DesignHouse - House Plans

DesignHouse plans on YouTube

2008-08-19T16:31:00.001-06:00

DesignHouse Inc house plans located at www.design-house.com has opened a Youtube area to display pictures of some of our homes. We invite you to visit by clicking here. We will be posting new videos as they become available.

South Mississippi designer wins national award.

2008-08-18T10:01:00.001-06:00

The American Institute of Building Design and Hanley Wood Publishing have announced the winners of the American Residential Design Awards. The awards ceremony took place on July 26, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo.

Debra Purvis, AIBD - DesignHouse Inc. located in Wiggins, Mississippi won second in the 2,500 sq ft and under category. This national competition included judges and entries from around the country. The award winning plan is a TND (Traditional Neighborhood Design) with a classic exterior that features a modern floor plan.

National publications, websites and plans publishers eagerly await the opportunity to expose this year's winning entries to the American consumers. This design will be featured in future issues of a Hanley Woods' publications and on the DesignHouse Inc. company site - www.Design-House.com

DesignHouse Inc was founded in 1991 by Debra Purvis and focuses on creating new designs to fullfill the needs of our clients, nationwide.

In 1976 Michael J. Hanley and Michael M. Wood founded Hanley-Wood, Inc. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., the company began as a custom publisher and has grown to a media company with revenues of $180 million

DesignHouse puts emphasis on service

2008-04-17T10:36:00.001-06:00

By ROYCE ARMSTRONG

WIGGINS - A Wiggins home designer has won national acclaim by listening to customers and keeping abreast of building trends, the company president said.

"We offer personal service to help people find the perfect house plans," said Debra Purvis, founder and president of DesignHouse Inc. "We do make changes to our own plans. Women are fewer in this industry, but I believe it helps us design better homes."

DesignHouse recently was named runner-up for the Most Marketable Designer - Builder Sales award presented by Hanley Wood, a business-to-business media and information company.

"The house plan industry is very competitive," Purvis said. "Our challenge is to do the very best we can to provide plans our clients are looking for."

Purvis, who primarily designs country, traditional and Southern style home plans, said one of the hottest trends now is Traditional Neighborhood Design.

"We are developing more TND style plans," Purvis said. "The style makes people feel warm and comfortable... like grandmas' house but with the modern floor plans of today."

Purvis said that in one form or another, her entire family is involved in the industry. Her husband is a real estate broker and her daughter will be a junior at the University of Southern Mississippi in the fall, studying interior design.

She said her company's continued success will come through "listening to our clients' wants and needs.

"And looking to the Lord for the direction in our future. He has opened lots of doors for us."

Originally published April 13, 2008 in The Hattiesburg American

2008-02-28T14:59:00.002-06:00

Hanley Wood announced the 2008 home plan awards on Feb 15, 2008 at an awards banquet held at the Buena Vista Palace. These awards coincided with the International Builders Show in Orlando, FL. These awards recognized 2007 performance.

Most Marketable Designer - Builder Sales

Designer portfolio which sells the best on the basis of a ratio of exposures to sales.

Runner-up DesignHouse, Inc. of Wiggins, MS

DesignHouse Inc was began in 1991 by Debra Taylor Purvis of Wiggins, MS and is marketed around the country by several publishers as well as their own site. www.Design-House.com

This is the first year DesignHouse Inc. has been marketed by Hanley Wood. Hanley Wood with headquarters in Washington, D.C. is a media company with revenues of $180 Million.

DesignHouse House plans has a birthday and you get a present

2008-02-26T21:43:00.005-06:00

It's our Birthday!

Design-House.com has been online since 1996.

DesignHouse Inc has been offering beautiful home plans since 1991.

Debra Purvis has been designing beautiful house plans since (yikes) 1980!

We want to celebrate by offering you FREE UPS or FEDEX Ground shipping

until March 15, 2008 on any plan that starts with DP.

Mention this when you order to get your free ground shipping today!

The DesignHouse Family

Can't find a plan

2008-02-21T16:10:00.000-06:00

If you can't find the perfect plan, please let us know and we will be happy to search for you!

Please provide the following information:

1. Heated Square footage you would like.

2. Number of bedrooms and baths

3. Number of floors (1, 1 1/2, or two)

4. Styles you like (formal, Country, Southern, etc)

5. Do you entertain family and friends alot?

6. Do you need a home office?

7. Do you want a Split bedroom layout? or do you want all the bedrooms together?

Anything else that is important to you will help us narrow down the plans.

We will do a plan search and email you what we find.

