cur1ous1's Profile

One other item. We cloth diaper. I wish I had skipped the pocket diapers. Prefolds and thirsties wraps are awesome and can take take a lot of abuse. Not one leak. Ever. Our fuzzibunz have to be handled very carefully and just makes laundry complicated.

Awesome way to create storage space! Even if one didn't want to cover the head board and foot board, the curtain would look great running the entire length behind the bed.

Color, Color, Color! I would paint the cabinets either a dark gray if you want neutral, or an glossy eye grabbing 'apple green' or whatever your fancy. Pair that with sleek hardware and you a function beauty. Right now, it's a pretty nice built in but lacks personality.

Holy beige!!!! Perhaps a "pair" of those small chairs would have more presence plus a rectangular pillow for a pop of color.

Okay, okay - still more questions...

Did the original vinyl have 'relief' to it? In other words, was the faux grout line, depressed to give the vinyl texture? If it was, it is visible now that you've painted or did the paint fill the recess?

I think the key to all of these suggestions - most of them anyway - is that a dark color would work well. Maybe a grey a couple of steps darker than your tile counter. Many people are afraid that a dark color makes a space feel smaller. The truth is that dark colors, particularly blues, grays, cooler colorts - RECEDE in a room, potentially making it feel less closed in.... with the added benefit of not being too feminine.

Please don't block your window! As a designer that's just weird, unless you plan on replacing it with a higher window and extending the existing finish to cover the whole. You will have all manner of undesirable stuff build up over time in a location that's difficult to clean. I disagree with leilynne. It looks too tight for an island... after all, how would you open the stove?

It's a little hard because I don't know what exists beyond the fridge and stove (as pictured). I suggest: [1] Leave your fridge where it is but turn it 90 degrees so that it opens toward your window. Build a small wall behind it 24"-30" wide, just enough to screen the back of your fridge from whatever is there - don't forget the outlet. [2] To the right of the existing stove, extend a new counter to align with your new 'screen' wall behind the fridge. With this tiny bit of additonal counter you could have a small bar to sit at - OR - if you [3] swapped your sink and your stove, you could add a dishwasher under your additional counter. (Sinks need to be next to dishwashers.) Either way, more prep surface. [4]Depending on what's behind the wall where the current stove (new sink) resides, you could either extent the wall or frame an opening in to open up the space or both. [5] Since added a small length of counter space and potentially an upper cabinet above it, think about adding a full height pantry

Architects come in all shapes, sizes and prices. They do a little or as much as you like. I agree with the posts that give all the good reasons why one would be useful. There are two things I would add - an architect's job is to manage the entire process (if hired to do so) that includes monitoring construction. See post #2, an owner won't have to lose sleep over nails or screws - that's the architect's job. The second is that many many architects are hungry for work right now. I am sure you can find one that fits your budget.

If want to be a decorator - building your network is fine. If you want to be a designer, get a degree and build a portfolio. A resume might get you in the door... if you've designed it well. But the only that's going to get you a job, is a portfolio. I don't know what the unemployment rate is for interior people, but architects are about 22%.

Hardi-board of any type: shingles, panels, planks, even soffit pieces turned horizontally. You can be creative but the success depends on the contractor. The stuff is also high in recycled content. Before you put on new siding, check the waterproof sheathing underneath your siding. After 50 years, it could need a re-wrap. As for the roof, best low cost option is 20 year, energy star shingles. Don't let them do it without increasing the R-value of the roofing insulation. Dreams of standing seam metal dance in my head!