dvilim's Profile

Great idea! Thanks to Sierra Charlie and Rural and rueful for your helpful comments, as well as all the comments regarding rubber mulch.

I just had to add these awesome planters from Chiasso here and here and here.
The smaller ones are $18 and the larger are $28. I have one of each and they are very well made and sturdy at a phenominal price.

This made my day! Thanks for sharing this story.

Another place for great mid-century finds here in Dallas is Mid2Mod...

www.mid2mod.com

They also have an Etsy store...

http://www.etsy.com/shop/mid2mod?ref=em

Fantastic home (minus the roadrunner trap)! I would love to see a full-blown house tour showcasing the rest of the home.

Another full tour vote.

As one or two other commentors have eluded to, most of these "trends" are based on the biggest, current "trend"...effeciency. I use quotations because I am not so sure these predictions are based on trendiness as much as they are on perceived necessity and environmental awareness. I do not agree that smaller homes and multifunctional spaces will be, in and of themselves, hip and cool or even wanted by most people in the future, but they are, and will continue to, thrive in societies, like the US, who are driven to reduce the wasting of resources and money. I absolutely agree with Stafferty that human nature drives us to want more for less and in 2020 many will still be residing in 1500+ sqf homes even if many of the newer homes are built smaller in the future.

I also think the biggest driver for fewer walls and multifunction rooms is the need to feel and be closer to our loved ones in this post-9/11, economically depressed world in which we live. Recylcing and reusing is the wave of the future and trends will continue to be green, which will also continue to result in each of us making the best use of our spaces and furnishings.

I've been stuck doing nothing for a year and a half now! I'm like the commentor above....I can't even stand to be in my house anymore. I can't make a decision about anything! And when you're renovating a house (installing new floors, architectural updates, etc.), you can't just do it over...it costs several hundred to thousands of dollars to do it in the first place. The bigger, more expensive the project, the more paralyzing it becomes!
I've just decided to spend about $500 and hire an interior designer....small price to pay for getting my life back!!

I would recommend:
Keep the current brick IF you are able to find more of the same. The bricks extended past the width of the above-hearth surround looks a bit odd and out of proportion to me. Take those last 3 rows on both ends that are below the hearth and install them on the wall above the fireplace (you would need to add a few bricks) so that you have a floor-ceiling fireplace surround that is 6 brick rows wide. Carefully remove the slate hearth and cut it down to the same width as the brick rows (6 wide) and replace the shortened hearth at the same height it is now. Then install floor to ceiling drywall on the outer wall portions. If you are unable to remove, cut and replace the slate hearth, you could leave it as is, but I would definitely remove the last 3 rows of bricks on the ends below it if you decide to keep the brick. If not, I would still install the Sansui in a similar fashion to keep things in proportion even you decide to scrap the hearth altogether. Hope all that makes sense.
Good luck!! You've got a great space to work with!

Fortunately for my Dallas suburban yard (at least a small portion of it) I planted all succulents and cacti in my garden last and earlier this year. Two or three of them are not digging this hell-ish weather, but the rest are doing just fine. As for the rest of the lawn...brown bermuda grass with a few patches of green (weeds). No water here and I think I just saw Lucifer running down the street... Okay, maybe that's in poor taste, but I'm kinda too hot to care!