Difficult Conversations; Difficult Decisions
bbstx
2 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (98)
Related Discussions
Inexpensive Gas Ranges - difficult math.
Comments (9)The Cafe could work for your situation if the price were not pushing $2800, which is $800 over your max budget. Maybe there might be a lower price at a "ding and bing" outlets. IIRC, Sears has one in the Baltimore area. That Samsung FX710 is probably a skoonch too tall. The specs for it say that the top of its backsplash is 46 1/2" tall, which is 1/8" too high for your 46 3/8" shelf. So near and yet so far. Seems like you've tried every brand of slide-in except Frigidaire. Might want to check them out. Consumer Reports annual membership surveys show almost all brands of all gas stoves (including Frigidiare) having about the same range of reliability/problems in the first six years of ownership. (According to CR, the survey results of less than three points difference are not significant and pretty much everything reported runs in the 7 to 9% range.) If you went with Kitchenaid, it is unlikely that you would see a repeat of the issue with the coating melting off the grates. That's just a manufacturing defect in either applying or mixing the coating. But Kitchenaid/Whirlpool have had a spate of trouble with electronics failing. The latest is a recall of microwaves that sponaneously start-up with some of them catching fire. For ranges, they had several recent years where the oven self-cleaning function would sometimes cook the controller boards and sometimes would trip an "over-temp" circuit breaker that could be reset only by taking panels off the stove for access to it. Supposedly that has been fixed with cooling fans but we still see complaints about the problem here at GW.) The NXR would certainly fit under the shelf. The top of the oven vent/backguard on mine is only 40." That will give you plenty of space to the shelf, although that shelf could still get rather warm. Do you have a rangehood or OTR? The standard width for a stove-cutout is 30 1/8" although, in practice, that is a "more or less" thing. The width of the NXR may be a concern as it, like some other pro-style stoves, is a true 30" wide. (Mine is actually 29 15/16" FWIW). Best way to tell if it will fit: get a 2x4, square the ends, cut it to exactly 30", put a level on it and pass it through the cut-out. If it sticks on the countertop or cabinets at any point, you know an NXR will not fit. Speaking of counters, I gather you folks are tall since your counter surfaces at 36 7/8" above floor level, which is about an inch higher than standard. (Either that or you bought the house from tall people.) I mention this because the top of my NXR is only 36" above floor level. The NXR instructions do spec a minimum 2" gap between the stove and any combustible surface rising above the stove. If you have a tiled countertop, no problem. But if, like me, you have laminate or composite countertops, you'll need to either cover the exposed edge or raise the stove. The NXR's legs are adjustable feet, but I do not know if there is 7/8" of an inch of adjustment. If you are considering an NXR, you could call customer service at 1-877- 639-7624 and ask them how high the legs can go. (There are real live people there and I've found them helpful.) You might want to check on the the requirement for having a plumber do the gas connections for you. Some cities and some covenants are pretty strict about this, but many places allow homeowners to do hookups and only require a plumber when you are installing the gas line to the kitchen. Most of us NXR owners have been able to make the connections ourselves. If you can do the hook-up yourselves, it could save some money and keep an NXR within your budget. (IIRC, GW member susan/dirtyblloomers lives in Maryland near Baltimore and has posted here on installing and servicing her NXR by herself.) Also, check with your your local public utilitiy company. Some of them may offer hook-up services. If they do, it may be free and, if not, is usually much less expensive than a plumber. (Calling a highly trained plumber for such a minor task is like having a neurosurgeon for taking out tonsils.) On that Imperial stove, skip it and any other commercial stove. Commercial ranges do not have the kind of insulation that are fitted to all residential stoves including "pro-style" stoves. That means they get very hot in use. Not good for a home kitchen. Plus, you to install non-combustible surfaces (tiling the walls and cabinets or sheathing them in stainless steel) and the local codes may require make-up-air and a fire-supression system for your range hood. They may require larger diameter gas lines than residential ranges, too. Lots of extra cost there. AFAIK, most of the commercial ranges do not have in-oven broilers, either. Numbers of postings here have discussed using true commerical appliances in the home if you want to research the subject. This post was edited by JWVideo on Sat, Feb 16, 13 at 14:06...See MoreMy Mom is elderly and difficult... Help?
