Stage #1

Stage #2 >>

We met with Scott Grote of Grote Construction in May 2001. Immediately we felt at ease and he outlined the process of planning a new home. We were neither intimidated nor overwhelmed after meeting with Scott. We had already looked through some magazines for ideas but other than that we were total novices to the home-designing process. Scott helped us focus on building the home "from inside out" to make it meet our lifestyle and needs.

Here is one house we liked from scouring a bunch of magazines as well as a couple of initial floor plans that Curt drew.

original plans we liked from a magazine	Curt's Sketch #1 first floor	Curt's Sketch #2 second floor
click to enlarge	click to enlarge	click to enlarge

We forwarded this list of priorities to Scott as he worked on a first set of plans for our new home.

1. wrap around porch
2. island in kitchen for food prep (no stove top) since Audrey makes a big mess when she cooks
3. 3 bedrooms and a separate den/study - study can be downstairs or upstairs
4. 2 person jet tub in bathroom to master bedroom with separate shower stall
5. mud room/laundry room with 1 or 2 wash basins
6. 2 car garage with side entrance with one big garage door
7. French doors to deck from breakfast nook instead of sliding glass doors
8. main entrance roughly centered from front view of home
9. dining room needs a wall where Audrey can place a hutch even if the room is "merged" with the kitchen or great room
10. We like the open bar between the kitchen and the great room/dining room of the Keltz home but if it doesn't fit anywhere that's okay
11. walk-in basement with 9 foot ceilings
12. We like the Victorianesque curved turret of the house in the magazine plans. It adds a unique touch to the house. Perhaps the study and bedroom jet tub can be situated in this rounded corner.
13. that cool Whole House Music System like the Keltz home!
14. Audrey would like her Porsche 911 to be red.