View Full Version : Hermann house renovation
iris lilies
1-20-21, 12:07pm
Here is where I will post updates on renovating our 1941 cottage in Herman, Missouri.Let’s hope our contractor really does come through in the next few weeks to start the job.
Normally I would not mess with a house that is architecturally consistent and whole. But let me review for you all why mucking up this funny little house with major renovation doesn’t hurt it, in my view, because it’s already pretty messed up, both in original concept and in subsequent changes. Just to name the highlights of why it’s weird and inconsistent:
1. Built in 1941 as the only house on this block ( at that time) taking advantage of the best view on the street. The back of the house now was built as the front of the house. Apparently they thought the road would really go on the other side?
2. Frugal original builders in 1941 used pieces from their Victorian farmhouse. So we have a Victorian staircase in our 1940s cottage. That will be coming out.
3. Frugal builders made a second floor stair landing that was appropriate only for children because the headspace is not OK for adults.
4. A 1980s renovation turned the garage into a large bedroom and added an extension to the front to make it look more like it’s 1960’s neighbors. All that did was add a weird skinny room to the kitchen which I guess is a pantry.
One of my friends has a city house built in 1941, and from that I can see what the builders of my Hermann house were trying to achieve. They did not meet that standard.I think of my house as the poor country cousin of her house.
I suppose architects would say we are trying to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. But really what we are doing is a common thing on this block, extensively renovating an older house in order to take advantage of this pretty view.
iris lilies
1-20-21, 12:18pm
Some current photos before renovation
the Victorian staircase. It comes out, and staircase is reversed
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Replacing the floor on the left with a nice oak floor matching the one on the right. You can’t tell from this photo, but the floor in the living room is really pretty just needs refinished
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iris lilies
1-20-21, 12:23pm
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Large room that is now a bedroom. It originally was a garage. We’re going to turn it into a kitchen. It is a very confused room.
iris lilies
1-20-21, 12:25pm
All of the drywall, wallboard, ceiling plaster, and especially all of the cheap paneling, needs to come off all of the walls. This will of course will be a major major cost. The drywall is early versions of it that is more like cardboard than anything else it is awful stuff.
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Teacher Terry
1-20-21, 12:26pm
I will love to follow your journey. Sadly I couldn’t open your attachments.
iris lilies
1-20-21, 12:27pm
And finally, a feature That will stay exactly the same: this nice large fireplace. It is handsome and nicely situated in the living room, and we have already converted it to a gas fireplace.
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Teacher Terry
1-20-21, 12:28pm
That’s beautiful!!
Of course IL’s photos are sideways.
What a daunting undertaking! I'm sure it will be fabulous when done.
Love checking out the bulldogs at the same time as the building process.
frugal-one
1-20-21, 2:57pm
What a daunting undertaking! I'm sure it will be fabulous when done.
Ditto. I can't even imagine!
rosarugosa
1-20-21, 5:17pm
Of course IL’s photos are sideways.
Except for the one that's upside-down!
rosarugosa
1-20-21, 5:21pm
All of the drywall, wallboard, ceiling plaster, and especially all of the cheap paneling, needs to come off all of the walls. This will of course will be a major major cost. The drywall is early versions of it that is more like cardboard than anything else it is awful stuff.
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Our house had that throughout and we still have it in the kitchen. Awful stuff indeed.
Can’t wait to see it when it’s done!
iris lilies
1-20-21, 9:02pm
Our house had that throughout and we still have it in the kitchen. Awful stuff indeed.
You have that early drywall as well? I haven’t run into it before. Did you remove it from the rest of your house?
rosarugosa
1-21-21, 6:30am
You have that early drywall as well? I haven’t run into it before. Did you remove it from the rest of your house?
Yes, at this point we have gutted every room in the house except the kitchen and replaced everything down to the studs on the inside with blueboard and plaster, and stripped the exterior (old faux brick asphalt siding) down to the sheathing and replaced with cedar shingles and replaced all the windows and doors. We have replaced all the old vinyl floors (in every single room, even bedrooms) with prefinished oak hardwood. Your silk purse/sow's ear analogy rings true for me because it's still a weird little house with an awkward floor plan, although now a rather nice one except for the kitchen. I always described that wallboard as being "like particleboard made of cardboard instead of wood." I guess Homasote was one popular brand name for the stuff.
Yes, at this point we have gutted every room in the house except the kitchen and replaced everything down to the studs on the inside with blueboard and plaster, and stripped the exterior (old faux brick asphalt siding) down to the sheathing and replaced with cedar shingles and replaced all the windows and doors. We have replaced all the old vinyl floors (in every single room, even bedrooms) with prefinished oak hardwood. Your silk purse/sow's ear analogy rings true for me because it's still a weird little house with an awkward floor plan, although now a rather nice one except for the kitchen. I always described that wallboard as being "like particleboard made of cardboard instead of wood." I guess Homasote was one popular brand name for the stuff.
We had a similar era house in Illinois once, and there was a 15 year period where they made cardboard sewer pipes--seriously, compressed paper product--so needless to say, that was a bad idea that went away, but when your pipes inevitably failed, it was many thousand dollars to replace the sewer pipe from the house to the street.
rosarugosa
1-21-21, 8:50am
Tybee: That is just nuts. Whoever could have thought that was a good idea? Boggles the mind.
I know, right? IL, I finally got the picture to work and I really like that staircase. What did you replace it with?
ToomuchStuff
1-21-21, 10:19am
What is the current kitchen becoming?
Have you looked in the attic, to see why the stair landing is short?
I wonder when was your house started, and when was it finished the first time? If they started in 41 and then ran into the issue of getting stuff, after WWII started?
iris lilies
1-21-21, 12:11pm
I know, right? IL, I finally got the picture to work and I really like that staircase. What did you replace it with?
Sure I like the staircase because they’re all over my city neighborhood! The Walnut turned spindles and newell post post is common in my victorian city neighborhood.it is circa 1885.
We will replace this staircase with something consistent with 1940s bungalow style. Probably painted square spindles, oak treads, oak bannister and oak Newell post, taking the “0ak” cue from the pretty oak floor in the living room.
This is a house that likes Oak. Personally, I’m not a big fan of oak but it makes sense for the era of this house.
The exterior has asbestos shingles. I thought long and hard about keeping that original cladding because, well, it is original and informs the historic character. But a couple of people talked to me about insulation and how it would be better to remove that siding and put on Hardie board with insulation.
Of course removing the asbestos will be tons of money.
I really don’t have much of an idea of how much this entire project will cost. Somewhere between $100,00 and $225,000 is my guess.
we are probably going to ask the contractor to finish out a white box and from there we can choose and install cabinetry and final paint colors. I like this plan because I truly hate the idea of having to make so many decisions about finishes all at once, coming at me quickly.
iris lilies
1-21-21, 12:12pm
What is the current kitchen becoming?
Have you looked in the attic, to see why the stair landing is short?
I wonder when was your house started, and when was it finished the first time? If they started in 41 and then ran into the issue of getting stuff, after WWII started?
I have wondered about the prewar building process. The owners did a fair amount of building it themselves I think at least they did finishing work. I don’t know if it was interrupted due to the war but that is certainly possible.
The current kitchen becomes a bedroom.
iris lilies
3-4-21, 10:37am
Our contractor has torn into this project and he’s going full bore.
Our architect (who lives across the street from us) filed the plans at City Hall yesterday.
We still have no cost estimates. Nada.
We have paid the contractor nothing.No money has changed hands between us and our architect or our contractor. No retainers.
I find this level of trust cute and reflective of old fashion small town values where apparently our word that we will pay people whatever they want is good enough.
I will say that our contractor asked us to open an account at the local lumberyard So that he could charge our materials there. The lumberyard required a sign from the bank that we were good for it. We’ve had $100,000 sitting in the little Hermann bank for more than a year for this exact scenario.
Architects don't have fees or estimates, I am told, but simply run an hourly tab that one needs to monitor. Not sure if this is true for all situations and jurisdictions.
Had a brief intro to that experience by the decisions of others in my organization who had no idea of how it would work. I wanted more info before deciding but was overruled. Shortly after, I was alerted to this billing by running a tab by someone more knowledgeable, I informed the rest what they had unknowingly agreed to and it was promptly halted.
Our contractor has torn into this project and he’s going full bore.
Our architect (who lives across the street from us) filed the plans at City Hall yesterday.
We still have no cost estimates. Nada.
We have paid the contractor nothing.No money has changed hands between us and our architect or our contractor. No retainers.
I find this level of trust cute and reflective of old fashion small town values where apparently our word that we will pay people whatever they want is good enough.
I will say that our contractor asked us to open an account at the local lumberyard So that he could charge our materials there. The lumberyard required a sign from the bank that we were good for it. We’ve had $100,000 sitting in the little Hermann bank for more than a year for this exact scenario.
100k seems to be the ballpark for any time you step into a home renovation project of any seriousness. I've had to stress this with DH, since his brain thinks spending $200 for a new toilet is ridiculous. Good thing I've roped him into some of those HGTV shows where Hilary Farr gets a budget of $100k or more for fairly standard renovations.
The reason I've had to discuss that number with DH is because DS/DIL have been asking us to commit to an offer for them to buy the NJ house, which we did, just last week. We did due diligence by getting 3 realtors in there for a market assessment. They all concluded the same thing--if we want top dollar we'd have to invest around 100k. Came as a shock to both of us, frankly, but as you have probably gathered, I'm not one to throw out perfectly good things in the house, which includes perfectly good albeit drafty old, original windows, perfectly good cement siding (so what if it's chipped in a few places?), perfectly good appliances, perfectly good roofing which was installed ONLY 20 years ago, and electric boxes that are not to code but our house hasn't burned down so they're fine. Our chopped up, 70s layout is also perfectly good.
DS/DIL want to invest $100k into the house once they buy it to upgrade all these "perfectly good" features, so we've had to price the house as such. We took an average of the realtors' assessments, took into consideration reduced closing costs and gave them a small discount. They were happy with the price (which makes me think we might have left money on the table, especially since DS has his dad's negotiating skills) but overall I think this is a win-win.
Off topic, but my original point is, $100k is a very reasonable sum to stash away to fix up a house to your liking.
iris lilies
3-4-21, 11:33am
Architects don't have fees or estimates, I am told, but simply run an hourly tab that one needs to monitor. Not sure if this is true for all situations and jurisdictions.
Had a brief intro to that experience by the decisions of others in my organization who had no idea of how it would work. I wanted more info before deciding but was overruled. Shortly after, I was alerted to this billing by running a tab by someone more knowledgeable, I informed the rest what they had unknowingly agreed to and it was promptly halted.
We didn’t monitor our architect’s tab because, well, we didn’t. Whatever he charges will be what he charges. He’s the guy we wanted to do the job so we didn’t shop around.
