The Thapas wanted to move for two reasons - to live closer to family and to build a house that accommodates everyone in their family. Monika Thapa, the digital content creator behind House of Thapas, went into the process with a clear vision of what she wanted, and Drees’ portfolio of customizable floor plans and a one-stop selections experience at the Design Center made her dream home a reality.
When she’s not busy raising her children, Monika uses her platform to share content geared toward autism advocacy and parenting children with special needs. So, naturally, when designing her home, her top priority was finding a floor plan that fit the needs of her entire family.
She and her husband have two young sons, one of whom has special needs, so the open, ranch style of the Lauren II floor plan resonated right away. It not only offered the space they desired, but also the practicality of having everyone on the same level.
“With Drees, we were able to select a floor plan and then customize it to suit our family’s specific needs,” Monika said. “I loved our Design Center experience; we were able to select each detail, and it has been so much fun to see our vision gradually come to life room by room.”
One of her most carefully designed spaces includes the playroom for her sons. Located off the kitchen and just steps away from the boys’ rooms, this space allows her kids to play while she supervises from the kitchen. The playroom undoubtedly makes the back-to-school season easier, as its central location provides the perfect homework haven.
“We have enhanced this space with cozy window seats where we enjoy reading books and spending quality time together as a family,” Monika said. “Additionally, the practicality of the storage drawers is invaluable in providing storage solutions to hide toys and games when not in use.”
But the true heart of the home - her pride and joy - is her kitchen. A lot of planning was centered around this space, and it shows. Monika’s kitchen is classic and elegant with just the right touch of rustic charm. Gorgeous white quartz extends from the countertops to the backsplash. The warm, alder wood kitchen island complements her wooden range hood; these two elements strategically pop among the white cabinetry. Monika’s kitchen is the most beautiful backdrop to create school morning vlogs, providing her ample counter space to assemble lunch boxes, stuff backpacks and serve breakfast. Her selections are not only elegant; they’re functional.
“I love that we were able to extend the same quartz material from the countertops to the backsplash, giving a clean aesthetic and enhancing ease of maintenance,” Monika said.
She also added upper cabinets to make her kitchen look more full and complete. She opted to not choose glass doors for this particular section so that she could use the cabinets for storage. She did want a touch of glass, though, so she added a glass hutch to showcase decorative items.
In the family room, she chose the optional vaulted ceilings to enhance the overall look of the house. Just off the kitchen and family room is another area she carefully designed: the dry bar. Monika envisioned this space to be fun and distinct from the kitchen. To achieve this, she selected striking, dark herringbone tile for the backsplash. This look served the contrast she was looking for, and open shelving created a cohesive flow with the family room. Overall, she loves how the design stands out yet blends seamlessly with the overall aesthetic of her house.
“Building our dream home with Drees has been an exciting journey. We are thrilled with our selections and the spacious, family-friendly floor plan that we know will adapt as our family grows. The comprehensive one-year warranty and ten-year structural warranty provided by Drees have given us peace of mind throughout the process. We are deeply thankful to Drees Homes for turning our dream into a reality,” Monika said.
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