This rerun is for Sara, who is looking for a ranch house design to build. I originally ran this post back in spring 2008. Source for this design is the Small House Planning Bureau, St. Cloud, Minn. Year: No info.
“Not another one! Yes, another thing that I’m becoming obsessed with – collecting and then for hours, scrutinizing, vintage 50s house plans. It’s sort of like — the quest for Eldorado. The quest for the perfect little jewel box. Not that my house isn’t great. But I am intrigued to see if I can discover the perfect 50s house in the most compact footprint. I have these criteria, the house must have:
- Two full bathrooms – honestly, I know that legions of Americans lived with one, but that is where I draw the line.
- Foyer with adjacent coat closet – Foyers always get cluttered and then there’s the whole muddy boots thing. So, this must be a clearly defined area with handy storage.
- Mudroom – Same as above with the addition that the mudroom must be between the garage and kitchen so that all junk can be left in this ante-way with a door to close behind it.
- Good kitchen layout – I know it when I see it.
- Dining room or area must also be well designed. If there’s a dining room – it needs to be in a flow where it can/will actually be used every day.
- One, not two, front doors — It is very bad feng shui to have two doors (e.g. one main door, one visible into kitchen or mudroom) visible to the street. Like, the energy does not know where to enter.
On virtually all other counts — exterior design, layout, size of rooms — hey, I’m flexible! Here is my first pretty darn close to perfect home, discovered after a few hours of staring intently at a new stash of home plans. I’m telling you – hours of cheap and wholesome fun!
This house gains points for:
- Utility/mudroom/lav off the back of the garage leading to the kitchen. Washer/dryer – right there.
- Twoand a half baths.
- Kitchen is nicely done, great flow to family room.
- Bedrooms are small but that’s okay.
- Foyer close enough, coat closet a little far from the action, but okey.
- And (shown in original image at top, and below): Nice curb appeal
Loses points for:
- Kind of big — but pretty darn well-done for 1625 s.f.! From a book of four-bedroom plans. Which is what makes all this stuff fit!
- I don’t honestly think 20′ wide will do for a two-car garage, would have to be bigger, in reality.
Honestly, I think my quest will be complete when I find a 2 BR 2 BA 1,200 s.f. winner. But the more I look at this particular home design – the more I think, it’s a really really good one – especially considering that it is 4 BR. Stay tuned, the quest continues.
Debbie says
I just found your site. I live the the same 1976 house that i grew up in and i see so many things with it i would like to change. my floor plan is similar to this one but i have bigger issues or so it seems that need attention. thanks.
Richard Flanagan says
I am looking for the Layout Diagram or possibly the Prints of the T-504 by Rudolph A Matern. It was about 1956
Thank You
Nina462 says
I have a book of house plans from 1927 The Home Builders Catalog. It’s huge and is my “coffee table book” of choice. It’s original, 2nd edition. I love that there’s a message “Do Not Tear Pages, Nor Clip Illustrations from This Catalog-And thus impair its usefulness to yourself and others”. It has matching garage plans too (The Pierce Arrow, The Duesenberg, The Hupmobile–cars that no longer exist). It lists all the manufacturers needed for building your home circa 1927. But I digress….I have a 65 Ranch (owned for 4 years), and I found the original blueprints to my house-stuck in a cubby hole in the basement. What a find!! Now I know that the wood beams in the living/dining room are original. I think I might have these matted & framed (would look good in my office). Maybe I should scan my blueprints in someday.
Heather says
Hello,
I love this site! We live in a house very, very similar to the layout above. Built in 1963 ours varies slightly with 3 bedrooms instead of 4 and no lavotory at the garage end of the house. Overall this is a great floorplan to live in. I work as a renovation consultant and am constantly looking at new floor layouts and projects that need major additions and renovations. It is a pleasure to live in a home where nothing has been touched and it still functions beautifully. Let me know if you want some photos of this layout in “real life”.