Most people have a “budget” or a limited amount. We don’t really have that because we know going into it we’re gonna sink a whole lot more money into it then it will be worth.
iris lilies
3-4-21, 11:37am
Catherine I think it’s fine that you both came to an agreement. You had professional advice in numbers from the realtors and that’s good enough. In my I book all you have to is be in “the ballpark” of a sale price, you don’t have to squeeze every dollar out of the deal.
As an aside, a small Victorian house around the corner from me in the city sold last week and had 17 offers on it. 17! Our friend and real estate agent called us to ask if we were ready to sell because the market is super hot in our neighborhood and he has clients he wants to show it to. He says we can get $400,000 for it today but I’m not sure about that, he hasn’t seen our upstairs which is grimy and has holes in the ceiling left over from a ceiling leak.
But we are still living here and I’m not gonna rush around and up end my life just to gain around $75,000 over what I think our house would go for in normal times. It’s just not worth it.
iris lilies
3-11-21, 9:33am
Here is evidence actual construction is taking place.
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The construction crew has been working there for two weeks and we have not given them one dime yet. Our contractor is working on a time and materials basis and he will bill us once a month.
We did get the architect’s bill and it was $3500.
catherine
3-11-21, 10:08am
How exciting!! I think 3500 is worth it for the architect.
iris lilies
3-11-21, 11:30am
How exciting!! I think 3500 is worth it for the architect.
Yes. His regular fee is $3000 but he said he had extra work on one aspect of it. Old houses and their issues.
Last week the city of Hermann Grand Poohbahs of the Water Department were out trying to locate our water shut off. They have not been able to locate it. This was the first property built on our side of the block, 80 years ago, and their maps are wrong.
it has city water and city sewer system. I told DH to be prepared for the sewer system to need replacing. Every property we have purchased in the state of Missouri has needed the sewer system replaced, old infrastructure comes with old houses.
Yes. His regular fee is $3000 but he said he had extra work on one aspect of it. Old houses and their issues.
Last week the city of Hermann Grand Poohbahs of the Water Department were out trying to locate our water shut off. They have not been able to locate it. This was the first property built on our side of the block, 80 years ago, and their maps are wrong.
it has city water and city sewer system. I told DH to be prepared for the sewer system to need replacing. Every property we have purchased in the state of Missouri has needed the sewer system replaced, old infrastructure comes with old houses.
The experience that I referred to had the architect fee tab creeping up to $50,000 on a previous project under his supervision in addition to a contractor and building costs. $3000 is of no concern.
Looking forward to seeing the photos of the progress.
iris lilies
3-11-21, 4:46pm
I have spent more damn time on one light fixture* for my condo than I have in considering major issues with my Hermann house.
The difference is, in my tiny mind, the condo has to be perfect while our Hermann house will just be a nice typical house and as I tell DH we will use Home Depot schlock for finishes. DH gets offended by the term “schlock “but I just mean we will buy standard stuff from the shelf. Not cheap, but not expensive either and certainly not carefully considered.
All windows for this Hermann project were ordered and the bill was $7000. That’s not much really. We’re building a sunroom with big windows. I did not obsess over how far they should go down to the floor . I told DH use your judgment, work with Nick our architect, but I don’t want them going all the way to the floor otherwise do what is best.
I told DH for two bathrooms in Hermann we will have standard old fashion tile and white fixtures. Slam Bam no decision making. But for the tiny bathroom by the kitchen, I do want to spend some money on expensive tiles or a wallpaper or something cute.
* and I still dont have a light fixture
IL, love your confusing saga with this. Funny as hell. :D
iris lilies
3-17-21, 10:11pm
Oyps, termites!
Extensive termite damage has necessitated tearing out an entire wall of the house. Oh well, ca-ching. DH is not worried about it.
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here is the reversed staircase. Now THIS is exciting to me because I can see how the front part of the house will come together.
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IL, what is your contractor saying about material availability? I’m hearing lots of stuff is in short supply, partially due to the shipping issues from overseas.
iris lilies
3-17-21, 10:48pm
IL, what is your contractor saying about material availability? I’m hearing lots of stuff is in short supply, partially due to the shipping issues from overseas.
Lumber is super expensive. Not sure about anything else. There have been been long waiting list on appliances, I know that from working with my condo.
Teacher Terry
3-17-21, 11:29pm
Lumber is triple the price here. I only know that because my friend is building a house and my stepson is remodeling his house. I am prepared to wait on getting a apartment size stove because it’s a specialty order but no shortage of refrigerators in our local stores.
iris lilies
3-26-21, 12:25pm
Last night we had a little argument. Well it was actually more than a little argument it was a medium size argument.
DH has declared that he will be putting up all the woodwork in the Hermann house. He’s hinting that he’s going to do all painting as well. I was furious because I do not want this project to take three years but he’s now on track for it to take a 2+ years with this news. We had already planned foe him to install all cabinetry and probably do all tile work.
But then last night I calmed down and I thought Zen thoughts. My Zen thoughts are that it doesn’t really matter. My life doesn’t have any kind of pain by living in the city for another two years while our Hermann house is completed. I like my city house and I love my living room kitchen and patio. I am loath to leave them and I will be super sad when I have to give them up.
I have been thinking to myself that as soon as Europe opens up after Covid, we need to take a trip. But my Zen thoughts caused me to go in a new direction which is: Iris can go on a trip by herself! Iris doesn’t need DH to go to Europe, and in fact, it’s easier because he can take care of the dog and the properties while I am gone.
Win – win.
I mentioned this new outlook to DH, and I reminded him that his choices are his to make as he likes and if heWants to bend over never ending house renovation projects he MAY DO THAT! Just as I MAY GO TO EUROPE!
And he is not exactly happy about this thought of me having fun while he’s not. But I will always remind him – this is his choice. No one is telling him he has to do this construction work we can absolutely afford to hire it done.
IL is a wise woman. I don't always agree with her but I never doubt her wisdom.:)
iris lilies
3-26-21, 12:53pm
IL is a wise woman. I don't always agree with her but I never doubt her wisdom.:)
haha, thanks. If I dwell too much on this issue I will have feelings of squeamishness because it’s just so damn wasteful to have so many abodes for just two people. But Zen thoughts...Ommmmmm....
I have to learn those Zen thoughts. Too many inconsequential things are making my blood pressure way too high. I have to remember that if it can be fixed with some money, it is not a problem worth my health.
How does the condo factor into the equation--could you sell the Saint Louis place immediately for a big profit without doing anything, and concontrate on the other two properties that you are fixing?
iris lilies
3-27-21, 3:37pm
How does the condo factor into the equation--could you sell the Saint Louis place immediately for a big profit without doing anything, and concontrate on the other two properties that you are fixing?
Yes to Being able to sell my city house immediately. As for “big profit” that’s impossible to calculate and it doesn’t much matter. We paid $28,000 for it. We could get $400,000 (sez our real estate friend, tho I doubt it.) But the profit is impossible to calculate since it was a gut rehab and we no longer have those records of construction costs.
But then I would have no place to live because that condo is tiny and it does not replace my city house. I will not uproot my life prematurely And cause myself pain simply because DH has decided he’s going to hover over every process of Hermann renovation.
As I see it, this is dumb use of his time, but he can do what he wants to do with his life. There is legitimate work of high value that only he can do, and he doesnt recognize that! As I sit here I am inches away from the nice cabinetry he made for our city living room. I’m looking at the fluting of the trim boards—lovely! I’m looking at the crown molding here and as I’ve mentioned before he is the crown molding king.
But he seems to have a problem in identifying high value work versus grunt work versus semi-skilled work such as painting. And then there is scarcity. We can get a painter to paint an entire house. No one can get a painter to paint a closet, so that is the kind of small jobs he will have to do.
And then as a for instance, several weeks ago he was out back of our Herman house trying to break up a huge piece of concrete to get ready for construction. He’s a 65-year-old man and he’s doing this kind of grunt work that is hard on his body when a machine will come by to do it later. Meanwhile, there’s tons of semi-skilled work he could be doing in the yard, the kind of stuff that will be nearly impossible to hire done such as setting limestone rocks in walls and repairing same. He’s good at that work and it’s hard to find someone who knows anything about doing it.
Fortunately, he seems to respect our contractor and DH is working along side of the contractor’s crew, cleaning out rooms, tearing out a ceiling when needed, scurrying down to the hardware store to buy hardware. I do think he’s having some fun doing that and I don’t want to take that fun away from him.
It sounds like he really wants to a) do something he enjoys and b) leave his imprint on all the houses. If he is volunteering and you're not making him do it, I think you are right to just let him be. It's a hobby. Some people take up quilting, your DH makes homes look beautiful.
My DH frequently does things in a manner that I don't necessarily think are the right way to go. But these days, I am working and he is not, and even though I don't really want a spice rack tacked on to the other side of the Dutch door, I let it go. It makes him feel useful, and also, it makes the house more functional for things he thinks are important, and he's on the deed, so he gets a say in the matter whether I like it or not.
iris lilies
3-27-21, 6:45pm
It sounds like he really wants to a) do something he enjoys and b) leave his imprint on all the houses. If he is volunteering and you're not making him do it, I think you are right to just let him be. It's a hobby. Some people take up quilting, your DH makes homes look beautiful.
My DH frequently does things in a manner that I don't necessarily think are the right way to go. But these days, I am working and he is not, and even though I don't really want a spice rack tacked on to the other side of the Dutch door, I let it go. It makes him feel useful, and also, it makes the house more functional for things he thinks are important, and he's on the deed, so he gets a say in the matter whether I like it or not.
DH *IS*Pretty picky about workmanship. He went through my condo and smoothed out all the plaster walls and it looks absolutely gorgeous. Those walls haven’t been touched in decades. But you know what? I didn’t mind the old bumpy plaster, it just didn’t bother me. I’m thrilled to have real plaster.
I just want DH to have fun in this last part of his life because he deserves it, and we can afford whatever we’re doing.
As for that spice rack! Those battles aren’t worth fighting. But bless the heart of my DH, he has called twice in the past 48 hours to get my “OK “on a couple of things about finishes on this Hermann house. He knows, because it is our agreement, that I am determining all finishes. He’s the construction guy, I am the decorator lady.
Lucky you both to enjoy these interactions. Just saying...;)
iris lilies
4-7-21, 12:49pm
Our Hermann house is torn apart and is barely habitable. It’s going to be like this for many months. Here are pictures of our current kitchen facility (microwave oven, and a refrigerator that also contains our silverware, dishes, and paper products) and bathroom.
DH roughs it when he’s here, but I will stay in the Bed and Breakfast Inn on our block So that I have shower facilities. Maybe DH will also use their shower. Otherwise he’s using the hose in the yard as a kind-of shower.
