Let's Talk Remodeling

[shovan]

Well, if it helps any, I used brushed nickel on my kitchen faucets, I have stainless appliances, brushed nickel hardware on the doors and I have iron pendant lights, and iron knobs on my cabinets.

I honestly never thought about mixing them. Now you've gone and made me think about it...

Seriously, I love the oiled bronze! If it's what you like, go for it. Who knows - it could be the new brushed nickel. It's pricier, so you don't see it as much.

You know another look that I love, that I'm afraid is trendy? The darker trim and doors. Like a dark taupe? I see a lot of builders doing their trim in that now, whereas before, it was always white enamel.

Around here, the higher end homes seem to be going back to stained woods instead of the painted trim. Although white is still big. We'll be hitting our local Parade of Homes this weekend! Love going check out all the new trends! I'll let y'all know if I see anything new & different!

 

[binny]

I love it vette chick you did a great job!

I had been on the fence as well about the hardware. I love the oil rubbed bronze but had the same issues with wondering long term if it was a good decision. I finally came to the conclusion that if *I* like it and use it now it will make me happy. If it goes out of style or I dont like it anymore it isnt the end of the world to change it out again. I figure I can live with it for a long time lol

I have a real French Country theme in my house so anything ultra modern would look out of place.

 

[mickeysgal]

I had been on the fence as well about the hardware. I love the oil rubbed bronze but had the same issues with wondering long term if it was a good decision. I finally came to the conclusion that if *I* like it and use it now it will make me happy. If it goes out of style or I dont like it anymore it isnt the end of the world to change it out again. I figure I can live with it for a long time lol

I have a real French Country theme in my house so anything ultra modern would look out of place.

The oil-rubbed bronze would look fantastic in your French Country home. It would fit right in. Especially if you get those awsome doors that you posted the picture of earlier.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I love it vette chick you did a great job!

I had been on the fence as well about the hardware. I love the oil rubbed bronze but had the same issues with wondering long term if it was a good decision. I finally came to the conclusion that if *I* like it and use it now it will make me happy. If it goes out of style or I dont like it anymore it isnt the end of the world to change it out again. I figure I can live with it for a long time lol

I have a real French Country theme in my house so anything ultra modern would look out of place.

I would do the oil-rubbed bronze! I think nickel, or even brass would look too modern if you're going for the French County look.

I think in your case, even if it went out of style (and honestly - that could be decades down the road), it would still look appropriate in your house.

Like Mickeysgal said, it would also look great with those beautiful doors!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Around here, the higher end homes seem to be going back to stained woods instead of the painted trim. Although white is still big. We'll be hitting our local Parade of Homes this weekend! Love going check out all the new trends! I'll let y'all know if I see anything new & different!

That would be almost retro here. That is something that I see a lot when I tour homes built in the 70's and 80's. That, and lots of ash paneling.

I'd be curious to see that, because I bet it looks updated somehow.

Have fun on the Parade of Homes! The last time I went on one of those, I had to hold my (then) two-year old daughter the entire time. I think by the time I was able to put her down, my arms had stretched 12".

 

[shovan]

That would be almost retro here. That is something that I see a lot when I tour homes built in the 70's and 80's. That, and lots of ash paneling.

I'd be curious to see that, because I bet it looks updated somehow.

Have fun on the Parade of Homes! The last time I went on one of those, I had to hold my (then) two-year old daughter the entire time. I think by the time I was able to put her down, my arms had stretched 12".

Well, I'll let you know if I see anymore of the stained trim. I had done a "little tour" of some homes in one particular neighborhood with homes in the 300,000 plus range. (with my aunt who's a real estate agent/assessor) We went through I guess about 7 new homes & 4 of them had a light to medium color stained trim. My aunt said she has been seeing this more often, but only in homes in the really high end price range. We also have several friends who just built new homes & thier contractors recommended going with stained trim also, saying it was back & going into more expensive homes. Not all of them went with the stained trim precisely because it was more expensive.

I won't be carrying a two year old with me, but I'm sure I'll be lugging DH's ramp so he can get in the houses. So I'll probably tire out pretty quickly. We don't have that many homes in the Parade this year in the metro area. Only about 18 in our immediate area. We are also going to try to go to the North Shore of Lake Ponchartrain for the Parade over there. Don't know if I'll be able to do it all in one weekend though!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Well, I'll let you know if I see anymore of the stained trim. I had done a "little tour" of some homes in one particular neighborhood with homes in the 300,000 plus range. (with my aunt who's a real estate agent/assessor) We went through I guess about 7 new homes & 4 of them had a light to medium color stained trim. My aunt said she has been seeing this more often, but only in homes in the really high end price range. We also have several friends who just built new homes & thier contractors recommended going with stained trim also, saying it was back & going into more expensive homes. Not all of them went with the stained trim precisely because it was more expensive.

I won't be carrying a two year old with me, but I'm sure I'll be lugging DH's ramp so he can get in the houses. So I'll probably tire out pretty quickly. We don't have that many homes in the Parade this year in the metro area. Only about 18 in our immediate area. We are also going to try to go to the North Shore of Lake Ponchartrain for the Parade over there. Don't know if I'll be able to do it all in one weekend though!

Very interesting! What's old always becomes new again! Just don't bring back polished brass!

I know of another trend that I hear about up north, that I never see down here - and that's soapstone. I keep thinking it'll happen here too, but I don't even see it in showrooms.

 

[shovan]

Very interesting! What's old always becomes new again! Just don't bring back polished brass!

I know of another trend that I hear about up north, that I never see down here - and that's soapstone. I keep thinking it'll happen here too, but I don't even see it in showrooms.

Yeah, you always see Martha Stewart talking about her soapstone counters! That's the only time I've seen it. Maybe it's not readily available.

