Katrina Cottage Floor Plans at Lowes

From Lowes.com:

What are Katrina Cottages?

Soon after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, architect and planner, Andres Duany developed the concept for a small, permanent home designed as a dignified alternative to the FEMA trailer. The first Katrina Cottage was designed by Marianne Cusato as affordable housing for displaced residents and emergency workers and is being considered as affordable housing in resorts, camps, vacation communities, the military and others nationwide as well.

Do the Katrina Cottages meet local building codes?

The cottage blueprints are designed to meet the International Building code. However, since the cottages must be built on-site by a contractor, the homeowner will still need to verify the plans meet the local building codes. Important! Customers must consult local building codes, ordinances, regulations and laws before proceeding with any construction project.

How is a Katrina Cottage different from a trailer or mobile home?

The cottage blueprints are designed to the same specifications as a full-scale house. The only difference between the cottages and a traditional house is the size. The cottages are smaller, more affordable and faster to build.

Do the cottages expand?

Yes. Some of the cottage plans are designed with additions that can be built as time and funds allow.

Can I make changes to the floor plans beyond the existing designs?

It is possible to have custom changes made by hiring a local architect to modify the plans. Modified plans are derivative works based on the original design and may only be used by the purchaser of the original plans for constructing their Katrina Cottage.

Will the Katrina Cottage require ground reinforcement or a foundation?

Because Katrina Cottages are considered permanent structures, they do require a foundation and in some cases, local ordinances may require the house to be built on piers. Make sure to follow all local building codes when constructing a Katrina Cottage. The homeowner will need to check the flood elevation of the lot to ensure the piers are set at the proper height.

How much assembly is required? Do I need my own contractor?

Katrina Cottages are designed to be stick built homes and will require a professional builder. Although much of the work can be performed by a qualified Do-it-Yourselfer, there are several steps in the process that will have to be inspected by a qualified home inspector. A professional builder will be well aware of how to build homes according to local codes. Lowe's does not install or build Katrina Cottages; however, local contractors can be found through an area's Chamber of Commerce.

How long does it take to build a Katrina Cottage?

The construction time of a Katrina Cottage is dependant on the style and type of cottage being built. Always talk with your contractor when working out build timelines.

What is included in the cost of a Katrina Cottage?

Once the Katrina Cottage plan is purchased, work with your local Lowe's Commercial Sales Specialist to obtain a material listing and to provide assistance with purchasing all the necessary materials for your Katrina Cottage.

How much does it cost?

The price for the materials will vary depending upon the size and style of the Katrina Cottage and the current commodity prices.

How is Lowe’s involved?

Lowe's sells the plans and raw materials to construct the home.


Where/How can I get a Katrina Cottage?

The customer can purchase plans online at www.lowes.com/katrinacottage. Customers without access to the Internet can order via phone by calling 866-714-5916.

How will the cottage be delivered?

The materials necessary to build a Katrina Cottage will be delivered in multiple jobsite shipments to help the builder manage the amount of raw materials on the jobsite. Normal delivery fees apply to each delivery.

Who do I contact with additional questions on Lowe’s Katrina Cottages?

Contact your local Lowe’s Commercial Sales Team.

I LOVE this Cottage

I absolutely LOVE this home for sale down the street from me on 53rd Street. The homeowners have taken great care to preserve the lovely roof, original six over one windows, and have repointed the brick with appropriate mortar.

The upstairs has been converted into a fantastic master suite with private bathroom and there are 3 other bedrooms on the main floor.

The kitchen has been opened up to modernize the floor plan but the owners were careful to retain the original butler's pantry. In the back yard you will find a winning garden with bubbling fountain and special cottage which would be perfect for a studio or home office.

This home is listed with Keller Williams Realty - 912.232.8580

Not an architect, no problem! Floorplans made easy online.

Interested in taking on a big renovation project but don't have the time or know how to develop your own floor plans? No worries.  www.floorplanner.com has just the thing to help you out. The online resource allows you to use their 2D and 3D interactive floor plan software free once a year. You can also sign up for different packages based on your use starting at $29 per year.  The program is easy to use once you get the hang of it and allows you to enter your dimensions, drag and drop furniture, and view the layout from every angle so there is no second guessing how your project will look once complete.