Best Wishes,

The DesignHouse Family

Cute Craftsman House Plans! New at DesignHouse

2008-02-16T20:32:00.005-06:00

Announcing TWO brand NEW house plans from DesignHouse Inc....

These cuties are small to save you $$$ but LONG on style.

DP-1080

DP-1263

1080 - has 2 bedrooms and 2 baths - 1073 sq.ft heated area - Great for a narrow lot
This plan has LOTS of style with a covered front porch, large Great Room, Kitchen/Dining Room combo.

1263 - has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths - 1327 sq.ft heated area - with the option of Two walk-in closets for the master bedroom and private master bath OR One walk-in closet with a Luxury master bath! Both options come with the plan... YOU decide what you want.

Is the Craftsman style house plan not for you? We have over 4,000 more plans for you to view.
Just visit us today - DesignHouse Your HousePlanStore.com

Don't have time to look? Just email us and let us know everything you are looking for in a plan, we will be happy to search for you... free!

Have a GREAT weekend!

Debra

Let us do a house plan search for you... at no charge!

2007-11-19T16:50:00.000-06:00

We want to help you find the perfect house plans for FREE!

Email us at PlanSearch@design-house.com and we will do a plan search just for you.

Please give us as much information as possible.

Square footage?

# bedrooms

# baths

# stories

styles you like, etc.

------------------------------

Also - Get $20 off any DP house plan for the rest of the year!

Debra

DesignHouse - turning dreams
into reality, everyday.

www.Design-House.com
<>< John 3:16 ><>

New Plan

2007-07-26T11:11:00.001-06:00

Just released!

DP-2204 a national award winning house plan! This plan won the 2007 House Plan Marketing Associations Creative Home Award.

Click on the name below to view the Loire...

The Loire

3 Bedrooms

2.5 Baths

Width - 70'-0" x 70'-0" Deep

2197 Square Ft. Heated Area.

10'-0" ceilings located in these rooms

Dining

Great Room

Foyer

Kitchen

9'-0" ceilings in other rooms.

The Loire will welcome you home with rustic elegance for todays families. A ventless gas fireplace, french doors and columns highlight the Foyer and Great Room of this design. Built-in cabinetry give you storage for all your entertainment items.

The large open Kitchen is home to a walk-in pantry, island and angled wall ovens. This open Kitchen/Great Room design makes entertaining family and friends much more enjoyable, the chef of the house will never feel let out. A raised snack bar creates the perfect spot for a quick snack. You can also enjoy the view from your Breakfast Area, on those sunny mornings. The formal Dining Room has a large window and shares easy access to the Kitchen.

The Master Bedroom features a private covered porch accessed through french doors. An optional door for the Master Closet is shown and can replace the closet door in the bath, if desired. The Master Bath is a luxurious retreat with dual sinks, a corner whirlpool tub, large glass enclosed shower and a toilet compartment for privacy. The angles make this bath unique without adding a lot to the cost of the house.

The Laundry Room contains a front loading Washer and Dryer with a folding counter located above. Deep wall cabinets are located above the washer/dryer for even more storage.

The multi-purpose Mud Room contains built-in lockers with a bench for seating and drawers for storage. A built-in computer station is added to the room for your home office area or the children's homework. A Powder Room is located off the Mud Room for family and guests alike.

Bedrooms 2 and 3 are located for privacy. Each bedroom is nice sized and share a compartmented style bath. The bath gives plenty of room for getting ready in the mornings with dual sinks and lots of storage.

The Rear Covered Porch is home to an Outdoor Kitchen. This porch is so large your going to want to spend all your free time here.

The Three Car Garage is positioned to take the emphasis off its size. The Garage is "pushed back" to hide the true size and give privacy to the Master Bedroom. Using this arrangement also creates more private space behind the outdoor kitchen.

NEW plans have been added to DesignHouse Inc!

2007-06-05T16:24:00.000-06:00

New house plans have been added at DesignHouse Inc... www.design-house.com. Stop by and take a look... your perfect plan maybe a click away.

Have a great day.

debra

New plans

2007-04-09T14:31:00.000-06:00

We have added new plans to the DesignHouse Inc. site

Please take a look at what new plans have been added and let us know if we can help you find the perfect plans.

Thanks so much!

New plans

2007-03-12T10:22:00.000-06:00

New house plans have been added to the DesignHouse website. Please visit us to find the perfect plan today!

DesignHouse wins nation design awards!

2007-02-15T18:43:00.000-06:00

The House Plan Marketing Association annouced today that DesignHouse Inc. located in Wiggins, MS has won two national awards. These awards were given as part of the "On The Boards" design competition held in Orlando in conjunction with the National Home Builders Show.

