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This year-round vacation home plan is an "upside-down" house which has the main living areas on the upper floor and the sleeping quarters on the ground level. The main entrance on the side of the house plan opens into a two-story foyer that conveys the feel of being a part of the main level which is just a few steps up. Once in the living room, one immediately experiences the drama of the open planning and the views beyond. A large front deck has a stairway that can be used as a secondary entrance. The U-shaped kitchen is illuminated by an operable skylight. Railing in the living room overlooks the foyer below. The lower level includes two bedrooms and a den which can become the third bedroom.

A beautiful portico with hipped roof lines echoes the other roof lines of this Florida-style contemporary design. Taking advantage of dry-wall architectural elements, most of the exquisite details within the home are quite affordable. A tray ceiling accents the dining room, while the living room features a wet bar. In the open family area, only an angled peninsula counter separates the kitchen from the rest of the space. This area comes complete with media wall, breakfast nook and access to the pool and one of two patios in back. The other patio is reserved for occupants of the master suite, where the curved glass walls of the sitting area overlook the pool. The deluxe master bath features a huge walk-in closet, a columned vanity area, a soaking tub and a shower for two. Notice the adjacent den or study, which with its proximity to a full bath in the hall could also be a fourth bedroom. Upstairs, a charming square observatory is placed atop the garage. Both upstairs bedrooms open to a balcony deck. Exterior: specify 2x4 or block. Foundation: slab.

High ceilings throughout enhance the impression of size in the interior spaces of this affordable ranch design. You enter the foyer from a nicely detailed covered porch. Just beyond, the living-dining combination rises for 12 feet, and a see-through fireplace is shared with the skylit family room. In the family living area in back, the ceiling rises to 16 feet. A low wall separates the family room from the breakfast area, also skylit, which opens to the backyard via sliding glass doors. A pantry closet and a central food-preparation island are features of the vaulted kitchen. Bedrooms two and three share a hall bathroom. The vaulted master suite contains a walk-in closet and a five-fixture bath brightened by another skylight. Foundation options: standard basement, daylight basement, slab or crawl space. A staircase replaces the storage and utility closets in the basement options.

Featuring lots of glass in both front and back, this elegant yet affordable plan provides a great family set-up. Transoms top the windows in the dining room and den, as well as the recessed double front door. In the high-ceilinged great room, built-ins flank the fireplace, and pocket sliding glass doors open to the covered lanai. The well-planned kitchen and bayed breakfast area flow into the great room. On one side of the house, two family bedrooms share a full bath. On the other side, the master suite features special architectural detailing and luxurious amenities, including a step-up tub in the bath. An alternative layout for the master bedroom includes a wet bar and three-sided fireplace. Foundation: slab.

Fitting nicely on a shallow lot, this affordable Cape Cod design offers lots of curb appeal. A rear porch offers an outdoor venue for relaxation. Formal living and dining rooms flank the two-story foyer, and a fireplace warms the living room. In the informal area, a deep eating bar separates the kitchen from the family room with its gas fireplace. A nook provides another informal eating space. The master suite is complete with a private bath and a walk-in closet. Upstairs, two dormered bedrooms share a hall bath with a linen closet. Ceilings: 8' standard. Foundation: crawl space.