The House that LJ Built
May. 5th, 2003 11:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
misfoksThe progress thus far: within a week I should have a well dug, and a service pole installed ready for SCE; by the end of the month SCE should have power to my pole. The only things I'm behind on are getting a soil percolation test done for septic permits, and fencing worked out. My architect has been swamped, and thus hasn't been able to work on preliminary plans yet--but this could wind up being a good thing after all. I'll get to that in a minute.
Phase 1 of my house plans, as mentioned previously, will essentially be a studio apartment I can have built relatively quickly and live in, at which point I'm free to take my time with the remainder of the place. I've pretty much settled on the Queen Anne/Gothic Revival styles of Victorian architecture for inspiration, with Phase 1 making use of plank hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, ceramic/clay/stone tiling in the kitchenette and bathroom, molding for the ceiling, and waitscots in at least some areas--and goshdarnit, I will have a clawfoot tub! Most of the glass will be on the north-facing wall, and a second-floor porch will permit views of the river, sunsets, and the eventual horse paddock and garden (which I'll try planning somewhat intelligently). Once the rest of the house is habitable, the apartment will wind up becoming a combination guest suite, entertainment/party room, art/photo/music studio, and general retreat.
Now, here's how you, gentle reader, can assist in my little project, and how my architect's delay suddenly becomes beneficial. What're some of the things you find really annoying, frequently lacking, or would just plain like to see in a house? All thoughts and suggestions welcomed, no matter how trivial! Me, I find most places lack enough storage. By way of starting things off, I feel kitchen storage should be drawers for the most part in any areas lower than the counter, since low cabinets aren't really easy to use. Or as another example, why don't bathrooms ever have a storage place for those icky toilet-cleaning implements, instead of leaving people to keep them out in the open right next to the water closet? I also can't stand sliding patio doors, since they usually wind up getting tempermental once they've had a couple years to age.
So let's hear from some of you creative folks. I'll keep checking back here, so even if you get an idea way down the road it'll still get read. Then, if it winds up being something I can use, when the housewarming party rolls around you just might get to see how your idea worked out!
Oh, and random late replies to the previous post: Kitsumi--it's in the area we were talking about, yeah...next time you're travelling, stop by to see! Oct--I've decided I'm tired of one-sided compromises, rent feeling very much like just such a thing...I want my own place where I can damn well do what I want to it and not have to give it up at the end of a contract! Jen--sure thing, just be patient while I work on the place! Wordflinger--I'll supply the scotch, but you'd best bring the SPF45 if you wanna picnic on mah desert dirtfarm. And Phil, congrats on leaving the AOL fold. :D
Good: The peonies I potted for my eventual garden have started sprouting! And Dawg's still doing well, still trying to figure out how to play with dogtoys.
Bad: I'd left my Heliotropium arborescens in a sunny spot where I thought it'd get plenty of water; it didn't, and died (this is one plant I'd have to keep away from equine reach, yes). :/ And I don't have an infinite budget for all the cool stuff I keep finding. Oh yeah, still not king--but I'll have my own castle soon!
Then she told me she had some gum
It sounded like she'd chewed it once before...
Phase 1 of my house plans, as mentioned previously, will essentially be a studio apartment I can have built relatively quickly and live in, at which point I'm free to take my time with the remainder of the place. I've pretty much settled on the Queen Anne/Gothic Revival styles of Victorian architecture for inspiration, with Phase 1 making use of plank hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, ceramic/clay/stone tiling in the kitchenette and bathroom, molding for the ceiling, and waitscots in at least some areas--and goshdarnit, I will have a clawfoot tub! Most of the glass will be on the north-facing wall, and a second-floor porch will permit views of the river, sunsets, and the eventual horse paddock and garden (which I'll try planning somewhat intelligently). Once the rest of the house is habitable, the apartment will wind up becoming a combination guest suite, entertainment/party room, art/photo/music studio, and general retreat.
