Time LIFE Dream Houses

the home's classic, cozy shingled entry on the magazine's 1994 cover

"LIFE Magazine believed that too many people, as noted architect Robert A. M. Stern has said, 'buy the house they hate the least'." Starting with Stern in 1994, LIFE commissioned 6 home designs by leading architects, with construction drawings available to everyone. We have a set of drawings for the Robert A. M. Stern home because a family member wanted to build it years ago. We've long enjoyed “walking through” the house's floorplan...

The plan has surprisingly many details, nuances, nooks and crannies for a spec design dating from the 1990's. It's a classic design that is versatile, too: the plan offers options for building two bedrooms or four. The two-bedroom design comes in at about 1,700 square feet, which is refreshing given the McMansions that are so abundant everywhere today.

Are you familiar with any Time LIFE dream house designs? Do you have any favorites or have you learned any pointers from studying their plans? For more on the Stern design, click here.

Comments (18)

I'm disappointed by the Stern. (the Graves one... ugh)

a 1,700 sq feet for 2 bedrooms is a McMansion, that is a ridiculous amount of space to heat and cool for 2 people

The Stern house is quite dark. What a strange lack of decent windows on the front of the house.

The Stern house is so cheesy with all the faux-historicism gingerbread -- more or less like the McMansions they're still building today in the suburbs (although maybe no one has enough money to buy those anymore?)
It seems like a movie set.

Anything with a "great room" is by definition a McMansion.

A bit of trivia for you all; the "great room" was invented by a midwestern architect - in Iowa no less. It was coined by John Bloodgood.

@LaDonna... in what world is a 2BR only for 2 people? That is a perfect space for a young family with two kids.

I built this home with some changes and it is beautiful. Lots of closets, large rooms (it has an upstairs). Three massive bedrooms and the closets and bath for the master are in a hallway so there is plenty of room for furniture placements. Lived in it since 1996. All the people who have given negative comments have not seen what this house can be.

I live in one of these houses as well! It's been changed a good bit, (the front of the house design is now the rear, for a start) but it was definitely a good place to grow up!

suelynne ...I'm actually doing a project for my housing seminar on my house/this 'life dreamhouse' and if you're still seeing this, it'd be great if you could send me some pictures/information about you house?

FLASH BACK.

I totally remember this series and probably sold the magazines at a garage sale.

I loved this house. Suelynne - thanks for the comment re: livability in this home!

I seen this article in 94, and liked the layout so much that I purchased the blue prints. Soon thereafter they builted the house in Kennesaw Ga. About 10 min from me. The house is beautiful, a perfect lay out. I going to make a couple of changes and add a pool.
I honestly can't understand the negative publicity, but then again some people like Velvet Elvis paintings.

I purchased the blue prints for this house and love to hear from others that have built this house. My email address is drollins@techtrekers.com

We built our Stern home in 1999. I love living here. It's on 7 wooded acres, overlooking the St Joseph River. One is re-energized driving down our 1/4 mile winding driveway. The Life Dream house looks like it has always been here - perfect for our little slice of heaven. Thank you Mr Stern.