In DFW, where winters are not so harsh.. is a fireplace in the Family Room required? (homes, buyer)

[TurtleCreek80]

The only thing that jumped out at me on your floor plan is how tiny the dining room is at 12x15. I just did a quick spot check of SL listings and I guess it is the "normal" size out there but if you entertain a lot for business or family holidays, you'll barely be able to get an 8' table plus the minimum 3' space from table to wall to fit chairs going in & out. Having a serving console or china cabinet will make the room feel really tight. Most of the new construction in Park Cities & PH have 17x13 as the smallest dining room size, with most being 17x20+. May not be necessary in SL, but consider your entertaining needs before going that small.

Yes- you need fireplaces for resale. Have you considered putting one in your outdoor living space? Then maybe one in either study or master! Although, family room really feels like it needs one to "anchor" the room. what will the focal point of that room be?

[kanling]

Personally, I don't like fireplaces. Why? 1. Too much hassle to use because I have to do work rather than just adjust a thermostat. 2. The open flu decreases the energy efficiency of the house during the 99% of the time when the fireplace is not being used (even with fancy energy conserving fireplaces this is true). 3. Stinks up the air in the neighborhood and also in the house. If the equivalent pollution vs. energy output from a fireplace were scaled up to an industrial scale factory, the EPA would shut it down.

That said, a lot of people ignore the practical and go for the romantic. As others said, for a house at that price, a fireplace may be expected even if it is rarely used.

[ChristieP]

We have gas logs in our fireplace, so when we want to use it, we just turn them on, and when we're done, we turn them off. No mess, no smell, no keeping a woodpile which draws snakes, etc. And when we aren't using the fireplace, we close the flue.

As others have said, you need a fireplace at that price range for resale and aesthetics. Without one, your house will look cheap! And I totally agree that 12x15 is not big enough for a formal dining room.

[pinipig523]

Originally Posted by DitsyD

I'm curious. If you have a media room, right there next door to the family room, why do you need a tv in the family room?

I'm not trying to bash. I just don't understand.

We like to eat in front of the TV... it's tough to eat in the MR I think.

Originally Posted by Bypass13

With a media room next door, I do not see the need for another big tv in family? Install a small one in the kitchen and let Mrs have her painting over the fireplace. At your price point buyers expect two fireplaces or more. You can put fireplace in master bed instead if family room must have a big screen.

That was another thought. But if we have the FP on the far wall by the outdoor place, we can have the outdoor fireplace go back to back like this....

http://www.houzz.com/photos/354170/O...-santa-barbara

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

The only thing that jumped out at me on your floor plan is how tiny the dining room is at 12x15. I just did a quick spot check of SL listings and I guess it is the "normal" size out there but if you entertain a lot for business or family holidays, you'll barely be able to get an 8' table plus the minimum 3' space from table to wall to fit chairs going in & out. Having a serving console or china cabinet will make the room feel really tight. Most of the new construction in Park Cities & PH have 17x13 as the smallest dining room size, with most being 17x20+. May not be necessary in SL, but consider your entertaining needs before going that small.

Yes- you need fireplaces for resale. Have you considered putting one in your outdoor living space? Then maybe one in either study or master! Although, family room really feels like it needs one to "anchor" the room. what will the focal point of that room be?

Yeah, maybe you're right... I'll have to bring it out a foot or two. I'm limited but the width of the house because of the lot restrictions. It may have to be at most 13x17. Probably more like 12x16.

This is what we want the DR to look like. Boxed ceiling and wainscoting.

http://www.houzz.com/photos/214110/S...g-room-chicago

[Obamney1]

We do use our gas log fireplaces and really enjoy one in the family room. One in the formal living only gets minimal use, may be 3-4/winter. You don't have to have one in the family if it is not going to get much use or if it doesn't fit in bigger picture.

[pinipig523]

This is another idea I'm thinking about instead of a vaulted (cathedral looking) ceiling in the FR... thinking of going 14 feet tall and boxing the ceiling in white beams.

Living Room - traditional - living room - seattle - by Paul Moon Design

Instead of the cathedral/vault (though not as grand)...

Robinson's Bay Residence - traditional - living room - minneapolis - by Murphy & Co. Design

The kitchen I want to look similar to this...
http://www.houzz.com/photos/109770/N...kitchen-boston

[TurtleCreek80]

Originally Posted by pinipig523

This is another idea I'm thinking about instead of a vaulted (cathedral looking) ceiling in the FR... thinking of going 14 feet tall and boxing the ceiling in white beams.

Living Room - traditional - living room - seattle - by Paul Moon Design

Instead of the cathedral/vault (though not as grand)...

Robinson's Bay Residence - traditional - living room - minneapolis - by Murphy & Co. Design

The kitchen I want to look similar to this...
Needham Kitchen - traditional - kitchen - boston - by Venegas and Company

LOVE the first family room link and the kitchen. You are going to have a beautiful new home!

[pinipig523]

Originally Posted by TurtleCreek80

LOVE the first family room link and the kitchen. You are going to have a beautiful new home!

Thanks TC!

You like the white boxed ceiling over the vaulted cathedral look with dark beams?

I was thinking of raising the white boxed ceiling to at least 13-14 feet tall... taller than in the pics but NOT 2 story tall because I think that's way overplayed and too non-cozy.

[ChristieP]

Originally Posted by pinipig523

Thanks TC!

You like the white boxed ceiling over the vaulted cathedral look with dark beams?

I was thinking of raising the white boxed ceiling to at least 13-14 feet tall... taller than in the pics but NOT 2 story tall because I think that's way overplayed and too non-cozy.

Dark beams will make it look very 1970s, IMHO. I would stick with the ceiling color like in the photos.

Be careful about getting the ceiling too high. You don't want to have to drag out the extension ladder every time to need to change a lightbulb! Also, the higher you go, the less energy efficient it is, and the louder the room becomes. Our ceilings are 10 feet and I love that height. I would think 12 feet would be about the max I would do.

[DitsyD]

Originally Posted by pinipig523

We like to eat in front of the TV... it's tough to eat in the MR I think.

Eat in the kitchen in front of a tv there?