There are no work crew here today so I can use the bathroom with no fear of lack of privacy. But normally there’s a crew of 2 to 4 men here.
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That is down to the 2x4s!!!! Nice to see the steps unfold.
Is it possible to just do a room at a time so you could live there? Why do it all at once?
Teacher Terry
4-7-21, 4:24pm
When you hire a crew it’s faster and cheaper to do the whole house at once. That’s how our house was done. When I was young and poor we did a room a year because that’s what we could afford.
iris lilies
4-7-21, 5:09pm
Is it possible to just do a room at a time so you could live there? Why do it all at once?
No can do a room at time. This is major construction that requires moving plumbing, electric service HVAC service. we’re building a double garage we’re bumping out the basement, we’re building a room on top of that, we’re moving the kitchen from one side of the house to the other.
When we were in our 30s we did our our city house a room at a time, yeah that took 25 years. There is no way I will do that again. I don’t have another 25 years on earth. But I will say that I think it’s kind of funny that here I am sitting in this room looking at studs and an old floor in an old house. This brings back memories. And really we’ve never stopped gutting houses because when we got our city house dry walled with a great deal of finish work done, we started working on tiny houses. It’s just what we do.
It’s just what we do.
Seems to be the story of our lives as well. From a 1903 bungalow when we were 23 to this mid 60s split level in our 60s. And all the ones in between. With the price of houses now, I fear one last re-do is in our future. I am tired just thinking about it.
No can do a room at time. This is major construction that requires moving plumbing, electric service HVAC service. we’re building a double garage we’re bumping out the basement, we’re building a room on top of that, we’re moving the kitchen from one side of the house to the other.
When we were in our 30s we did our our city house a room at a time, yeah that took 25 years. There is no way I will do that again. I don’t have another 25 years on earth. But I will say that I think it’s kind of funny that here I am sitting in this room looking at studs and an old floor in an old house. This brings back memories. And really we’ve never stopped gutting houses because when we got our city house dry walled with a great deal of finish work done, we started working on tiny houses. It’s just what we do.
I think it's a very fun hobby. What a creative endeavor!
On a related note, I've discovered two design shows that pass muster for me: One is No Demo Reno which I like because it drives me CRAZY when they waste materials in the name of the Trend Du Jour.
The other is the British show Grand Designs, which my son turned us onto. IL, I'm thinking you would love that show.
IL, am I wrong in thinking that original 2x4's would be thicker and stronger than today's green lumber? I imagine craftsman builders and carpenters loving the quality and strength of the old wood in the framing of your house. Am I under illusions?
iris lilies
4-7-21, 6:40pm
IL, am I wrong in thinking that original 2x4's would be thicker and stronger than today's green lumber? I imagine craftsman builders and carpenters loving the quality and strength of the old wood in the framing of your house. Am I under illusions?
Probably the 80-year-old wood is better quality than the new stuff, but I don’t know if they can reuse the old stuff if they have to cut it out. I don’t really know how that works.
ToomuchStuff
4-9-21, 10:17am
IL, am I wrong in thinking that original 2x4's would be thicker and stronger than today's green lumber? I imagine craftsman builders and carpenters loving the quality and strength of the old wood in the framing of your house. Am I under illusions?
I believe the change in lumber came after 29, but I don't remember the date. Prior to the change, a 2x4 was truely 2" by 4" and the waste was off of their end. After, the milling waste, your new 2x4's are 1 1/2" x 3 1/2", so just by dimensions, the older lumber is a little bit stronger.
iris lilies
4-9-21, 10:28am
My friend who loves my Victorian neighborhood in the city often remarked that the joists in our homes were cut from the king’s forests. In other words, when those trees started growing, king George owned the forests here.
Another interesting fact about England and Missouri and Wood is this: Missouri Oak wood forms the barrels that Scottish whiskey is aged in.
We just had part of our deck redone to get rid of a stupid stage area that was 6 inches higher and make it level with the rest of the deck. Holy cow lumber is expensive. We used ipe since that’s what the rest of the deck is and the stuff is hard as a rock so it will last forever. For 16 ten foot long boards it was almost $1500 for just the wood.
Teacher Terry
4-11-21, 10:17am
Lumber has tripled in price locally since the pandemic. Some friends are building a house and it’s really costing them. So IL did you set a budget or is it in the doesn’t matter category.
iris lilies
4-11-21, 10:25am
Lumber has tripled in price locally since the pandemic. Some friends are building a house and it’s really costing them. So IL did you set a budget or is it in the doesn’t matter category.
It doesnt matter. It will cost what it costs. We can hardly set a budget on lumber alone since that is a must have. So, I am not paying any attention to cost of lumber.
Meanwhile, we have still not paid our contractor a dime. He has a crew of men working for weeks now, plus a subcontractor who is digging out a foundation for new sunroom has done work.
One of these days I guess he will give us a bill. It is all very quaint. He must really trust us.
Teacher Terry
4-11-21, 10:28am
It’s probably because it’s a small town and people are more trustworthy. I can’t wait to see pictures when done. It’s nice to have things just the way you want it.
iris lilies
6-1-21, 12:54pm
Time for an update on our Hermann house. All walls are bare to the studs. Sun room is nearly complete in basic construction. New siding nearly complete. We have had no running water inside for weeks now. DH stays there several days each week and lives with that—he goes to the outside spigot to get water. There continues to be a fully functioning toilet, tho.
I stay in the Inn down the street or in the cheap motel in town when I go there.
even though I said DH would not do any work on this house ha ha Ha! He’s there working 3 to 4 days a week. What in heavens name is he doing, you might ask? We have a construction crew there.
Well he does a little consultation with them now and then, but mainly he’s been doing work to save the pro’s time. Recently, placing electric boxes where we want them so when the electrician comes it saves him time. Last week DH started working on the storage areas in the attic bedrooms, planning and building drawers and cubbies under the eaves.
This Works beautifully because our contractor works on a time and materials basis so it’s not as though DH is doing any work inside of a set construction estimate. I will say that he’s already undone a little bit of framing the crew put up according to architectual plans, but that was only two hours worth of their work and DH’s work.
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iris lilies
6-1-21, 1:18pm
Hermann decor: kitchen decisions!
i have finally decided on kitchen cabinets in a cream color, the door pattern being that faux headboard stuff. I could’ve been talking to wood cabinets if I could see in actuality bigger doors in the woods I like, bigger than the samples in the store. So I can’t commit based on the small samples. I’ve always been attracted to beadboard type cabinets for little cottages.
I want a pretty granite countertop. But I don’t want it to be too busy. So I have found, at the big box store, a pretty rather “quiet “but yet interesting granite that has lots of cream in it. The backsplash will be off-white tile in arabesque shape. So to me that’s a lot of non-Color but I think I can jazz it up with accent colors. My dilemma is a red stove? A blue stove? A black stove? A cream stove?
There’s a particular stove I love made by Hallman but I think it’s very cute. I’m stuck its little peg legs. But it comes in a limited range of colors and red is not one of them. And yes I have already ordered a color sample of the burgundy and it is not red. Don’t send me photos of red stoves because I know all of them. If I want a red stove I’ll probably go with Zline or Big Chill. None of them are as cute as the Hallman stove which seems to me to combine old style with new style.
So today I am thinking this color scheme: everything pretty much cream colored with black stove and vintage style black cabinet handles. I could have red accents with appliances and curtains and etc.
Sounds unique and effective!
Teacher Terry
6-1-21, 4:37pm
Red accents sound like a good idea with your other colors.
I like black kitchen appliances, so I'm on board with your idea. And cream beats white for me, because it's warmer. Thumbs up!
Il, color scheme...good plan for you. I didn't think the Hermann house would be on a hill. My ignorance of mid west geography is to blame. I thought it was all FLAT! Looks like you'll have a nice view. Now, WHERE are the Iris - can you see them from the sunroom?
I'm in favor of the cream/black and red accents, too!
iris lilies
6-1-21, 10:54pm
Il, color scheme...good plan for you. I didn't think the Hermann house would be on a hill. My ignorance of mid west geography is to blame. I thought it was all FLAT! Looks like you'll have a nice view. Now, WHERE are the Iris - can you see them from the sunroom?
This is Missouri River bluffs area so there are hills and valley. Our house sits high on a hill with a wonderful view, hence, the Sunroom and orientation of nearly all windows toward that view.
iris beds are not a big part of that view they are too small and close in to the house.
I love the sunroom and deck!
I love the sunroom and deck!
Had to go back and have another look at the photos and agree with RR. Like the trees in the background too.
iris lilies
6-2-21, 8:54am
Actually, I actively dislike decks because they require maintenance and I think they are usually ugly, especially on our
victorian houses in the city. My city house has a big brick patio that is beautiful and low maintenance.
But a deck is practical for this Hermann house and it doesn't look too far out of place I guess. Mainly I am interested in the aesthetics of the front of this house and am less concerned about how the back looks. It is a Cape Cod wannabe and has a unique, charming setting where the front nestles down into a rock walled entry. Cute and cosy and cottagey.
I couldn't agree more about decks. Hate 'em. Mine has long since given up and died.
But I understand they are the only solution in some circumstances.
iris lilies
6-2-21, 9:24am
I couldn't agree more about decks. Hate 'em. Mine has long since given up and died.
But I understand they are the only solution in some circumstances.
Decks are hideous carbuncles on the face of lovely structures all too often. Our neighborhood historic building standard prohibits them on front facades. They can be built on the back according to code, and I can live with that.
A deck is a far cry from a Juliet balcony, indeed.
"Hideous carbuncle" sums them up nicely.
happystuff
6-2-21, 11:00am
Sounds like things are progressing! Congrats.
iris lilies
6-2-21, 8:31pm
Had to go back and have another look at the photos and agree with RR. Like the trees in the background too.
It is a very nice bald Cyprus that occasionally gets into our plumbing, but otherwise it is pretty well behaved.
Teacher Terry
6-2-21, 8:57pm
I love sunrooms! Decks require lots of upkeep.
happystuff
6-3-21, 10:22am
Not a fan of decks either. I'm trying to convince dh we need to remove the small one out back (that is in horrible shape at this point!) and put in a patio. Hopefully....!
iris lilies
6-3-21, 1:26pm
Not a fan of decks either. I'm trying to convince dh we need to remove the small one out back (that is in horrible shape at this point!) and put in a patio. Hopefully....!
oh if a patio is an option, do it!
The back of our house in Hermann is on a hill, so there is no flat land to pave for patio. Steps will lead down into grassy area which is on a hill too.
oh if a patio is an option, do it!
The back of our house in Hermann is on a hill, so there is no flat land to pave for patio. Steps will lead down into grassy area which is on a hill too.
