If you’re looking for a seriously modern punch for your custom home, think about adding a vessel sink or two. What is a vessel sink? It’s a free-standing sink that that is placed directly on top of a counter. They are most often used in bathrooms. Vessel sinks come in a wide variety of materials: [...]
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Our tile installer, as I’ve told you before, was fabulous to work with. We used lots of tile in the house, even though we have all cement flooring. We used tile for showers, tub surrounds, and back splashes. I’ve told you how much I love the glass tile in our kitchen. I found variegated subway [...]
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For the past few months we’ve been cleaning out dad’s home to prepare for the sale. Trust me, when someone has lived in a home for 43 years, it’s got some serious stuff in storage. This week, I gave in and called in the second dumpster delivery. (And my parents were neat freaks! I really [...]
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This post is far too late — as are a number of other posts reporting on the final steps of the build of our home. Our months-late move in was preceded by our daughter’s engagement — both of which left us with too much to do and too little time. To top it off I [...]
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The counter and tub surround selection took a very circuitous path. I love the look of tile and had a lot in our first build in Boca Raton, but I really (really) hate grout. So we went with concrete floors and priced out anything-but-tile surfaces. It wasn’t until we began working with granite and solid [...]
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Choosing cabinets was, I think, the most difficult single decision on the entire house. It was grueling. Not just for me, but probably for the cabinet makers as well. With budget overruns in engineering, footings, lumber, electrical, and plumbing (oh, yes, you’ll hear about all that later), cabinets (unfortunately!) was one of the few places [...]
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Our jetted tub was delivered today. Given that it snowed — SNOWED — all morning, the idea of watching a movie while soaking in a steaming hot tub of swirling water didn’t sound half bad. Last week I did some online research into various jetted tubs and then dropped by a local jetted tub manufacturer. [...]
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Back in the day when the Farrah Fawcett hairdo was the only hair worth doing, it was imperative to have an unimpeded view of the entire back of head. If you can’t see the back of your head, how can you be perfectly coifed? I grew up in a home that was built in 1968. [...]
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Note: The cabinet drawings have been updated. The kitchen has been modified and the master bath vanity drawing is now complete. 5/5/10 Just a quick heads up to all you carpenters and cabinet makers! We are going to be getting bids on all the cabinets and built-ins in our new home. We are looking for [...]
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Yesterday the crew was out in force (love to see that!) framing up the interior walls in the basement. Seeing each room take shape makes it easier to visualize how everything fits in — and the kids can walk around in their own rooms for the first time. The walkout basement will include a large [...]
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Our first dream home featured Delta faucets in all the bathrooms. After living there for five years, we did not have a single problem with any of them. We were very pleased with the quality and so they are certainly top-contenders for the bathroom fixtures in our new home. I already purchased the perfect kitchen [...]
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Don’t get technical with me. I’m no tradesman. But I can tell you that the plumber came and ran a whole slew of black pipes all over the ground. They are poking up everywhere. All kinds, for toilets, sinks, showers, floor drains, utilities, appliances. I can’t remember the last time I got this excited about [...]
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After writing about some really cool features for your custom home a few weeks ago, I was reminded that knowing what to avoid is a big part of getting the home you really want. And the truth is, sometimes home designers/builders don’t seem to actually live in homes. Too often they create features that aren’t [...]
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Now isn’t this a romantic post? Let’s talk toilets! In 2001, just before embarking on our first, full custom home, I was attending a party at a friends home. This wasn’t just any friend. It was a friend who happened to live in a multi-million dollar home on the intracoastal in Boca Raton. In fact, [...]
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