In this layout the traffic flow is circular, from the front door through the living room to the dining room to the breakfast area and family room and then back to the foyer. The kitchen connects to the garage through the utility/laundry.
A well executed courtyard makes a house memorable as well as more livable. The strong indoor-outdoor connection is a powerful lure but also the geometry of the space, its openings and wall surfaces, and paving materials play important roles,as you can see in modern plan on this post.
This minimal, modern cottage makes a great lake home, with ample decks, porches and a hot tub on its "lakefront" side. Size and cost are kept to a minimum, but the vaulted ceilings in the main space and bedrooms lend a feeling of spaciousness, while the open plan and large...