- Option #2 got nixed because the far left corner (tall window) will get boxed in by the 24" base cabinets coming at each other.
- My beloved barn door got nixed (NOOOO... !) because it took up too much space along that wall which could be used for storage.
- The intersection of the L countertop has never sat well with me because IMO it's a pain to access, both above and below.
Kitchen Design - I Got This!
Six months ago, I came up with two new designs - Option #2 and Option #3 - and had professional kitchen designers draw them up and give feedback.
New Proposals - Condo Renovations
Before the Severs arrived, I redesigned the kitchen layout to address Joel's concerns that I didn't already address here.
Option 1 was the original design that he took issue with.
Options 2 and 3 follow below.
Option 1 was the original design that he took issue with.
Options 2 and 3 follow below.
Renovation Coaches
Last month, one of my clients told me about a service I never knew existed - that of renovation coaches, also called renovation therapists. WOW.
Check out this Chicago Tribune article from 2008... !
That is exactly the role that I asked Tom and Gleanne to play on September 6, 2018 via WeChat when I first thought about setting us this website. At the time, I had no idea how much they LOVED "all things renovating" until they called last month and offered to renovate our guest bathroom for us.
Are you SERIOUS... ?!
Check out this Chicago Tribune article from 2008... !
That is exactly the role that I asked Tom and Gleanne to play on September 6, 2018 via WeChat when I first thought about setting us this website. At the time, I had no idea how much they LOVED "all things renovating" until they called last month and offered to renovate our guest bathroom for us.
Are you SERIOUS... ?!
Clarification - Condo Resale Value
I want to address the assertion that:
"... the extreme non-traditional layout of the proposed renovation would limit our selling audience, which in turn would lower the final sale price."
"... the extreme non-traditional layout of the proposed renovation would limit our selling audience, which in turn would lower the final sale price."
Clarification - Open Kitchen Layout
My response to Joel's concerns about my kitchen redesign idea:
"When someone enters the condo, the very first thing they’ll notice is the kitchen/dining area... at least two-thirds of the common area of the condo. In the virtual pictures, it doesn’t seem bad but when you’re sitting in the condo and imagining it, it’s too much."
"When someone enters the condo, the very first thing they’ll notice is the kitchen/dining area... at least two-thirds of the common area of the condo. In the virtual pictures, it doesn’t seem bad but when you’re sitting in the condo and imagining it, it’s too much."
Clarification - Third Bedroom
My response to Joel's concerns about my idea for a third bedroom:
"The new bedroom will need a closet and that just eliminates the desk area. No other part could really fit such a deep enclosure without really creating a strange layout in the room."
"The new bedroom will need a closet and that just eliminates the desk area. No other part could really fit such a deep enclosure without really creating a strange layout in the room."
Proposal - Condo Renovation
I shall address Joel's want for a yard in a separate post.
First, let me propose how we would create a third bedroom in the condo. The idea is simple. Convert the existing kitchen into the third bedroom, and put the kitchen where I have my workstation and pull-out sofa.
First, let me propose how we would create a third bedroom in the condo. The idea is simple. Convert the existing kitchen into the third bedroom, and put the kitchen where I have my workstation and pull-out sofa.
Justification - It's Too Expensive To Buy
One reason why I am against buying a house is because of how expensive it is in our area - $1,000-$1,200 per sq. ft. Since I am not a numbers person and my brother is, I asked him to help me play this out.
Using a price tag of $1.5M for a 1,500 sq. ft. home:
Using a price tag of $1.5M for a 1,500 sq. ft. home:
Must Have - A Third Bedroom
This would really help us out a lot. She doesn't like a mess and is always complaining about my desk area in our bedroom. I could move all of that into a third bedroom if we had one. That would definitely relieve the "cluttered" look of our room.
Must Have - A Yard
Is this really a "must have"? Well, it's definitely a huge want. Some sort of outdoor area that is enclosed and safe for the little one. My thought is that we want him to be able to get outside in the sunshine and play while not necessarily having to drive him to the park or some other place.
Must Have - Doesn't Hold Us Back From Seeing The World
Once we retire and our little one isn't little any more, I want to do what Lynne and Tim Martin are doing - traveling to their hearts' content without the burden of home ownership "trailing them around the world", while staying at all kinds of homes in different countries as they go.
Mom and Dad at the Newseum in D.C.
Mom and Dad at the Newseum in D.C.
Must Have - Very Low Maintenance
It takes a LOT of work to maintain a single-family home - see CNBC article - work that I am not willing to do.
I am unhappy as it is with the amount of time I spend trying to keep the condo in order. I would much rather be free to do other things, or nothing at all.
I am unhappy as it is with the amount of time I spend trying to keep the condo in order. I would much rather be free to do other things, or nothing at all.
Must Have - Size Appropriate Home
Back in May (2018!) - when our housing debate really started brewing - my husband kept wanting me to look at home listings. I wasn't against it. We even drove as far as San Rafael to see one.
This was of course long before I sat down and really thought about my must haves that have now been so eloquently captured on this website (I crack myself up). But nothing came close to appealing to my good senses. That is, until he showed me 44 Chester Way.
Lord have mercy on my poor soul... !
This was of course long before I sat down and really thought about my must haves that have now been so eloquently captured on this website (I crack myself up). But nothing came close to appealing to my good senses. That is, until he showed me 44 Chester Way.
Lord have mercy on my poor soul... !
Must Have - Very Convenient Location
Right now, it takes me five minutes to get to the schools, after care, urgent care, pediatrician and pediatric services, library, and the music school that our little one attends every week.
As the one who drives him to school and to most of his appointments - in between my own client appointments - location is a really big deal.
As the one who drives him to school and to most of his appointments - in between my own client appointments - location is a really big deal.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)