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| Star RTM Homes Website Screenshot |
I am a bit tardy getting
a new post out in 2024. This time I thought it might be fun to modify a floor
plan for a small cottage. One such floor plan that caught my eye is from Star
Ready to Move (RTM) Homes, based out of Winnipeg, MB. The Elm Grove is a cozy
720 square feet with an inviting front veranda…thus, my selection for a header for
this blog post.
If the Elm Grove is a cottage
that meets your needs given Sean or one of the other helpful staff at Star RTM
Homes a shout at (204) 669-9200. No, I do not get any sort of remuneration for
mentioning this company. They have a quality product and I want to modify one
of their designs to potentially meet one of my future housing needs. Shall we
begin…
Here is the original
floor plan of the Star RTM Elm Grove cottage (https://www.starreadytomovehomes.com/rtm-homes/elm-grove):
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| Original Elm Grove Floor Plan from Star RTM Homes |
I like the clean lines
and authentic cottage appeal of this design. However, to meet my needs I would
make a few modifications. Before we go further, please understand these RTM
homes require a foundation either over a basement or crawlspace. They are not
designed to be set down on a flat concrete slab. For this post I am only
looking at the space of the main floor.
Here is what the floor
plan would look like after I have made all the changes I would like. I will delve
into greater detail below the modified floor plan…
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| Modified Elm Grove RTM Cottage Floor Plan |
The first changes I would
be making would be the location of the entrances into the cottage. I would
remove the sliding patio door unit and replace that with a gas fireplace. I
would replace the windows on the feature wall with single garden doors. Jen
Weld and other door manufacturers build an assortment of 36” x 80” exterior
doors with window inserts. I like having between 12-lite to 15-lite. Although
the website for Pioneer Windows and Doors (https://www.pioneerwindowanddoor.com/products-services/doors/) had a 4-lite
door unit that looked intriguing…same amount of glass as a 15-lite panel, but
with less dividing bars.
Next, I would move the
side entrance to the back. With a steep pitched roof, I prefer not entering or
exiting in a location where I can get drenched by the rain or buried in a
release of snow. This change was not as easy as remodelling the front feature
wall. Back door requires a hallway…I know, I know…hallways are wasted space,
unless it connects multiple use areas efficiently. And before going further, I
would also add an 8-foot veranda to cover the back door, providing more covered
outdoor living space.
Let’s work from the back
door to the great room / kitchen. I removed the second bedroom and converted it
into an office, with a window for looking outside and an interior window looking into
the hallway to add more natural light. The office door would use a frosted
glass insert, again to add light. Next the former main bathroom would be
converted to a half-bath, and the washer / dryer laundry units would be stacked
to save space. The water heater would remain in its location. The slight alcove
in the hall would accommodate a coat rack and bench. Across the hall the
bedroom would have a window looking outside. The sleeping area would remain
about the same as the original design, however, the closets would be removed,
and walls would be adjusted to allow the placement of an ensuite and a walk-in
closet.
In my biased opinion, having
a full ensuite and walk-in closet off the bedroom would be a layout that would appeal
to homeowners who do not get many guests.
Moving forward to the
kitchen…I would remove the pantry unit and move the stove to the outside wall.
I would replace the electric stove with a gas range with front controls, like
this one from Frigidaire (https://www.homedepot.com/Frigidaire). This makes venting to the
outside easier. I would then move the fridge to the area where the electric
stove originally came from. I would leave the microwave in the original location.
With multiple kitchen users, separating the microwave from the stove allows
concurrent activities without getting into each other’s way. The sink and
window would stay in the same location. I would have the second garden door
with a righthand inswing, allowing for easy access to the veranda, where I
would locate a BBQ.
Moving into the Great
Room…with the patio door unit removed I would put a gas fireplace that uses a
nice mix of river rock and timbers or logs for the mantel. This design looked
good (https://i.pinimg.com/originals/).
In keeping with my recent
research, I would want the following features:
- Steep pitch roof (at least a 4/12 pitch)
with metal roofing. This is a cottage, so green or red would-be appealing
colours for roof metal and doors.
- Thus, complimentary fire or storm shutters
in matching green or red for the windows would be FireSmart and recommended for
windy areas.
- Storm doors would also be worth adding.
- Insulate with Rock Wool mineral-based
insulation, which is fireproof would be my first choice (https://www.rockwool.com/north-america/).
- Fire rated (FR) Gyproc interior boarding would go without saying.
- The exterior would be finished with Hardie Shingle board,
with the staggered edge to look more rustic and painted in shades of cedar. Exposed
beams would be covered with Hardie Plank with cedar grain. (https://www.jameshardie.ca/products/hardieshingle-siding?loc=refresh#)
That is basically it. I
wouldn’t change things too much, just modifying from the needs of a two-bedroom
residence or recreational property to the needs of a couple, with one working
from home.
I hope this gives you ideas,
too!
Until next time…take a
good idea and make it fit your needs better!
Mountainman.
