Houseplans.com Names Winners of Annual HOWIES

Awards Program Recognizes Outstanding Ready-Made Home Plans

HOWIES Plan of the Year winner

Petaluma, California (PRWEB) January 28, 2014

Houseplans.com has named the six winners of this year's HOWIES -- an annual awards program that recognizes outstanding work in the field of ready-made home plans.

Five award categories are judged by an invited jury of design professionals and Houseplans.com staff. This year's jury included Gale Steves, Savannah-based author of the best selling Right-Sizing Your Home; Katherine Salant, syndicated real estate columnist with The Washington Post and author of The Brand New House Book; and Wendy Silverstein, kitchen & bath expert and founder of WS & A Public Relations in New York City.

The People's Choice category is voted on by the public through social media.

The winners are:

Plan of the Year: Leon Mayer Architects, Melbourne, Australia (Plan 496-18). The plan adapts a traditional central hall layout to take advantage of side and backyard connections.

Luxury: Alan Mascord Design Associates, Portland, OR (Plan 48-642). A graceful and elegant layout includes extra amenities like a hobby-mud room, outdoor kitchen, and extra large walk-in closet for her.

Small House: Peter Brachvogel AIA, Perfect Little House Company, Bainbridge Island, WA (Plan 479-9). The built-in seating, wide porches, and well-oriented windows make a compact footprint live larger than it is.

Master Bath: Ben Uyeda, Free Green, Boston, MA (Plan 497-17). The serene spa-like feeling is created by a generous shower alcove, floating vanities, and freestanding tub.

Kitchen: Peter Brachvogel AIA, Perfect Little House Company, Bainbridge Island, WA (Plan 479-11). Highlights include the multi-functional island, window wall-as-backsplash, open ceiling, built-in dining alcove, and strong sight line to the great room.

People's Choice. William Poole Designs, Wilmington, NC (Plan 137-252). The strong curb appeal comes from the well proportioned wrap-around porch, the practical layout, and the easy flow between rooms and between interior and exterior.

There were 84 finalists out of more than 400 entries.

To see all the finalists visit pinterest.com/houseplansllc.

About Houseplans.com

Founded in 2004, Houseplans is the largest online database of ready-made house blueprints. Thousands of homes have been built, remodeled or renovated using plans from Houseplans. Top architects and designers from around the world continually submit new plans to Houseplans and millions of people visit the site every year to browse floor plans for ideas and inspiration, start renovations or find the blueprint for their dream home.