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vinmarks commented on a discussion: Electrolux front loader water smells
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Will Brokhof

It's the bellows folks. There's mold in the folds. Replace it.

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vinmarks

@Will Brokhof. I am the original poster. It was not the bellows. I wish it were that simple. The bellows were completely clean. No mold. We took the entire machine apart. It was clean and no mold or smells of mold anywhere. It was stink build up in the clothes because the machine was garbage at cleaning. The machine is gone and I now have an LG and no smelly clothes.

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vinmarks commented on a discussion: What are these countertop spots?
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vinmarks

You remodeled your bathroom and don’t know what your countertops are?

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chispa

We have well water for outdoor sprinklers and if it hits your car and you let it dry, your car paint will look just like that and it is hard to clean off. If you don't wash your car the next day and it bakes in the sun for a few days, it will permanently "etch" your car paint.

It looks like your slabs got splashed with something similar to my well water. Has anyone tried acetone to clean them?


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dani_m08

That is the most realistic looking faux marble quartz that I have ever seen - and I’ve looked at A LOT of quartz (+ quartzite + porcelain+ etc.) that looks like marble because I’ve been nervous about using real Calacatta marble in my kitchen.

I’ve also looked at a ton of marble tiles for my master bathroom - so, I was pretty ”fixated” on Carrara marble for awhile. I was very picky when selecting which tiles to install prior to having my tile installer come over to work on my bathroom.

Will you please find out who the manufacturer is and what the name is of that countertop for me? While I still want Calacatta for my kitchen, I would like to use the same countertop for my master bathroom. I would really appreciate it!

I will be home tomorrow - I will show you photos of my real carrara marble countertop - and how I have places that look exactly like the areas of concern that you are showing in your photos (only when I look at it directly from above).

I also will talk with my fabricator and show him your photos - he is extremely knowledgeable re: all types of countertop materials (as are many pros on here - especially Joseph Corlett - based upon many comments he has posted providing advice/information for other Houzz users). I think he’d be good to use as another “set of eyes” on your problem areas.

I am very interested in learning the exact quartz that was installed - and am also happy to try to find an answer for you!

It looks like you are going to have a very pretty bathroom when it’s finished!

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vinmarks commented on a discussion: Real quartz or faux?
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vinmarks

The top came with the vanity correct? Is that some sort of laminated edge?

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Zumi

That is a thin veneer of quartz, likely .5cm, with a laminated edge buildup, over what looks like a HDF substrate.

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chloe00s

How about having whoever you bought it from just replace it. You don’t have to take on the repair of something that arrived damaged…

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vinmarks

No..white cabinets won't go out. It is not about "white cabinets" but the whole of the kitchen from the white cabinets to the different colored islands to the hardware and lightening to the countertops. They all start looking the same. None of the kitchens are memorable because they all look identical.

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Minardi

Love that black terrazzo(?) wall in the Billy Baldwin apartment, as well as those library floors. And the Le Tigre chairs.

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palimpsest

I think the walls are a faux finish terrazzo

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vinmarks likes a comment on a discussion: Help with kitchen layout
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Renee

LOL, same person so either label applies. ;)

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vinmarks likes a comment on a discussion: Calacatta quartzite
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Joseph Corlett, LLC

All quartzites must be tested in person.

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vinmarks commented on a discussion: White Oak Stain Wash Difference
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vinmarks

The difference was there before the treatment so why would it be any different after the treatment?

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Karenseb

I think your cabinets are beautiful, but the result is probably due to the original color/variety of the wood.

I'd go to a cabinet maker and ask if he can provide new doors finished to match the rest of the cabinetry. Maybe not, but might be worth a try.

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Debbie Downer

Agree that a skilled finisher should be able to modify colors/tones to a certain extent .... while still leaving plenty of variation as you would expect with natural wood. Other instances where this might be done incl. tweaking color of new floor boards to blend into old 100 yr old wood floor.

