Author: Richard Wallace

The Perfect Porch

It’s no secret that outdoor living is all the rage in housing. But how do you make each space a special place to spend time in? So let’s spend a brief moment talking about basic dimensions and the overall feel of both front and back porch living.

The Front Porch

A front porch is a semi-public, outdoor living space. It needs to be deep enough to be usable, 6′ at a minimum but 8′ preferred. The relationship to the sidewalk is critical. The elevation adds a degree of separation without a visual barrier. A handrail helps to define the space. The distance from the sidewalk is also critical. If there was a garage, driveway and a 15′ utility easement between the front porch and the sidewalk, the activity of the street would be lost. During the pandemic this is the perfect spot to be socially distanced from your neighbor without wearing a mask.

The Back Porch

Unlike the on-display front porch, the back porch offers a more private experience. A place wear you can enjoy your morning coffee still in your PJ’s. The trend has been for this private outdoor living to grow into three distance functions: lounging, cooking and dining. Back porches tend to be deeper – 10′ to 12′ or more.

Hidden away from the activity on the street to watch, we can add TV’s and fireplaces to back porches. The cooking is actually grilling and that can happen on the back porch or beyond in the backyard. You need to be mindful of the heat and smoke that comes with grilling making the backyard a nice alternative when space is limited – except of course when it rains.

A New Trend

The next awesome trend is opening up the interior of the home to the back porch including disappearing stacking sliding glass door to accordion doors. In many climates this usually requires the porch to be screened so the house and porch don’t fill with flies and mosquitos. I wouldn’t advise completely opening up your house to your front porch. I’d also caution against grilling on the front porch unless you bought enough food for hungry neighbors passing by – otherwise, that’s just cruel!

Porches are not a new concept, but they have become big selling points in a hot markets. When incorporating them in a home, it’s important to consider how these spaces will be used. Think outside the box and consider how to make each space memorable and inviting.

Adapted from Housing Design Matters Blog

“Just a ranch plan with big doors – right?” Wrong! Let’s first establish that there is more to empty-nester plans than that.

What are some other misconceptions or generalizations?

“When it comes to this buyer profile, small fits all” – Wrong again.
“All empty nesters have the same amount to spend on a home” – Obviously wrong.
“They all want to live in The Villages” – Many do, many do not.
“They only want single-family detached” – Not necessarily.
“Everything on one level” – Not always.
I think you get the idea…

Like all buyer profiles, the empty-nester demographic is diverse in their wants and needs. However, there are some nuances that appeal to this buyer profile.

Single-Family Vs. Attached

There is a common perception that the only appropriate housing for empty nesters is single family detached. But there are buyers who prefer an attached home. One popular building configuration is the twin villa. You get the three sides of light and proximity to a neighbor who can watch over the “lock and leave” neighbors’ unit.

Advantage of Two Floors

Busting the myth that all empty nesters want one-level living, there are many who benefit from two floors of living. The second floor is perfect for visiting kids and grandkids. The second floor can also be great for an exercise room and is the preferred location for a home office – not all empty nester buyers have stopped working. When they do stop working, the second floor is a great get-away space as too much together time can be harmful to one’s marriage. The other advantage of two-story solutions is density and affordability.

What Goes on the Main Level?

Obviously, the kitchen, casual dining, and great room are what make it the main level, but what else? Clearly, this is an easy quiz. A two-story empty nester home should have the owner’s bedroom on the main level. Anything else? If there is space on the first floor, see if you can squeeze in a flex room – especially if it can flex into a guest room. A guest room and a flex room are most preferred – but that isn’t always feasible, and it also means in a two-story home – more square footage.

How Many Bedrooms?

Some age-restricted adult communities limit homes to just two bedrooms. Hopefully, the kids are willing to host the holidays. What happens when one bedroom becomes the “snore” room? Again, while the number of bedrooms desired differs by each buyer, most consider two bedrooms plus flex as their minimum and three bedrooms plus flex as their maximum.