I see from the picture that it definitely is a hill! My first thought was... who gets to mow that??? LOL.
iris lilies
6-3-21, 2:35pm
I see from the picture that it definitely is a hill! My first thought was... who gets to mow that??? LOL.
DH is skilled at mowing it, fortunately. And in our construction we are getting rid of “the little big hill” which is an extreme slope rewuieeing hand mowing. The rest of it he does with riding mower.
happystuff
6-4-21, 10:22am
DH is skilled at mowing it, fortunately. And in our construction we are getting rid of “the little big hill” which is an extreme slope rewuieeing hand mowing. The rest of it he does with riding mower.
Interesting, the "getting rid of the little big hill". I will confess to having a hard time picturing it. Hope you are willing to post a picture when it's done.
iris lilies
7-5-21, 2:46pm
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. :~)
Here, it is obvious that DH will be doing some/much of the finish carpentry in our Hermann house EVEN THOUGH I forbade it because that will take YEARS. See how much he respects my laying down of the law.
So, this is his compromise: free old dresser, built- in to attic bedroom walls. He considers that he is saving a ton of time by not building that box and dresser drawers. I agree I guess except that I just wish he wasn’t doing any of it. But I do have to laugh at him because he’s quite pleased with himself at the solution and I think I’m going to adopt it for the other attic bedroom which will be “mine. “
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He is also happily sourcing other old stuff for this house. He got a free old Timey sink, you know one of those circa 1940s porcelain sinks for free,it was an alley find. He’s going to set it up in the basement for “washing vegetables. “I think he is still planning on having a canning kitchen down there too.
I just watch his little beehive actions with amusement. He’s pretty much done everything he’s going to do on my condo at the moment so I am not jealous of his time used on the Hermann house.
Wow, that is such a cool idea--I am going to show it to my DH, because it looks incredibly handy and we have eaves walls.
iris lilies
7-5-21, 3:11pm
Wow, that is such a cool idea--I am going to show it to my DH, because it looks incredibly handy and we have eaves walls.
It is easy to find old dressers free or nearly so.
I’m going to hold out for one of those pretty oak dresser with a serpentine front for my bedroom. In My ideal world I would like to have two of them. I’m willing to pay for them I don’t require that they be free although in a perfect world we would find ones with damaged tops that would otherwise go to the landfill.
iris lilies
7-5-21, 3:13pm
Interesting, the "getting rid of the little big hill". I will confess to having a hard time picturing it. Hope you are willing to post a picture when it's done.
By this I mean: we’re having professional landscaping done with fake stonework so that that area doesn’t have to be mowed.
iris lilies
7-20-21, 8:18pm
Today I’m visiting Hermann after not being here for something like 6 or 7 weeks. I had to come and weed some iris beds because the weeds are pretty awful even though DH, bless his heart, has been doing a little bit of weeding for me.
What a gorgeous day it was today…mid 80s low humidity light breeze, just beautiful. I am Sitting here on the patio high on the hill and it’s not even like Missouri in mid July, it’s very pleasant. The church bells are ringing at Saint George’s, Someone is giving a bell concert.
I forgot how cute my country house and the little town is.
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Progress has been slow. Constant rains have setback the cement pouring foundation of the garage. But they were able to do that today. So now the garage will go up. Our electrician broke his ankle several weeks ago and so all interior work stopped because we’re to the point where wiring has to go in. But then my contractor’s main guy started putting in some of the wiring.
Teacher Terry
7-20-21, 8:33pm
Herman sounds like a cool little town. That’s bad news about your husband’s hoarding space. If he dies before you hire someone to remove the junk.
iris lilies
7-20-21, 8:35pm
I had a big surprise when I learned our garage will have a room under it. The room is greatly enforced with lots of studs so it’s really not much open space, but there is lots of room for DH to practice his hoarding. It’s a walk out from under the garage. We also added a walkout section under the sunroom. since the basement will be DH’s domain he has extended his space by a third.
latest progress:
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These are all upside down I know!
The first one shows the dark hole-room under the garage Which came as a surprise to me, I didn’t know we were going to have that. But whatever.
The second and third images show the back of the house which is starting to look very nice.
Looks like a wonderfully large spacious house with the large deck. It will be exciting to see the end result but fun to share in the progress
ToomuchStuff
7-20-21, 10:21pm
Under the garage sounds like a good tornado shelter.
IL, room for your husband to practice his hoarding made me laugh. :D
Me, too. Practicing hoarding....as if we don't know how! The house is progressing well. Thanks for sharing the progress.
iris lilies
7-22-21, 2:17pm
Apparently I am on a “ limited need to know” basis about construction on our Hermann house.
My post from a couple days ago was about the underground storage area, under the garage. It has a whole bunch of studs in it and it’s not a big open room. Today I was granted information that the studs are temporary and they will be removed. Apparently we *DO* have a complete underground garage in addition to the garage on top. See, I know that DH talked to our architect about this more than a year ago and the architect said oh that’s really expensive, but I’ll look into it. Little did I know that it had become a reality.
DH worked with the cement guy and it really wasn’t all that expensive, according to DH, he says maybe $5000 -$7,000 Additional cost to the standard large garage.
Here’s the marvelous thing: DH can drive his giant ass farm tractor in there and put it away. I am thrilled about this because I didn’t want a big old farm tractor sitting around my acre property. 1 acre really isn’t all that big when you start piling crap on it like multiple storage sheds and a big farm tractor.
DH, the hoarder, says we can “get rid of both sheds.” This makes me extremely happy although I’m arguing to keep one of them at the moment but I could give it up later.
I wonder what other wonderful surprises are in store for me in the Hermann house construction? Always an adventure! Ha ha.
Sounds very efficient if everything can be put away as needed.
Don't you need a potting shed/studio/retreat?
Perhaps one of those sheds could be upgraded...
iris lilies
7-22-21, 2:57pm
Don't you need a potting shed/studio/retreat?
Perhaps one of those sheds could be upgraded...
Yes. One of the sheds is cute and I want to store my flower show stuff in it. Either that, or I have to rent storage unit because I told DH the basement(s) are his domain.
I'm learning you can never have too many sheds.
I am jealous of the underground tractor garage. My yard too often looks like the kids forgot to put their toys away at night.
iris lilies
7-22-21, 3:18pm
I'm learning you can never have too many sheds.
I am jealous of the underground tractor garage. My yard too often looks like the kids forgot to put their toys away at night.
We do tend to build garages for our large toys. We lived in our city house for 15 years before we built a garage. Then DH got his play car, his vintage Mercedes-Benz 450, and we had to build a house for it. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that when he got this latest toy, a farm tractor, we would build a for it house as well.
iris lilies
8-3-21, 1:19pm
We had a break in weather and it’s cool now, so I went to Hermann to plant some iris and do some weeding. I was able to stay overnight in our Hermann house because with the windows open in a Cross breeze it was quite pleasant. Our incoming water situation has improved because now we can step out the back door to the deck and get running water from the outdoor hose. It’s almost like living in a real house. Ha ha.
I was anxious to see the garage which is now being built. The entire frame is up. Oy. The garage is gigantic, rather awful..:0! I did consider that during planning and just sort of thought well I guess I can live with it. And now I have to live with it.
Property now looks like a garage with a small house attached to it. The problem is that our house sits 4 feet down in the approach and I like that very much because it’s surrounded by lime stone walls, it’s cute. But man is it ever dwarfed by this giant-ass garage. It’s really too bad.
our street is curved, with houses from the 1950s, 1960s, and a few from the 1970s. It is pleasant, middle class housing. None of them have a giant ass garage like we have. People on the street probably hate us. Our architect lives across from us and when he redid his house and made it quite large, he kept a very small garage, a one car garage in front.
We are terrible people.
Teacher Terry
8-3-21, 1:38pm
It’s making your husbands happy:)).
iris lilies
8-3-21, 1:48pm
Indeed, DH is very happy with a big garage and a bunker of equal size under it.
I just feel so bad for the cute little cottage we had..R.I.P little house.
Is the garage actually bigger than the house? Congrats on running water!
iris lilies
8-3-21, 7:59pm
Is the garage actually bigger than the house? Congrats on running water!
it is not bigger square footage- wise, but visually it looks bigger from the front. It is the front of the house I like, it is cute. It WAS cute.
I am puzzled. Did the architects's drawings not give an image of the final appearance?
When you said "Property now looks like a garage with a small house attached to it.", it had me wondering.
iris lilies
8-3-21, 9:59pm
I am puzzled. Did the architect’s drawings not give an image of the final appearance?
Of course the architect’s plan showed it, but I ignored it. To move the garage around to look more like a house extension would still have resulted in a BIG extension. I will get used to it but I’m not used to it yet.
Next time I’m there I’ll take a picture of it so you can see what I mean.
ToomuchStuff
8-4-21, 8:20am
. The garage is gigantic, rather awful..:0! I did consider that during planning and just sort of thought well I guess I can live with it. And now I have to live with it.
Property now looks like a garage with a small house attached to it. The problem is that our house sits 4 feet down in the approach and I like that very much because it’s surrounded by lime stone walls, it’s cute. But man is it ever dwarfed by this giant-ass garage. It’s really too bad.
our street is curved, with houses from the 1950s, 1960s, and a few from the 1970s. It is pleasant, middle class housing. None of them have a giant ass garage like we have. People on the street probably hate us. Our architect lives across from us and when he redid his house and made it quite large, he kept a very small garage, a one car garage in front.
We are terrible people.
So it looks like a farm. (big barn, little house)
Don't remember what size property you are living on (acreage), but that to me seems like a bigger selling point in the future, for any guys that like to work. (I would love a bigger garage, with a smaller house)
You will appreciate it, when
It’s making your husbands happy:)). all of your husbands, with all their stuff, doesn't appear to flood the house, polygamist. :laff:
iris lilies
8-4-21, 12:01pm
So it looks like a farm. (big barn, little house)
Don't remember what size property you are living on (acreage), but that to me seems like a bigger selling point in the future, for any guys that like to work. (I would love a bigger garage, with a smaller house)
You will appreciate it, when
all of your husbands, with all their stuff, doesn't appear to flood the house, polygamist. :laff:
Oh yes, people in Hermann like their big trucks which is why we made the garage extra-deep.The practicalities are good, the aesthetics not so much.
iris lilies
8-15-21, 11:58am
I learned yesterday that we had an engineer sign off on The Bunker (the underground garage) which was…interesting. It was complex enough that our architect had to get engineering plans.
I guess at some point I will get to learn everything about what is going on with my own house and my own money in Hermann.
After hearing tales of woe from our next door neighbors who are building a new house in another neighborhood, I remain grateful for our Hermann contractor. We do not have a signed contract with him, he works for a while, gives us a bill, we pay it.
happystuff
8-15-21, 12:02pm
"The Bunker" - lol. Nice name for it.
iris lilies
8-23-21, 8:22pm
Unable to decide on colors of kitchen cabinets, I ordered samples. They send you an entire door in one case, and in the other case they send color matched printed paper the size of a cabinet door. Same company.
