So boring, I fell in the kitchen and for no reason at all. For the last year or two, i have done this too many times, so now the doctors are on another tear to have "everything"checked out. My shoulder unfortunatelly was damaged in 98-and i never had it repaired. this time, i damaged the old tear, and i have been told this morning, surgery is a must, but there is no guarantee, that anything positive will come out of it, but we must at least try. My husband suggested, that we just purchase a wing of the hospital, and move in. Sounds like a plant to me... Irene

My personal feelings: 1) I like having a drain. I would not say it's "absolute" but I would feel better with one. 2) "Rarely" is a subjective term. They don't flood often but when they do.... Guess the question is are you feeling lucky? 3) Good hoses are a part. BUT, my washer had the clamps lose their tension and it leaked the water from inside the washer. So, for the advice you're received, A) the quality and type of the hoses were irrelevent; B) The capacity of the washer was irrelevent, since it kept going as long as the washer was on; and C) Even turning off the water would have been irrelevent since it happened while the washer was on. That said, if your drain plugs, you're SOL. There is the sensor mentioned that sits on the floor or in a place where water would likely go and if it gets wet it'll shut off the water supply. However, some have reported problems with this working properly on certain washers. If it would work, I think it's a good idea. Getting good hoses is only one part. CHANGING the hoses occasionally is another part. Shutting off the water supply when not in use is a great idea and if you get the right part you can shut off both hot and cold with a flip of one lever. And a pan is of dubious value if you don't have it go to a drain. Given that your basement doesn't have a drain, I think I'd go with the single lever shutoff and good solid hoses changed regularly. Don't be fooled into thinking the ones that have the stainless braiding on the outside are actually better. Most people I've talked to and things I've read suggest they're not because you can't see when the hoses start to bulge out indicating failure is iminent. It would seem to me that the braiding could actually cut into the hoses and cause them to fail faster. I just buy good heavy rubber hoses and replace them every 5-8 years. The cost is a matter of a few dollars. For added security, I'd look into the sensor and whether it would work with your machine. And I'd double check my insurance. Since you don't have a drain, if your basement leaks water, or has a leak you're going to have trouble. Apparently you don't have a wet basement issue so you probably have good drainage and some luck!

Interesting idea. It sounds almost like an ombre treatment - except you wouldn't be going from lighter to darker but transitioning between two very different hues of the same color. I think an artist or skilled crafts-person who works with wood could do the ombre effect and also blend the two colors in an appealing way. I think it could look very cool but I also think it has to be integral to your over arching design plan for your home. The trouble will be finding the person who can do it well. Otherwise, you might want to stick with one stain for all the flooring. Here's an example of integrating two very different colors in wood flooring. The contrast is high and makes a graphic and modern statement. You flooring wouldn't be as dramatic because the hues are so similar. Here's an ombre effect, which doesn't apply to your situation, but thought I'd show it anyway, because it's so cool looking! Your best bet will likely be sticking to one stain. Maybe others will pop by with additional feedback.

Not the kind of thing happening around me, but I've seen it quite a few times in the tony areas along our lakes or in beach towns or desirable urban neighborhoods. One family friend lives in a nice one story suburban ranch with a finished basement in a nice suburb of Detroit, and a giant two story house that takes up almost all of the lot went in next to her . . . it's happening all over her neighborhood and the same for my friend who lives in a nice suburban ranch in Chevy Chase MD, a suburb of Washington DC. Modest suburban homes aren't enough for the newer generation I guess . . .