I recently made a loaf of Scandinavian Rye Bread. The recipe said it was dense, as it should be with grains like millet and wheat berries. And oh boy, they were not kidding. Unlike my recent baking experience, The Brantley Plan: A Traditional Home with Master Up by Living Concepts is a house plan destined for use, practical yet engaging. There are two half-baths, five full baths, four bedroom suites, with 5148 square feet and a detached garage.
The Brantley plan is a traditional one. There are four columns at the front entrance (loggia). Typical with the traditional home, the house is planned symmetrically, with four dormer windows, two per side. Additionally, there are mullioned windows on each side of the door with a balcony over the entrance.
The Brantley Plan: A Traditional Home with Master Up
First, the Detached Garage and Workshop
The two-car garage is detached from the home. It also has a door to the right. Step inside, and you will notice stairs going up to another level- the workshop. Here, you have almost 300 square feet to set up your woodworking tools. Or, perhaps you are a tinkerer, someone who loves to take apart and put complex items back together. Either way, this room just adds to the versatility of the home.
The Brantley Plan: A Traditional Home with Master Up
First Floor: Study, Dining Room and Family Room
Let’s enter the front. In the foyer, you will see the stairs going up. Then, on your right, you will see the study. It has a coffered ceiling (coffers are indentations on a ceiling). There is a fireplace on the right and access to a powder room nearby. Next, on the left is the formal dining room, which is open to the foyer.
A closet under the stairs will hold family or guests’ outerwear as it is shed when you enter. Then, ahead of you, is the family room. A fireplace is on the right side, the second one downstairs. This room also has a coffered ceiling. It opens up on the left to the gathering and breakfast rooms.
The Brantley Plan: A Traditional Home with Master Up
First Floor: Raised Patio and Guest Suite
Three doors from the family room open up to the raised patio in your backyard. Ready for a family celebration or neighborhood barbecue? Then you have the spot to entertain them. Oh, and make my ribs dry please.
For those overnight guests or family members, there is the guest suite on the right side of the house. From the gallery, which is between the family room and foyer, a powder room is straight ahead. On your left, however, is the door to the guest suite. It boasts of a walk-in closet and full bath, with an enclosed toilet. There is also a walk-in shower, single sink with additional counter space, and a closet for your linens.
The Brantley Plan: A Traditional Home with Master Up
First Floor: Gathering Room, Breakfast, Kitchen and More
From the family room, you can walk into the gathering room, which is open to both. A window seat allows you to recline and look out over your garden (perhaps), or snuggle in with a great book you have chosen from one of the shelves on either side of this seat. Also, a door opens up to the raised patio.
Next is the breakfast room. A banquette bench here with a small dining table (because you’ve put the larger one in the gathering room) will make dining cozy. But wait- there’s more. A mud room on your right with a bench, storage room, powder room and a door leading to the outside? Check! And how convenient, right? Especially for those BBQers.
And this is the more….
Then, on your left, is the toy closet. So, that’s where all the Matchbox cars were hiding! Plus little Lego pieces, because who wants to step on those barefoot. Ouch! Next to this room is the kitchen. An island with its own sink makes preparation simple for that slaw you must have with your barbecue. The countertops are on the right wall. They arc to the left and will allow for extra seating at the peninsula (a kitchen countertop that extends away from the wall).
The dishwasher and double sink are both on this peninsula. The stove top is on the right wall, while placement for your refrigerator and double oven (to keep those ribs warm!) is on the left side of the kitchen. Also on that side is a walk-in pantry for all of your goodies. So you can make rolls to go with that meal you are planning. Or dessert.
Finally, on the left side is the hobby room. Wait, a room just for me and my Cricut? Or my serger? I’m going to the craft store soon.
The Brantley Plan: A Traditional Home with Master Up
Second Floor: Three Bedroom Suites and More
Four bedroom suites comprise most of the second floor. All have their own baths. Suite #2 overlooks the backyard and its bath has a single sink, tub/shower and toilet, with linen storage nearby. There is also a walk-in closet. Adjacent to this suite are stairs that go up to attic storage (no pull-down ladder here!).
Suite #3 faces the front of the home. It is slightly larger than the other two suites and also has a walk-in closet. Its bath has the same set-up as suite #2, with a larger bath but no linen storage. However, the laundry room is right next door, and even before you step into that room, there are two small closets, one on each side of the door, for you to store extra linens and bath supplies. Inside the laundry room, you have a utility sink, counter space and a place for your washer and dryer, as well as cabinets above.
Finally, suite #4 has a reach-in closet. The bath has a pedestal sink, bathtub/shower and toilet. From the sleeping area, you can step into the recreation room. Peloton, anyone? After coffee, of course.
In addition, you have three ways to access storage on the second floor. The first is from the recreation room (and this is the largest area). Suite #4 has access on the wall behind the closet. Also, the bath for suite #3 has convenient access to storage.
The Brantley Plan: A Traditional Home with Master Up
Second Floor: The Master Bedroom (Finally!)
Like the Florence Plan, the master suite is upstairs, as well as the laundry room. The master suite occupies the left side of the second floor. The sleeping area is nearly 300 square feet. There are two spacious walk-in closets. The bath has a linen closet on the left side. There are two sinks, one on each wall, allowing for plenty of movement in this room without bumping into one another. An enclosed toilet, garden tub and a walk-in shower complete this space.
The Brantley Plan: A Traditional Home with Master Up- Conclusion
Bread aside (because it is temporary, unlike house plans), the Florence Plan is one full of extras. This traditional home has plenty of living and working spaces, room to dine and for your family to grow into it. If this is the plan for you, be sure to click the green button on the right side that says add to cart. And then, maybe store those bags of millet and wheat berries in your kitchen pantry. Just in case.