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vinmarks commented on a discussion: Lights above floating shelf 8' ceiling
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vinmarks

Shelves next to a range are not a good idea especially with that flat type hood. The cooking plume spreads out to the sides and with the poor capture area of that flat style hood you can be guaranteed of greasy shelves and lights.

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HU-519768676

Heat and light degrades spices and oils rapidly. Those shelves are a terrible idea for their storage. It’s a terrible idea for dishes as well. Who wants to wash dishes before they can use them? Artwork? Fake plants? Only if it’s a cheap poster, cheaply framed. Fake plants are cringe somewhere they are so obviously fake.


There really isn't much good use for open shelves as either function or diplay. It’s one of the sad ”I don’t really use my kitchen” trends that is going away.

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BeverlyFLADeziner

I wouldn't select a SS chimney hood for a kitchen. If the hood is wider than the range, then maybe shelves are no longer appropriate.


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vinmarks likes a comment on a discussion: Viking Range Rear wall clearance
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HALLETT & Co.

Buy the back guard. That’s what it was designed for. The island trim is what it’s called, for islands (a stupid spot for a high heat output stove …)

How I wish the manufacturers and showrooms would stop showing island trims on wall installations.

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vinmarks likes 2 comments on a discussion: Kitchens for short folks
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eld6161

I'm the same height as wife. I reach first and the front items on the second shelf. I wouldn’t lower the standard inches for the uppers.

As suggested above, concentrate on getting drawers and having most sailing itmens down low.

For the rest, i use a chair for the infrequent times I need something.

I also store a lot of kitchen things that i don’t use daily in my basement.

Look tonother places to store things. Consoles, china cabinets etc.


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Kendrah

I had a Hafale toe kick pull out step stool put in our last home's kitchen. It was a clunky, inconvenient PITA. I ended up never using it and climbing on the counter instead to reach up high. (Stupid yes, I'm part monkey I guess.) Fast forward to our current kitchen and I have a $5 step stool. We keep it in the kitchen corner and use it as our dog's food bowl stand. When I need to reach something I pull it over. Multi-purpose, cheap, sturdy enough.

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vinmarks likes a comment on a discussion: No more white shaker cabinets in the kitchen?
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RoyHobbs

No, we are not ”reaching the end” - Shaker cabinets are classic. I am surprised you are concerned with that, yet not concerned with the real trends that are over in your kitchen - black hardware like raisins in a rice pudding, and an island waterfall counter in a kitchen not suited to it and on an island not large enough to carry it off. Now those are looks that are over.

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vinmarks commented on a discussion: Kitchen shelf placement?
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Julia Grody

Inside for sure for blinds -- something like woven wood. It will be pretty neutral, non-attention seeking -- we just need some help with direct light. It's about the shelves!


I might end up waiting, but our contractor said he'll mount for free if we decide now and get them before it's done. :)

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vinmarks

I would get a piece of wood that is similar in thickness and depth and mock it up. We did this for ours. I needed a visual. Will there be trim around the window and door? If so I would wait until that goes in.

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vinmarks likes a comment on a discussion: Need Help Reviewing Floor Plan!
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just_janni

7 bathrooms. This means fixtures, tile, faucets, vanities. These are expensive items. And water heaters. And lots of plumbing. And 4 floors - there's water EVERYWHERE.


There's 2+ kitchens - that's a LOT of cabinets and countertops. And fixtures. And appliances. oh - and more plumbing.


I counted 45 windows - some of them being large, and some large sliders. Probably well over $500K in windows. (I have not bought windows in a long time, but I spent a boatload on nice windows years ago)


I counted about 50 interior doors. Not cheap. And the hardware for each door. And trim.


The electrical plan for this house would be massive. Is some form of automation expected at this price point?


HVAC? This is a huge bill on both equipment and installation.


Every decision that went into the house added cost. And each one is difficult to unwind or back out. I don't know what you have been quoted, but it's probably 1.5x the house that you shared the sales link for.


