ᐅ Hillside House in the Southwest Palatinate – Our Home Construction 2.0

Created on: 9 Sep 2022 18:13
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kati1337
Good evening everyone

I’m starting a small collection thread here for photos and progress updates on our second building project.
We’ve already moved to the Palatinate region to be closer to the construction site. Now we’re watching eagerly and happily as our (hopefully final) dream home takes shape near family.

One big challenge still ahead of us is the facade design. I really love the Nordic style with brickwork and mullioned windows. That won’t be possible here for two reasons: firstly, no one here can do bricklaying, and secondly, it would stand out too much. We will be going with a rendered facade. How to design the colors of the facade and windows to still create some country house / cottage charm is currently still a work in progress mentally.

Otherwise, I’m sharing our plans here and how it will eventually be built.
The support pillar marked near the kitchen island could be removed for a small extra cost, so that will be gone.

The room for “garden equipment” under the garage will get a partition wall for structural reasons.
It won’t be fully finished living space like in the house, but underfloor heating will be installed, along with a lockable door and a window. It’s meant to store garden tools but also some of the building services equipment, since the utility room (HAR) is quite small, and maybe be used as a party room.

We had three construction companies in the final selection. In the end, we chose the “doer” – a builder recommended to us here by friends and family. No website, no smartphone, but he is on site every day himself working in overalls. He has a very good reputation in this area and now rarely builds single-family homes. We were a bit lucky through personal connections and a very friendly initial phone call to get our foot in the door. So far we are very satisfied with this choice.

Two-story house with garage, window fronts and trees; northeast and southwest views.


Site plan of a house with roof areas, measurements and property boundary (1020.25 m² (11,000 sq ft)).


Floor plan of a single-family home: garage, hallway, entrance area, bathroom, utility room, bedroom, kids 1/2, guest room.


Southeast view of a house on a hillside with terrace steps, windows and human figures.


Floor plan of a house with kitchen, living/dining area, hallway, bathroom, utility room, fitness room, office and garden.
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motorradsilke
29 Sep 2022 17:25
Ysop*** schrieb:

We will have mostly oak parquet flooring throughout, but it will be installed as a floating floor.

Tiles will only be used in the bathrooms and the entrance hallway. I chose tiles there mainly because of the expected dirt and moisture. Unfortunately, travertine was rejected :-( but I have now selected a stone-look tile from Italgraniti (Silver Grain in beige) and for the upper bathroom, two walls will be covered with white rhombus-shaped tiles from Equipe. Otherwise, if we tile walls at all, we will use the same tiles as on the floor. I just didn’t like any other wall tiles. I really struggled a lot with the tile choices. I simply didn’t like almost any of them.

Who rejected the travertine?
kati133729 Sep 2022 17:50
Oh, I had to look up travertine first – I think that would look beautiful for the entrance area as well. I should ask the supplier if they also have something like that.
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Ysop***
29 Sep 2022 18:14
motorradsilke schrieb:

Who rejected the travertine?
My better half ;-) It has to please both of us.
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motorradsilke
29 Sep 2022 19:47
kati1337 schrieb:

Oh, I had to look up travertine first – I think it would look beautiful in the entrance area as well. I should ask the supplier if they have something like that.
There are actually many types and colors available. We installed it in a Roman pattern. I really love natural stone.

Hallway with brown-beige stone tiles, light gray walls and door frames.
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Steffi33
29 Sep 2022 20:26
motorradsilke schrieb:

There are many types and colors available. We installed it in a herringbone pattern. I really love natural stone.
We also chose travertine. For those who might prefer something less "busy," travertine is also available in lighter shades and different formats. Price per square meter in 2017: 39 EUR (format 40x60cm (16x24 inches)) at jonastone.


Bright hallway with white wardrobes, bench with cushions, door with square windows.



Bright bathroom with shower, sink, large windows and plants.
kati133729 Sep 2022 21:08
That looks really nice as well. I like country-style floors in different natural colors. Something like this, or even more matte:

Bright entrance area; open door to the garden, stone floor, wooden workbench with plant and sculpture.