Posted by Pete Leibundguth on April 13, 2010, 5:22 pm
I've just about completed the two tapered columns on the street side of our J-series in Virginia.
We are talking about reducing the overall size of the columns for the 6 tapered columns facing the water. Has anyone tried out a smaller sized tapered column than the one detailed in the plans? Photos or thoughts welcome
I have been waiting to see if anyone can send you photos of their verandas, but as they have not I will add a few comments.
There are many ways to build these columns, and some look better than others. The columns that are detailed are large, and you can certainly reduce the width of them by 6-8" and still have a well porportioned columned. The main thing is to keep the taper at a similar slope,as any more will tend to look odd. If you want us to show you what it would like like smaller I can send you a drawing.
Meanwhile, others should still send links to their completed homes
Pete, when we built the columns on the front of our J Series home we felt they were very large, almost huge. But, as a designer myself I understand that proportions and balance are necessary. We considered reducing the size but opted to trust the design, and now that we've lived here for a year they're grown on us. From a distance they “feel” correct. Up close, they still feel a bit big, but they've grown on us (no pun intended). We too have an amazing view of the lake out the back and decided to not do tapered columns in back, so as to not minimize the view. We felt a loss of view on the front of the house, when looking out the front kitchen window, and we didn't want that to occur in the back. We just left the 8x8 treated posts and we're very happy that decision. You can view pics of our home at http://www.flickr.com/photos/40809799@N04/sets/72157621832324998/. We can't begin to tell you how much we love this house. Can't find much fault in this plan at all. A couple of tweaks here and there, but for the most part, we love it.
I am currently looking at house plans and like you love this house and layout. Since you have had some time to live in the house any advice or changes that you could pass along.
By the way love your location, awesome view, thanks KP
Hi KP. We absolutely love the house, more than one probably should . We'd build this house again in a heart beat if we had to rebuild for some reason.
We made a couple of modifications to the plan. We extended the upstairs loft over the living room, eliminating the vaulted ceiling there, as well as eliminating the costs associated with loss of energy heating and cooling that space. We also added a full bath upstairs as well as a large walk-in closet opposite it. This makes the house a 3 bdrm, which helps in appraisal.
We also turned the half bath in the hall by the kitchen into a second pantry and made the entry to the second bath accessible from the hall leading into the laundry. This made it more accessible as our guest bath, so guests wouldn't have to go through the 2nd bdrm to get there. We also had to do some modifications on the side, where the roofline runs into the garage wall, afraid of water damming up.
And last but not least, we kicked out the back of the garage another 5 feet, to increase garage size. I'm really glad about that. Can't have enough storage space in a house. My only regret, is that I ran out of money before I could build a shop out back. But, I can handle that .
If you're ever in the SW Missouri area and want to see the home, we'd be happy to give you a tour. Where are you considering building?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Derek
I can't think of anything else we'd do different or add.
Thanks for sharing your photos. We have been going back and forth a few years now trying to decide on the I or J design. Finally decided on the J model. Love the design. Was very happy to see some of the details of the home through your photos and hear about your mods. We have finally found the right piece of property to build on and we are very excited to begin our home project on Vancouver Isand!!
