Honest Day's Profile

I so agree with Godisinthedetails: hire a good real estate agent. They really should do the work. I'm an architect and I know what sort of fee we get for a house - a we're the one's who designed the damned thing, wrote the specs, did the drawings, supervised the construction and continue to bear the liability. If I'm going to pay 6% (indirectly) when I buy a house, and another 6% (directly) when I sell it, I want an agent who works for that fee. Far too much of the cost of home ownership supports agents who are not really professionals but part-times. I realize their commissions are split in various ways, but then my fee supports many staff, too. At any rate, I'm venting, when I should simply say "Indeed get an agent, but make certain that agent earns her/his commission." Having an agent blithely tell you that a kitchen and bath remodeling, a landscape makeover, and a full-blown staging will help is basically saying, "I'm not really good at this so shell out lots of money and make it easier for me." HGTV, et al., seem to be missing the point that your house your home - where you live - and not just a commodity that can be tweaked and accessorized with real estate cosmetics. When I buy a house do I really think the food is going to be better if prepared under the aegis of stainless steel appliances?

I was braced to be disappointed (the original dining area seemed just fine), but when I saw the "after" photo I was delighted. Very nice.

While I like all of the above comments, and I like williamsweyr's best, I have to say I've always wondered why people rarely project images onto their white walls? I'm not suggest power point ad nauseam but instead fantastic architectural exteriors, interiors and gardens that you've admired? At this point in time we all have overflowing photo archives of images that have spoken to us in some illuminating manner.

Pearmelon may have hit the nail with the question asking whether or not this inability to behave as a guest is an American thing. Our sense, and we have experienced the full spectrum of guests' behavior, is that poor manners are, in a sense, taught by poor parents: children who have been waited on hand-and-foot tend to grow up expecting the same thing from their hosts. But the total self-absorption does seem to be overabundant in the US. When guests use our second home (we allow family to use it when we're absent) the rules are strict (sheets and towels cleaned and replaced, dishes done, vacuuming, etc, and everything returned to its place). When family and friends announce that they'll be in New York, our response is always, "Great! Call us when you get settled in your hotel. We'll make plans for dinner." Humanity is a glorious ideal, but the reality can be ghastly. Yes, we're misanthropic and curmudgeonly - but we've kept our sanity.

I have no idea what the Conran credenza costs, but something similar albeit a bit less sophisticated but with the same faceted white front, is CB2's Alba Credenza. In terms of its articulated structure, the Alba is more architectural, and I'd guess a good deal less expensive.

Every once in a while, AT needs a thoughtful, reflective essay such as this.
We've been bombarded with posts that make us want more, and suddenly we're given the gift of a gentle post that offers what ever post should provide: genuine perspective.
Thank you for setting everything aright Carolyn Purnell.

A correction to my query above: "swing-arm" not wing-arm, although I suppose it's possible...

You've succeeded brilliantly in transforming a builder's grade tract house into a very appealing home. I could comment on lots of things that struck me as intelligent or charming, but the one thing that really hit me (and for which I applaud madly) was the kitchen. Hallelujah!: what a relief to see white appliances so well-intergrated and be spared the tyranny of stainless steel! Bravo!

I think there's way too much pressure on the average home dweller, while contemplating and executing a kitchen renovation, to bow to prevailing trends when it would require an utterly unnecessary expense. That is to say, cost or affordability, are valid determinants. But then, so too is getting what one really wants - I'm just questioning why a vast majority of people are demanding granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. I doubt they've given it much thought and are instead parroting what they've heard and seen for less than real or personal reasons. Back to your question - the ideal countertop: one that's clean and uncluttered. And anyone can afford it!

Carrying, not caring.