I think the stained wood is coming back because some people think of it as an "elitist" thing. You know because it's expensive it must be better! The homes I saw where in a newly opened extension of a very elite neighborhood. This section had homes in the 300,000 to 600,000 range, the older area on on the golf course runs 500,000 up, way up.

 

[Galahad]

Hi All,

Well, We're still in the "won't this ever be done?" mode, but here's some progress. The electrical and framing and drywall is done in the solarium. Tomorrow and Friday they are to paint all of the drywalled parts of the solarium and next week they will put the flooring in (mostly the same Travertine we put everywhere else).

This is looking through the opening from the great room into the solarium:

This is looking from a similar angle into the solarium at the hot tub room within the solarium:

These two look up toward the tall wall at the back of the solarium. The lower part of this wall will be all built-in bookshelves from wall to wall:

The "box" in front of the old chimney has inside it a lift. The TV will go inside the box and lift out the top.

More later. Maybe we're almost done!

 

[binny]

I envy you your hot tub room. I use my hot tub a lot but when its 114 outside the last place I want to be is in hot water!

I did find a nice side umbrella though at a yard sale. That at least helps with the direct sun.
I told dh now we just need to turn the water down as low as it will go when it gets hot, put up the umbrella, and we should be good to go! LOL

 

[shovan]

Galahad, I'm sure it's seems really slow to you, but is really is coming along great! I'll bet the Solariums are going to be the most used rooms in the house!

Are those air conditioner/heaters in the outside walls of the solarium? How many of those did you install into each solarium? Were they very expensive?

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Looks great, Galahad! I can't wait to see the end result! I bet you can't either!

 

[Galahad]

Galahad, I'm sure it's seems really slow to you, but is really is coming along great! I'll bet the Solariums are going to be the most used rooms in the house!

Are those air conditioner/heaters in the outside walls of the solarium? How many of those did you install into each solarium? Were they very expensive?

Yes, those are air conditioner/heaters. There is one in the "hot tub room" and two in the larger part of the solarium. Honestly, I don't know the breakdown off hand since we paid for the solarium as an entire project rather than piece-by-piece. I'm sure I can find it though. Those units are quieter than I feared but a bit noisier than I'd like. They were definitely a better way to go than adding a cooling zone and new AC unit.

 

[shovan]

Yes, those are air conditioner/heaters. There is one in the "hot tub room" and two in the larger part of the solarium. Honestly, I don't know the breakdown off hand since we paid for the solarium as an entire project rather than piece-by-piece. I'm sure I can find it though. Those units are quieter than I feared but a bit noisier than I'd like. They were definitely a better way to go than adding a cooling zone and new AC unit.

No need to hunt for the price. I just hadn't seen that done that way before. My cousin (& neighbor) glassed in thier patio without checking into the cost of adding another cooling zone & larger AC unit to the house. The addition has now sat unused for six months. And I know they are not aware of these units as an option!

Way down the road, closing in our pool area is something we have considered. But my DH has always balked at the idea because of the cost of another AC unit. So I'm really glad you posted these pics! Thanks! I'll look into further for my cousin & hopefully myself later on.!

 

[Galahad]

So those heating/cooling units were about $700/each. The each have smart thermostats - set the temp and it takes care of itself. I think they are definitely the way to go with a room like this.

 

[RonnieJo66]

remodeling rant coming


Doncha just love when they tell you it'll take a "couple" of days to install your new flooring. Now the guys have been here for 2 days and now say it'll be done by the end of next week!

I have tile dust, torn-up carpeting and exposed concrete everywhere...not to mention my livingroom furniture outside on my patio.


I just keep telling myself that it'll be beautiful when it's done!!! <repeats it to self over and over and over>


Thanks for the vent

 

[Galahad]

remodeling rant coming


Doncha just love when they tell you it'll take a "couple" of days to install your new flooring. Now the guys have been here for 2 days and now say it'll be done by the end of next week!

I have tile dust, torn-up carpeting and exposed concrete everywhere...not to mention my livingroom furniture outside on my patio.


I just keep telling myself that it'll be beautiful when it's done!!! <repeats it to self over and over and over>


Thanks for the vent

Yes!!! Our project is essentially down to one contractor. It seems like it's taking forever. I know it's just because I can see the light at the end of the tunnel but still!

 

[Galahad]

OK, I'm not sure these pics will "translate". DW has the "good" digital camera with her and I took these with the still option on the camcorder. So the colors didn't really come across.

The wall to the left and the cross beams are "Mosaic Tile", below:

And the wall with the chimney and the TV "Box" are "Artesian Water" below"

Here's a couple more:

Looking back into the kitchen from the solarium. The kitchen wall color is also that "Artesian Water"

 

[Galahad]

Wow! I guess this is good but....
Today, the guy running the remainder of the project (he's been running all of the inside stuff essentially) was at the house with a whole crew. They were suppose to start the flooring today in the solarium. But he was royally hacked off at the painters (his guys). He was very upset about the quality of their work - especially the drywall "mud" and such. He pointed out the problems to me. I didn't notice Friday, becuase frankly, I didn't really look all that closely and after I took those pics, I didn't go into the room again all weekend. So today they are redoing all of the walls. He says his reputation is on the line and he has to fix it. Fair enough. Actually I'm thrilled. But it does potentially slow us down once again. Apparently they are trying to do some other things along the way, but they can't start on the floor until they re-do the walls. To quote Rosanne Rosannadana - "It's always somethin'".

 

[Galahad]

Hi,

More progress to show. I think we might be down to "days" now until completion.

Here's the bookshelf wall in the solarium - in "mid-install":

And the TV "box" is almost done too.

The floor tile is in around the hot tub - still needs the excess grout cleaned off.

and the deck is almost done: