crisp salty breeze.

The exterior stone, window grille pattern, conservatory, and covered porch are all consistent with New England coastal architecture.

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Architectural Drafting Services: Custom Home Design

One of our most recent clients were not interested in building a timber frame home, but were drawn to the openness and creativity timber houses afford. At the same time, they did not require full architectural services, only limited drafting services, but wanted to work with an architect to pull their design ideas together and make them work with their land’s difficult terrain and elevation issues. We were happy to assist them by providing drafting services for their new custom home.

The result is an attractive, welcoming river front home with water views that meets their family needs – four bedrooms, plenty of storage, and space to entertain guests in both formal and informal social gatherings.

The full basement has 1832 square feet of living space as well as a two-car garage. Entry to the house from the garage is accessed through a mudroom that has two large benches and a generous closet for coats. A kitchenette with counter seating is a welcome addition to the open family room. The basement opens to extensive outdoor patios, which creates the perfect space for casual entertaining and to enjoy the surrounding property.

The first floor, meanwhile, features an open kitchen / living area with plenty of windows to capture water views of the river. A formal pantry provides additional storage space and provides access to the formal dining area that seats eight comfortably. The Master Bedroom suite is spacious and features French doors leading to a screened porch overlooking the Mississippi River.

Our clients are very happy with their home and in working with an architect, stating, “Bonin Architects did a wonderful job in working with the best of our ideas and where input was required they were happy to do so. They assisted us with some difficult terrain and elevation issues and we are now able to go forward with the construction of the home confident that the home is filled with our ideas and Bonin Architects’ expertise. We had consulted half a dozen design services all of whom took weeks or months to present alternatives. Bonin put the plan together in less than one month.”

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Custom Home Design Update

The home design process is continuing for our clients in southern NH.

One of our clients’ priorities is having enough space to entertain about 20 people four times a year. To add more living / entertaining space in the floor plan, the dining table was reduced in size and moved to replace the informal banquette. While the table is still large enough to seat extended family for holiday meals, the enlarged open living area is better suited toward hosting cocktail parties.

The dormer bays in the living and dining areas were changed to soften the interior lines. The kitchen was reconfigured slightly to take advantage of the added space and to streamline traffic flow.

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Hybrid Home Starts Construction

One of our hybrid homes is starting construction in New Hampshire. Our clients are acting as their own general building contractor for their new home – no easy task!

The hybrid home design combines timber framing, SIP panels, and conventional construction, and is 2745 square feet. The center section is 1316 square feet of timber frame construction, 836 square feet for the first floor great room, kitchen and dining, and 480 square feet in the second floor loft. The entry will utilize a timber frame roof system with insulated panel walls and roof system. SIP panel walls and a conventional roof system will be used in the Master Bedroom connector. Timber frame rafters, SIP panel walls, roof, and panel dormers will be used in the Master Bedroom, and the 576 square foot garage consists of conventional 2x framing and batt insulation.

Construction continues!

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Custom Home Design

This 4400 square foot custom home design features an open floor plan and one story living for our clients who want to accommodate visiting family and entertain guests throughout the year.

The main areas of the home – the kitchen, dining, and great room, are designed to accommodate our clients’ entertaining goals. Custom features include a gourmet kitchen with Viking and Subzero appliances and a large butler ’s pantry. A banquette, which comfortably seats ten, and a built-in china hutch are housed in a bump-out near the kitchen. A wet bar is conveniently placed near the kitchen and the living areas to aid in entertaining.

The home design also features two offices with abundant windows, creating positive, sunny work areas for this busy couple. The spacious custom master suite is configured for maximum flexibility. The bathroom directly accesses the laundry (which is also accessible from the main living area as well) and the bathroom and bedroom are easily separated for privacy. The closets are designed to have double-stack clothes storage as well as single and a dresser/storage island in the middle. The master bedroom has plenty of room for a cozy sitting area next to the gas fireplace.

The two second floor bedrooms have private baths and access to symmetrical reading balconies overlooking the cathedral great room, providing a breathtaking view of the timber frame.With several outside entertaining spaces, guest will enjoy a covered front porch expanding seventy two feet, an enclosed screen porch with a built-in gas grill, and a patio leading from the walk out basement with an extensive custom media room.

We are busy with several other current projects, including a lakefront cottage, one story house plans, an Energy Star home, and quite a few timber houses. Check them out!

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