M&J's - Photos for review with DTAL
I'm not sure this design would work anywhere in our house (main floor? basement? screened porch?), but I really like the idea (assuming the sun wouldn't creating a glare problem) in terms of facilitating a nice social seating plan (ie. U-shape rather than a straight line) that takes advantage of the view outside. Likely only makes sense in a main floor room since basement rooms are less likely used during daylight hours.
I'm still undecided on basement features/layout. Aside from overall house budget constraints, the decision will partly rest on available space and priority of other features. A poker table area (with multiple screens) is still a priority. I'm undecided about a billiard table and a guest bedroom/sleeping area. All that said, I'm also undecided whether it's worth implementing a tiered-seating home theater set-up versus a more traditional one-level approach. Either way, I want a large tv/screen (currently leaning toward TV versus projection). The tiered seating option prioritizes viewing angles / comfort at the expense of a less social seating arrangement. Either way, I like the idea of bar counter seating behind. I really like this room design as a hybrid option versus a completely enclosed theater room (at the expense of some lighting control I suppose). The whole room is quite nice (especially for accommodating a billiard table) - click on image for other photos of this room as well as some dimensions. I like the higher bistro table seating around the table. My poker table will be larger (10 seats) and will need additional/different screen placements to facilitate optimal viewing.....
Like how the stand-up bar blends in with room. Also like the room (not the furniture) generally speaking, although perhaps needs more variation in terms of color (ie. both darker and lighter colors). There is a balcony in this room, but the implementation doesn't look like it would work in our house as it doesn't seem like it would offer much of a view toward the pond while 'sitting' up there.
We need to decide whether to maintain a gated entrance on the property. Like the stone colors.
Bell is nice touch.
Like the wood and stone ( but not this particular wrought iron design in the windows).
Not suggesting this particular design...but need to think about driveway and landscape lighting...and need to consider risk of falling branches.
Not suggesting this particular design...but need to think about driveway and landscape lighting...and need to consider risk of falling branches.
We might want to consider buying a purpose-built dog washing tub like this one (vs. custom tub or shower). Need to consider whether this style could also replace need for a separate laundry tub (note: we will want a separate/dedicated laundry soaking sink either way).
Mudroom: We want a dog washing tub (or possibly a dog washing shower) and we also want an extra large laundry tub, so perhaps the two functions can be delivered with one tub.
Bay windows: Jen likes bay windows. Would like a general discussion on different types (pros/cons) and where to include throughout house (as well as a discussion on the impact of bay windows on the exterior look/feel. Mark dislikes the idea of a bay window behind the kitchen sink (as shown in this photo), but ok with including in other areas.
Great Room: Great mixture of stone, wood and drywall. Ceiling is full wood with beams. Good colour of wood. Great fireplace (size, stone shape and colour). Extra long hearth = extra seating for people. Room has a good balance of light and dark materials.
Roof: Like the varied roof angles (mixture of different kinds of peaks and slopes), but probably worth a general discussion on priorities for roof (ie. aesthetics vs. function/durability/cost/etc.).
Like the idea of adding some peaks (particularly to the side of house facing pond). Like the peaks in this photo, although we’re open to other designs as well (ie. this was simply the first photo found for the purpose of asking David about the feasibility of introducing peaks to the horizontal sides of a gable roof since we like the look of it alongside the pond).
Want to include a beverage fridge in the island (although it might be best placed on opposite side of island).
Like the idea of a raised hearth on the fireplace (extra wide/long for additional seating) in the screen room (although we might prefer that it extend to the ground rather than jut out as a ledge as shown in this photo). Like the spaciousness of this room (if it was an enclosed room).
Great Room: 2 story vaulted ceiling?? Like the windows (although we need some education on considerations for windows in this climate - cost/maintenance/efficiency/durability/etc.). Like the idea of a stone wall around fireplace (like some aspects of this stone, but not sure about the smaller sizes and maybe not enough variation in color). Like the full wood ceiling but don’t like the truss hugging the wall (and prefer designs with beams/trusses across the room).
Windows: like the side windows-being able to see side and front views.
Great Room: Like how there is a separate sitting area at the window with two reclining chairs (with table and lamp) permanently facing outside (great for reading or relaxing with music). The idea of an adjacent bar or perhaps a bistro table on the same wall is interesting. I don't particularly like this specific bar implementation, but the idea has merit. Interesting windows - large on the bottom and smaller on top.
