Advice for surviving remodel with small children
baligirl
13 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (26)
breezygirl
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agoresearch_queen
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Need your words of advice - major rethink of bathroom remodel
Comments (6)Thanks for the replies. Haha, lukki  maybe my children are more high-maintenance than others (although I think theyÂre probably normal). I donÂt know how *anyone* does remodeling with small children. I canÂt imagine trying to do projects that require a great deal of concentration/attention while also having my 3 yr old and 8 month old need to eat / need diaper changes / want to color / misbehave/etc. I can barely paint a room while caring for the kids! The budget is more for reasons of not overimproving, rather than a matter of not having the money. We have enough money now to do almost whatever we want to do. But IÂve thought more about it and I think a bigger shower is something that, if we do it, will need to be for ourselves rather than for resale. I do appreciate the points you both bring up and we will think about this more. IÂd still love to hear from others!...See MoreAdvice from those of you with children
Comments (17)Thank you everybody!! I definetly agree mine and the baby's health is my #1 priority and hence putting the build on hold. I don't need anything to add stress right now and just thinking of building raises my blood pressure. I really appreciate you sharing your stories and it really makes me understand better what we are in for and is very helpful in us trying to plan. I have decided though that I'm not ready to work on a design right now. My brain is too busy just trying to figure out what I can and can't eat and try to include nutrition that I need and doesn't mess too much with my bloodsugar in addition to a new area I'm working on at work. My work is mentally challenging, which I enjoy a lot so I'd rather not take on anything else at this time that could be a potential stress factor. Maybe my feelings on that will change later on and we can always take it up then. The way things are looking now I may be moving twice, but for some reason moving has never stressed me out so I think we'll be ok there, but I do appreciate pointing that out so I will make sure to watch out so I don't stress about it when the time comes. I should probably use some of the energy I have now to pack some very little used things up. LOL on the child proofing. As soon as we found out I said to DH at least we can have all the child safety features built in and not have to do it ourselves. Though I don't know what to do about door handles. I need handles as knobs are often painful on my hands. Susan thank you and that is a good point and not something we would have done. Especially since we don't want formals so we would have ended up with no room to even use like it. missymar - I was a tightly controlled diabetic before the baby. I use an insulin pump and my last hba1c was 6.0. It will be way lower now as I'm keeping my numbers between 60-110. It takes a lot of energy and planning and I test ~20 times / day vs. the 10 I used to. It will be worth it. I will also be 37 by the time I deliver the baby so higher risk there too and I just had surgery to remove a cyst on my ovary. This was definetly a surprise. I'm really trying to cut out anything optional right now to not add to the plate. We had an ultrasound today and I'm around 7 weeks and the heart was beating as expected and everything looked good. I'm having another on Tuesday as well right before my OB appointment. I think today was for the benefit of my DH as he can't easily get here during the week, but can leave early on a Friday to go with me. Our Doctor is very familiar with our living arrangments and tries to be acoomodating so DH can share in the experience too. If only the nausea would disappear as I can't really do the snacking on crackers due to carbs. It is just tolerable so it could be worse, but sure would be nice to not have it as it makes meal planning even harder as I have to feel like eating it too. I hope ya'll don't mind me hanging around and still gathering information as I get ideas or learn something with most every post on here....See MoreSmall kitchen remodel advice needed
Comments (16)Palimpsest, I do not have a floorplan of the L-config from our designer, unfortunately. I talked it over with the hubby tonight and although we like the idea of the L-, we are ultimately against it for a couple of reasons: 1) We have a big family (6) including 4 boys who will be teenagers before we know it. We really feel like we want as much pantry space as possible for stocking bulk discount items, especially cereal, juice, spaghetti sauce, and the like, which will be stored no problem in the pantry area of the first design. We measured it, and it may offer up to 84 ft of linear space, 10-12" wide. We just don't have any other area on the first floor that would accommodate that much food. I don't think the pantry space offered in the L-config is nearly comparable. 2) We really liked the idea of the peninsula for socialization between the cook and the folks in the dining room, since the area doesn't accommodate an island. Also, in the L-config, nothing is "built-in" so it might feel like a cluttered area. Maybe I should follow up with the designer and seek another configuration which would lend itself to more pantry space, but it's tricky. 