Let's Talk Remodeling

[FormrCastMbr]

Hi All!

I am a friend of Sheryl's (Shovan) and I need help deciding on a ceiling fan for our family room. Right now the entire room is gutted down to the studs and we (we are doing most of the work ourselves) are sheet rocking, painting (I would like a light brown/ coffee with cream color), adding lights and refacing the fireplace and adding a gas insert. We are also doing our bathroom at the same time...crazy right?

I need to pick a ceiling fan. I really like the one that is linked below but afraid that I will pick something I do not like.

Can any of you recommend and ceiling fan company or tell me your thoughts? I guess I am afraid I am going to pick something that is not in style or outdated. After a while they all look the same.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...oductId=100403918&N=10000003+90401+501492+904

This will give you an idea of the room:

The electricians just left and the recessed lighting they just put in brightens the room already (it was a dark paneling so we want to lighten up the room and update it a bit).

Thanks!
Lauren

 

[gardenhoe]

We've bought many ceiling fans over the years. From now on, we will only buy Hunter fans. They are the quietest fans we've ever had. Not just the motor, but air movement & rattles. I'll never ever buy another company again. We actually have 2 fans we need to replace because the motor noise or rattles are driving us crazy.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I think that ceiling fan is very pretty, but like the OP mentioned, Hunter would be a better brand for longevity.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

We've bought many ceiling fans over the years. From now on, we will only buy Hunter fans. They are the quietest fans we've ever had. Not just the motor, but air movement & rattles. I'll never ever buy another company again. We actually have 2 fans we need to replace because the motor noise or rattles are driving us crazy.

I think that ceiling fan is very pretty, but like the OP mentioned, Hunter would be a better brand for longevity.

Thank you, both, for your input. Can you tell I've never bought a ceiling fan before?

 

[mickeysgal]

Regarding ceiling fans, we used to be total Casablanca junkies. As we move from house to house, we would replace them and take them with us. They have worked for decades for us with never a problem or wobble or sound. Love them! That said, they're awful expensive. We've tried Hunter to cut down the cost and to tell you the truth, they're wonderful. No wobble at high speeds, no rattling sounds. Just make sure to pick one in a modern finish (no gold tone). And if you want to eventually replace one, you don't have guilt because they're priced resaonably. Good luck!

 

[Hixski]

We just bought a new Hunter fan for our great room. It is on the list to put up along with about a dozen or so other things on that list. The metal finish is called new bronze which is just a dark brownish finish.

 

[shovan]

Lauren, I really like that the look of that fan!

I was looking at that one myself for our den! But I guess I will go check out Hunter & Casablanca. Glad you asked the questions, because I thought Hampton Bay was a good brand. But we haven't bought a fan in years. I've just started eyeing fans myself for our den. Sounds like the new recessed lighting was a great idea. From what I've been looking at in fans, the light kits on the fans are not going to provide much light. The fan we have nowas four 40 watt bulbs in it. I can see we will have to install more can lights in there before changing the fan. Ugh, more money!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Thank you everyone for the Hunter brand fans!

Lauren, I really like that the look of that fan!

I was looking at that one myself for our den! But I guess I will go check out Hunter & Casablanca. Glad you asked the questions, because I thought Hampton Bay was a good brand. But we haven't bought a fan in years. I've just started eyeing fans myself for our den. Sounds like the new recessed lighting was a great idea. From what I've been looking at in fans, the light kits on the fans are not going to provide much light. The fan we have nowas four 40 watt bulbs in it. I can see we will have to install more can lights in there before changing the fan. Ugh, more money!

Thanks Sheryl, Back to the drawing board. I have the plumber here today and running the gas line to the fireplace is a pain. He has to come back to drill a hole in the brick and there is a radiator line that needs to be replaced that runs through the hearth!!!

I am beginning to think the electricians and plumber are like your Mario!!! Or that guy on Murphy Brown!

Oh, and the recessed lights are not working now for some reason!

 

[shovan]

Thank you everyone for the Hunter brand fans!



Thanks Sheryl, Back to the drawing board. I have the plumber here today and running the gas line to the fireplace is a pain. He has to come back to drill a hole in the brick and there is a radiator line that needs to be replaced that runs through the hearth!!!

I am beginning to think the electricians and plumber are like your Mario!!! Or that guy on Murphy Brown!

Oh, and the recessed lights are not working now for some reason!

Aww man! Sorry you are having so many problems with everything today! It is unbelievable how quickly the costs shoot up! I hope there are no more surprises.

 

[gardenhoe]

We have a Hampton Bay fan in the room I'm sitting in. I'll turn it on so you can hear the motor from where you are. And then I'll be more than happy to send it to anyone of you for free.

More than once we've installed a fan only to find out it was very loud. Nothing more annoying than taking it down, going back to the store to exchange it & having to install another one hoping its quieter.

Hunter. Escpecially the models that say whisperquiet motor or something like that.

 

[Crankyshank]

Splash, the color combination is gorgeous. Very soothing.
I ditto the recommendation for the Hunter fans. My parents have had theirs for over 20yrs with no problems and they aren't dated looking at all.

