Steve and I agree that going off-grid, living sustainably, and using alternative forms of energy is mostly our idea of what will make our dream home. Passive solar energy (southern facing windows, use of overhangs to optimize angle of the sun through the seasons, and deciduous trees on the south side of the plot to shade during the summer) is definitely one aspect we'd like to use. Ideally, we'd also like to use a greywater system that includes use of a bog filter and a system of ponds that helps to keep garden beds irrigated.
Several acres (between 5-10) of land would be perfect, not including more on the outskirts of woodland for fuel. Use of animal husbandry and rotating livestock as well as rotating crops to ensure rich soil. Half of our plot would be laid down for pasture for the grazing animals, and the other half would be managed for crop use (for us and for the animals). Grain plots, brassicas, potato plots,etc., and berry bushes, and a small fruit and nut orchard. Don't forget a beehive for honey and for pollination for the trees. Plus, an herb and medicinal garden for growing our herbs for cooking and for teas would be awesome.
Beauty and the ornamental flowers and trees would dot the landscape as well. We're seeing how we can have functional borders in the plots such as asparagus and rhubarb as well as edible landscaping ideas such as grapes and currants hanging over entrances like in arbors and trellises.
A woodshed to cure the wood for a couple years before use. A springhouse for the main pond to also keep dairy items cool. A dug-in root cellar for produce storage as well as shelter from severe weather (we are attached to the Midwest, you know).
We're
so so so soooo slowly getting closer to our dream, bit by bit with our gardens now, next a chicken coop (that is moveable) that we plan on building within the next year along with a rabbit hutch, and probably next would be a couple of goats. Obviously, since now we live on roughly a fifth of an acre, we plan on moving.
The philosophy of land management we are aiming toward is aligned
somewhat with permaculture and Fukuoka's methods in Japan.
In the house, a large kitchen is absolute for us, since much of the time the family convenes there for one reason or another. Bedrooms, even in a dream home, don't need to be large. But in the dream home, we want two bathrooms. We have lived with one bathroom for many years now.
Despite going off-grid as much as possible, we do like electricity and running water. Of course, the dream home in our minds is a zero-carbon footprint kind of house when it comes to the utilities, so solar panels, along with wind energy, would be used.
I honestly don't care for a garden tub.......I know, call me crazy.....but I would LOVE to have a small sit-in sauna for me to sweat out impurities and for stress relief and relaxation. A small zen garden and a tiny meditation hut would be found from a winding trail leading from the main grounds.
The size of the house? Probably what we have now, which is around 1500 square feet. We just want to use the space that we need. The biggest rooms for comfort and entertainment can be accomodated by a family room, and of course, the kitchen. We don't want a separate dining room. HOWEVER, having a shaded "summer kitchen" outside would be great during those unbearably hot July weeks.
It's more like a cottage-feeling than a full-fledged farmhouse that we envision. I love the idea of having a porch on both sides of the house, sitting out there ("with a beer and watching the corn grow, LOL") on a 65 degree (F) evening sounds so delightful.
*le sigh*
