IKEA in Semi-custom and Custom Homes
aloha2009
10 years ago
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sushipup1
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agomarvelousmarvin
10 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Custom vs semi custom
Comments (9)jrldh wrothe, "...Given how uniform the true custom homes that people post here on this forum look, I'd say that it's a waste of money to go true custom..." Actually, the majority of the homes posted here are stock plans from the Internet or from builder's tracts or plan books. And they are often very similar, since builders go to the same trade shows, look at other builder's houses (especially those that sell) and replicate them. Many of the homeowners who post their "own" plans here, freely acknowledge that they have visited open houses and their friend's homes and "borrowed" what they have found appealing. None of these homes are "custom" or "architect-designed"--they are "borrowed" and "replicated" homes. It doesn't matter if someone adds some stone to the outside or swaps carpet for hardwood on the inside. Taking the misuse of terminology further, many posters write that the take their preliminary drawings to "an architect" to have their plans "drawn up". Architects do not "draw up" someone else's plans. In many states, they are prevented by law from doing so. Looking at the final plans, and their frequent lack of imagination (and often lack of resolution), it's clear that it really was a drafter who was responsible, not an experienced architect. In some cases, after questioning, the poster will acknowledge the author of the final plan was the drafter at the local lumberyard. So even the term "architect" is often misused here. To experienced observers, this is almost always immediatedly clear. To others, however, it may never be understood. So we can use and value "custom" and "architect-designed" based on our own personal preferences and value systems, but as the Bard said so well, "a rose by any other name is still a rose". It's just that they may not always smell so sweet!...See MoreBrands of semi/custom-custom cabinets made in the US
Comments (7)I'm certain those in the Boston area (beantown?) can recommend a good local custom cabinet maker. These can be competitive in price to any mid to high end manufacturer. I went with Crystal, which is made in Minnesota. In the price spectrum, it is considered mid-high. I am quite satisfied thus far, as I near completion....See MoreIkea vs. Semi-Custom
Comments (26)@LizPel12, we were looking seriously at using Cabico Espresso last fall - I posted a query or two here under a different user name. Our contractor flamed out (I changed my username because I was posting here about what to do afterward and wasn't sure how it would all shake out.) I really liked what I saw of the Espresso line (they had a couple of great greyish brown stains that remind me of what @feisty68 has been posting about.) The cabinet shop that recommended them also impressed me - they only carried higher end lines and were very professional and serious KDs. I also saw the prior posts about glides but was assured that at minimum I could get Blum as an upgrade. We found a new contractor who works with a different shop and a different semi-custom cabinet line; it meant not using frameless, but after the drama with the original contracting firm, our priority was all about finding a rock-solid contractor (and as we're now on day 4 of the reno, I don't have any doubt about that decision.) I couldn't find a stain I liked as well as the Cabico options, and we wound up choosing a painted greige (a totally last-minute call, after about 3 years of planning on stained maple.) I also considered Ikea, but we never found a contractor who had experience doing the incredible hack/customization work that I see on here all the time. I couldn't find any feedback on the Ikea-affiliated contractor in our area, and they weren't game to do the structural work we needed. And we have neither space nor time nor skills for any DIY, not even just box assembly. Still, I love a lot of the aspects of the Ikea kitchens, and there are some seriously awesome ones that have been showcased on this site. I think either Ikea or Cabico are very good options; if you really want to throw a third in there, I priced out Innermost at HD and it wasn't much more than Cabico, maybe 10 percent-ish at a good sale time (which are perpetual to some extent.) Fwiw I also live in a high-priced area, tear-downs in my neighborhood start at $500k. I think there's probably a tiny bit of snobbery that might apply to an Ikea kitchen, but given how many houses sell around here for $750k and upward with kitchens from the 1950s, it simply couldn't be a deciding factor unless you were well above the "lower" end of the price spectrum....See MoreFeedback for Blueprints (Semi-Custom Home Build April 2022)
Comments (16)Anything in bold you should rethink: The best houses orient the public rooms towards the south for the best passive solar heating and cooling (What direction does your house face?) The best houses are L, U, T, H, or I shaped. The best houses are only one to two rooms deep. And covered lanai, porches, garages, etc count as rooms in this case. The best houses make sure kitchens have natural light, meaning windows so one doesn't have to have lighting 24/7 to use the kitchen. (And no, dining areas with windows 10' or more from the kitchen will not allow for natural light.) The best houses make sure all public rooms and bedrooms have windows on at least two walls. The best houses do not if possible put mechanical rooms, pantries or closets on outside walls The best houses keep public and private spaces separate. The best houses do not have you walk through the work zone of the kitchen to bring laundry to the laundry room. The best houses do not have the mudroom go through any of the work zones of the kitchen. The best houses do not use the kitchen as a hallway to any other rooms. The best houses do not put toilets or toilet rooms up against bedroom walls, public rooms or dining areas. The best houses do not have walk in closets too small to stand inside. The best houses have an organizing “spine” so it’s easy to determine how to get from room to room in the house and what makes sense....See Moresushipup1
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