Category: Our Utah House

The main differences in this plan are that we have moved the central deck over to the
eastern deck, along with the exit door. Also, Ray wanted to make the kitchen counter
more centered with the roof beams, and so has moved it about 3 feet to the west. In
the process, he has also moved out the wall to my office an equal amount, creating
a space in the northwest corner of the southwest room that can be used for the
soundsystem components. This goes along with our intent that the southwest corner
will be used for the TV, music etc center.

The new plans are not as symmetrical as the previous design, but we think this
placement of the deck is a practical improvement on the views and usage.

There is also an extension to the kitchen counter, for use by people at the level
of the great room. Not sure if we like this or not.

This is still not quite right, but a lot closer. The north wall of the bedroom needs to be moved up to
increase the size of the bedroom, and we want to re-open the pathway through the washer / pantry
area to have a direct route to the kitchen. Also, Gigi suggested that if we place the secondary entrance
over on the eastern side of the house, that opens up the north corner of the house as a good place to
put the water heater room, currently next to the wash area. This would then allow the pantry area to
be increased.

This second one is a view of the loft area, together with an elevation view:

I’m not sure about this either. I think actually the post should go on the left side of the kitchen
entryway to hold up that side of the walkway across to the loft. Anyway, we’ll see what Ray does
with that.

We are looking at the “Second Try” layout and trying to figure out
how to address some of the things we are still not settled on. In
some ways we like some of the “First Try” features better, but
also know that won’t work. We’ve been looking at some designs of
“cabin” interiors that we like and have come up with some general
goals. Above is a vague sketch of how it should go, but we do not
have to go with it if someone comes up with something that works or
feels better.

Goals for next try:

1. Reduce Footprint to 1800

2. Create fireplace for master bedroom, possibly by
rotating bedroom down into Jean’s Room and sharing
same FP as great room from opposite side. Bedroom
will now open right out onto main deck, and jacuzzi
should be moved over, as the two leftmost columns
will now disappear.

3. Move sinks and kitchen down to current location
of nook. (the range / counter will have to be rotated
90 degrees to fit).

4. Move Jean’s space to a loft over Kitchen

5. Move Utility room down to former location of
kitchen.

6. Change “Guest” room to “Niles Study”, and move it
south 12 feet. It can be made smaller, 10′ square
or so, windows facing south. Place an exit out the
east side of study, with a ramp to allow rolling the telescope
out to pad.

7. Take former space occupied by Utility room and
turn it into (smaller) guest room. The bathroom does
not necessarily have to be attached to it, but if you
flip the current bathroom and the secondary entrance
hallway it should work.

Only 7 changes! That’s a lot better than the first time around. There is
hope yet…