Anonymous
Post 11/10/2015 06:56     Subject: Are "lawyer foyers" and two-story "great rooms" out of fashion?
I don't mind two story foyers because they allow for nice foyer staircases. A two-story family/great room works for me sometimes depending on the architecture... it doesn't *have* to look cookie-cutter, depends on the style, stair railings used, windows, window treatments, fireplace, etc. There are some really beautiful modern and mid-century homes with two-story great rooms, it's not just a McMansion thing.
Anonymous
Post 11/10/2015 06:03     Subject: Are "lawyer foyers" and two-story "great rooms" out of fashion?
We have 3 heating zones as well, and heating/cooling has never been a problem.
Anonymous
Post 11/10/2015 02:02     Subject: Are "lawyer foyers" and two-story "great rooms" out of fashion?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I have both a 2 story family room and a lawyer foyer. I agree with a PP that said they're hard to decorate and heat. I will never buy a home like this again. During winter I have a fan on the upstairs breezeway (which is probably 20 degrees warmer than downstairs) and the ceiling fan running full speed on backwards to pull the cooler air up plus a space heater as backup. It's the only way to maintain any warmth downstairs.

Also we have to keep all of the doors upstairs closed at all times because the heat rising from downstairs messes with the upstairs thermostat (located in the master right next to the door) whether the heat or AC is on resulting in the AC running all day or the bedrooms freezing because it's just warm enough next to the panel it doesn't kick on.

Never. Again.


This sounds like a thermostat/hvac issue. My old house had a huge two story living room and foyer and never had any of these issues. It was also up in Vermont where it got VERY cold all winter long. People like it cold up there, though, so maybe the style of house isn't appropriate for people who like a deep-south style climate.


I think it also has to do with the vent placement. We are on a slab so all the vents are on the ceiling rather than the floor. So for example for the big ass 2 story family there is only ONE vent and it's high up on the wall above a bonus room doorway. Two in the ceiling in the kitchen next to the family
with regular height ceiling), and a vent in the ceiling above the breezeway - this one I really don't understand at all and we keep it closed.
Anonymous
Post 11/10/2015 01:53     Subject: Are "lawyer foyers" and two-story "great rooms" out of fashion?
Anonymous wrote:I have both a 2 story family room and a lawyer foyer. I agree with a PP that said they're hard to decorate and heat. I will never buy a home like this again. During winter I have a fan on the upstairs breezeway (which is probably 20 degrees warmer than downstairs) and the ceiling fan running full speed on backwards to pull the cooler air up plus a space heater as backup. It's the only way to maintain any warmth downstairs.

Also we have to keep all of the doors upstairs closed at all times because the heat rising from downstairs messes with the upstairs thermostat (located in the master right next to the door) whether the heat or AC is on resulting in the AC running all day or the bedrooms freezing because it's just warm enough next to the panel it doesn't kick on.

Never. Again.


This sounds like a thermostat/hvac issue. My old house had a huge two story living room and foyer and never had any of these issues. It was also up in Vermont where it got VERY cold all winter long. People like it cold up there, though, so maybe the style of house isn't appropriate for people who like a deep-south style climate.
Anonymous
Post 11/10/2015 01:49     Subject: Are "lawyer foyers" and two-story "great rooms" out of fashion?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Two story foyers and two story great rooms are not out of style. It's a space constraint for new homes built closer in. New homes that are 4000 sf and larger will have a two story foyer, and homes larger than 5000sf will have both.


I hope you are right because I want to sell my house that has both in a few years. I never heard the phrase lawyer foyer... Perfect.


They are still desirable. Pleople who are dissing them are following the adage that "you should show contempt for what you can't have."
Anonymous
Post 11/10/2015 01:47     Subject: Re:Are "lawyer foyers" and two-story "great rooms" out of fashion?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Sorry that should have been *bungaloes


Best. Typo. Ever.


OMG. LOVE this. Thank you autocorrect! Thank you OP!


Lol. Apparently I have the sense of humor of an 8 year old boy.

Forevermore on DCUM, they shall be bungholes to me.


I've always thought that "bungalow" was a dumb name for a type of house. It sounds like somewhere that a hobo would live. A hobo in his bungalow!
Anonymous
Post 11/10/2015 01:17     Subject: Re:Are "lawyer foyers" and two-story "great rooms" out of fashion?
Why are they called lawyer foyers?
Anonymous
Post 11/10/2015 00:22     Subject: Are "lawyer foyers" and two-story "great rooms" out of fashion?
haters gonna hate from their bungholes
Anonymous
Post 11/10/2015 00:06     Subject: Re:Are "lawyer foyers" and two-story "great rooms" out of fashion?
t is....tacky.

The two story great rooms and foyers with twin bridal staircases were controversial enough when they first started to emerge in large numbers in the 1990s. Nothing screams classic McMansions of the cheezy Clinton era as those two features.

As with anything, it all comes down to proportions and how the space is used and sits with the rest of the house. Too often it's badly done and awkward.

Iquote=Anonymous]LOL is this home out dated?

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mclean/938-Peacock-Station-Rd-22102/home/17525477

Anonymous
Post 11/09/2015 23:49     Subject: Re:Are "lawyer foyers" and two-story "great rooms" out of fashion?
Anonymous wrote:LOL is this home out dated?

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mclean/938-Peacock-Station-Rd-22102/home/17525477



This looks tricked out .... and Trumped up!
Anonymous
Post 11/09/2015 23:31     Subject: Are "lawyer foyers" and two-story "great rooms" out of fashion?
Anonymous wrote:I have a two story foyer and 10 foot ceilings on the main level. We have three zone heating and cooling system. I would never own a large home with only one zone.


Anonymous
Post 11/09/2015 23:27     Subject: Re:Are "lawyer foyers" and two-story "great rooms" out of fashion?
Anonymous wrote:LOL is this home out dated?

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mclean/938-Peacock-Station-Rd-22102/home/17525477



Yes!
Anonymous
Post 11/09/2015 23:04     Subject: Are "lawyer foyers" and two-story "great rooms" out of fashion?
I have a two story foyer and 10 foot ceilings on the main level. We have three zone heating and cooling system. I would never own a large home with only one zone.
Anonymous
Post 11/09/2015 23:00     Subject: Are "lawyer foyers" and two-story "great rooms" out of fashion?
^Reminds of the show Dynasty.
Anonymous
Post 11/09/2015 22:56     Subject: Re:Are "lawyer foyers" and two-story "great rooms" out of fashion?
LOL is this home out dated?

https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mclean/938-Peacock-Station-Rd-22102/home/17525477