New Home Construction
- Thread starter bmac
- Start date
- Views: 42156
I'll leave with the construction schedule as I know it. Tomorrow, we're supposed to take delivery of the range, refrigerator and microwave oven. Monday - concrete parking pad and sidewalk will be poured, delivery of remaining appliances. Tuesday-Thursday, Plumbers, electricians, trim guys doing some odds and ends. Painters return. Closet installation on Thursday. Carpet next Friday. Will meet with irrigation and lanscapers one evening next week to see what we can get done with the small budget we have for those items. Things are winding down on this project.
rox
Veteran Member
Bmac,
You are always so kind to me. Thinking mroe about this, listening to the other suggestions ans your feedback, one idea I think might work, and kick it back to your wie, is window boxes under the windows on the right and left winds.
Painted shutters, color of your choice, with window boxs painted the same color, with flowers in the window boxes.
I know you won't take this the wrong way, becasue you do seem to welcome feedback. Check with the wif and decorator about instaling window boxes on the windows on the right and left wing. The more I look back at the photo, and considering the inside colors that your wife has picked out, very calming relaxing colors, I would tend to think that she might feel more comfortable with the front door and shutters adn possibly window boxes a shade deeper than the brick. Although I don't think a redish tinted front door will look poor, quite the contrary, the right shade, I think it will add interest. However based on what your wife has picked out so far, perhaps she can ask the decorator about matching to the brick as another alternative to consider.
I'm really glad I asked for the full frontal view of the home. It is fabulous, especially with the dumpster removed. It's really beautiful.
I reserved judgement on your floor colors, only saw the butlers pantry intitially. I jsut hought I would wait and see. I like it! I especially like it in the family room. Seeing the family room photo with the floor, also showed the fireplace. I know you have not got a specific plan on the surround for he fireplace. I believe you are going to trim it with wood. One idea would be to paint it the same color as the granit in your kitchen. You ahve so much white trim, that possibly you might consider not painting it white. Actually now that I think about it, what might look really prety is a faux paint finish. My husband did this in his restaurant and it came out beautiful. The painter used a terry cloth rag to introduce a secon and third color, to give texture to the paint. It was beautiful, that might look nice around your fireplace. So my 2 centimes....
You are always so kind to me. Thinking mroe about this, listening to the other suggestions ans your feedback, one idea I think might work, and kick it back to your wie, is window boxes under the windows on the right and left winds.
Painted shutters, color of your choice, with window boxs painted the same color, with flowers in the window boxes.
I know you won't take this the wrong way, becasue you do seem to welcome feedback. Check with the wif and decorator about instaling window boxes on the windows on the right and left wing. The more I look back at the photo, and considering the inside colors that your wife has picked out, very calming relaxing colors, I would tend to think that she might feel more comfortable with the front door and shutters adn possibly window boxes a shade deeper than the brick. Although I don't think a redish tinted front door will look poor, quite the contrary, the right shade, I think it will add interest. However based on what your wife has picked out so far, perhaps she can ask the decorator about matching to the brick as another alternative to consider.
I'm really glad I asked for the full frontal view of the home. It is fabulous, especially with the dumpster removed. It's really beautiful.
I reserved judgement on your floor colors, only saw the butlers pantry intitially. I jsut hought I would wait and see. I like it! I especially like it in the family room. Seeing the family room photo with the floor, also showed the fireplace. I know you have not got a specific plan on the surround for he fireplace. I believe you are going to trim it with wood. One idea would be to paint it the same color as the granit in your kitchen. You ahve so much white trim, that possibly you might consider not painting it white. Actually now that I think about it, what might look really prety is a faux paint finish. My husband did this in his restaurant and it came out beautiful. The painter used a terry cloth rag to introduce a secon and third color, to give texture to the paint. It was beautiful, that might look nice around your fireplace. So my 2 centimes....
scott_vt
Super Member
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2004
- Messages
- 7,491
- Location
- east wells,vt
- Tractor
- 1986 MF 1040, 1942 Farmall A, 1949 Farmall Super A
Mornin Bmac,
The floors look beautiful!!!