I really didn’t want to pay for an entire cabinet door at $50 but the color I’m looking at is rather unusual and I wanted to make sure that I had a good sense of what it is. At the moment is my preference but I need to see it close up.
Unable to decide on colors of kitchen cabinets, I ordered samples. They send you an entire door in one case, and in the other case they send color matched printed paper the size of a cabinet door. Same company.
I really didn’t want to pay for an entire cabinet door at $50 but the color I’m looking at is rather unusual and I wanted to make sure that I had a good sense of what it is. At the moment is my preference but I need to see it close up.
You're smart to get as much info as possible before investing.
Signed,
The Paint Chip Queen
Obsessed with the Possibilities
PS. I'm down to just one room to figure out the colors for--my office. And I don't care as much about that.
Teacher Terry
8-24-21, 12:41am
IL, definitely wise to spend the $50 to make sure you love the colors. Cabinets are a big expense.
iris lilies
9-4-21, 5:13am
Here, exterior front is pretty much completed.Giant garage gets its door in 2022, supplies are backlogged.
Here you see new siding and new roof on everything.
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It is a pleasant but unremarkable little house. The cuteness factor comes in with the way it sits down 3 feet into a rock walled area.
Here, exterior front is pretty much completed.Giant garage gets its door in 2022, supplies are backlogged.
Here you see new siding a new roof on everything.
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It is a pleasant but unremarkable little house. The cuteness factor comes in with the way it sits down 3 feet into a rock walled area.
It looks nice but if I ever move I want a level lot. With the remnants of hurricane Ida we got water in the basement this week and I can live without that charm.
It is cute. Love the colour of the siding. You will have fun landscaping the entryway.
As mentioned by others.. it is cute!!
Wow, very nice! I know you were a little disappointed with the size of the garage relative to the rest of the house, but probably the siding helps, because I think it's fine.
It's lovely, and the color is wonderful. And I don't think the garage looks weird or dwarfs the house, but then I am now in New England with the big house little house back house barn setup.
Very nice! Is there a connection - like a screened in porch or patio - between the house and garage?
That is very cute. Once you have landscaping the garage will fit right in. The siding color appeals to me!
iris lilies
9-4-21, 10:11am
That is very cute. Once you have landscaping the garage will fit right in. The siding color appeals to me!
There are 3 yellow one-and-a- half story houses on my block in Hermann. It is middle America at its finest!
iris lilies
9-4-21, 11:22am
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Very nice! Is there a connection - like a screened in porch or patio - between the house and garage?
The new garage leads directly into the new kitchen.
The new kitchen was originally built as a garage in the 1940s. But by the time we bought the house it had been “finished “and acted as a bedroom.
The original breezeway is now a wide spot Leading from living room to kitchen with a bathroom at one end and the new sunroom at the other end. This doorway has the original French doors which are heavy and very nice.
Something that showed up recently: exterior walls of this house have boards that run in different directions. They are “straight but not level “according to DH. These boards have a dusting of cement on them. These boards were originally used as forms for the cement foundation of the basement, and then later pulled up to make into walls of the house. These Germans didn’t waste anything!
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iris lilies
9-4-21, 11:32am
Lumber is now dropping greatly in price. because of course it is! After we have purchased all of our framing pieces, most at the height of high prices.
happystuff
9-4-21, 12:08pm
Gotta love the things one finds/sees in old houses.
Teacher Terry
9-4-21, 12:27pm
The house is really cute! I also love the color.
Great house, IL! Thanks for sharing pictures.
Classic cottage--and I love your airplane hangar! ;)
Teacher Terry
9-8-21, 10:29pm
I am a big fan of old houses. I owned 2 houses that were newer and everyone had one of 6 floor plans. Ugh! They were both bought in hot markets when we needed somewhere to live with kids. My last house was a 1950’s ranch but they weren’t all the same because people had changed them through the years. With no Hoa even yards were unique. My 2nd husband is still in the house that we bought new and loves it.
iris lilies
9-8-21, 11:49pm
I am a big fan of old houses. I owned 2 houses that were newer and everyone had one of 6 floor plans. Ugh! They were both bought in hot markets when we needed somewhere to live with kids. My last house was a 1950’s ranch but they weren’t all the same because people had changed them through the years. With no Hoa even yards were unique. My 2nd husband is still in the house that we bought new and loves it.
I’ve been thinking to myself this week that if I were to build a new house from scratch probably the floorplan would look very similar to what we’ve ended up with in this Hermann house. I would probably make two of the bedrooms bigger by a couple of feet and add walk-in closet to one or two of them. I would make the bathrooms a bit bigger. But overall, I like the idea of a one and a half story house. Everything is on the first floor and extra rooms are on the upper floor if you need them.
Two of our close friends who moved away from our neighborhood ended up with modern one and a half story houses, also with walkout basements. So all of us went from our 1880s houses to 1950s style houses.
As much as I love my small house, sometimes I wish we had more room for guests. In my dreams I consider the possibility of bumping up the roof and creating dormers and two small bedrooms. Our zoning restricts us from expanding the footprint, so building up would be the only possibility.
But that will probably never happen, as saving money now is more important to me than indulging in a wish list.
iris lilies
9-23-21, 10:47am
We went to a flooring place near Hermann. We are installing oak floors throughout the entire house except for the living room which already has a nice oak floor. Well, we are also keeping one old pine floor in one bedroom because, well, I like it.
Anyway—The flooring people who sell nothing but floors with a little bit of wall tile had this to say about oak floors: “ you want WHAT? You want oak flooring that’s laid and then someone comes in later to finish it? WHY!?? We never do that normally, that’s a special order. You’ll have to talk to the owner of our store about that.”
Sigh, it is hard to be an old person and have Olde ideas of quality. Yet, we had no trouble getting that product in the city for my condo, the flooring guy did not look at us like we had two heads.
Teacher Terry
9-23-21, 2:26pm
Real oak floors are beautiful. I have however a fan of laminate for the durability factor. Our last house had real wood in the original part of the house. I don’t know if my ex didn’t put enough layers of sealer but there were places that it was worn off in 9 years.
I'm definitely hijacking this thread in the interest of the topic being about home renovations/redecorations. It's not worthy of its own thread.
You guys know the angst I've had over color in my "Crayola house". I like neutral, DH loves the wacky color. Well, I finally painted the living area from the dull green it was (and I love green, so you know it had to be a dull green) to neutral, and I've always loved the combo of sky blue and cream, so that's what I did. Here's a photo. I've bought bamboo up/down blinds, and am keeping to a blue/white overall theme, but I still have to reupholster the wing chair (hence the throw over it--remnant I found in a fabric shop that will make do until I get to business), and I'll use some saturated color in that. But for now, I'm pretty satisfied. I think it looks like me. I also am looking for a table to replace the green metal bistro table.
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Beautiful Catherine! That is so Vermont Cottage!
rosarugosa
10-7-21, 3:15pm
I love it, Catherine! I like a serene backdrop with any punches of color coming from furnishings, art, or other accessories. I think it's coming together wonderfully!
I like it also Catherine.
I love the ceiling color.
Teacher Terry
10-7-21, 4:34pm
I love it too!!
iris lilies
10-7-21, 4:46pm
The fresh paint looks nice catherine. I like that shade of dark blue.
happystuff
10-8-21, 9:32am
Very nice, catherine! I kind of like the bistro table - lol.
I love the painted beams and the haint blue ceiling!
iris lilies
10-12-21, 11:01am
Here is the stove I am ordering today. It is red. Yesterday I went into an appliance store to get my hands on a Big Chill range and everything about them is heavy and nicely finished. Has chrome!
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happystuff
10-12-21, 11:05am
nice, IL. I must say, you are the most colorful person I know when it comes to appliances!
iris lilies
10-12-21, 11:05am
I decided against the Italian made Hallman/ILVE stove I have been jonesing for. The lead time was 25 to 35 weeks and while I could live with that, the ultimate issue that made me decide against it was that the one model I liked was full of brass. It’s beautiful. But the burners are brass.
And I asked myself:: do I really want to be messing around with dried cooked food on brass burners? Keeping that clean would be a nightmare.
catherine
10-12-21, 11:06am
That's a beauty, IL!! I love red! And it's great to have a good quality range and have it look cute, too!
iris lilies
10-12-21, 11:09am
nice, IL. I must say, you are the most colorful person I know when it comes to appliances!
After buying two stoves and knowing what I know now, I would just go into an appliance store and say to the salesman look salesman, I’m interested in color. What do you know about the appliances you sell and colors they come in?
Some dealers offer custom colors for an up charge but they do not promote it. I wouldn’t have known I could get a Periwinkle colored stove without seeing one in an appliance store. These appliance manufacturers don’t promote their option for custom paint colors.
Another option is to get a Home Depot range in white or stainless steel or whatever standard finish you want, and buy aftermarket knobs in bright colors. That is much more affordable and it’s really cute.
iris lilies
10-12-21, 11:13am
This Big Chill stove is American, another plus in its favor. Designed in Colorado, assembled
in Pennsylvania.
I haven’t decided about a refrigerator yet. Right now we’re going to stick with the refrigerator we’ve got in Hermann which is black. It’s at least 15 years old. I’m not keen on spending $4000 on a Big Chill matching red refrigerator. The stove and refrigerator are on opposite sides of the room in the Hermann kitchen so they don’t need to be matchy matchy.
I’m talking to DH about buying a standard new refrigerator and having it spray painted by an auto body shop a cherry red color. He said he would take it apart to deliver the panels to the body shop and that is the labor intensive part.
The dishwasher will have a cabinet panel on it so it will look like cabinetry.
Teacher Terry
10-12-21, 12:04pm
I love the stove. I didn’t know that they came in all those colors until you mentioned it.
ToomuchStuff
10-12-21, 11:26pm
Your old paid for refrigerator, what does it look like (not color)?
They make/sell vinyl based paint that are used to change car interiors (although may not be a perfect match to your stove), or you could (since working and paid for/experiment), take thin aluminum, have the body shop match the stove paint, and use construction adhesive to mount it to the fridge.
Your next fridge, they do sell some designed for cabinet doors, could have wood, matching the cabinets, with a metal stove matching insert.
iris lilies
10-13-21, 9:15am
Your old paid for refrigerator, what does it look like (not color)?
They make/sell vinyl based paint that are used to change car interiors (although may not be a perfect match to your stove), or you could (since working and paid for/experiment), take thin aluminum, have the body shop match the stove paint, and use construction adhesive to mount it to the fridge.
Your next fridge, they do sell some designed for cabinet doors, could have wood, matching the cabinets, with a metal stove matching insert.
i won’t paint our old refrigerator because it won’t last long, but I would buy a new, inexpensive one to paint.
