Broader discussion re: closets Vs. non-fixed storage solutions.
drbevdc
6 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (22)
One Devoted Dame
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agodrbevdc
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Cultured Marble vs onyx collection vs solid surface shower pan
Comments (78)Lenore, who is installing the granite slab shower? Start there and make your priority be hiring a VERY experienced tile professional - one you have vetted carefully to insure that their qualifications meet your design requirements and product selections. Stone slab installations are not for the B team, and especially in a wet area. Can it be done? Yes, depending upon the structure over which a solid surface stone is installed and the methods used. We install solid surface shower walls regularly, but from an empty cavity which we build to meet all specific design and installation specifications, including the pan. A solid stone slab cannot be supported by the pan (it is not meant to support a slab wall). A slab wall is pinned and tied so it is self supported, not supported by a pan. This is a very complex installation. A LOT to consider. As one example, the thickness of your slab? 2cm. 3cm? (effects the weight load on the space). And I could go on. After you have carefully vetted the qualified tile contractor, have this conversation with them. If you question or want to clarify their recommendations, check back or seek professional advice from other qualified sources. Please consult with a professional onsite. Good luck with your project....See MorePantry - adjustable vs fixed
Comments (12)Reading Rhome's comment about adjustable shelves moving/shifting/jiggling made me laugh because I found that out just recently. Not thinking, I moved something heavy from one end of a shelf and had a bunch of soda cans on the other end - well, of course, the unweighted end popped up and scared me to death. Oddly enough, none of the cans fell and we just popped the shelf back in place, but I can see it possibly being an issue if someone has a lot more on the shelves. Everyone would probably laugh at my pantry since compared to most people, we have almost nothing in there! It's just the two of us, so even though we have plenty, it's nothing like stocking up for a family of 4 or more :) I've even used it for extra storage for things that I just can't figure out another location for! But anyway, we have solid wood shelves with adjustable tracks so that they can be moved if we want. I think it's sturdier than the wire shelving and I haven't regretted it. I didn't really think too much about it and initially planned fixed wood shelves, but we simply got tired of waiting for the contractor to get around to building them. Long story, but we'd probably still be waiting 5 years from now if we hadn't gone ahead and installed the adjustable tracks and then just had him cut the wood shelves to fit!...See More'Heated' Discussion w/DH re: Kitchen Pack Up
Comments (23)You had me at "everything has to come off the floor at some point". No short term solutions, move it once and be done, and I cannot say this firmly enough. We did a whole house update/remodel and addition, and that POD was absolutely a life saver, and we should have had it in place sooner than we did. We also had work being done on the garage and in the basement, so those areas were not so great for storage. Trust me, when the demo/building gets going hot and heavy, the very last thing you guys want to do is find somewhere else to put those boxes. We had to do this with some boxes that we stored downstairs and it was, to put it bluntly, stupid. We should have had that POD in place the week before demo began. Live and learn--and then share here! The POD will be worth every penny you spend on it. (unless you have a large, unused room somewhere else that's not being worked on at all--then use that) Put things that you think you MIGHT need towards the front of the POD so you can get to them if you end up needing them. We started out with basic plates/glasses/silverware in the temporary kitchen and quickly packed those away and bought disposables from a warehouse club. You can even get disposable paper bowls that can go in the microwave. Washing dishes in a basin in the bathtub just wasn't working for me--it was the only water source on the main floor available at the time, and it was also our only bathroom. I had made and frozen a lot of meals in advance and we thawed and ate those, interspersing pizza and other brought-in foods as needed. I am a cook from scratch person and my kids were simply amazed at the amount of pre-cooked food out there that they never even heard of! :-) I had a single induction burner and a rice cooker that also came in very handy in the temporary kitchen, located in one corner of the living room. For boxes, find a supply company like U-Line or Associated Bag--you can buy boxes in bulk for less than you'd pay at the UPS store or somewhere like that. We used paper, but you can buy bubble wrap in bulk there if that's what you want. If it's local, they'll usually let you come and pick it up, saving you even more. Label clearly--you will thank yourself when the time comes to unpack! It's too early in the game to be fighting with DH about anything remodel related. Save it for the big stuff that will undoubtedly come later. Or better yet, discuss now how you will deal with those things, because when the tension is high you don't need to be fighting about details. Best wishes for a fabulous remodel! Cj...See MoreForeclosures in Michigan - finding solutions
