Any idea on how we can overcome poorly designed access on a slope
We are building a new house which is on the hillside of the road with significant drop at the front. Unfortunately, we are building with a small bulk builder a custom house design. We didn't realise the garage is sitting quite high above the street level and didn't pick it until foundation was laid. The builder didn't alert us to this and it's already too stressful dealing with the builder so making last minute changes was not possible.
Is there any solution we can adopt to manage this so we can enter or go out of the driveway easily?
Comments (16)
dreamer
last yearHU-90490831
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1940's NZ kitchen - small, awkward-ish layout.
Comments (121)I would suggest you take out the cabinet that is to the right of the stove and use it elsewhere in the house -- perhaps in the bathroom or dining room with a hutch above it. Then, I would suggest you have someone install a lazy susan cabinet in the corner between the sink counter and the stove, meaning you would move the stove down a bit and have a small cabinet/counter top to the right of the stove. I would suggest you have the cabinets refinished in white and then paint the walls a pastel you like. If you would prefer white walls, then add white-painted crown molding and paint the ceiling a light neutral blue, such as Sherwin Williams Niagara Falls Blue. Then, I would suggest you choose a favorite accent color and use this sparingly in accessories like towels, pot holders, small vases or floral arrangements, and a valence above the triple windows. For a genuine 1940s look, you might have white ceramic square tiles with a rectangular red border installed as a back splash behind and above the stove. If you are replacing counter tops, I would suggest a light color such as white with a beige or light grey vein or striation for some sort of pattern. You might be able to find the same color and design in floor tile OR opt for a wood floor as another poster suggested....See MoreI need ideas to make this patio a special little place to sit.
Comments (9)I agree with lefty. Really think you should cut back the area. Even if you don't pave in the degraded area just plant it will look larger. Two levels shrink the space one level feels more like a room. Also I can tell the fence is your neighbors because the rails are facing your side. I would face the fence so that it looks better in your side....See MoreNeed help with kitchen design
Comments (11)Here's a couple of ideas that work really well as alternatives to a walk in pantry. They integrate into your wall cabinetry, allowing you to keep central spaces open and free flowing. Using drawers to create a pantry as Esselai suggests. Check out how Harn Triomax soft close drawers are used in just this way. Availble in classic white or metallic grey. Two front to back depth options - 500mm and 5500mm. And 8 drawer width options from 450mm to 1200mm. Alternatively, there are a number of quality pull out pantry options in the German designed and made Vauth-Sagel range. Some are installed with fixed fronts to match your cabinetry, and others are installed behind hinged doors. See below (from top to bottom) the VSA model, DUSA model and HSA model. These all come in a variety of width options and specs, from chromed wire shelves to sold bases with glass panelling....See MoreFloor Plan Ideas
Comments (7)Hi IdaC, I had the pleasure of living in a California Bungalow many years ago now that had almost exactly the same plan as yours apart from a few modifications that your house has had. The living and master bedroom were switched and the ensuite was just a bathroom from the hallway. The problem with the house plan is the blocking of the rear of the house by the kitchen wall to the hallway and so the circulation goes around through the dining. If you want to alter the layout for a more modern lifestyle with good access to the back yard, I would make the living room another bedroom and put in a new long but narrow bathroom occupying some of the current dining room or possibly part of the existing living if you don't mind a smaller bedroom. The new bathroom can be just 1200mm wide having a 1200 long shower against the outside wall with a high window in it and then the toilet and the vanity near the door. Put the plumbing on the new living wall unless you install full length wardrobes on the wall between it and the new front bedroom. Then I'd delete the back bathroom and make that and the laundry into a walkthrough scullery and laundry and keep the outside door. Put a galley kitchen along the central back wall of the house with an island facing a new dining area where your current kitchen is with double glazed doors to the front hallway. Then make the back bedroom and 3/4 dining room, the living room and open that up to the rear yard. Ideally you'd want the living space on the North side of the house and the plumbing areas on the South, but that might be an expense too far. You could build a really great outdoor entertaining space outside the living room that links with the backyard bungalow if that became an overflow living area/man-woman cave!!!! or just a granny flat or office. If you want to do it in two stages, start by builing the new bathroom and opening up the back bedroom and 3/4 dining into the living room. That way you can start with the three bedrooms where they intend to be. Then you can look at doing the kitchen, scullery, laundry and dining when you are ready and either set up a temporary kitchen in the living space or eat out for a few weeks between when the old kitchen is removed and the new one becomes usable. Good luck, Christine....See Morebigreader
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Kate
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macyjean
last yearlast modified: last yeardreamer
last yearIf not a garage then investigate installing a carport at street level. Use the garage for something else. But putting a carport at street level would require costly site works to cut into the slope. You need to way up the cost against the inconvenience of a very steep driveway. And not entering the home directly from the garage.
PROVBIS
last yearlast modified: last yeartwb60
last yearHU-90490831
12 months agoHi all, thanks for your comments regarding our building issues. I thought I’ll send this draft driveway plan to get your input please. This is a plan as proposed by the builder.
It has been a really difficult and long process. Thank you very much
dreamer
12 months agoHU-90490831
12 months agodreamer
12 months agoThe plans are a bit blurred, but I think the gradient reads at 1:4. This is the recommended gradient for cars. I would leave as per the builders drawings. You don’t want a flat bit of driveway at the top as this will cause the vehicle to bottom out. You have almost 11 metres of driveway, plus the crossover. Your driveway will give two car lengths on your driveway. This should be sufficient to negotiate. You have a straight driveway proposed going directly into your garage. It is steep, but not bad. You will learn to drive it correctly.
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12 months ago
siriuskey