3) Given how much space we're gaining in the pantry for storage, we're thinking we *may* be able to get away with a scenario where we could remove the wall/above-counter cabinetry to the left of the sink in the original design so we could create a more open feel to the back den. People might even be able to sit at the left corner of that counter, but there is a doorway to the den there from the dining room, which may shorten the length we could otherwise run it. I don't know if the symmetry problem that causes is a big deal or not? We are hoping that since there is another pathway through the house from the stairs/dining room to the living room (via the far side of the dining room), if I need to I *can* tell the kids to stay out of the kitchen. We are a little worried though that when someone comes in from the garage or the living room, there is some close proximity to a potentially hot stove. But our current stove is right next to the dining room/kitchen doorway with no counter buffer and we've worked it out. Thanks everyone for all feedback so far!! This is really wonderful....See MoreKitchen remodeling advice
Comments (6)If you really, REALLY like the Mediterranean/Spanish theme you mention....which I would personally analyzeand scrutinize your elements in those terms...are you seeking warmth/intensity/style/wrought iron mixed in/sunshine flowing.....what is it exactly... you can have warmth without the deep coloration....is it the metallic touches? sun?-then unveil your windows from the heavy curtains and maybe ADD windows/skylite........anyway, for your stated preference, I would beam or texturize the ceiling-the white looks wrong..probably address the white door looming there in the background too.....and I would add another strong color like cobalt blue somewhere ...the wall paint doesn't bother me .....some find it needing redone....the space is large enough....go with texture and another color....maybe tile in the blue shade or texturize or cover with rustic wood , the island vertical surfaces-is that just wallboard? Is the new hood snazzy enough to get a theme going for color, and edit elsewhere in this space-clear off some of the wall things/take down the curtains/remove the different ceiling lite fixturess/fan, etc........See MoreFori
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agobaligirl
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agoAdrienne2011
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agobreezygirl
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agolawjedi
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agoweissman
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agoresearch_queen
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agomudworm
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agoAdrienne2011
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agojuliekcmo
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agoSharon kilber
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agotress21
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agoartemis78
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agoAdrienne2011
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agodavidro1
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agojejvtr
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agoskyedog
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agoUser
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agoideagirl2
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agostir_fryi SE Mich
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agobeekeeperswife
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agobaligirl
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agolucypwd
13 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
Related Stories
REMODELING GUIDESWisdom to Help Your Relationship Survive a Remodel
Spend less time patching up partnerships and more time spackling and sanding with this insight from a Houzz remodeling survey
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESSurvive Your Home Remodel: 11 Must-Ask Questions
Plan ahead to keep minor hassles from turning into major headaches during an extensive renovation
Full StoryKITCHEN WORKBOOK8 Steps to Surviving a Kitchen Remodel
Living through a kitchen remodel isn’t always fun, but these steps will help you work around a kitchen in disarray
Full StoryLIFEShare Your Winter Storm Jonas Photos and Survival Tips!
Let’s see your pictures and hear your ideas on how you’re keeping your house warm and staving off cabin fever
Full StoryLIFEThe Moving-Day Survival Kit: Lifesaving Items and Niceties
Gather these must-haves in advance for a smooth move and more comfortable first days in your new home
Full StoryHOLIDAYSSurviving the Christmas Countdown: A Parent's Guide
Make things easier on yourself, for heaven's sake — and for the sake of truly enjoying the holiday with your family
Full StoryHOLIDAYS11 Survival Lessons From Thanksgiving
With 10 people in 1 house for 3 days, you learn fast. Find out the good, the challenging and the just plain kooky
Full StoryHEALTHY HOMEHow to Childproof Your Home: Expert Advice
Safety strategies, Part 1: Get the lowdown from the pros on which areas of the home need locks, lids, gates and more
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNSmart Investments in Kitchen Cabinetry — a Realtor's Advice
Get expert info on what cabinet features are worth the money, for both you and potential buyers of your home
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESHow to Remodel Your Relationship While Remodeling Your Home
A new Houzz survey shows how couples cope with stress and make tough choices during building and decorating projects
Full Story
lawjedi