irvinehomeowner
Well-known member
Regardless of price, motorcourt and location, I am interested in what everyone thinks of the designs of the new homes in Woodbury and Woodbury East.
For me:
Likes
1. Entrance foyer
I dislike opening the front door and being right in the middle of the living room.
2. Great Room concept
The openness is really great for entertaining and for families who focus on the kitchen/dining/family room areas. That's where we spend most of our time.
3. Cali Rooms
While controversial, I've always like the idea of a semi-enclosed outdoor living space.
4. Kitchen pantries and islands
2 must-have features in any kitchen for us. I also like the little desk area they have in some models.
5. Upstairs laundry rooms w/ sinks
Some of the plans have really functional laundry rooms (probably one of the highest used areas in our household) and the Sonoma ones have those great storage areas.
6. Large master showers
Although some are not enclosed like I prefer, at least they are big.
Dislikes
1. No 3-car garage (or expanded 2.5 car garage)
Of course this would be number 1 on my list. As another poster put it, if you're living in these larger homes and have a big family, you're going to need more garage storage. Carmel has some models with garage storage (as does Montecito I think) but it's just not enough.
2. No TV/media wall
In many of the models, they put the fireplace where you would usually put your TV. They put outlets above the fireplace assuming you would hang a flat panel there, but not everyone has flat panel TVs and the fireplaces are so huge... it's impractical. Plus, not everyone likes to have the fireplace in the same are they watch TV.
3. No separate dining area
I can deal with not having a formal living room, but I find a separate dining area to be useful for when you have guests, for homework and just for your own personal mail sorting, gift wrapping, kids playing stuff.
4. Enclosed master showers
Some models have them, more models don't. I prefer showers with 3 walls, it provides privacy and that "spa" feel.
5. Small master bedrooms and closets
Some of the masters are tiny in the bigger houses. Why does the smaller plan (Santa Cruz I think) has a retreat but none of the bigger ones do? And if you're spending that much on a house... make the closet opulent (that's probably more for my sigoth).
6. No vanity desk in the master bathroom
I don't know how many of you would use it but I do think it's a useful place for the ladies to do their hair, apply makeup... etc etc. It doesn't take much room, you can set one up between the two sinks.
There's probably more but I want to hear from other people. And this is an opinion thread so don't be discouraged if you don't necessarily agree with someone else... there are no right or wrong posts here. And hopefully this can stay on topic.
For me:
Likes
1. Entrance foyer
I dislike opening the front door and being right in the middle of the living room.
2. Great Room concept
The openness is really great for entertaining and for families who focus on the kitchen/dining/family room areas. That's where we spend most of our time.
3. Cali Rooms
While controversial, I've always like the idea of a semi-enclosed outdoor living space.
4. Kitchen pantries and islands
2 must-have features in any kitchen for us. I also like the little desk area they have in some models.
5. Upstairs laundry rooms w/ sinks
Some of the plans have really functional laundry rooms (probably one of the highest used areas in our household) and the Sonoma ones have those great storage areas.
6. Large master showers
Although some are not enclosed like I prefer, at least they are big.
Dislikes
1. No 3-car garage (or expanded 2.5 car garage)
Of course this would be number 1 on my list. As another poster put it, if you're living in these larger homes and have a big family, you're going to need more garage storage. Carmel has some models with garage storage (as does Montecito I think) but it's just not enough.
2. No TV/media wall
In many of the models, they put the fireplace where you would usually put your TV. They put outlets above the fireplace assuming you would hang a flat panel there, but not everyone has flat panel TVs and the fireplaces are so huge... it's impractical. Plus, not everyone likes to have the fireplace in the same are they watch TV.
3. No separate dining area
I can deal with not having a formal living room, but I find a separate dining area to be useful for when you have guests, for homework and just for your own personal mail sorting, gift wrapping, kids playing stuff.
4. Enclosed master showers
Some models have them, more models don't. I prefer showers with 3 walls, it provides privacy and that "spa" feel.
5. Small master bedrooms and closets
Some of the masters are tiny in the bigger houses. Why does the smaller plan (Santa Cruz I think) has a retreat but none of the bigger ones do? And if you're spending that much on a house... make the closet opulent (that's probably more for my sigoth).
6. No vanity desk in the master bathroom
I don't know how many of you would use it but I do think it's a useful place for the ladies to do their hair, apply makeup... etc etc. It doesn't take much room, you can set one up between the two sinks.
There's probably more but I want to hear from other people. And this is an opinion thread so don't be discouraged if you don't necessarily agree with someone else... there are no right or wrong posts here. And hopefully this can stay on topic.
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