I did think about cabinet panels for a refrigerator but that is just to expensive, and not important to me.
Your idea about thin aluminum painted red is interesting. I could see that working.
ToomuchStuff
10-13-21, 10:16am
i won’t paint our old refrigerator because it won’t last long, but I would buy a new, inexpensive one to paint.
I did think about cabinet panels for a refrigerator but that is just to expensive, and not important to me.
Your idea about thin aluminum painted red is interesting. I could see that working.
If your old one can hold a magnet on it, you could use it as a template and put magnets on the back of the aluminum painted panel and transfer it.
iris lilies
10-13-21, 11:28am
Last Saturday DH asked our architect and neighbor if he could use their shower. He hadn’t showered for several days and our friend was coming to Hermann To check out progress on the house.
I have to say that’s pretty ballsy to ask your neighbor for use of their bathroom shower.
iris lilies
11-8-21, 2:44pm
I am in Hermann for a couple of days planting lilies.
DH has made himself a nice little apartment in the basement. Picture follows. He has a toilet and cold running water to a sink. There is no bathing facility however. But this is an improvement over a couple of months ago.
The corner you will see his spare stove. He’s planning on making a “canning kitchen “down the basement in addition to it being his shop..
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happystuff
11-9-21, 10:24am
Cute! But just cold running water - I can understand why he asked the neighbors to use their shower!
catherine
11-9-21, 10:38am
I am in Hermann for a couple of days planting lilies.
DH has made himself a nice little apartment in the basement. Picture follows. He has a toilet and cold running water to a sink. There is no bathing facility however. But this is an improvement over a couple of months ago.
The corner you will see his spare stove. He’s planning on making a “canning kitchen “down the basement in addition to it being his shop..
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Great pics! So glad DH is making a place there for himself and his homesteading pursuits.
One of the best unanticipated features and benefits of our little house was one of the three outbuildings, which had been outfitted with a table top and industrial lamp and 1960s era radio.
DH immediately found a home in it, especially since he smokes and I won't allow smoking in the house--so this liltle cabin is his retreat-house, sin-house, community enclave. We have fit 6 people in this little, smelly, dusty 4-8 structure, with people laughing and drinking, smoking and playing music until 4 in the morning.
Maybe that's why I get so upset with HGTV people who have to have a half a mile of kitchen island with fancy chandeliers and expensive finishes so that they can "entertain." We have proven you don't need much to have a place of your own where you can sit solo while painstakingly cutting the buds off your marijuana plant (which DH is doing as we speak), figuring out how to change a spark plug in a riding mower, or host a half a dozen neighborhood people siting on stools, stumps, or just standing.
So, think about DH's basement apartment as an entertainment space! :).
iris lilies
11-9-21, 6:06pm
Catherine, I can easily visualize a party of neighbors or family crowded together in the little shed. For some reason it’s giving me Eastern European vibes since those people live closer to the land and live simply, unlike most Americans.
I like showing DH’s apartment in the basement because it’s a bit of a shock to many people. Most people I know would not live this way. But it’s perfectly fine, we like it. And before we started ripping apart the Hermann house, it was a nice little house, it just was very old and quite quirky.
rosarugosa
11-9-21, 6:54pm
Catherine, I can easily visualize a party of neighbors or family crowded together in the little shed. For some reason it’s giving me Eastern European vibes since those people live closer to the land and live simply, unlike most Americans.
I like showing DH’s apartment in the basement because it’s a bit of a shock to many people. Most people I know would not live this way. But it’s perfectly fine, we like it. And before we started ripping apart the Hermann house, it was a nice little house, it just was very old and quite quirky.
My actual kitchen doesn't look much better than your DH's canning kitchen, although thankfully no toilet next to the kitchen sink. I'm not even kidding!
iris lilies
11-10-21, 11:09am
My actual kitchen doesn't look much better than your DH's canning kitchen, although thankfully no toilet next to the kitchen sink. I'm not even kidding!
Do you have one of those old sinks? DH drug this one in from the alley and set it up in our Hermann basement, piping water to it. It is pristine after DH cleaned it up.
I briefly contemplated using it in the renovated Hermann kitchen because that kitchen has as its decor theme “cottage.”
rosarugosa
11-10-21, 3:10pm
Do you have one of those old sinks? DH drug this one in from the alley and set it up in our Hermann basement, piping water to it. It is pristine after DH cleaned it up.
I briefly contemplated using it in the renovated Hermann kitchen because that kitchen has as its decor theme “cottage.”
We have a cool old Youngstown sink, but not quite as magnificent as your DH's, which I would certainly want in my kitchen, and nothing you would call pristine. Well, at least it isn't upside-down, lol.
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catherine
11-10-21, 3:47pm
Oh, wow, I'm so jealous of you guys with the old farmhouse sinks. When we were going to buy this house, that was the first thing I was going to do--find an old farmhouse sink and have it installed. But you know how it gets when the path of least resistance forces you to say "what I have is good enough." But I really don't like my sink because it's square stone tiles and it's really difficult to clean.
However, we've already replaced the faucet, sprayer and under-sink water filter, so why would I replace the sink now? Maybe someday.. but thanks for sharing your cool sinks!
iris lilies
11-10-21, 4:51pm
This is my second experience with one of those old sinks from the 40s, anyway I think they’re from the 40s or maybe the 20’s -30’s.
Anyway, about 1990 DH brought in one of these sinks from the alley (again, the alley!) because we were in the process of building kitchen cabinets and it was a slow process. So he set it up and I lived with that sink for a couple of years.
Man they wear like iron because I don’t remember that that one from decades ago had any stains or chips either.
iris lilies
11-10-21, 4:52pm
We have a cool old Youngstown sink, but not quite as magnificent as your DH's, which I would certainly want in my kitchen, and nothing you would call pristine. Well, at least it isn't upside-down, lol.
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yes!!! Thank you for sharing. It is charming in a little old funny house like I think you have.
rosarugosa
11-10-21, 7:22pm
Yes, "little old funny house" describes it very well!
When I was a kid, I always thought that someday I would have a grand home with a name, something like Carcassonne in Marblehead:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g41660-d7021048-i439309475-Castle_Rock-Marblehead_Massachusetts.html.
To say that my actual home is not anything like that would be the grossest of understatements, but I have been very happy here and I love out little cottage. In 2007, we vacationed at the Inn by the Sea in southern Maine, and it is a pretty spectacular place. When we came home, DH said "I really like the Inn by the Sea, but I like the Cottage by the River just as much." And just like that, our house had a name, and we continue to call it the Cottage by the River to this day. :)
iris lilies
11-10-21, 9:00pm
Yes, "little old funny house" describes it very well!
When I was a kid, I always thought that someday I would have a grand home with a name, something like Carcassonne in Marblehead:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g41660-d7021048-i439309475-Castle_Rock-Marblehead_Massachusetts.html.
To say that my actual home is not anything like that would be the grossest of understatements, but I have been very happy here and I love out little cottage. In 2007, we vacationed at the Inn by the Sea in southern Maine, and it is a pretty spectacular place. When we came home, DH said "I really like the Inn by the Sea, but I like the Cottage by the River just as much." And just like that, our house had a name, and we continue to call it the Cottage by the River to this day. :)
awww, that is a nice name for your house.
I think I'll call my next place "Chez Goodbye." :~)
I know a couple who live in a development called "Fairway Village." They call it "Farewell Village," as it's a retirement community, and well...
rosarugosa
11-11-21, 7:33am
I think I'll call my next place "Chez Goodbye." :~)
I know a couple who live in a development called "Fairway Village." They call it "Farewell Village," as it's a retirement community, and well...
I love it!
We were thinking of going with Screaming Loon Farm if we stay here--the first winter, I thought they were wolves, they were much louder than these, but you get the idea:
https://www.google.com/search?q=loons+are+exremely+noisy&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS874US874&oq=loons+are+exremely+noisy&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i333.5184j1j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#kpvalbx=_YyeNYfDLLs3L_Qbvjp7oCA41
catherine
11-11-21, 10:37am
Haha! DH has suggested "Shanghai Shack" for our place because he always kids that I "shanghaied" him up here to "this shack." At least I hope he's kidding!
Tybee-I like Screaming Loon Farm!
happystuff
11-11-21, 10:56am
I never thought about a name for this house. Usually it is referred to as "The Money Pit". LOL.
JaneV2.0
11-11-21, 12:34pm
Your loons might be crazy-making, but they'd be better than yard tools...
Just translate "the money pit" to another language--instant posh!
happystuff
11-11-21, 1:07pm
Just translate "the money pit" to another language--instant posh!
I love it! Welcome to "Poll Airgid" - Gaelic.
Teacher Terry
11-11-21, 1:54pm
I call wherever I live the Maltese Mansion and I am the Mistress:)). It started at 2k sq feet house and now is a 855 sq ft condo.
iris lilies
11-11-21, 2:02pm
I call wherever I live the Maltese Mansion and I am the Mistress:)). It started at 2k sq feet house and now is a 855 sq ft condo.
I saw a meme yesterday that would fit you:
”I once was a respected leader in my field, but now I am just a tiny dog’s snack bitch.”
The small ones can be such tyrants!
rosarugosa
11-11-21, 4:46pm
I love the sound of loons, Tybee. I haven't heard them in person for many years.
Catherine, I think the shack sounds like a fun place to hang out!
Bit of useless trivia: there is a brand of wine called Smoking Loon. :)
I think ours might be smoking. They are so loud. I may try to record them for you all so you can hear them!
Love the sound of loons especially early on a foggy morning.
iris lilies
12-2-21, 10:39am
You want to see $10,000 worth of oak flooring? Here it is. This, and another bundle off to the side of the photo.
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The new flooring sits in the living room which has a very nice old oak floor existing that we will keep. This new oak flooring goes in the rest of the house except for one small bedroom where we’re keeping the original pine floor because it’s quaint.
happystuff
12-2-21, 10:58am
You want to see $10,000 worth of oak flooring? Here it is. This, and another bundle off to the side of the photo.
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The new flooring sits in the living room which has a very nice old oak floor existing that we will keep. This old flooring goes in the rest of the house except for one small bedroom where we’re keeping the original pine floor because it’s quaint.
All I can say is "Wow!".
I like that there's an entryway, and I love the arched doorway. The finished house will be lovely.
happystuff
12-2-21, 11:17am
I love the fireplace. Always wished I had a working one.
Plans to convert the fireplace to a woodburning insert? I did it with mine and can heat much of the house with it if needed and if I have the firewood.
Lumber is pricey especially these past 20 months.
Teacher Terry
12-2-21, 2:42pm
I really like the house too!!
iris lilies
12-2-21, 5:42pm
Plans to convert the fireplace to a woodburning insert? I did it with mine and can heat much of the house with it if needed and if I have the firewood.