Beams: Generally speaking, we like the idea of wood beams used to accent ceilings and openings - although this isn’t the greatest example.
Beams: great looking beams/trusses and full wood ceiling (although we might prefer thicker beams). Don’t like this wood stain on the beams/ceiling - generally prefer either a light brown stain or a darker brown stain (maybe more like the floor stain in this photo), whereas this stain looks orangey in color. We also probably lean more toward preferring dark brown versus light brown. Not sure if the ceiling/trusses are too high for the size of this room.
Windows: like the large window on the bottom and the smaller windows on top. Like the paint color of the drywall in combination with the wood and stone. Like the look of the windows, but need to discuss the pros/cons of wood-framed windows.
Guest Bath: two faucet sink, nice colours, mixture of stone and wood. Extra large sink. Large mirror
Powder Room: like the colours and materials in this room. Cooper sink (only one needed)
Kitchen - let’s discuss which elements of this photo we need in the kitchen and/or elsewhere on main floor - Mini-desk with chair? Standing station? Cupboard(s) for items typically found in medicine cabinet and other miscellaneous stuff? Spot for phone? Recharding area for phones, tablets, etc.? Other??? Also - need to decide if/where we need a PC, tablet or other device integrated within kitchen - like the idea of the Samsung Family Hub smart fridge with built-in screen (especially since the screen is close to eye-level while standing in kitchen), but might not want to go with a proprietary smart fridge solution - might be better to build into a shelf or wall instead.
Kitchen: hide-away for appliances - but need to think about practicality and which appliances would be suitable to hide away in this nook - may not be clearance for filling coffee maker (+ steam usually rises from the top)...toaster clearance might be a fire safety concern….etc.
Downstairs bathroom: do urinals make any sense in a residence ??
Bathroom: Stand alone tub. Half stone wall separating the toilet area
Guest bath: like the idea of a double faucet in one large sink (not necessarily this sink).
Kitchen Island: like the look of this sink (as a second smaller sink in kitchen) - need to think more about the right size for a second sink (and ensure material is practical/durable in addition to looking good).
Powder room: like the mixture of materials (wood, stone and drywall). Good colours. Interesting sink. Maybe not that particular pattern on the tile backsplash.
Bathroom: like the idea of a separate toilet area in bathrooms
Guest Bath: bathtub again window
Nice looking tub. Made of stone? Maybe cost prohibitive. Need to ensure tub materials are practical - read somewhere that epsom salts damage copper tubs (as an example).
Perhaps not enough room (or budget?), but like the idea of a door-less shower and like the wood and stone in this photo. Would prefer a zero-ledge entrance (ie. age-in-place).
Bathroom: stand alone tub made of copper (although need to research whether copper is safe/practical - read somewhere that epsom salt damages copper tub. Like the higher window and stain glass
Laundry room: space to hang wet clothes, sink, shelves and counter space (only need one washer and one dryer).
Balcony: great cozy sitting area on the balcony. Like the beams and stone. Like the windows.
Great Room: 2 story vaulted ceiling?? Like the windows. Like the colour of the wood trim elements, but not sure of the texture - might be too smooth/glossy looking. Full ceiling of wood with beams (but not sure of the ceiling stain colour). Like the mixture of grey and browns, light and dark, stone, wood and drywall.
Fireplace: great mantel and stone (Jen likes shape and colour)
Beams: full wood ceiling, beams attached (flush) to ceiling - we also like other approaches with lower beams/trusses - need to discuss. Like the idea of a full stone wall on fireplace side.
Beams: great wood beams in this room (may not be practical from a cost or space perspective). Full wood ceiling. Good mixture of stone, wood and drywall.
Foyer: like the stone wall (although it looks isolated/odd in this particular implementation - doesn’t look tied in with rest of house).
Hallway: cozy with seating and arched stone work and full wood ceiling. Like the look/feel - but not suggesting this particular implementation is applicable to our house layout.
Kitchen: like this photo as an example of having a mixture of stone, wood and drywall and a balance between light and dark colours (although these particular colours and stone aren’t necessarily our preference). Also like the multiple types of lighting in the room.
Walls: stone wall
Basement: Like the stone. Like the ceiling (although I'm not sure if a dropped ceiling will be recommended for various reasons including cost, water repairs, cover wiring/ducts, other?).
Maybe consider this side-by-side approach for sauna and steam shower in basement? Don't particularly like stone veneer.
Q