I’ve done a lot of research and if my husband and I ever settle down I want a knot garden of herbs right outside my kitchen, surrounded by an errant country garden that includes a teak bench on a cobblestone round that has a small Italian water feature on the wall. Under shade trees, of course, for reading and writing and entertaining guests.
As I age, I know I’m in it for comfort, not speed. I may have arthritis and wear camo crocs and you may be fast in high heels but my brain will get me to the destination faster. Thank you, Al Gore, for the internet, te hee.
I keep designing my dream home and it gets smaller and smaller (2/2.5 with 2-car garage) with a guest house studio, 600 s.f. Of course the main house would have a patio with supreme grill, cabinets, burners, refrigerator et al. I don’t know where in the country so certain weather factors would come into play. A roof over a stone terrace with said outdoor kitchen would be great with seating, propane heaters and no shoveling.
Yes, we like the Rockies. Log cabin, perhaps. Lake or mountains, preferably a view of both. Ocean, of course, but only north of San Fran.
I know my kitchen, at least what I need but don’t have the configuration down. Clean, open space and get this, a galley kitchen. These Texas monstrosities drive me nuts, but these huge ones are just for show. They go out or order in, and don’t walk ten feet from oven to refrigerator to sink and really cook.
Oh, I’d have Uncle B craft us a state-of-the-art smoker so that we could have people over for brisket, ribs and chicken. All with a slice of Wonder bread and cheddar. On butcher paper. Or I’d cook up some of Lady Bird Johnson’s Perdenales chili, my way. ‘Tis Texas so there ain’t no beans in that dang chili.
Seeing as I’m going to spend $2 to win a super lotto prize and build the home of my dreams, the little things matter. I know I need an enclosed “butler’s pantry” to keep food away from the dog. Large, cool (granite or other cool surfaces) counters and glass-enclosed upper cupboards for glassware and plates, lower cupboards for pots and pans and bakeware.
There is an elevator ready to be installed. All is to be ready to be made ADA accessible, including supports behind bathroom walls for handrails and doorways are wheelchair-friendly as is the entrance to the home.
Most everything is on the first floor and if needed, the office can be moved upstairs so it is on one level as the office could become a bedroom with en suite bath and a closet. Laundry is important. I need to think about that because I’d normally place it in a large master closet but don’t want the noise. Nor do I want it in the basement. If on the 1st floor a handy chute is needed.
Yes, I could drive an architect and feng shui artist nuts but we’ll need both of them to make dreams come true. Just thinking of the little things. Still working on it as I’m stuck on a desert design I’ve thought of for decades. Think Alamo. Dee
Cooking with Dee 