Nope, because it was a wood-burning fireplace when we converted it to gas two years ago. I have a wood-burning fireplace in my city house and it’s nice but more trouble than I want in my old age. Supposedly the chimney does not draw very well anyway at least this is what we were told by the sellers of the house. I told them it doesn’t matter because we’re converting it to gas.
I'm assuming those arches are original? I love them!
And the flooring is going to be worth every penny. So exciting to see the house coming along.
iris lilies
12-2-21, 7:59pm
I'm assuming those arches are original? I love them!
And the flooring is going to be worth every penny. So exciting to see the house coming along.
Yes, the curved arches are original. Arches seem to be a thing for early 40s because I’ve seen other houses of that era with them. The builders of our house tried to be trendy and sometimes I see what they were reaching for but didn’t quite make it. In this case the arches are nice and I like them.
Nope, because it was a wood-burning fireplace when we converted it to gas two years ago. I have a wood-burning fireplace in my city house and it’s nice but more trouble than I want in my old age.
A decent choice. I might have gone with gas if I were starting over again, but it was expensive at the time. I have to buy firewood, so the energy savings is pretty much a wash with firewood cost, but it does give a warm feeling to the house.
A decent choice. I might have gone with gas if I were starting over again, but it was expensive at the time. I have to buy firewood, so the energy savings is pretty much a wash with firewood cost, but it does give a warm feeling to the house.
I don't like gas, and I avoid it when I can, but I wouldn't mind a well-designed electric insert.
I have a Big Chill fridge that we bought in 2003. I think at the time they were only $2000. It is actually a Whirlpool refrigerator on the inside. We have repaired it ourselves a few times to keep it working!
I would love to hear your experience on the Big Chill range. We are considering one to replace our vintage stove that has some safety issues.
iris lilies
12-13-21, 10:50am
I have a Big Chill fridge that we bought in 2003. I think at the time they were only $2000. It is actually a Whirlpool refrigerator on the inside. We have repaired it ourselves a few times to keep it working!
I would love to hear your experience on the Big Chill range. We are considering one to replace our vintage stove that has some safety issues.
Interesting! We wont install this stove until next spring, so stay tuned. Our kitchen cabinets are expected to arrive in February.
iris lilies
12-19-21, 12:53pm
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Here is an old kitchen. I am striving for a contemporary version of this in our Hermann house. We ordered light green cabinets and a red retro style stove, and small countertop appliances will be red.
Probably countertop material will be a quiet black granite, “ quiet” meaning small pattern.
Tile backsplash will be green.
Floor is oak.
Teacher Terry
12-19-21, 2:44pm
That’s cute! My countertop is black granite with silver and white sparkles. My can opener and toaster are red. I have some red accents. The only red microwave that I could find was cheap looking so went with black and stainless.
IL, that is a really pretty colour combo. It perks things up beautifully. Would that be finished with an enamel paint on wood?
iris lilies
12-19-21, 7:53pm
IL, that is a really pretty colour combo. It perks things up beautifully. Would that be finished with an enamel paint on wood?
Lowe’s is making the cabinets. They are a big box store. It is a factory paint job and I don’t know if they use enamel paint.
iris lilies
3-7-22, 11:32pm
Sad…4241
too light. Entirely my fault. The workmanship is fine. Materials great.
In real life the floors are lighter than what appears in this photograph. Isn’t what I wanted, I wanted a darker floor
ToomuchStuff
3-8-22, 12:53am
Is that angled floor section, where a wall was removed?
iris lilies
3-8-22, 10:34am
Is that angled floor section, where a wall was removed?
no,the angle piece of wood are ornamental. A pretty floor ruined by iris. Sigh.
You did not ruin it. In the immortal words of William Maxwell, my favorite Midwestern author, "Time will darken it."
happystuff
3-8-22, 11:23am
Sorry you don't like it, IL, but I think it is very pretty!
Edited to add: If it doesn't grow on you, throw down some rugs you like!
iris lilies
3-8-22, 11:26am
You did not ruin it. In the immortal words of William Maxwell, my favorite Midwestern author, "Time will darken it."
Yeah, dH said it will start to darken in 3 to 4 years but by the time it gets its 80-year-old patina back I will be long dead.
The only thing that’s positive is that it is quality material that I hope will service this house well for many years, years beyond me.
Well, the patina is going to take 80 years no matter what color it is. I think it's a very rich color. If it were darker, maybe the beautiful grain wouldn't be as apparent. Does it impact your vision for the color palette of the room?
iris lilies
3-8-22, 12:45pm
Well, the patina is going to take 80 years no matter what color it is. I think it's a very rich color. If it were darker, maybe the beautiful grain wouldn't be as apparent. Does it impact your vision for the color palette of the room?
Yes in a major way. That’s why I’m reeling. I’m now considering buying pine furniture and I have never ever in my life considered pine furniture. I was going to do this house in English country style, and to me that means dark wood floors or at least medium colored floors.
I’m having to rethink everything. I already have two walnut pieces of furniture that I love and I will not give up, so a little bit of dark furniture is going here no matter what.
it took me a week to calm down over these floors ( I know, First World problems!) and then I needed a guiding hand, so I read up a little bit on the Internet and got this wisdom:
Mixing wood tones in your house means that you should choose a dominant wood tone. If you have wood floors your job is already done. It doesn’t mean that everything has to be that same tone, it just means that you have to remember it and let it dominate.
So I will have furniture that is in the light wood colored range, 3/4 of it that way. I may have a medium colored piece or two, and then a couple of dark pieces.
Teacher Terry
3-8-22, 12:52pm
In my first house that we laid pergo I picked a very light floor and after we installed it thought I made a huge mistake because my bedroom furniture and living room was dark oak and fairly new. It actually looked really good to have the contrast.
Yeah, I agree with Terry. I think different woods can contrast nicely, and from what I understand it depends on the undertones of the wood. So if you have a light color floor and a dark mahogany, they should both have the same undertones (i.e. warm v cool).
Scroll down in this article and they have a little cheat sheet
https://www.chrislovesjulia.com/how-to-mix-wood-tones-like-a-pro/
I have pine floors and I still have my greataunt's mahogany Governor Winthrop desk and I think it goes fine (although I was a little worried at first).
ToomuchStuff
3-8-22, 2:26pm
How was the floor finished?
Wondering if the clear coat could be removed (like they do with furniture that has been through a fire), with something like denatured alcohol, and then a darker stain applied?
iris lilies
3-8-22, 5:26pm
How was the floor finished?
Wondering if the clear coat could be removed (like they do with furniture that has been through a fire), with something like denatured alcohol, and then a darker stain applied?
Two coats of poly something.
Sure, it could be refinished. it would have to be sanded off and stained then re-polyed. It would cost a few thousand dollars and my marriage.
iris lilies
3-8-22, 5:34pm
And yet another thing that is pretty awful in Hermann. I range from thinking it is just sad to thinking it is hideous.
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I’m talking here about the big concrete block wall. We hired a landscaping company to get rid of the big little hill. Instead they made a hill that is even bigger. They actually brought in dirt!
I had envisioned some thing that was at two levels. Well this is not that. At least I have no responsibility for this design, this was entirely managed by DH. He’s not happy with it either but it is what it is. It’s very suburban. The whole back of our house looks very suburban now. Blech.
iris lilies
3-8-22, 5:42pm
I’m trying to be philosophical about these last big projects on our Hermann house. I tell DH that you can’t do a project of the size and not have a thing or two go bad. We’ve been super happy with our contractor throughout the entire thing. He is 98% done now, he just has to come back to hang doors and install smoke detectors. We are happy with all of his subcontractors. DH himself found our neighbor to lay the floor who did a great job, and the neighbor’s buddy did the finishing job, a good one despite my poor choice of “no stain.”
All the big construction is done now and DH will do the finish work. He’s installing interior window framing right now. Then he will move onto window and door woodwork and baseboards. Fortunately we have already wrangled about what the woodwork will look like, and it was surprisingly devoid of marital disharmony. (!) We are pretty much replicating what was in the house in 1941. And it is very very simple.
He will have to take a couple weeks out to install kitchen cabinets which is coming up very soon. The kitchen cabinets were delivered last week but they’re sitting in our garage in boxes because DH wanted to get a coat of primer on the kitchen walls before anything went up in the kitchen.
ToomuchStuff
3-8-22, 5:47pm
Two coats of poly something.
Sure, it could be refinished. it would have to be sanded off and stained then re-polyed. It would cost a few thousand dollars and my marriage.
Sanding is a big job. Ask the installer about things like a tinted poly, or chemical removal.
iris lilies
3-8-22, 6:01pm
Sanding is a big job. Ask the installer about things like a tinted poly, or chemical removal.
Tinted poly, now that would be a Possible solution, especially since we have not started moving furniture in. It’s just that we waited three weeks since the top coat was put on just to make sure that it was fully cured. I am going to talk to DH about that tonight though to see what he thinks. In every room but the kitchen, it really would not be a big deal to wait another month to start moving in furniture.
Thanks for the idea.
Tinted poly, now that would be a Possible solution, especially since we have not started moving furniture in. It’s just that we waited three weeks since the top coat was put on just to make sure that it was fully cured. I am going to talk to DH about that tonight though to see what he thinks. In every room but the kitchen, it really would not be a big deal to wait another month to start moving in furniture.
Thanks for the idea.
That is a super idea--tinted poly for a third coat.
With the wall, why not plant fruit trees in front of it, to give the impression of a walled garden?
iris lilies
3-8-22, 6:24pm
That is a super idea--tinted poly for a third coat.
With the wall, why not plant fruit trees in front of it, to give the impression of a walled garden?
It would be a fun place to put espaliered fruit or grape vines, something viney attached to it. I had not thought about that. I just assumed that we would be putting up arborvitae and junipers at its base to —not camouflage exactly— but to soften it.
Yours is an interesting idea.
Arborvitae or junipers??? Aughhhh!
Maybe a few turrets or some graffiti would be more interesting.
I like the idea of espaliered fruit trees.
iris lilies
3-8-22, 7:38pm
Arborvitae or junipers??? Aughhhh!
Maybe a few turrets or some graffiti would be more interesting.
I like the idea of espaliered fruit trees.
I actually am fond of arborvita, but Junipers become ungainly pretty fast unless you buy one of the Dwarf kinds. But see the problem with espaliered trees that somebody has to take care of them, and we have to wait many years for them to get to a point where they would actually be interesting.
It doesn't get much more suburban than arborvitae and juniper. Just saying.
And yet another thing that is pretty awful in Hermann. I range from thinking it is just sad to thinking it is hideous.