Linda says
Hello,
I’m Linda and it’s a joy to read about other people who are interested in retro house plans. I love to take an old house plan and change it up a bit. I have been searching for awhile for sites that show old house plans and I’d like to share one that I love. I hope you enjoy it. http://midcenturyhomestyle.com/plans
There are quiet a few 50 and 60 ranch-style house plans listed. Also, does anyone know where I can find free art deco and/or moderne house plans? I have not been able to find much for that era.
PugFreek says
Of course I will!
sablemable says
Sara,
I was successful with scanning (how easy was that?) and sent the images on to Pam. I hope they are what you are looking for or at least along the same lines.
Sara says
WOW! what a kinship I feel right now. Thought I was the only house plan geek out there. Can’t tell you how you all have made me feel. I look at house plans to relax! House plans are a hobby and I love it. An old house plan book would be my perfect gift. My hubby, soon to be 13 year old son, and I plan to build a house in back of our present farmhouse which will be torn down (we will be “parting” it out) Don’t get all misty eyed please – it was not built to last, trust me on this. I will salvage what I can. We have built before and did a 1,989 sq.ft. 4 bedroom 2 1/2 bath long ranch (75′) with a front porch across the front. White with dark green shutters. Still looks timeless. Took a lot of planning to get 4 bdrms, nook, fam. rm. dining room/living room combo all for under 2000 sq. ft. The new owners take great care of it, thank goodness as I drive by on my way home although people say they don’t see “life” happening there like when we lived there. It’s on a main highway and is one of those places you check out as you drive by. (Life happens at our new place! Cows, dog, cat, barn, out buildings, fruit trees, split rail fence, mowing, tractors, 4-wheelers, oh boy.) Had to find an old plan from an old book and expand the master bathroom and closet to update it. So many house plans today are squares so as to fit on a city lot but I will always love a long ranch! They also put all the living in the back of the house nowadays and I would like to be able to catch a glimpse of who is coming up our driveway. No McMansion for me. Most definately I trust you folks as I would trust no others! When the time comes, I’ll be asking for lots of opinions! Hoping spring of 2010 or 2011. My husband wants me to “pick a plan” already! Must be 2000 sq.ft. or less (I keep coming up with 2,160!) and bedrooms (3 is fine) at one end. A covered patio and front entrance (this is the NW) and because we’re in the country with all that entails we need a mud room with a big closet, upright freezer space, w/d, and bench would be ideal. Me, I of course scrutinize the kitchen and really want the sink under a kitchen window rather than in an island. A small hearth room or family room off the kitchen for me to relax would be my ideal while the “boys” are in the large living room with woodburning fireplace and TV. We have that situation now with the farmhouse and I love it. I totally agree that these “open” kitchens are not for day to day living. Been there; didn’t like it. Want to be able to make noise, decorate it a little different than the other spaces but still see out a little and not feel isolated. Prefer the flow to go through the center of the house and not go across a room. A place to lay out food for entertaining buffet style is my ideal. As a Realtor I can’t help but think resale even though we’ll live there forever if we can. Someone will eventually need to sell it. So think 1950s, ranch on a slight slope, timeless, maybe even slightly modern although really a rustic style would fit the location. Lots of masonry. Welcoming. (but) Just like most out there we are uncertain about the economy.
By the way, I really liked your plan. You’re on the right track! The outside was nice as well. Thanks for the encouragement that bigger isn’t better. I want to be able to care for this house for the next 40 years and pay the taxes. You guys are awesome!
Sara says
sablemable you’re a doll! We real estate agents use scanners a lot. Got a friend in real estate who can help? A plan # and designer might connect the dots online. My eyes are blurry from reading about environmental stuff for clock hours; think I’ll check out Barnes & Noble and find some chocolate:) Thanks again, and again. You don’t know how tired I am of tan boxes everywhere.
sablemable says
Hi, Sara!
Sometimes there are old house plan magazines on ebay and there are finds in out of print or used book stores online, as well as checking Barnes and Noble out of print section. Always look for the publication date when you click on the details. I’ve managed to find several plan mags from the Fifties and early Sixties from Barnes and Noble.
I know what kind of ranch home plan you’re looking for as I’ve seen it in some of my plan books. I’ve never used a scanner before, but I’ll see if I can do it and send the plans to Pam to post. Will that help?