Fawn Beige- the retro bathroom blessing and curse
Rachel M
4 years ago
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4 years agoManon Floreat
4 years agoRelated Discussions
From fab to drab
Comments (36)I can imagine how you feel, but your new house is cute and cozy and has a lot of potential. It's really a blank slate and I think you can make it your own without too much trouble and expense, and I also think you will love it (in time because it won't all happen overnight). Can you live with the 7' ceilings? As a pp said, that sort of thing can't be changed easily; the decor can. In my opinion you will have a totally different take on your LR after you take out the carpet and put down some HW. Is there already HW underneath? If not -- well, our house is a little 1949 ranch with almost no distinguishing features except the HWs. Site-finished narrow plank oak, and I am completely ruined for any other kind of wood floor now. We put it in newer parts of our house to match the old. I just love the look. Only problem, and it's not a small one, is that living with the installation and finishing is awful, especially if you go with the harder-wearing oil-based finish (which I recommend since our newer floors with the water-based finish scratch and scuff much more easily than the old). You pretty much have to move out while the woods are going in, but I am so glad we used this. It adds so much character to the house. Here's a pic of our floor: old floor to the right, new floor to the left. The new floor is slightly higher than the old because that room was originally a deck which became a screened porch which became a den (the wide trim molding you see was originally the exterior wall of the house). Anyway, when we ripped up the carpet in the den we found what may or may not have been asbestos tile, so we just had the HW laid over the top. See? Your house is only 15 yrs old so you are already way ahead of the curve. No asbestos, no lead, probably no scary homeowner-installed wiring either (we found an ancient extension cord INSIDE a wall; it had been used as "wiring" to another addition). And yes, that is probably Sharpie marker on the floor. Oh well. And your kitchen -- oh gosh, you can TOTALLY work with that kitchen, how much depends on your budget (gut vs cosmetic) but seriously, you should see ours. Installed in the mid-80's by my dear husband long before I came along and his favorite color is tan. It's all white and tan laminate and melamine. And he chose it all himself (and we are now on a serious budget) so I have to be very circumspect about changing anything. You are, as I said, SO ahead of the curve there. haha. Floor, countertops, cab doors, and you would have a completely new look....See MoreSelling house - opinions on some cosmetic updates
Comments (52)I agree so much with that First low ball offer, in our case, came from a lady from China. She was planning to move here. She was in China, and her realtor was looking at properies on her behalf. She wanted to buy sight unseen and with cash. We counter offered..very politely:) Then she flew from China to look at the house, and couple others. She loved it; was very interested; but she had all sorts of cultural considerations about the specific location..and all kinds of expectations, not very realistic as she didn't know the market. She also felt her offer being cash, should be considered very favorable, even if low(no it wasn't 80K under asking..was much better than that yet still) then her realtor took her to tour other communities..they called again, and asked our realtor"whether we're more reasonable". because she saw other properties in her price range, and understood she won't see better community than ours. or else she'll need to wait for spring/other house coming on sale within our community, that she'll have less doubts about how it's oriented etc, and pay much more, cash or not well we weren't "more reasonable" lol. I kinda felt we're being reasonable enough, and if she's not sure, for whatever reasons, it will make for a sale that'd have more chances to drive me crazy.. so we waited for another offer-the buyers lived here, knew the market, thought a lot about our house specifically, were sure enough they love it. So we worked out all the details with them to mutual satisfaction, and it was a very easy sail of a sale....See MoreMy conversation with the tile showroom guy :-)
Comments (81)That blue Seneca tile is beyond gorgeous! We are going with Calacatta Gold subways for our kitchen backsplash, but I am dying to go with a handmade ceramic on my fireplace or possibly my bathroom backsplash or SOMEWHERE in my house or patio ;) Thank you so much for sharing the photos of your beautiful kitchen. I also love color. If it were only up to me I would pick a beautiful Talavera/Mexican type of tile or one of the cool ceramic tiles that we see so much of nowadays. They are very popular here in California. My husband is much more conservative, so finding a compromise can be challenging. I love that that there are so many choices so everyone can have what she/he enjoys....See MoreGarage & Mudroom Addition - Design Feedback Needed
Comments (49)@3onthetree I'll attach the 2nd story plan below. Another thing that can't be commented on is the 2nd floor. I assume the area over the Mudroom will be designated for the Bedroom's bath and closet, which neither will have windows. The slope of the roof will reduce the available floor area of both the bedroom and bonus room. And I think you are saying even after adding the upstairs bedroom you will still have the same 4 bedrooms when you are done (by eliminating the basement bedroom?), and know that the septic is sized for #bedrooms and will remain adequate? Speaking of HVAC, you have the propane tank and septic existing off of this corner. So where is the electrical feed and panel, here too? Where is the current garage, if any? Actually the space above the mudroom / laundry is not being used as livable space. The bedroom / bonus addition are over the garage. The basement is not being extended; there will be a walk-in crawl space below the mud/laundry addition. The propane tank is being excavated and removed & converted to natural gas. Septic tank is off the back corner of the deck, with pump line running straight out to the field (see photos above). There is no current garage - original photo is the entirety of the house. Electrical panel is off walkout basement (near bedroom in basement). We will have an extra bedroom (master on main, 2 original bedrooms on 2nd floor, bedroom in basement, plus new bedroom above garage). The septic perks for 5 bedrooms and is therefore adequate (confirmed by septic company) - I still don't understand the FP. Does it only serve the 1st floor, and as it sits now you will keep it for use and it will now be located in the deadman's space between the Dining and Living? The original fireplace is super bizarre to me in that it's a woodburning fireplace that only serves the basement. Our plan is to convert it to gas logs (when they switch from propane to natural gas). This has been verified that it's no problem by 2 separate companies that service gas. We are switching from propane to natural gas because 1) we have to relocate the propane tank anyway in order to put the addition on...the tank is right where the addition is going, 2) if we have to relocate it, might as well just switch, 3) originally natural gas was not available in our area (when the house was built in the 1970s) but is now available so it makes sense to make the switch. It's an expensive proposition due to the fact the house sets back several acres from the main road, but I think it's worth it in the long run. - The amount of fill approaching 4' deep under a garage slab is concerning (and expensive) if it is not done correctly, and usually it isn't by residential contractors. Having a deeper hole from the propane tank to fill even adds to the potential failure of your slab. I am really worried about this as well. The contractor is currently reaching out to companies that specialize in this. But I'm open to other design ideas that would prevent this from being necessary. I am genuinly not at all attached to the floor plan as drawn but haven't been able to come up with a viable solution. I am willing to move septic IF the design is something I'm in love with. - Things like removing brick, matching brick, installing beams, fill compaction, etc that the contractor has said "not a problem," well, he/she's sorta correct as anything can be done depending on how much money you throw at it. However, the contractor is not so concerned with your cost and how those things affect the layout at this stage, if ever. All brick is being painted white to 1) prevent need to match closely and 2) because I don't like red brick (just personal preference), 3) trying to modernize the house a tad bit. We've given them our all-in budget and they said it's no problem but I won't lie I'm nervous. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your help!!! This is the biggest investment of our lives and I don't want to mess it up. Edit: floor plan didn't attach, edited to add it 2nd Floor: Basement:...See Morecalidesign
4 years agoZalco/bring back Sophie!
4 years agoTessa Rose Design
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4 years agocpartist
4 years agoJessica Williams
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