Now onto the front of the house, boy some real interesting reading for sure /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif If I read anything into this thread, it is some serious honesty and respect of other TBN members and their evaluations of this project. And thats truly what this forum is all about, and what makes it so invaluable!
The only thing I have to add at this point is that some amount of color would make things more aesthetically pleasing IMHO.
Please keep in mind the amount of color and the associated maintainance of what may be added! And why do I make this point? On my Ct home, the entire home and garage is barn red. At one time all the trim was a dark brown, the contrast was quite nice, that is until I had to restain the house and all the triiiiiiim /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Not fun!
So I guess my vote is for a little more color, but keep it minimal on the amount of maintainance.
My Vt home is only 1000 sq ft, so its not too bad to do all my trim in white /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif, and yes that home is barn red also /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Gee thats funny, all my tractors are red also /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
scotty
The floors look beautiful!!!
Now onto the front of the house, boy some real interesting reading for sure /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif If I read anything into this thread, it is some serious honesty and respect of other TBN members and their evaluations of this project. And thats truly what this forum is all about, and what makes it so invaluable!
The only thing I have to add at this point is that some amount of color would make things more aesthetically pleasing IMHO.
Please keep in mind the amount of color and the associated maintainance of what may be added! And why do I make this point? On my Ct home, the entire home and garage is barn red. At one time all the trim was a dark brown, the contrast was quite nice, that is until I had to restain the house and all the triiiiiiim /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Not fun!
So I guess my vote is for a little more color, but keep it minimal on the amount of maintainance.
My Vt home is only 1000 sq ft, so its not too bad to do all my trim in white /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif, and yes that home is barn red also /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Gee thats funny, all my tractors are red also /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
scotty
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
Hi Bmac,
Glad to hear we're still friends!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I remember you wanted your home to be a farm house in it's design, but forgot, or dont remember, that you wanted a white farm house. Somewhere in the designing of the place wth your archetect, I think some information didn't get to her, or she just got it wrong. To me, your home has more of a colonial plantation look to it.
Steph and I went back over some of your pictures of the interior. We both agree that the color and materials you chose creat a VERY WARM and INVITING home. The outside just doesn't convey the same feeling.
It could just be the picture, and it might even be a geographical issue. Some homes look good in certain parts of the coutry, but not in other areas. Maybe in your area there are lots of bright white homes all over the place and that's the style.
When I built my little home, I had planned on it being white with a gray metal roof. I wanted a very rustic, primative look. As it came together, I realized that was a mistake in my vision and I needed to modify the picture in my head.
I think you had a dream for the white farm house that has evolved into something different. Not good or bad, it's just what you have. If you're truly happy with it being white, than that's what's important. When you drive up to the house and the contrast to the surrounding trees and habitat is appealing to you, than ignore my comments.
Curb apeal is very important in setting the mood of how you feel when you see your home every time. A nice yard, beautiful landscaping and how your home looks in that setting is extremely important. But only to you, since it's your home.
Adding a little color here and there wont change anything. You have to be bold! Shutters and a little trim color won't change very much and the results will be minimal at best.
In my opinion, I think you are missing out on some very appealing visual features of your home because the white color is blending it all together. The center section is very impressive, but it is washed out by the side wings. The dormers are amazing, but again, they don't stand out for the same reasons. The large porch is everyones dream, but there's no apeal in it right now. It's just another part of the builing that you see, but doesn't have that warm, inviting feel to it.
I copied your picture and have been looking at it off and on for awhile now trying to see it in different shades of color. I've also been looking at your interior pics and just love the shades of color you used.
The yellow says farm house to me more than the other colors. I played around with your picture a littel to see what it would look like on one side versus the other side.
The space above the window on the wings also look unfinished. Even after putting shutters on them, I thought they needed soemthing above them. I think the same type of peak you used on your dormers really changes them and brings it all together.
Again, I'm sorry for being such a "know it all" and for "sticking my nose" into your project. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Eddie
Glad to hear we're still friends!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I remember you wanted your home to be a farm house in it's design, but forgot, or dont remember, that you wanted a white farm house. Somewhere in the designing of the place wth your archetect, I think some information didn't get to her, or she just got it wrong. To me, your home has more of a colonial plantation look to it.
