On Monday we went back to the architect to work on the electrical, cable and the like. I think I was a bit of a third wheel at this particular meeting as Chuck is the one with the multiple outlet fetish! We were able to map out where outlets, cable, routers for the wireless, ceiling fans, sconces, pendant lights and switches will be. I have to say, if Chuck's office does not catch fire, I will be a happy camper. I have never seen so many outlets and cable hook ups in my life. But, we have to make sure we have all the requirements for his home office as he spends more time with his computer than most people spend with their children. I woke up the next day to find an email exchange between the hubs and the architect. It seems "someone" neglected to put an outlet where the kegerator will be. I'm not naming names (tho' I will interject Chuck spend a significant amount of time staring at the floor plan deciding where outlets should be) but, whew, crisis averted!
The architect was also able to pull up an interactive 3D tour of the main living area (kitchen, living, dining) and it looks really great! Lots of architectural interest and plenty of room for paintings from my art collection. It was nice to get a bit of scale and we like what we see so far. There are a ton of built ins and storage which is necessary when scaling down by nearly 1000 square feet. Chuck, being Chuck, asked if we could see other areas of the house in 3D. Well, they had not really worked on that so when we went into the bathrooms the toilet was hovering about 3 feet off the ground, as was the shower and tub. Seems we will need a stepladder to pee! Sounds a bit precarious to me!
We appreciate the input our family and friends have sent our way and have incorporated some of them into the design. Keep them coming!!
The architect (I feel like I should be typing Architect due to his importance in this endeavor!) sent us home with some homework. We needed to designate some of the materials we wanted to be included in the house like type of flooring, wall treatment (textured or not, paint, tile, etc), trim treatments (baseboards, door trim) and ceiling heights. We will then (hopefully next week) start meeting with builders for estimates! Man, I hope we can get this baby started before the weather turns. Not that is gets super bad here in Texas, but it can be unpredictable.
Onward and upward!
Love to all and recycle!!!!!!!
Lori
Friday, October 14, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
We're Multi-Dimensional!
Alrighty then, it appears we have elevation/facade!! YAY! It seems a lot more real now that we can see what the outside will look like. The hubs and I were happy with the elevation and how the outside came together except for the color. We felt it was a little too pinky-orange for our taste and asked the architect to lean more toward a grey (I have chosen to spell it "grey" in honor of our years of owning big wonderful greyhound puppies!). To make sure we use local stone (it appears Granbury, TX and Oklahoma provides most of the stone for building around here) we need to stick with browns and greys. The colors vary widely in one section of stone, so the facade likely won't look as uniform as the pictures below. The area you see as dark brown is not wood, but metal. I like that it gives the house some texture We are trying to steer clear of wood on the outside as it takes a beating in the Texas sun and is not as eco-friendly. The architect told us there IS a wood out there that can handle the elements here, but it's so dense and hard the holes to screw it in need to be pre-drilled! And it's expensive! Oh, hell, no! The roof is also metal. The roof on the back of the house will hold the solar panels, so that will break up what looks like a mass of grey. It's a nice, simple exterior, just like we were looking for. Chuck said it took some getting used to because he is so used to seeing all the Texas homes with arches and curves. In my book, there is something to be said for simplicity!
Our next visit to the architect will involve getting a final idea for the exterior and start work on the electrical. Apparently, the electrical is VERY important in Chuckland, so I'm guessing I will be a bit of a third wheel for that particular discussion. I have no understanding of routers, wireless or all things geek, so he's on his own. I guess my input will involve where to put ceiling fans - gee, maybe in the middle of the room? - and a few well placed outlets? I'll find out on Monday.
I'm really looking forward to the decorating part of things like cabinets, lighting, tile, paint colors, counter tops, appliances, faucets, etc. This may be where the profanity comes in - due to the possibility of shocking price tags - or Chuck turns into a repetitive "what do you want it that color" demon, but I think it will actually be the fun part!!!!
Love to all and recycle,
Lori
Our next visit to the architect will involve getting a final idea for the exterior and start work on the electrical. Apparently, the electrical is VERY important in Chuckland, so I'm guessing I will be a bit of a third wheel for that particular discussion. I have no understanding of routers, wireless or all things geek, so he's on his own. I guess my input will involve where to put ceiling fans - gee, maybe in the middle of the room? - and a few well placed outlets? I'll find out on Monday.
I'm really looking forward to the decorating part of things like cabinets, lighting, tile, paint colors, counter tops, appliances, faucets, etc. This may be where the profanity comes in - due to the possibility of shocking price tags - or Chuck turns into a repetitive "what do you want it that color" demon, but I think it will actually be the fun part!!!!
Love to all and recycle,
Lori
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