You won't pare this plan down in any way that actually moves the needle. I know how frustrating this is - but you'll need to start over or reswizzle your budget.

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vinmarks commented on a discussion: kitchen sink dilemma!!
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vinmarks

Kraus stainless.

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Debbi Washburn

I have had customers get the Silgranite sinks - didn't hear back except for one. The one who had trouble had a gray color and had lots of problems with staining on it which I found very strange. They did let her return it and get a different color which seems to be just fine ( I think she got the black one ) .

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Kate Cowers

Blanco silgranite. Almost 9 years strong and still looks great.

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vinmarks commented on a discussion: hall tree hell. HELP!
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vinmarks

I agree with others. i think it looks nice. Right now you are looking at it unpainted so it doesn’t match with anything. Plus it is a big change and you are not used to seeing it.


The baskets are not practical because no one can reach them. That is the one thing I would change. If you want baskets they have to be lower.

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tuesday_2008

Looking at the side view you show, imagine it painted a pretty fresh white to match your other woodwork, hardware, a colorful cushion on the bench, and a coordinating rug in front of the unit. It will look great! You are looking at it unfinished and undecorated. Of course, the kiddos will not always keep it magazine looking, but they can be taught.. You can organize when ”company is coming”😜.

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loftissm

I agree that your reaction is normal, to be shocked at the new bulk where there has not been any before. i had tthe same when a cabinet went in where I had been used to seeing a much smaller piece of furniture, but I got used to it and now am so glad for the extra storage. However, as to the size of the cabinet/closet on the right side: It would bug me forever that the top doesn’t align with the soffit, not only up and down but also left to right. I would run it up to the soffit or use trim, but to have that “under-hang” where the soffit is narrower? Nope. It looks like a measuring mistake, and the 2- to 3-in. ledge will only collect dust. Also, from experience, no one uses the baskets no matter that they’re a great idea on paper. We have a bench from Pottery Barn with 2 levels of open cubbies underneath for shoes, and it works great. Hooks above are a great idea if the kids can reach them, but I would forget the baskets. Plus pulling the seagrass baskets back and forth over the painted cabinet will erode the painted edge. The paint won’t last, trust me, especially if they are pulling at the basket and tipping it downward to see if something particular is inside.

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vinmarks commented on a discussion: Knobs vs Pulls on Wide Drawers
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vinmarks

My previous house had all knobs and current house has all pulls. They both functioned fine for opening drawers and cabinets. I think like someone else mentioned with pulls there is less chance of transferring gunk that may be on your fingers onto cabinet than with knobs. I have also been known to occasionally open the trash pull out with my foot. It is easier to do with a pull.

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chicagoans

@course411 Your kitchen is so pretty! Love the big windows and the color of your pantry.

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BeverlyFLADeziner

You could consider pulls on drawers and knobs on doors.


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vinmarks commented on a discussion: Would you accept this stair install?
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vinmarks

I would not be happy with that. I do not know much about stair and rail building but that seems wrong.


@millworkman Go to the link in OPs post. There are more pictures.

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Joseph Corlett, LLC

"What did the drawings show?"


I've never seen a set of prints that had specific rise and run included. The architect/designer gives the stair builder a guesstimate at finished floor heights and hopefully enough space between walls to shoehorn everything in while still meeting code.

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Joseph Corlett, LLC

Not that this is always a design error. Someone may want a bigger bathroom or two and steal the space from the stairwell. Can't do that without asking.

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vinmarks likes a comment on a discussion: so if I use a dimmer switch can I set it between 3000 and 4000?
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Minardi

Color temperature of a light has nothing to do with the use of a dimmer that reduces the lumen output of the light. Not related at all.

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vinmarks commented on a discussion: Freestanding Tubs Pros & Cons?
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Ken

I think this needs to be my move @btydrvn 🙂

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vinmarks

That was our move.



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