Another 'what do I need in my dream house' thread

[MozzchopsThirty]

I can't find the thread from this morning which I was enjoying lurking on, so I'll start my own.

Me & DP have just bought our first house together

It needs completely gutting on both floors.
Roof pitches need changing.

We have had the architect draw up a few basics but reading this morning and seeing what is important to people I thought I'd post for some ideas.

DP thinks the cloakroom can go under the stairs but this will mean walking across the tiled floor to get there, would this be an issue?

Definite things we are keeping/having:
Indoor pool
Bar
Courtyard
Downstairs wc
Living/dining/kitchen area
Utility (just not sure where)
Separate living room
Master with walk in wardrobe & ensuite
Master bathroom with bath
Ensuites to 2 or 3 other beds

What would be your must haves??
What would you change?

My top priority would be a natural swimming pond for hot days when you don’t want to swim inside - I would love one, but they are exorbitant.

Instead, I recently had a large oak gazebo and pergola built; there is a seating area under the gazebo which you reach by walking along under the pergola. I’m growing pink rambling roses over the gazebo part, and white wisteria along the length of the pergola. The summer before Covid arrived we had a big garden party, and hung festoon lights over the whole thing, served a big buffet under the gazebo and it was just the loveliest thing. We planned to do it every year after that, but...

Another nice thing we’ve done was create a little library/reading nook when we remodelled the first floor. The dc use it all the time. It’s only the size of a little box room so feels really cosy. It has a window seat to curl up on.

Favourite thing we’ve done though is turn the attic into a master bedroom suite. We took out the ceiling to expose the beams, and put in a series of skylights so it’s full of light. I have plants in hanging planters on all the beams so it’s a very greenhousey! It has a large dressing area with an antique chaise longue which is a lovely place to relax. I love being on a separate floor from the dc, unlike a pp!

I definitely think technology in the house int erms of automation will be the way forward. Id love to have inbuilt speakers in my house, ability to turn things on or off through app or something like Alexa.

If I was doing a house from scratch thats definitely what I'd be doing.

Is also love to have my own little library room with ladder, sad times I need to make love money now so I csn build my dream house haha

We talk about this often! Utility room is a must, pantry would be amazing, we would have ensuite on most bedrooms, porch, 2 reception rooms, big kitchen diner, fireplace in main living room, downstairs loo, bay windows, high ceilings, wide hallway. We have most of these, we have a doer upper so working through the list. Although some won't work.

Shower next to your pool and changing areas / place to hang clothes while in the pool with privacy so good for pool parties.

Boot / dog room (we changed our pantry into a bootroom)

Definitely a walk in wardrobe / changing area instead of an extra en suite

My top priority would be a natural swimming pond for hot days when you don’t want to swim inside - I would love one, but they are exorbitant.

We have a swimming pond. It's actually not that tempting to swim in a "live" pond. The thought of it (and the instagram pics) are better than the reality.

Laundry room with chute, huge larder/pantry, a shower/boot room that I can herd DS straight into from the garden, but mostly for all those little niggly jobs and bits and pieces that always seem to need doing with an old house, just to be done. Also a gardener, essentially I like our house but want someone else to maintain it. I wouldn't want more than 3 bathrooms (family bathroom, ensuite, downstairs shower room with toilet), starts to feel like a B&B

In a house of dreams i would have a library too