How to love your house

Floor plan ideas from Orren Pickell:

타Organization is important. “Our job in a remodeling or a new house is to make things that drive people crazy go away,” he said.

The mudroom in Judy and Joe Konen’s home is just inside the garage, and grandchildren can leave their outer clothing and gear in the open cubbies.

“You should offload everything in the mud room and kitchen,” said Pickell. “Your hands should be empty when you leave the kitchen. Hooks are underrated.”

타There should be light in every room. Views take you into rooms you wouldn’t use.

타The Konen house has a courtyard with a fountain and a rear yard just outside a screened porch.

“You should have rooms outside with different sun exposures,” said Pickell. “You will use them because of where the sun is.”

타”It’s always best to walk into a sitting room rather than a huge master bedroom if you can.”