Comments (36)There's a lot of ways people age. People can become more difficult in old age because as we age, we gradually loose control of our lives and also gradually loose our sense of being important. A lot of that is societal, but some of it is just how individual people define power and control. I know plenty of seniors who still contribute to society even after they retire, by serving on boards and volunteering for community service. They relate to others as friends, not just as bosses. But some people, like my folks for example, who were bosses at work their whole lives and who define power and contol by being infallible, do not deal well with aging. I would say, generally, that controlling people have a very difficult time with aging, and get more and more difficult as time goes on. 72 is not that old, but some people act like they are going on 92 their whole lives. Which is ironic, because there are probably some spry 92 year olds out there! Bear in mind what others have said, you can't control your mom but you can control how you react to her. You have some rights in this situation, and she has some adult responsibilities. If she chooses not to act like an adult (assuming she doesn't have some kind of dementia), then you are not responsible for her problems. Choose what you will do, and make it very clear that you are going to do as you see fit and if she doesn't like it, that is NOT YOUR PROBLEM. That's the only way you can deal with co-dependent people. You're just going to have to accept that she is going to be elderly and difficult. There's a difference between compassion (which you should exercise with your mom) and co-dependence, and the key is to navigate the line between the two. Recognizing the problem, like you have, is half the battle. And I think it also helps to share the burden by talking with others who are going through the same thing. I know I get a lot of solace from comiserating with my friends who are also dealing with or have dealt with difficult parental relationships. (Just ask Annie, lol!)...See MoreWarning: minor re-dos to existing kitchen can be more difficult
Comments (18)And, my latest update on the never-ending list of the unanticipated. The fabricator was out and told us that our floors and counters are not anywhere near level. If we want to keep our current backsplash, we need to take out the entire first row of backsplash so the fabricator can create a row of soapstone backsplash to fit under the current tile. This is the only way to get a level appearance and level countertops. And, because of the odd contifutation of our counters (they are of several diffenent heights) he told us that some of the existing backsplash, where the tile is cut to go around the current countertop, might need some replacement tiles........... So, what are the chances that we can actually take out that row of tiles without actually breaking tiles above them? Probably pretty low. So, this may now also mean an all new backsplash. More work and more money. All because I said I just wanted to do a quick upgrade to our counter tops..........See MoreAppreciate some backsplash advice for difficult space
Comments (10)I loooove your dogs. The dog on the right looks just like my Sister in law's mixed breed dog Roc that passed away 5 years ago. Roc was a mix of Great Dane and labrador and all american mutt. He had the most wonderful personality. In looking at your dog I miss Roc so much. Luckily for my sil, a rescue pet program found her another dog that looks like yours above. And it's amazing but this new dog has a similar sweet gentle giant loving disposition as old Roc had. Sil's heart is no longer as sad now that she has new Blue to hug. I digress forgive me, The tile, onxy and entire projext is fantastic. You have large rooms, space and you love ART. Don't be afraid to go with movement from the Onyx (yes ordering another pc) because this would be like a peice of art in the space. This will not take away from the soapstone. I love what you are doing. Got distracted with the dogs. ~boxer (who feels silly saying boxerpups when I only have one pup now)...See Morebbstx
2 years ago
Related Stories
FIREPLACESDesign Dilemma: Difficult Corner Fireplace
Where to Put the TV? Help a Houzz Reader Set Up His New Living Room
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESThe Dumbest Decorating Decisions I’ve Ever Made
Caution: Do not try these at home
Full StoryLIFE9 Bedroom Decisions Bound to Divide Opinion
How many of these sleep-space design dilemmas have you and your partner had to resolve?
Full StoryKITCHEN ISLANDS10 Decisions to Make When Planning a Kitchen Island
An island can serve many purposes. Here’s what to consider for one that works best for you
Full StoryGARAGES6 Great Garage Conversions Dreamed Up by Houzzers
Pull inspiration from these creative garage makeovers, whether you've got work or happy hour in mind
Full StoryECLECTIC HOMESHouzz Tour: A Modernized Georgian Beauty With a Glam Loft Conversion
Extended from top to bottom, this eclectic London home combines period charm with modern chic
Full StoryHOUZZ TVYou’ve Never Seen a Barn Conversion Like This Before
A family of four converts an 80-year-old barn into a warm, cozy home with a one-of-a-kind exposed interior roof frame
Full StoryORGANIZINGThe 5 Decisions That Can Lead to Clutter
Find out how the little choices you make can add up to a lot of extra stuff at home — and what to do about it
Full StoryFURNITUREGather 'Round: The Perfect Conversation Area
Set up four club chairs and a round coffee table in den, library or living room
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDES9 Living Room Decor Decisions Likely to Divide Opinion
Compromises come in handy when you’re selecting furniture, window treatments and more for a common room
Full Story
Annie Deighnaugh