The "Creative Home" first place was awarded to DesignHouse Inc. - Debra Purvis, AIBD . The Creative Home for 2007 is "The Loire", a rustic French inspired design. This plan will be published as the Creative Homeowner 2007 House Plan Marketing Association award winner. Creative Homeowner books can be found in Lowes and bookstores around the nation. The plan will be featured on the DesignHouse site soon.

DesignHouse was also the 2nd place winner of the "Freestyle" division. This TND style home is our DP-2208.

DesignHouse - NEW house plans

2007-01-29T19:55:00.000-06:00

Just added... NEW house plans added to our site.

Click here to view them.

As always, if you have any questions, please email us.

Thanks,
Debra

NEW PLANS!

2007-01-22T10:38:00.000-06:00

Hello everyone! We have added NEW plans to the DesignHouse house plans website.

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about a particular plan. We will be adding even more plans SOON!

Have a GREAT week. Your friends at DesignHouse

www.design-house.com

John 3:16 ><>

NEW Plans added to DesignHouse

2007-01-12T15:29:00.000-06:00

We have added several new plans to the DesignHouse website.

Please take a look - you could find your dream home!

Check back often - we're adding new plans again SOON!

Want a GREAT new house plan?

2007-01-08T10:05:00.001-06:00

If you are looking for a NEW open style house plan... look no farther than our DP-1640. This plan has 10' ceilings throughout the house and offers three porches!

This open floor plan makes the 1640 sq.ft. heated area live much larger than it really is. The exterior is warm and inviting - reminding you of a classic southern country cottage.

If you want to know more about this wonderful plan just email us.

Have a GREAT week!

Debra

www.design-house.com

DesignHouse House plans wish for you

2006-12-30T11:25:00.000-06:00

We at DesignHouse House Plans would like to wish you:

1. A happy new year, with a safe and blessed 2007.

2. Here's to finding the perfect house plan for your family in 2007.

3. The perfect contractor for you.

4. Plenty of sunny days for the building of your new home.

5. Warm cozy evenings after it is all finished!

Have a wonderful 2007 EVERYONE!

Remember if you need any help finding the perfect house plan - just email us.

10% off Any DP Plan

2006-12-28T16:43:00.000-06:00

Get 10% off any "DP" plan you buy before Jan. 1, 2007!

Just be sure and mention you saw this on our site and you will get 10% off. This is for any plan that start with DP.

This could be a savings of over $50 off!

Thanks for 10 years online and here's to 10 more.

Have a GREAT new year from everyone at DesignHouse to you.

www.design-house.com

This 10% is before any sales tax or shipping is applied. Thank you

10 years online!

2006-12-19T16:20:00.000-06:00

We would like to announce that DesignHouse has been on the internet for 10 YEARS as of November 26th 2006! Our house plans have sold all over the country and even around the world!

Thanks so much for helping us with this milestone! Remember we are here to help you find the PERFECT home plan. We are ALWAYS adding new plans so please check back often for updates.

Debra

Helpful house building terms from DesignHouse

2006-12-14T15:40:00.000-06:00

Helpful Building Terms

Bow - A curved projection formed by at least five windows joined at obtuse angles.

Clerestory - An outside wall of a room or building that rises above an adjoining roof and contains windows.

Dentil - One of a series of small projecting rectangular blocks forming a molding under an overhang, most common in Colonial Style homes.

Dormer - A structure projecting from a roof, containing a window (looks like a small dog house)

Footprint - The outline of a home's foundation - used for site planning.
Gable - The vertical traingular end of a building from the eaves to the ridge.
Gable Roof - A roof consisting of two rectangular planes sloping up to a ridge.
Hip Roof - A roof with sloping ends and sides that meet at a ridge.

Keystone - A wedge shaped detail at the top of an arch.

Lanai - A patio or Veranda

Palladian Window - A window arrangement with a half-round window on top of a wider rectangular window.

Porte cochere - A covered drive-thru structure that extends from the side of a home.

Quoin - A large square or rectangular stone set into the corner of a masonry building.

Sidelight - A vertical window beside a door or another window.

Transom Window - A narrow window above another window or door.

Tray Ceiling - A recessed ceiling - sometimes with the sides sloped at an angle.

Vaulted Ceiling - A ceiling that slopes up to a peak. Like an upside down V

Free UPS ground shipping on House plans - in December.

2006-12-13T16:31:00.000-06:00

Free UPS ground shipping available on any

"GM" or "DP"

plan sale until the end of December.

