For your project to succeed (fiscally and functionally) you need a talented architect and perhaps a structural engineer. What exists between tear down and do nothing? A world of possibilities. I am a preservation carpenter. I am privileged to have worked with some wonderful homeowners (and many less than!). When they are really committed to the project, wonderful things can happen. In this example, and architect had been retained, but facts on the ground presented themselves as we tore into the building that actually made it more desirable to abandon the 1920's remodeling to an "open concept" and replace the walls as they had been built in 1817. The structure of the house had been severely compromised by the "opening up" of the rooms. Who'da think? There was a 7" sag in this poplar summer-beam. It is the attic floor. It got a steel I-beam dividing it into two half-spans. The second floor framing was all sistered, and four steel columns support the deck. The first floor framing was entirely replaced, and eight footings for posts to support it were added in the basement. A new ledger was bolted to the masonry walls front and rear. The end result: This work also added three new full baths, reframed the entire roof (from beneath, as the standing seam metal roofs were only 10 years old). No kitchen work (except paint, new disposal, some plumbing repairs to tie in to the rest of the house, as that was completely new). The finishes included some very nice touches; Central A/C, keeping the old hot-water radiators; Original windows kept, weatherstripped with spring bronze and new locks; millwork to match original profiles; the old first floor boards all were carefully taken up, re-milled, and re-installed with some new reclaimed heart pine worked in. The second and attic floors were retained in place and just cleaned and waxed. We were able to pull this house back from the brink, literally. It was collapsing in the very center. All this was accomplished for 1/3 the cost of the house. That made good economic sense for the homeowners (and the historic tax credit doesn't hurt either). The house is in a village that is entirely a National Historic _Lamdmark_ district. And the work had to be approved for its authenticity and appropriateness. So even this level of gutting/restoration to an authentic prior appearance _can be done_ if it's carried out by thoughtful and skilled people. Banish the thought from your head that "it can't be that bad" because it probably is worse. Casey Here is a link that might be useful: Photobucket of this house, others

I'm surprised to see so many OK with this. I don't like this look. I would not have designed it that way but that is just me. This is a major pet peeve of mine: that all the uppers and lowers must line up perfectly. Sometimes the symmetry works but in most kitchens, there is some mathematical decisions to be made. They put a 24" cabinet above the dishwash since the DW is 24". This isn't as bad as some: I've seen single 24" doors next to a 9" wide door! A sign of an inexperienced designer. I would have done: 3 doors across: either 30"+15" or 15" and 30". Or I would have made the far left cabinet have the glass doors instead of flanking the window....like this showroom display. But if countertop space is more important, I get that. I have another showroom display showing an open bookcase down to the counter. That could have been an option too, like erinsean mentioned. To the counter or not.

There's no way to possibly answer the question, since surely individual situations are as unique as the individuals living in the homes. I do think that many of us feel as though we practically had decorating bred into us somehow, and can't fathom NOT doing it -- for ourselves. Heck, I can clearly recall a strong "nest feathering" urge when I was just a wee one... talking 4 years old or so, and obsessed with arranging toys just so and making things pretty. There have been many times in my life when other things have taken precedence, of course, but I will always have a passion for decor that will catch up with me again at some point. Why others might not have that same interest is not really a mystery to me though... We all enjoy different things, and all have different ways of doing and being.

take color match offer from company on condition all will be replaced if this doesn’t work. I try not to pre-pay more than a nominal down payment. Your GC should be negotiating on your behalf.