Beth, I stand in solidarity with you on garages. You are not alone! While I totally agree that front facing garages that take up more than 33% of the facade don't look great, they don't have to take up that much space, and design of layout and materials and landscaping can make it all work. The reason for liking them? Purely functional. We are in and out a few times a day, so make it easy. Our guests arrive and need to park near the front door, so make it easy. We have to clear the snow a several times a winter, so make that really easy! We roll out the trash/recycling bins...well, only twice a week, but still, make it easy lol.

What I would like is an additional garage door facing the side or back so that when we are using the garage as a shed (doing yard work or working on projects, etc) we could do it without revealing the clutter to the neighbors or, sad to say, without worrying that while we are in the back yard someone is stealing the bikes from the open front garage door.

Disclaimer: the lovely house across the street from me is an outlier in the neighborhood with its rear-opening garage. I suppose that one thing that is lovely about it is that we don't see the garage, just the driveway leading to the back. But it's so charming, I know a front-facing door would be designed in keeping with the rest of the house.

I can not wait to see your designs. ARG is super talented from what I have seen in my short time on the forums. So exciting. I currently have a side entry garage and they are not all they are cracked up to be - lol -( I don't like that people always want to come into my house through the garage since that is where the driveway is)

One big reason I have for disliking front-facing garages is that one is backing out onto a street. With a side or rear facing garage, one is entering the street face front - SO much easier and safer!

One can create a turning space in the driveway for turning if you want to pull out facing forward. On a busy street driving out front-first is definitely better!

Beth, re Hamilton: yesterday I was at a college visit (in OH!) with DS. Someone in our group mentioned doing something in New Jersey, and parent replied "everything is legal in New Jersey". I just love the CD.

The most exciting thing is that we've started the design process with
ARG. We've had a couple of really good conversations and we're firming
up 'ideas' into what we really do and don't care about.

Very exciting!

One big reason I have for disliking front-facing garages is that one is
backing out onto a street. With a side or rear facing garage, one is
entering the street face front - SO much easier and safer!

Everyone's welcome to his or her own opinion, of course, but this is no reason! You just need a "turn around spot" in your driveway ... which also enlarges your guest parking when you have parties!

I'm not ready to post the in-progress design but we're making real progress. I'm really excited with what Doug showed us today!

Seriously? Seriously?!?!?! You tempt us with, "I'm really excited with what he showed us," but you precede it with, "I'm not ready to post the design..."

Evil. Just evil.

:-D

Doug does an excellent job. You're in very good hands.

Beth congrats...can't wait for you to post it. Isn't remote fun and so easily accomplished. We were dubious at first, especially DH, and also because in our province the architect has to be registered or licensed in the province of Ontario. (This is not the case with the rest of the country, as far as I know. ).

It's still a work in progress, One Devoted Dame. DH and I are in the "sleeping on it" phase, and the "I want this area to be a bit bigger but what are we willing to trade off" stage.

I've got it constantly up on my computer and am looking it often so it's all sinking in.

I've got it constantly up on my computer and am looking it often so it's all sinking in.

My plans were approved by the city back in October. We started our build and I still look at the plans daily on the computer. LOL.

Oh, yeah, I figured it was still super early on, but that didn't stop me from being a tad disappointed, lol. :-D

Perhaps, when it's my turn, y'all will be like, "Okay, ODD. Seriously. We don't need every. single. tiny. little. itty. bitty thought in your head. Take a break, woman!"

I will wait in great anticipation, to see what Mr. ARG comes up with, for you!

Bethohio how did I miss where you found property?I miss a LOT working on our house! Can't wait to see where you're headed design-wise. I grew up in the ranch my parents built (with courtyard garage) and we are finishing our own (with detached garage) so you had me at ranch :-) My brother built a ranch with front facing garage in Lake Forest but I don't think I have any pics of it. It's a great house but I would not say it's inspiration worthy.

Does ARG's design include a moat??

It better!!! What's the size of your average moat, anyway?

There's no such thing as an "average moat".

So what about "minimum moat"? You know, like it has to be at least 10 feet deep by 20 feet across, otherwise it's just a kiddie pool?

(This is for personal research....)

;-)

We looked into the moat, but the moat required a 20 ft setback on all sides, and then another 10 feet inside the moat. That just wasn't feasible on our lot. ARG tried to make it work for us, but he said he could only do it if we were willing to go to 2 or 3 stories and so we abandoned the moat dream.

I've spent today baking so it's really gotten be thinking about my desired kitchen design. (30 dozen in the freezer, and two big pans of fudge in the fridge cooling). My kitchen needs to support this kind of day! And gosh--i wish I had a prep sink!

Yummy, Beth, can I have some...please!

Sometimes those zoning ordinances spoil a lot of fun.

Where we are eventually going to build in TN. Requires a side entry garage as well as natural materials, 4 gabled roof and minimum of 1800 sq ft. Oh and no livestock.