September 2009
1 post
Wow! A farm vacation for only $300 a night! →
What does is say about us when we are constantly looking for the new it thing? More extreme sports. Most exotic vacation. Volunteer, build a house. Sleep in an ice hotel or a tree house. And now… work on a farm! You got it. For only $300/night, you can feed the chickens and milk the cows. How quaint. How back to basics. How sad it is that farm owners are using yuppies like us to keep them...
July 2008
9 posts
Call me crazy...
I went looking for kitchen cabinets last week and Ihave to say, it’s hard to walk out with any sense of style or accomplishment. I like to think of myself as a stylish person, but after talking to my designer (who tried to steer me clear of too much personality) …. theeasy, passe-partout, bland thing is NOT MY THING!
So after looking at a bunch of blase cabinets, I’ve decided...
We haven't yet started but almost everyone of our... →
KID'S BATHROOM:
This multi color tile around the tub like this:
+
white subway tiles for wanes coat + floor +
2 small white sinks + vanity cabinets in color TBA + white (paper?) counter tops.
Master Bath Plan 101:
2 white bowl sinks +
an asian style open vanity w sml drawers, probably darker stain +
+
a banner of small tiles to go around perimeter of bathroom. either orange & brown color scheme (below) OR light blue/ aqua.
Floors: TBA - Can we not keep the hardwood we already have?
Wall color: depending on tiles / color scheme.
June 2008
71 posts
This week's To do's:
Choose tiles for showers and baths (x 4)
Choose counter tops -bathrooms (x 2), kitchen (x 2)
Choose toilets (x 4)
Choose tubs (x 2)
Choose fixtures for kitchen and bathrooms
I was browing a magazine and found the marakesh...
Marakesh:
Zanzibar:
“Be Brave, Not Beige”
– IKEA catalogue
SOLAR ENERGY: opton 1) buy, option 2) lease,... →
Plaster ceiling tiles could add a lot of... →
I'd like to keep the original Edwardian character:... →
Wall faucets are actually shower faucets...
Non-standard design = + $$$
So I think we will be sticking to basics for the kids bathroom and saving our $$ ideas for the master:)
Maybe a little copper backsplash instead?
Might go well with the countertops and cabinets I have in mind…
go to: http://mexicanhomeart.com/index.html
Cheap appliances in Hayward →
Week 3: to do's list
Get some real quotes from GC’s (give them copy of plans)
Pick a designer (if any)
Sit down with Electrician and go over needs room by room
Pick a Roofer
Get the low down on appliances and fit specs into plans (asap)
Have fun, play with 1yr old son, baby music class, work out, cook, sleep, eat, entries on tumblr, breath:)
Viking Steam Combi Oven - OUT!
Great idea and all but the interior space is way too small. I don’t think you can even fit a chicken in there:(
Shopping for appliances...good service?
I went to BSC on Market St today. It seemed like it’s the place to be and get a look at the popular chef inspired brands (viking, wolf, sub, etc..)
I got a close look at the glass door subzero’s. Nice! The saleswoman didn’t do a great job describing the finish choices, since I still don’t get it. But that’s only the cosmetic stuff…. so who cares!
What I do...
Week 3: Designer yes or no?
Today I met with potential Designer #3. She was a bit stand off-ish at the start, but by the end I liked her style and thought she might offer a lot of ideas. I still like Designer #2 the best, she’s young, contemporary and easy to talk to. But I’m not convinced younger is better. Will her style be too modern and does she have too little experience?
The thing is, I am not sold on...
A lifetime investment in a sink? If you want to... →
Central Vacuum... anyone have a clue?
Pro’s: less noise, 5x suction power (cleaner air/ less allergens), empty canister only a few times/yr, convenience, resale)
Con’s: about $1200
Airvac? Nu-Tone? Eletrolux? Beam? MD? Vacu-flo? Central Vac Central?
Natural Gas bbq's
check out a variety for under $500:
http://www.nextag.com/natural-gas-barbecue-grill/search-html
“They” say natural gas burns cleaner, is way cheaper and more convenient than propane tanks. Good news!
Hubby dearest, read this about natural gas grills: →
Green points for Miele dishwashers
100% green standard
all have energy star ratings (saving 10-50% energy compared to others)
more metal parts than others, more to recycle
Mental note: Miele 24-inch Pre-Finished Fully Integrated Advanta Dishwasher G2170SCSF
“In particular, Viking gas ranges are notably trouble-prone, with owners...”
– From: Consumer report (online). Geez!