Steph and I went back over some of your pictures of the interior. We both agree that the color and materials you chose creat a VERY WARM and INVITING home. The outside just doesn't convey the same feeling.
It could just be the picture, and it might even be a geographical issue. Some homes look good in certain parts of the coutry, but not in other areas. Maybe in your area there are lots of bright white homes all over the place and that's the style.
When I built my little home, I had planned on it being white with a gray metal roof. I wanted a very rustic, primative look. As it came together, I realized that was a mistake in my vision and I needed to modify the picture in my head.
I think you had a dream for the white farm house that has evolved into something different. Not good or bad, it's just what you have. If you're truly happy with it being white, than that's what's important. When you drive up to the house and the contrast to the surrounding trees and habitat is appealing to you, than ignore my comments.
Curb apeal is very important in setting the mood of how you feel when you see your home every time. A nice yard, beautiful landscaping and how your home looks in that setting is extremely important. But only to you, since it's your home.
Adding a little color here and there wont change anything. You have to be bold! Shutters and a little trim color won't change very much and the results will be minimal at best.
In my opinion, I think you are missing out on some very appealing visual features of your home because the white color is blending it all together. The center section is very impressive, but it is washed out by the side wings. The dormers are amazing, but again, they don't stand out for the same reasons. The large porch is everyones dream, but there's no apeal in it right now. It's just another part of the builing that you see, but doesn't have that warm, inviting feel to it.
I copied your picture and have been looking at it off and on for awhile now trying to see it in different shades of color. I've also been looking at your interior pics and just love the shades of color you used.
The yellow says farm house to me more than the other colors. I played around with your picture a littel to see what it would look like on one side versus the other side.
The space above the window on the wings also look unfinished. Even after putting shutters on them, I thought they needed soemthing above them. I think the same type of peak you used on your dormers really changes them and brings it all together.
Again, I'm sorry for being such a "know it all" and for "sticking my nose" into your project. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Eddie
rox
Veteran Member
Eddien, to bad you couldn't have made your photo just a bit larger.
One thing I will add, I do like very very much, the faux dormer, or a the peak, you placed over the windows on the right and left wings. I like it a lot. If it were my hosue I would add something liek that. However I think I would go in more of a half circle above the windows. Rather than jsut a plain half circle I think I would have wood inserts, so that is would look kind of like a fan. I would have to see it drawn out to besure, however the faux dormers you show are really really nice.
One thing I will add, I do like very very much, the faux dormer, or a the peak, you placed over the windows on the right and left wings. I like it a lot. If it were my hosue I would add something liek that. However I think I would go in more of a half circle above the windows. Rather than jsut a plain half circle I think I would have wood inserts, so that is would look kind of like a fan. I would have to see it drawn out to besure, however the faux dormers you show are really really nice.
Eddie,
To quote the captain of Road Prision 36 in Cool Hand Luke "What we've got here is... failure to communicate."
<font color="blue"> it might even be a geographical issue. Some homes look good in certain parts of the coutry, but not in other areas. Maybe in your area there are lots of bright white homes all over the place and that's the style.
</font>
I think you may have hit the nail on the head here. Probably 90% of the houses in my current subdivision are white. With few exceptions, they are clad in vinyl siding. So, if this is not commonly seen in your area, I can see why you are having difficulties with it.
<font color="blue"> I think you had a dream for the white farm house that has evolved into something different. </font>
I think you are right again. The question is - What exactly has this house evolved into? This discussion has led me do a little research. At the risk of alienating about 99% of TBNers who have been following this thread, I'm going to share some of the things I've discovered.