Just order your plans from us at DesignHouse.

Please mention this discount when you order.

Thanks and have a great day!

Debra

New Plans add to DesignHouse

2006-12-11T15:36:00.000-06:00

We have added NEW plans to DesignHouse. Please visit us today to find your perfect house plan. If you can't find the perfect house plan be sure and email us and we will search for you.

DesignHouse

Frequently Asked Questions about House Plans.

2006-12-09T10:42:00.000-06:00

What does Heated Square Footage mean?

All of our plans are grouped on this site by their Heated Square Footage. This is the area that is heated and cooled in the home. This is your main living area and does not include, porches, garages, garage storage area, patios, two story vaulted ceiling area, basements or unfinished areas. Generally is does not include any bonus room – if this is a concern please contact us to verify.

Do the plans meet my local codes?

At the time the drawings are prepared, the plans conform to most national building codes. However, they may not comply completely with your local building regulations. Some counties and municipalities have their own building codes, regulations and requirements. The assistance of a local builder, architect or other building professional may be necessary to modify the drawings to comply with your area's specific requirements. We recommend you consult with your local building officials prior to purchasing the blueprints or beginning construction.

How come my plans don't have plumbing diagrams and HVAC plans?

Plans normally do not have Plumbing diagrams or HVAC plans because every part of the country is different as well as each building situation. What works in one area may not be the best thing for another and since it is generally required to have a licensed plumber or electrician, they must follow the codes for your area.

Can we build the house more than once?

You, as the original purchaser of plans, are licensed to build a single home from the plans. Building more than one home from the plans is an infringement of the designer's copyright. The purchase of a multiple set package of plans is for the construction of a single home only. The purchase of additional sets of plans does not give you the right to construct more than one home. Therefore, if you would like to build a house more than once, you are required to purchase another full set of blueprints.

I want to see one of the plans built. Can you tell me where they are so I can go look at the home?

Sorry, but due to privacy issues with each homeowner, we can not give out the location of any of our homes. Due to the fact that they are built all over the U.S. it would also be impossible for us to keep track of there exact locations also. If we do have a picture of it, we will put it on the website.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

DesignHouse Inc.

Storage - You had better plan on it.

2006-12-08T17:12:00.000-06:00

I have never heard anyone say, "This house would be perfect if it had less storage... what a waste of space".

The best way of making sure you have enough storage is to include it in your plans before you build. However, some of the following tips may give you ideas, even if your home is finished.

1. Taller ceilings - If you can't go out, try going up! Tall ceilings can be used to carve out more storage in several rooms. In your closets, several rows of higher shelves can be placed above your normal rod for items that are out of season. Kitchens and Great Rooms can also benefit from higher ceilings because you can use taller cabinets. Don't forget the open area above the wall cabinets, which can house anything from a basket of books to speakers.

2. Stairs - If you have stairs, putting deep drawers or cabinet style doors on the side can help you get the most use out of an otherwise waste of space. Note - Please check with your local building department on locating anything under your stairs, some codes do not allow this area to be used without making special provisions.

3. The Attic - If you are going to have a steep roof, take advantage of this extra storage space. When you build make sure the ceiling joists are sized large enough to carry any extra load created from your storage items. ONE TIP - If you install "real" stairs instead of pull down stairs, getting that Christmas tree down every year will be much easier!

4. Built-in Seating - A mudroom is the perfect place for built-in seating. If you build the seating with a hinged top or deep drawers, you get the perfect place to store your shoes. In a bedroom you have the perfect place to read a book and hide extra blankets at the same time.

5. Cabinets - Linen cabinets with a built-in hamper are perfect for creating extra space in your bath. Everything is located in one place and does not take up extra floor space.

6. Islands - They can be great in a kitchen for extra storage but have you tried one on wheels? If you need more room in the kitchen, you simply roll it out of the way. Have you thought about an island in your closet? If you have a large walk-in closet ,why not take advantage of that extra floor space? A small island makes a perfect place for extra storage and you maybe able to free up some floor space in your bedroom by not having an extra dresser.

7. The Garage - With the popularity of SUV's it is very important you make sure your new garage will be big enough to hold the family car. For example the GMC Yukon has a length of 198.9" and the Yukon XL has a length of 219.3". If you plan on walking around it after you park, that garage better be deeper than 20'-0".

Copyright 2004 - Debra Purvis, AIBD
President DesignHouse Inc.

Please contact us if you would like permission to use this article on your website, email or newsletter. Thank you

I hope I gave you a few ideas to think about for your new home and best wishes on your next building project...Debra