Thanks to my friend, Matthew Allen, who first showed me this site.

Lighting & Hardware Inspired by the Past

Rejuvenation is a Portland, Oregon based manufacturer and retailer specializing in vintage styled lighting and hardware.   The store was born out of necessity--the owners could not find enough period lighting and fixtures to properly renovate their storefront and soon found other homeowners in the same situation. They began stockpiling original period lighting, doors, windows, and hardware. As they gained momentum in the early 1980's they decided to start up their own manufacturing company and the rest is history. Rejuvenation has built its success of the past but the company has its eyes on the future.  Their company is dedicated to becoming carbon-neutral and dedicates 10% of their proceeds back to community organizations.

Check out their website. I guarantee you will spot something that delights you:

http://www.rejuvenation.com

Special thanks to my preservation-minded friend, Erin Melick, for sending along the link.

Fall window boxes

Fall window boxes, here I come! I am in the process of painting my new flower boxes that Steven Spoon built for me. Dilemma, dilemma, dilemma. Paint them white like my home? Or h'aint green or a funky fun color to complement my chartreuse door.  I need counseling.

However, I do know what I want to put into the three boxes. Semi-edible assemblies of lettuce, peppers, some herbs, a flash of color, and something that cascades down the front here and there. Maybe some mums or ivy... Inspiratin comes easy. Its the perspiration that gets me.

What I have learned online:  if you have the boxes custom made, make sure to have your handyman drill a couple of small holes at the bottom of the boxes to ensure proper drainage.  Once this is complete, fill the box up to about 2'' from the top with a mixture of peat moss and dirt.  Dig a tiny hole and add the flowers making sure to space them appropriately to allow your flowers to spread. Depending on your choice of flowers and how much sun you receive, water accordingly and feed 1 -2 times a month (http://www.ehow.com/how_4870695_plant-spring-window-boxes.html),

Cottages in Mayfair? You Betcha!

  We had such a good turn out last week for Mary Ann Forrester's Open House in the Mayfair neighborhood of Savannah, Georgia.  I always thought of Mayfair as more of a ranch neighborhood but check out the images from her listing at 23 Sulgrave Rd. tell a different story.

  Apparently the home burned while the owners were out of town. They made the loss an opportunity when they decided to work with J.T. Turner Construction to do a total redo of the home.

 


  The results of their hard work and diligence were a success! The home's strongest selling point is its spacious kitchen that is open to the living room and airy breakfast room. The home is beautifully decorated and features family-friendly design where comfort meets practicality.

Cottage of the Week - Tudor on 49th Street

Our first cottage to be featured on the Cottage of the Week is an especially adorable home in Ardsley Park: (http://www.ardsleyparknews.com/). The Tudor styling of this home with its half timbering, sloping roofline, and curved doorway is extremely charming and the curb appeal is exceptional.

Inside, the cottage there is a generous center hall with period lighting that leads to two of the bedrooms at the rear of the home. As is custom, the two rear bedrooms are separated by a Jack and Jill bathroom whose tub was just reglazed and regrouted by my cousin, Garner Creel, who owns  the Grout Medic of Savannah, http://www.thegroutmedic.com/savannah-ga.html. 

The living room has a cozy fireplace, five gorgeous windows, and french doors that lead to the dining room.  Of course there is another bedroom with a master bathroom complete with a step-down shower. I had never seen bathrooms like this until I moved to Savannah and now I adore them. 

The cottage was built in 1930 and was renovated in 2002 by some of Garner's friends. The kitchen has been fully updated and includes some very alluring features like an eat-in area with built-in window seat, island, tons of stoarge and workspace, not to mention stainless appliances and corian countertops. Designer lighting and tile completes the picture. Usually I try and appreciate a cottage's small but quaint kitchens but after being inside this home, I have decided that I must have a kitchen like this. Seriously, it is gorgeous.

Now that I have given myself over to all that is new and shiny, I must give props to the owners (present and past) of this home. It has obviously been loved and well taken care of. The windows are in especially good shape, the masonry fireplace and chimney appear to be sound, and the hardwoods are in perfect shape. All in all, it is a very livable cottage that has remained true to its roots.

This home is being marketed by the deVegter Group of Keller Williams of Savannah Downtown: http://www.devegtergroup.com/.