Now, here's how you, gentle reader, can assist in my little project, and how my architect's delay suddenly becomes beneficial. What're some of the things you find really annoying, frequently lacking, or would just plain like to see in a house? All thoughts and suggestions welcomed, no matter how trivial! Me, I find most places lack enough storage. By way of starting things off, I feel kitchen storage should be drawers for the most part in any areas lower than the counter, since low cabinets aren't really easy to use. Or as another example, why don't bathrooms ever have a storage place for those icky toilet-cleaning implements, instead of leaving people to keep them out in the open right next to the water closet? I also can't stand sliding patio doors, since they usually wind up getting tempermental once they've had a couple years to age.
So let's hear from some of you creative folks. I'll keep checking back here, so even if you get an idea way down the road it'll still get read. Then, if it winds up being something I can use, when the housewarming party rolls around you just might get to see how your idea worked out!
Oh, and random late replies to the previous post: Kitsumi--it's in the area we were talking about, yeah...next time you're travelling, stop by to see! Oct--I've decided I'm tired of one-sided compromises, rent feeling very much like just such a thing...I want my own place where I can damn well do what I want to it and not have to give it up at the end of a contract! Jen--sure thing, just be patient while I work on the place! Wordflinger--I'll supply the scotch, but you'd best bring the SPF45 if you wanna picnic on mah desert dirtfarm. And Phil, congrats on leaving the AOL fold. :D
Good: The peonies I potted for my eventual garden have started sprouting! And Dawg's still doing well, still trying to figure out how to play with dogtoys.
Bad: I'd left my Heliotropium arborescens in a sunny spot where I thought it'd get plenty of water; it didn't, and died (this is one plant I'd have to keep away from equine reach, yes). :/ And I don't have an infinite budget for all the cool stuff I keep finding. Oh yeah, still not king--but I'll have my own castle soon!
Then she told me she had some gum
It sounded like she'd chewed it once before...
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no subject
Date: 2003-05-06 09:03 am (UTC)Hmmmmmm, I'm a sucker for porches!! -_- If I ever got a chance to build a house I'd definitely build a porch. but I'm not sure if that'd fit in with your look. =P Porches.. and definitely flower gardens of sorts. XD You can probably plant a really lovely desert native garden in the front.. :) Stuff like sage and poppies and what not. Oh wait, that's not actually part of the house itself.. ;)
A roomy kitchen is always a plus, and yes, with looots of storage space. -_- Breakfast bars are cute, with the stools and everything. :) My house in apple valley had a walk in storage closet thing in the kitchen, it's nifty to keep all the canned and jarred goods in. Bathrooms.. again, storage space is nice. But only cause i'm the kinda person that likes to store things like towels and underwear in the bathroom. ;P It'd be neat if you had an internal pond. =D Since it probably gets too hot outside for one.
Plenty of sun is a plus, though in the desert the northerly windows are probably a good idea. I like plants, so if I had a chance I'd have a sunroofy area and turn it into an orchid growing area. =P Ok, I'm babbling now.. bwaha.
Oh.. keep the toilet paper dispensers on the right side. =P Unless you're left-handed. ^^
no subject
Date: 2003-05-06 10:10 am (UTC)One thing that struck me as strange about my own house is that the master bathroom doesn't have a bathtub, much as I'd like to luxuriate in one sometimes. The hallway bathroom does, however.
no subject
Date: 2003-05-07 11:34 pm (UTC)Kits--No horseys yet, but give me time. :) And porches (http://www.oldlouisville.org/HouseIllback.gif) are practically a must for Victorian architecture, so I'll definitely be incorporating that idea. Phase 2 is where the real kitchen will be built (Phase 1 will only have a kitchenette), but I do intend to have both an informal adjoining breakfast nook and a seperate, formal dining area. I like the indoor pond idea! Maybe more of a fountain kinda thing in the entry foyer, depending on how that layout goes? Gotta have some kind of pond in the back for Dawg to cool off in, though. :) And yes, I'm also terribly tempted by the idea of some sort of sunroom (http://mywebpages.comcast.net/britishrose/Photos.htm), but that'll be down the road a ways from now. But don't hold back from babbling--and do feel free to make suggestions about the land layout, as I'm still trying to sort that out as well.
Lynx--that is odd about your master bath. Rest assured, I won't make that error! And connectivity's a must, even if this area's lacking in broadband currently. I figure dual cat5e/6 (one set for multiple phone lines, should a future resident want 'em) and possibly unterminated fiber for future expansion.
Thanks for the comments so far!