Comments (31)Hi pkguy, Being here in Canada about a stones throw from Nancy in Mich's house almost literally I was trying to read up on what/why this is happening in the US and not in Canada. It is a good comparison because both the US & Canada have about the same percentage of home ownership by population along with being the highest world percentages. From what I've read so far the stark difference is that in Canada mortage payments are not tax deductible but capital gains on the sale of your principle residence are not taxed. Whereas in the US, mortgage payments are tax deductible but you pay capital gains tax unless you buy another house of equal or greater value? So how does this make a difference, well in Canada since you are not gaining a yearly tax deduction on your mortage payments there is more of an incentive to pay your mortage off as quickly as possible while in the US a lender may prod a purchaser into taking out a larger mortage, buy a bigger house or de-incentive people to pay of their mortage quickly because they'll lose the deductions. Does that make sense? As quip pointed out, your assumptions are a bit out of date (OK, quite a bit... but big credit to you for strategic thinking!!!!) Today, in the U.S., you get a cap gains tax exemption for $250,000 single, $500,000 married... as often as every two years (which means if you are a magician and can buy a primary or second home and re-sell it every two years you can take up to a halg Mill tax free each round... can't beat that with a stick!) The U.S. government's subsidy of mortgage leverage certainly DOES muddy the water from financial simplicity. It can be a very powerful advantage to those who understand it (and how to marry it with tax-subsidized investment strategies,) but when misunderstood people can, and do, hang themselves by it. Do you think if people living in the high value areas of the US were able to sell their overpriced $800k 3 bedroom ranch they paid $50k for 25 years ago could walk away with $750k tax free and move to a much nicer $300k house in Michigan and stand to pocket $400k or so of cash they'd move? Yup... In fact, you have just described an often-maligned migration tendency of Californians to Washington, Oregon, Arizona & Nevada. Believe it or not, oldtimer native Washingtonians birtch & gripe about how "unaffordable" and "tax inflated" their neighborhoods have become because of "the damn Californians" who sell their 3 bed, 2 bath starter in Sacramento for a cool Mill, and bought (at full retail) a 4,000 square foot mini-mansion in Bellevue for half their proceeds. As always... the knife cuts both ways. Cheers, Dave Donhoff Strategic Equity & Mortgage Planner...See MoreAlexa Broughton
6 years agodrbevdc
6 years agolexma90
6 years agodrbevdc
6 years agoAnglophilia
6 years agomojomom
6 years agocpartist
6 years agodrbevdc
6 years agolazy_gardens
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agodrbevdc
6 years agogthigpen
6 years agoILoveRed
6 years agogthigpen
6 years agoaprilneverends
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoAlan Lnu
6 years agoILoveRed
6 years agoILoveRed
6 years agosweetncrunchy
6 years agoYoko Oda Interior Design
4 years ago
Related Stories
STORAGE12 Built-In Storage Solutions for Small Spaces
Check out an architect’s guide to some inspiring ways to build in extra cabinets, shelves and cubbyholes at the start of a project
Full StorySMALL SPACESDownsizing Help: Storage Solutions for Small Spaces
Look under, over and inside to find places for everything you need to keep
Full StorySTORAGE12 Smart Storage Solutions to Reduce Clutter
Incorporate these nifty drawer inserts, pullouts and other innovative ideas to bring organization to your home
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNKitchen Storage Solutions for Every Nook
No kitchen spot is too small to use wisely with corner drawers, rotating shelves, Lazy Susans and more
Full StorySTORAGEWorld of Design: 11 of the Globe's Most Creative Storage Solutions
See the ingenious side of storage in France, Sweden, Russia and beyond
Full StoryCLOSETSThe 15 Most Popular Closet Luxuries on Houzz
Turn distressing disarray into streamlined perfection with closet organizers and amenities like these
Full StoryMOST POPULARHow to Get the Closet of Your Dreams
Do you cringe every time you open your closet door? It may be time for a makeover
Full StoryTHE HARDWORKING HOMEClever Ways to Rethink the Linen Closet
The Hardworking Home: Get rid of those toppling piles with these ideas for organizing bedding, towels and more
Full StoryMOST POPULAROur Favorite Kitchen Storage Ideas Now
Make the most of every square inch with these clever cabinetry solutions
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGNKitchen Design Fix: How to Fit an Island Into a Small Kitchen
Maximize your cooking prep area and storage even if your kitchen isn't huge with an island sized and styled to fit
Full Story
drbevdcOriginal Author