So I guess I have a slight update. DH has informed me he will be starting the basement this winter while working on the electric. I about passed out from shock since he said the bathroom was #1 priority, but that can't be started until spring.
I have an electrician coming out for a box upgrade estimate saturday morning. I feel like we're finally accomplishing something

 

[gardenhoe]

Hixski & SplshMtn99, you mentioned raising your microwave cabinet. I remembered this thread from January that I had posted on. There is a picture of another DISers kitchen where she did just that.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1672965 Hope it helps you.

 

[Hixski]

Hixski & SplshMtn99, you mentioned raising your microwave cabinet. I remembered this thread from January that I had posted on. There is a picture of another DISers kitchen where she did just that.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1672965 Hope it helps you.

Thanks, it does help some. DH is not on board with the idea yet. He wants to put the crown molding on the cabinets but he isn't sure about moving the cabinet up. As long as I get my molding I may let him win on this one. He likes my taste but he likes to have SOME say about things too!!!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Hixski, I raised mine too, but we still have crown molding on top. The one over the microwave touches the ceiling, so the crown molding is next to it as well, and wraps around the sides of that cabinet section. The two lower cabinets have the same molding.

I think it gives a more custom look.

 

[SplshMtn99]

Thanks for the nice comments everyone. I'll be glad when this is all over. We've found & ordered our molding for the cabinet tops. We weren't able to find a pre-stained oak that complimented our 20 yr old oak. Ours just have so much green in them when you hold them up to todays colors. We weren't trying to match the color, but were hoping for something darker that would go well with it. So we ordered 1 15/16" crown in an unfinished oak & I'll have to stain it. Fingers crossed on that. Price surprised me a bit, but oh well.

That cabinet picture link above brings something to mind that might be bugging your DH Hixski. If you just raise it & don't bump it forward, and if you have a large crown, the door will bump into the crown when you open it. You'll notice most of the time, that the cabinet is brought forward a few inches & the crown from neighboring cabinet it just butted up to the microwave cabinet. Not everyone does that. You just need to figure out how large your crown is & if you'll have alot of problems with door swing.

One reason we went with a smaller crown & not to overpower our small kitchen. We were just looking for a little something. I was also worried that if my stain job is a little off, I didn't want a 3" crown to emphasize that fact. lol

Take a look thru that kitchen blog website photo gallery looking at cabinets & you'll see ones you like & don't like as much & go from there. I haven't had a chance to sit DH down yet & decide if we are bumping it forward too & if so, how much. Narrow kitchen already. But our microwave does extend more than cabinet now, so there's a possiblity to smooth the look & get rid of that dust ledge. Home Depot kitchen designer said 3" forward is standard. I think 2" would do it in our case, but need to see if it looks weird. Also, need to see if the top gap on back of cabinet to wall will be visable from dining room. We would just bump it forward by using 2x4s behind it.

But as usual, DH leaves Sunday for another weeks business trip. I'll be home alone for Valentines Day. Maybe we can get the tile sealed, caulked & grouted before he gets home.

Next on the list:
finding a water filter system & stainless filtered water faucet thingy
pictures for dining room side of this mess
stain & install cabinet molding

And recently added to the list thanks to the Home Depot lady, we need to remove all doors & hardware & apply a coat of satin poly. Seems its worn off a bit over the years & you can feel the wood grain on some doors.

I'm sure there is more coming I don't know about yet.

 

[disneyofcourse]

I remember seeing a great website link to a home remodeling website with loads of ideas and pics! lots of photos of ideas. You could search by type of room. I looked and looked through these treads and couldn't find it. Does anyone happen to know of a site like this?

 

[mickeysgal]

I remember seeing a great website link to a home remodeling website with loads of ideas and pics! lots of photos of ideas. You could search by type of room. I looked and looked through these treads and couldn't find it. Does anyone happen to know of a site like this?

Could it be the home forums under gardenweb.com?

 

[disneyofcourse]

Could it be the home forums under gardenweb.com?

Found it! It was actually hgtv.com I should've figured that one out

 

[Hixski]

Our 1 year anniversary on this thread is 03/06/08. My big question of the day is..............HOW MANY OF US HAVE EVERYTHING DONE THAT WE TALKED ABOUT AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR?????

If you do, that is wonderful!!!

I myself have to hang my head in shame. I don't think we will ever be done!! There is always another towel bar that needs changing.

 

[mickeysgal]

Our 1 year anniversary on this thread is 03/06/08. My big question of the day is..............HOW MANY OF US HAVE EVERYTHING DONE THAT WE TALKED ABOUT AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR?????

My, how time flies!

Well, we're still working on the basement. We did complete a number of items off the list but things still aren't 100% due to plain old indecision. So what did we do? We moved on to other projects in the house. We tore out some doorways and put in doorways with transoms, we remodeled a powder room, we changed door knobs throughout the house (and that is still not 100% either), and our latest, we're buying a vacation home because pricing has hit such a low (this could be the dumbest thing we ever did or the smartest, I'm not sure AND we already have a list of projects there). I guess we'll do anything to avoid finishing the nitty gritty things in that basement.