[Retired2]

Hello,
We are also interested in the Aspen model. Did you make any stretches to the existing floor plan? Do you feel the master closet is large enough? We are not able to come down and check out this floor plan, so I would appreciate any advice you could provide.
Thanks in advance and congratulations!
Sharyne

[mandmrem]

We just closed on our Aspen and are very pleased with the changes we were allowed to make. Our changes included: a three car garage, a two foot stretch across the entire front and side of the house, the living room wall pushed back and straightened out to allow for stackable sliders and extending the lanai back so it is about 14 ft by 28ft. We also added a 10ft by 20 ft patio off of the lanai. We worked with Patty Boyd at the design center and she was able to accommodate all of our ideas and also offered some suggestions of her own that we really liked. Also, we changed the front elevation to include two "eyebrow" windows in the front with a gable roof in the second bedroom and a wider arch across the front. That is a combination of two of the elevations that are shown for the Aspen. We are very happy with the result. One more thing.....we took out the tub in the guest bathroom and added a shower. We chose the Aspen because it did not have a formal dining room and the living room is a nice size especially after we pushed the back wall out and straightened it out. We felt the master bedroom closet was large enough for our needs after we changed one side of the closet to have two rods and one shelf instead of just one rod.

[BmoreGal]

Originally Posted by mandmrem

We just closed on our Aspen and are very pleased with the changes we were allowed to make. Our changes included: a three car garage, a two foot stretch across the entire front and side of the house, the living room wall pushed back and straightened out to allow for stackable sliders and extending the lanai back so it is about 14 ft by 28ft. We also added a 10ft by 20 ft patio off of the lanai. We worked with Patty Boyd at the design center and she was able to accommodate all of our ideas and also offered some suggestions of her own that we really liked. Also, we changed the front elevation to include two "eyebrow" windows in the front with a gable roof in the second bedroom and a wider arch across the front. That is a combination of two of the elevations that are shown for the Aspen. We are very happy with the result. One more thing.....we took out the tub in the guest bathroom and added a shower. We chose the Aspen because it did not have a formal dining room and the living room is a nice size especially after we pushed the back wall out and straightened it out. We felt the master bedroom closet was large enough for our needs after we changed one side of the closet to have two rods and one shelf instead of just one rod.

Hi mandmrem - I love the changes you made. I really am starting to prefer the Aspen over my original choice- Gardenia. Ialso do not think I need a DR.

Did you stretch the LR side of the house, or the master BR side of the house. How did the garage become a 3-car, was it a side stretch? Also, is the kitchen large enough for an island, and if so, did you choose one.

Thanks...

[mandmrem]

The side stretch for our Aspen was along the living room side of the house. This also stretched the second bedroom and the guest bathroom which allowed us to remove the tub and put in a shower. This two foot side stretch also gave us an additional closet off of the guest bathroom....a nice bonus. The extra two feet in the living room makes it quite spacious. The three car garage....my husband's dream come true...was stretched to the other side of the house. We didn't expand the kitchen at all and I don't think it would accommodate an island. From comments I have read, I might not be spending too much time in the kitchen. That works for me!

[missypie]

Originally Posted by mandmrem

The side stretch for our Aspen was along the living room side of the house. This also stretched the second bedroom and the guest bathroom which allowed us to remove the tub and put in a shower. This two foot side stretch also gave us an additional closet off of the guest bathroom....a nice bonus. The extra two feet in the living room makes it quite spacious. The three car garage....my husband's dream come true...was stretched to the other side of the house. We didn't expand the kitchen at all and I don't think it would accommodate an island. From comments I have read, I might not be spending too much time in the kitchen. That works for me!

Oh what you've done sounds just wonderful!

[BmoreGal]

Originally Posted by mandmrem

The side stretch for our Aspen was along the living room side of the house. This also stretched the second bedroom and the guest bathroom which allowed us to remove the tub and put in a shower. This two foot side stretch also gave us an additional closet off of the guest bathroom....a nice bonus. The extra two feet in the living room makes it quite spacious. The three car garage....my husband's dream come true...was stretched to the other side of the house. We didn't expand the kitchen at all and I don't think it would accommodate an island. From comments I have read, I might not be spending too much time in the kitchen. That works for me!

The stretch choices sound great. Love that you gain an extra closet, can never have too much storage. Would there have been an option to extend the garage stretch back to include a Kitche stretc. I really love having an island in the kitchen... The Hubby loves to cook...

[Retired2]

Originally Posted by mandmrem

We just closed on our Aspen and are very pleased with the changes we were allowed to make. Our changes included: a three car garage, a two foot stretch across the entire front and side of the house, the living room wall pushed back and straightened out to allow for stackable sliders and extending the lanai back so it is about 14 ft by 28ft. We also added a 10ft by 20 ft patio off of the lanai. We worked with Patty Boyd at the design center and she was able to accommodate all of our ideas and also offered some suggestions of her own that we really liked. Also, we changed the front elevation to include two "eyebrow" windows in the front with a gable roof in the second bedroom and a wider arch across the front. That is a combination of two of the elevations that are shown for the Aspen. We are very happy with the result. One more thing.....we took out the tub in the guest bathroom and added a shower. We chose the Aspen because it did not have a formal dining room and the living room is a nice size especially after we pushed the back wall out and straightened it out. We felt the master bedroom closet was large enough for our needs after we changed one side of the closet to have two rods and one shelf instead of just one rod.

Mandmrem,

Your ideas all sound wonderful. Thanks for sharing. It was good to hear that you were able to include all your wishes. I 'm glad to hear you can also get a third garage instead of just a golf cart garge. Now, our goal is to sell our home and pursue the dream.

[ssmith]

I want to see the Aspen when we are down in April...I too don't think I need an additional dinning area....seems though that the goolf cart garage is not standard though...so adds more cost...right?

[KathyW]

we are also building an Aspen -- I didn't see the need for two eating areas. The golf cart garage is about $10,000.

[mrsyarbie]

Originally Posted by Jhooman

Who has the Aspen designer model and tell me why you made the choice please.

From the model tour, I like the openness of the kitchen, dining room, living room and additional windows. It seems very bright.

Thank you

Be sure and check out the Fern if you do not care about a seperate dining room but want a big kitchen andn a house with bigger bedrooms. It also has the largest oeclosed outdoor space.It was my favorite only my hubby won out and we ended up with a Lilac because he wanted the golf car garage. No matter what you choose you will be happy I am sure.TV is a great place to visit and soon we will be there too after a zillion visits ..

[tommy steam]

Originally Posted by mandmrem

We just closed on our Aspen and are very pleased with the changes we were allowed to make. Our changes included: a three car garage, a two foot stretch across the entire front and side of the house, the living room wall pushed back and straightened out to allow for stackable sliders and extending the lanai back so it is about 14 ft by 28ft. We also added a 10ft by 20 ft patio off of the lanai. We worked with Patty Boyd at the design center and she was able to accommodate all of our ideas and also offered some suggestions of her own that we really liked. Also, we changed the front elevation to include two "eyebrow" windows in the front with a gable roof in the second bedroom and a wider arch across the front. That is a combination of two of the elevations that are shown for the Aspen. We are very happy with the result. One more thing.....we took out the tub in the guest bathroom and added a shower. We chose the Aspen because it did not have a formal dining room and the living room is a nice size especially after we pushed the back wall out and straightened it out. We felt the master bedroom closet was large enough for our needs after we changed one side of the closet to have two rods and one shelf instead of just one rod.

Did you have to buy a bigger lot to get all of these thing done to your new home?

[Golfer in Sanibel]

Originally Posted by tommy steam

Did you have to buy a bigger lot to get all of these thing done to your new home?

Yep. Most lots won't accomodate the stretches or third garage. We did the third garage and then could only stretch the front 2'. But, we love our lot choice and wouldn't change it. The Aspen was big enough for us except for the guest bedrooms.

[villager]

I don't have an Aspen, but it is my current favorite floor plan. I like the open feeling, but the two top reasons the master bedroom is tucked behind the kitchen and you don't see the bed while standing in the kitchen - a very common thing in most floor plans. And, I love the bathroom!

[tommy steam]

Originally Posted by SKysar

Jhooman

We are currently leaning toward an Aspen. We have our lot picked out and just waiting for the house to sell. Originally we were going for a Gardenia, however, one of the reasons we liked the Aspen was the true 3rd bedroom with a closet. The Gardenia has a den. The Aspen has a bigger lanai, a linen closet near the guest bedrooms and a linen closet in the master bath. The living area is a bit bigger, however, the kitchen is a bit smaller but ok for us. Our dilemma is choosing between the Aspen and the Elm. Hopes this helps.

Sue

I am having the same problem.

[NIPAS K-9]

Bill, you are great, you always come up a good response............