The Home Ownership Thread

[imatlas]

We put drapes on our bedroom window for the additional darkness and to make them a design element to balance the wall of closet doors that we put in when we remodeled. They look terrific, I recommend considering them for at least one room. In the kitchen we put in a large 4-pane window that is frosted glass in the lower panes and clear above, achieving the same effect as a bottom-up blind, in that case not for privacy but to block out the neighbor's unpainted house.

 

[imatlas]

The motors are super expensive though. If money were no object, I would do something like the Pella 750 windows with shades built in and motors which you can group and control with an app or one remote.

I thought about these for about 30 seconds until I considered what happens when the motor inevitably breaks down.

 

[brokencycle]

I thought about these for about 30 seconds until I considered what happens when the motor inevitably breaks down.

Money is no object. The crazy thing is Pella gives absolutely zero warranty on the motors. If it breaks 3 hours after they're installed, well too bad.

 

[otc]

Money is no object. The crazy thing is Pella gives absolutely zero warranty on the motors. If it breaks 3 hours after they're installed, well too bad.

That's brutal.

But still, how cool would it be to set up my phone with IFTTT or something so that when I set an alarm (and my phone is at home), it will open the blinds when it is time to get up?

 

[brokencycle]

That's brutal.

But still, how cool would it be to set up my phone with IFTTT or something so that when I set an alarm (and my phone is at home), it will open the blinds when it is time to get up?

Completely agree.

 

[lefty]

Late to the game, but why would anyone want ceiling lights in a bedroom or a living room for that matter? Lamps and sconces are your friends here.

There's no such thing as an attractive ceiling fan/light combo. Rip them out. If you need air moving install a low profile fan.

I have solar film and remote controlled shades on every window in my place. I miss cords.

lefty

 

[FlyingMonkey]

Late to the game, but why would anyone want ceiling lights in a bedroom or a living room for that matter? Lamps and sconces are your friends here.

There's no such thing as an attractive ceiling fan/light combo. Rip them out. If you need air moving install a low profile fan.

I agree on the latter in terms of aesthetics, but fans are a much less energy intensive way of cooling than AC, so there are advantages. On the former, well, it's partly just personal taste, and partly about room / space size and layout. Personally I prefer to have one central dimmable light source plus some movable options for specific purposes, and this works when the sizes of the room you're lighting aren't that big. If we had bigger spaces I wanted to light in an an ambient way, we might have gone for sconces. That also would have meant more fixtures.

 

[lefty]

It's not like peanut butter and chocolate ... whoa, why didn't we think if this before?

I like ceiling fans. I also like recessed lighting in certain rooms like a kitchen, bathroom or hallway. Not sure what the purpose is in a bedroom that should be kept darkish and sexy, though I could see a few directional lights to illuminate artwork. And maybe a strong hook for a swing.

lefty

 

[brokencycle]

It's not like peanut butter and chocolate ... whoa, why didn't we think if this before?

I like ceiling fans. I also like recessed lighting in certain rooms like a kitchen, bathroom or hallway. Not sure what the purpose is in a bedroom that should be kept darkish and sexy, though I could see a few directional lights to illuminate artwork. And maybe a strong hook for a swing.

lefty

We learn so much about an individual in this thread.

 

[hopkins_student]

Closed on my construction loan today.

 

[imatlas]

For a new build or a remodel?

 

[hopkins_student]

For a new build or a remodel?

New build

 

[imatlas]

Have you already described the project upthread?

 

[hopkins_student]

Have you already described the project upthread?

Only in bits and pieces. Not really sure how to go about describing it. It's in an old neighborhood near the hospital. Lots of very traditional old homes. Has a somewhat traditional but updated exterior. It's grey brick, casement windows without grids, black trim on the windows. Garage door will be black metal with opaque glass. Front door will be black wood with opaque glass. Two floors.

Interior is more modern. 12 foot ceilings on first floor, 10 foot ceilings on second floor.

Downstairs: Very open floor plan on first floor. Natural white maple floors throughout. 6" planks. Will run a band around the perimeter of each room and then lay them at a diagonal. Master downstairs. Henrybuilt kitchen cabinets. Pretty cool looking climate controlled wine storage/display on both sides of the window in the dining room. 6' linear fireplace in living room. I have some pretty sweet Italian light fixtures picked out. 14'x20' screened in patio with IR heaters and 100" linear fireplace.

Upstairs: Another guest room with an en suite bathroom (I will use this as an office). Two bedrooms with a Jack and Jill bath. A bonus room that will be a theatre/gym.

What else is there to tell?

 

[FlyingMonkey]

It's not like peanut butter and chocolate ... whoa, why didn't we think if this before?

What's with the snark?