From www.architecturalhouseplans.com
<font color="green"> Common Characteristics of Farmhouse Plans:
Usually hipped roofed (sometimes gabled)
Often with hipped dormers
Traditionally roofed with split wood shingles
Clapboard siding
Typically two stories
"Cubic" shape main house with smallish footprint
Projecting eaves
Large porch with square supports
Typically with simple 1 over 1 double-hung windows
</font>
And, from PresidentHomes.com
<font color="green"> Originally, most farmhouses were built without the assistance of an architect and, unless the farmer was wealthy, only the space the family actually needed was constructed. As prosperity and families expanded, more space was added. While simple farmhouses with white wood siding predominate, the home of a more prosperous farmer might feature brick.
As the industrial era changed the housing needs of Americans, people moved into a new urban setting, and brought the architectural characteristics of the farmhouse with them – this may explain why so many rural enclaves look so similar. As you travel throughout the country it’s common to see streets salted with compact, two-story homes painted white or a pale pastel, enhanced with modest ornamentation and a welcoming front porch - all familiar farmhouse features. And because the simplicity of a farmhouse still conveys so much about America’s heritage, we still see new suburban homes harkening back to this way of living.
</font>
As I read these descriptions, I think our house certainly has many of the elements of farmhouse architecture. So, I then tried to find pictures of farmhouses to see if our house resembled any of the houses that were being presented as such.
I'll show a few, and here is the first one. As I look at this one, I see a white, 2 story, clapboard siding, plain vanilla facade, no ornamentation, no shutters, front porch (enclosed), one wing that appears to be an addition. Certainly, our house shares some of these features. But, let's not stop here, I have a few more.
To quote the captain of Road Prision 36 in Cool Hand Luke "What we've got here is... failure to communicate."
<font color="blue"> it might even be a geographical issue. Some homes look good in certain parts of the coutry, but not in other areas. Maybe in your area there are lots of bright white homes all over the place and that's the style.
</font>
I think you may have hit the nail on the head here. Probably 90% of the houses in my current subdivision are white. With few exceptions, they are clad in vinyl siding. So, if this is not commonly seen in your area, I can see why you are having difficulties with it.
<font color="blue"> I think you had a dream for the white farm house that has evolved into something different. </font>
I think you are right again. The question is - What exactly has this house evolved into? This discussion has led me do a little research. At the risk of alienating about 99% of TBNers who have been following this thread, I'm going to share some of the things I've discovered.
From www.architecturalhouseplans.com
<font color="green"> Common Characteristics of Farmhouse Plans:
Usually hipped roofed (sometimes gabled)
Often with hipped dormers
Traditionally roofed with split wood shingles
Clapboard siding
Typically two stories
"Cubic" shape main house with smallish footprint
Projecting eaves
Large porch with square supports
Typically with simple 1 over 1 double-hung windows
</font>
And, from PresidentHomes.com
<font color="green"> Originally, most farmhouses were built without the assistance of an architect and, unless the farmer was wealthy, only the space the family actually needed was constructed. As prosperity and families expanded, more space was added. While simple farmhouses with white wood siding predominate, the home of a more prosperous farmer might feature brick.
As the industrial era changed the housing needs of Americans, people moved into a new urban setting, and brought the architectural characteristics of the farmhouse with them – this may explain why so many rural enclaves look so similar. As you travel throughout the country it’s common to see streets salted with compact, two-story homes painted white or a pale pastel, enhanced with modest ornamentation and a welcoming front porch - all familiar farmhouse features. And because the simplicity of a farmhouse still conveys so much about America’s heritage, we still see new suburban homes harkening back to this way of living.
</font>
As I read these descriptions, I think our house certainly has many of the elements of farmhouse architecture. So, I then tried to find pictures of farmhouses to see if our house resembled any of the houses that were being presented as such.
I'll show a few, and here is the first one. As I look at this one, I see a white, 2 story, clapboard siding, plain vanilla facade, no ornamentation, no shutters, front porch (enclosed), one wing that appears to be an addition. Certainly, our house shares some of these features. But, let's not stop here, I have a few more.
Attachments
Look at this one. Now, I can see alot of resemblance here to our house. The thing that sets apart is that bump out in the center. It is interesting, as I think back to our earliest drawings from our architect, our plans looked very similar to this. We thought the center section was just a little too plain so she added the bump out to jazz things up. Maybe we shouldn't have.