Make Room for the Pet

When counting bedrooms, don’t forget to carve out room for the pet. Dogs and cats are important family members for this buyer. Some say they are their surrogate kids or grandkids. While some think a special place for the dog to sleep is important, others acknowledge the dogs sleep in the owner’s bed. A nice perk for the dog-friendly house is a place to bathe them. I love adding a dog shower in the garage. It can be affordably done with a shower pan and a handheld showerhead.

Other Must-Haves

If possible, avoid steps into the house and steps into the shower. One step is often more of a trip hazard than a full flight of stairs. If you have a step, be sure to include a railing or a grab bar. Ample lighting is also key for this buyer since the lens of the eye thickens as we age, allowing in less light. Include both natural and artificial lighting throughout. Finally, add step lights to all steps and even in the toilet room.

Don’t Forget the Joy

The one thing you don’t want to do is design something that feels institutional. Bright colorful interiors are a great way to add joy. Maybe even layer in a few comfort features such as heated towel racks. Everyone enjoys a few indulgences!

Is there really an “ideal empty-nester plan”? With so many possibilities, I would argue no. However, keeping a few general guiding principles in mind like those we just discussed can definitely go a long way.

Adapted from Housing Design Matters Blog

As the bright yellow, orange, and red leaves of autumn fall to the ground, the landscape is suddenly void of color. The bare trees and frostbitten grass take on a gloomy gray color – paired with an even gloomier gray sky. As the days get shorter and the darkness comes earlier, it is not surprising that many find this time of year depressing. Oh – and then there’s the cold itself. Brrr!

Winter is coming! While there is nothing we can do to stop the seasons, there is much we can do to chase away the winter blues and even enjoy the most wonderful time of the year. Continue reading “Home Sweet Home – Part 11 – Chasing Away the Winter Blues”

The RWB Team wishes you and yours a joyous, blessed holiday season.

Our office will be closed Friday, December 24th and Friday, December 31st to celebrate with family and friends.

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful. We truly appreciate all the vendors and customers who have supported Richard Wallace Builder, Inc. over the past several decades. The RWB Team also hopes that Thanksgiving brings the blessings of warmth, cheer, love, and peace to your home.

Our office will be closed Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26 to allow us to celebrate this special holiday with family and friends.

The kitchen is really the heart of the home. Whether big or small, it’s where friends and family always tend to migrate and mingle. With that said, there are four elements that make for a truly perfect kitchen: serviceability, connectivity, sufficiency and pleasurability.

Continue reading “Home Sweet Home – Part 10 – What Makes a Great Kitchen”

What is the first thing home buyers come into contact with when they visit your house? The front door, of course! You know what they say about first impressions. The front door is one of the most important features on a home, and one of the simplest ways to make a good impression. Continue reading “Home Sweet Home – Part 9 – The Front Door”

Clean, fresh, airy, light, and bright! Who wouldn’t want to describe their home in these terms? That doesn’t mean your house needs to be entirely white on white. Cool colors in shades of soft blues, greens, and grays are also aesthetically appealing. With a few simple changes, that are relatively inexpensive and easy to implement, your home will feel bright, welcoming, and spacious! Continue reading “Home Sweet Home – Part 8 – Brightening Up a Dark Space”

We walk a fine line when determining what’s hot and what’s not, whether it be in the fashion industry or the building business. As you will see in the blog below, trends come and go, oftentimes quickly. Much of what makes a house a home is personal selections and these need not succumb to the latest trends. Continue reading “Home Sweet Home – Part 7 – Trends for 2021–What’s Out, What’s In?”

We have looked at the dramatic changes in homes over the past several decades–everything from front elevations to owner’s bathrooms. Our final segment looks at one of the most significant differences in today’s homes versus those built in the past 50 years–outdoor living spaces. Continue reading “Home Sweet Home – Part 6 – Outdoor Living”