Casual Home
Ranch House Floor Plan | American Casual Living Homes
The ranch house floor plan is a shining example of the American Dream in its purest form. It was then, and remains today, the most widely built housing style ever seen in America. This house plan style had its heyday from 1949 to 1965 for several reasons.
Prevailing loan programs of the day made getting a home loan with no money down easier than it ever had been in previous years. Soldiers returning from World War II wanted to settle down and begin raising families. With the demand for homes at an all time high, the simple form and lack of detail made the ranch house floor plan much faster to build than a stately Tudor style home. Formal foyers and spiral staircases were discarded and replaced by level entries and single story plans.
The availability and increasing popularity of the automobile also defined the heyday of the ranch house floor plan. For the first time, the garage was moved to the front of the home. This was the first generation of home owners to have a highly prized freedom and mobility to work and shop in the city and then retreat to the suburbs to live. Because the suburbs removed the need to build houses close together, lots became increasingly larger and the square footage of the average house floor plan expanded accordingly. Ranch house floor plans generally accentuated the width of the lot.
The informal lifestyle of California became popular as early as the late 1940s and magazines began to promote casual living as the ideal. Influences such as courtyards, patios and other Spanish colonial architectural details were embraced and played upon. What was known as the front porch or veranda, was moved from the front to the back of the house and heralded the arrival of a significant lifestyle change. Families now preferred the privacy of their back yard rather than sitting on the front porch watching traffic.
Americans believed that technological advances helped win the Second World War and launch was was to become known as the Space Age. Innovative designs such as the all electric home were supposed to make housework a thing of the past. Realizing the dream of space travel was on the horizon as well and home owners wanted a housing style that was reflective of the new modern era. Synthesized versions of Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie style ranch house floor plan became very popular in more well to do areas.
The ranch house floor plan was the American Dream in a box from the late 1940s to the mid 1960s. Sliding glass doors, kidney shaped swimming pools and back yard patios created a new informal way of entertaining guests. Though the ranch house floor plan was the embodiment of casual living, most homes of that era lacked architectural details that would make them memorable. By the 1970s, the ranch style house was replaced by the split level home with Colonial or English details.
The 1980s saw a reversal of the ranch house floor plan formula that included showy front entries with grand staircases and vaulted ceilings while the back of the house was left almost naked. The only remains of the ranch house floor plan today are the open floor plans, great rooms and hearth kitchens and the current popular trend of an outdoor room. All leftovers from the original ranch style housing era.
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Get fantastic ideas for your new house! Ranch house floor plans come in all shapes and sizes. Find the right house floor plan for your family today!
What is a good, inexpensive hostess gift to take to a casual cook-out?
My boyfriend and I were invited to a casual cook-out by one of his friends and his friend's wife. I only met the wife last night at a social event. She seems quite nice, and I'd like to do the right thing and be gracious. They've already insisted that we don't need to bring anything food related (they are providing all of that), but I still think it's nice to not show up empty handed. Any suggestions on something modest and tasteful to bring to their home as a gesture of thanks?
A six-pack of decent beer is nice.
So is a bouquet of flowers from the grocery store, or some cookies from the bakery.
You're right. You don't have to bring anything, but it's nice to bring a little something.
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Thank You
We hope you found the
Casual Home
you were looking for.
Comfy and Quality Casual Furniture by Reed Hester
Most of us want a casual comfortable living space. Casual styles are great for families. It creates a welcoming feeling that makes one to just sit and stay a moment. Casual looks mean designs are practical and long-term. Sectionals, sofas, and huge chairs with large comfortable cushions create a relaxing environment for the family and your visitors. Accent tables are oversized as well giving enough space for taking meals like dinner or snacks.
Casual furniture is sometimes considered simple but they can be also be an indication of visual interest and other style. You can be colorful and creative when you accessorized like putting artistically designed lamps while adding furniture pieces as a colorful contrast. Other styles can simply be used to add a personal touch. Other trendy options such as interesting shapes and sizes enhance the cozy feel.
Another nice way to decorate your casual room is by using slip covers and utilizing antiques to blend with the casual environment. One of the appeals of a casual appearance is the simplicity of the furniture and adding small touches can enhance it. Your space this way remains warm and comfy place the family will truly appreciate.
Casual furniture will continue to be one of the most popular furniture styles because many people want a nice comfortable place to come home to at the end of each day. But if you really want to own one, add color, texture and some other appealing pieces to your casual room.
Those who entertain a lot of guests in their house have to keep a lot of casual furniture because you may want difference in each occasion and you may want to have the party in the different areas of the house. You will be in need of lightweight interior items that can be transferred without difficulty. These interiors should be classy and good at the same time. Guests do not like sitting on unattractive and boring furniture and this could definitely spoil your party. The tables must be tough and capable of carrying items your guests could possibly bring in.
The Dartmouth Casual Furniture is located on Dartmouth Street, South Dartmouth and owned and operated by Andre & Nancy Pimentel for over 50 years. The family put up the business in the early Fifty