I had envisioned some thing that was at two levels. Well this is not that. At least I have no responsibility for this design, this was entirely managed by DH. He’s not happy with it either but it is what it is. It’s very suburban. The whole back of our house looks very suburban now. Blech.
What else did you envision? If not suburban, what were you hoping for?
iris lilies
3-8-22, 8:30pm
What else did you envision? If not suburban, what were you hoping for?
Oh, I didn’t think the cheap-ass cement landscaping blocks would make such a massive wall. I expected it to be shorter, and tapered.
DH asked if we should use limestone, but that would have been a ridiculous amount of money. This is supposed to be a fairly modest house.
My MIL had a "roundel" (pronounced "roondel" in her Scottish accent) in her back yard. It also was a cement wall--a half-round section of the back yard that was about 3 feet higher than the regular back yard. There was a small tree in the center, and she bordered the circumference with flowers. It was really pretty, even if it was suburbanish.
How about trailing vines? It might make the yard look a little more Tuscan than suburban.
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iris lilies
3-8-22, 9:38pm
My MIL had a "roundel" (pronounced "roondel" in her Scottish accent) in her back yard. It also was a cement wall--a half-round section of the back yard that was about 3 feet higher than the regular back yard. There was a small tree in the center, and she bordered the circumference with flowers. It was really pretty, even if it was suburbanish.
How about trailing vines? It might make the yard look a little more Tuscan than suburban.
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that is pretty. A trailing plant on top, hanging down, would break up the massive-ness.
Teacher Terry
3-9-22, 12:00am
We had a short cement wall around the patio. We went to Home Depot and bought brick that was made to be cemented on and it came in sections. It looked really nice.
iris lilies
3-16-22, 9:02am
Here are some kitchen cabinets set up in their proper place. You can see they are a light green. This is a U-shaped kitchen, and comes out a little bigger than I thought.
I am getting used to the floors. I keep telling myself the material is lovely and the workmanship excellent. Those are the things that really matter.
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iris lilies
3-16-22, 9:14am
How was the floor finished?
Wondering if the clear coat could be removed (like they do with furniture that has been through a fire), with something like denatured alcohol, and then a darker stain applied?
I seriously mulled over changing the finish of the floor, but decided with our time constraints we’re just gonna leave it the way it is. There’s probably a solution that would make it a little bit darker without major change, but I just want to be done with it. Thank you for the suggestion though.
iris lilies
3-16-22, 9:25am
Here is an example of why I sometimes wonder where DH stores his brain. I want to iterate that he is totally brilliant in fixing and building stuff. But his design aesthetic is —problematic.
This Hermann house is charming to me because it is on Stone Hill Highway, it Is a few houses down from the Victorian winery called Stone Hill winery. Lime stone is a feature of Hermann. My house has a charming setting where you walk down three steps into a stone covered area with stone half-walls.
Get the idea here? Stone is the theme.
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it 500 times in DH’s hearing: I love the front view of this house. It’s charming and cottagey and I don’t want mess with it. I don’t want it modernized or made slick.
So yesterday we both went to Hermann for the day to make decisions about finishes.
DH outlined his plans for the front of this house. He’s going to pull up all the stone and make red brick patios and red brick walkways. Yes red brick.
So, yeah. Not happening. Hard no.
iris lilies
3-16-22, 9:57am
As an amusing aside, our Hermann house needs a final inspection from the building department.
Guess who will be doing the final inspection? The man who did the work on this house. Haha. Our contractor’s employee left his employment to go to work for the city of Hermann as building inspector.
This is small town business at its finest.
catherine
3-16-22, 10:06am
Haha! IL, I hear you. DH is the same. I usually lead the horse halfway to water and then he sees a salt lick and runs pell-mell towards it, thinking it's water.
Just this morning I had that happen to me. The center section of our house is quite dark, and lacks cohesion. I have been trying to pull it all together. There is one bright yellow wall in this center section that the natural light from the "front room" can barely get to, so I want to keep that as bright and cheery as as possible. In this carved up small space on that same yellow wall there are the two bedroom doors. Cheap doors--cheapest contractor grade you can get. I'm not planning on replacing them yet, but I am going to paint them and buy nice vintage knobs. Now if that yellow wall were something closer to a neutral, I would paint the whole kit and caboodle--walls, doors, moldings the same color to minimize all the visual clutter.
But it's yellow. Yellow is a little different. So I will probably go with a soft, warm grey or a bright white for the doors. But I was still contemplating the idea of yellow--repainting the walls a more mellow yellow-- and painting the doors that same color--so I asked DH, "So, you do you think we should paint the doors the same color as the walls?" He apparently didn't hear the last part, because he said. "Yes. I think we should paint the doors periwinkle blue."
No. The blue and the yellow would compete horribly and break up that space visually even MORE. Plus a cool blue would make the room even darker and cooler. So I said, "No, definitely NOT blue." And then he said, "See. That's what you always do. You ask my opinion and then you shoot it down." He hadn't realized that he didn't really listen to what I was asking.
((sigh)).
iris lilies
3-16-22, 10:34am
Yep Catherine that’s how it works. It is a wonder we get anything done with our spouses.
I have Art that needs hung at our condo and I am not looking forward to those interactions.
Catherine, if I were you, I'd go with a creamy white on the walls and a periwinkle door. I love periwinkle doors, however, so ymmv.
IL, the green cabinets are terrific!
iris lilies
3-16-22, 11:23am
Catherine, if I were you, I'd go with a creamy white on the walls and a periwinkle door. I love periwinkle doors, however, so ymmv.
IL, the green cabinets are terrific!
hmmmmm, periwinkle door. File that away for later consideration. Me likeee periwinkle muchly.
hmmmmm, periwinkle door. File that away for later consideration. Me likeee periwinkle muchly.
me too--like this blue and white combo, although I know it is fancier than Catherine's doors. speaking of which, why not sub in antique doors painted? We did that in one house and what an improvement over those hollow core doors:
https://imagesvc.meredithcorp.io/v3/mm/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.onecms.io%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F37%2F2020%2F03%2Fpotti ng-shed-blue-doorway-boxwood-lining-path-5ea0e2f7.jpg
catherine
3-16-22, 11:38am
Wow, that front door is beautiful! We do have buying vintage doors at our local Habitat for Humanity store eventually, but we have other projects we want to get to first.
As for the color--keep in mind that on the adjacent wall I'm wallpapering with this: https://www.birchlane.com/wall-decor-mirrors/pdp/schumacher-marigold-30-l-x-275-w-wallpaper-roll-tcbj3934.html
So it has to go with it--and the little bit of blue on the leaves is more on the grey side, so I think periwinkle is out of the question. But thanks for the suggestion.. it is really pretty.
Cute yellow marigold wallpaper with white background should add a very cheerful atmosphere. Soft white doors should pull it all together.
Cute yellow marigold wallpaper with white background should add a very cheerful atmosphere. Soft white doors should pull it all together.
That's my thinking, too. Yes, I gravitated toward that large, cheery print wallpaper after living here this winter with some dreary days and two weeks of sub-zero temperatures. I thought I would decorate with the winter in mind--to cheer myself up during those long months. I really love that wallpaper, and I also like the decorating style in the inset on that link. It's the look I'm going for here.
That's lovely wallpaper Catherine. I decided to paint my hallways a pale yellow for similar reasons: the existing beige with a peachy undertone just looks dreary on cloudy days. This yellow is just so pretty. Looks good when its sunny and when its raining.
iris lilies
3-16-22, 5:31pm
Wow, that front door is beautiful! We do have buying vintage doors at our local Habitat for Humanity store eventually, but we have other projects we want to get to first.
As for the color--keep in mind that on the adjacent wall I'm wallpapering with this: https://www.birchlane.com/wall-decor-mirrors/pdp/schumacher-marigold-30-l-x-275-w-wallpaper-roll-tcbj3934.html
So it has to go with it--and the little bit of blue on the leaves is more on the grey side, so I think periwinkle is out of the question. But thanks for the suggestion.. it is really pretty.
That wallpaper is absolutely adorable! It’s whimsical and modern.
I just pinned the pink version for consideration for my attic bedroom in Herman. I keep visualizing it with at least some wallpaper, if not all walls wallpapered. Thanks!
rosarugosa
3-16-22, 6:09pm
Catherine: I'm not a big fan of wallpaper, but I really like that one!
rosarugosa
3-17-22, 5:24pm
Funny, but now that wallpaper is all over my FB newsfeed, but the pink version that IL favors.
Funny, but now that wallpaper is all over my FB newsfeed, but the pink version that IL favors.
Oh, shoot, sorry, rosa!!
Teacher Terry
3-17-22, 6:44pm
I love wallpaper but haven’t done it in a long time. You need someone really good to hang it in order to look nice. I now use accent walls. I love the wallpaper Catherine.
I love wallpaper but haven’t done it in a long time. You need someone really good to hang it in order to look nice. I now use accent walls. I love the wallpaper Catherine.
Hanging wallpaper is in DH's DNA--his mother and grandmother wallpapered the house silly with all kinds of wallpaper. Mostly flocked because they lived in an old house with plaster walls. Of course, they made DH help, so he's had good training, and I'm not bad myself. This will be a piece of cake because we are not wallpapering a large area.
happystuff
3-17-22, 7:35pm
For me, I've removed too much wall paper to ever want to hang any more. However, I do like the idea of wall murals.
All that said, I definitely do NOT have a "decorating" gene. :~)
rosarugosa
3-18-22, 5:45am
Oh, shoot, sorry, rosa!!
Oh that wasn't a complaint, just an observation. It's pretty enough that I don't mind seeing it. :)
iris lilies
3-18-22, 11:42am
For me, I've removed too much wall paper to ever want to hang any more. However, I do like the idea of wall murals.
All that said, I definitely do NOT have a "decorating" gene. :~)
I know, I’m so hesitant in adding wallpaper because it’s so hard to get off. But they do have the new peel and stick types so I might consider that type. Even landlords, at least some landlords,’s claim they don’t mind peel and stick wallpaper on their rental properties.
It is the combo of wallpaper and the latest versions of wallboards which make removal difficult, very very difficult. Did I say difficult enough times?
iris lilies
3-18-22, 12:31pm
It is the combo of wallpaper and the latest versions of wallboards which make removal difficult, very very difficult. Did I say difficult enough times?
Oy, is that it?
i dunno, I remember my parents trying mightily to get wall paper off their plaster walls in the big house. Tons of wallpaper. They tried several methods and then, I believe, the end process that was most successful was to burn it off.
And they they turned around and—-put up wall paper! Haha. In the double parlor, a gorgeous room, they put up red flocked wallpaper, kinda reminiscent of Miss Kitty’s whorehouse.they made some bold decorating choices.
one time my dad painted a bathroom black and stenciled gold stars everywhere on walls. That was Out There. But we kids thought it was great.
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