SYI: 5719
ELG: Ya, I like these. SY: me too. I have specified these for starters - just a bit of them.
just a little tiny bit of blue tile somewhere in your bath - which is otherwise all white with black vanity and wood accents. ELG: I don't like this tile. I would prefer something that looks more sleek. SY: hm, ok. ELG: I'm guessing that my response wasn't as helpful as you would have liked. I like the color of the tile, but they don't look very smooth to me. You can see it in the way the light reflects off of the tile. I would prefer something smoother.
ELG: I don't like this side table very much. It reminds me of a bird bath.
shelves in northeast corner, then fireplace, then tv... ELG: I think that could work. I like the pop of red in the chair and i like the area around the fire place (is that called the hearth?). We will need a way to conceal the roku box, video game console, that sorta thing, maybe a cabinet? I like the feeling of this room.
not the color here at all, but the shelves to the left of the fireplace, and the hearth. I'm thinking of something like this in the northeast corner of the living room. Your hearth would extend further under a tv like that other image with the stacked stone fireplace. I will draw this! I know it's hard to visualize. The tile here is great, though (not color but size and layout) - thoughts on that? ELG: I think i prefer the stone to the tile....but it may be because of the color. I can see how tile would have a lighter feel (and may be cheaper). Also, I don't like these fireplaces very much. They look fake and like they belong in a hotel lobby. I liked the fireplace in the stacked stone picture better.
ELG: This is still seems closed in. I don't like the floors very much. I prefer the sleekness of the other bathrooms you put on here.
both doors hinge open here. thoughts about glass doors on a tub-cum-shower? ELG: I think it would be too confined for me. I really don't like the floors and I am not a fan of brown and black together. I know the top of the tub is a dark grey, but I don't like it with the wood. I also don't like the marble. I like the wood though.
both doors hinge open here. thoughts about glass doors on a tub-cum-shower? ELG: I think it would be too confined for me. I really don't like the floors and I am not a fan of brown and black together. I know the top of the tub is a dark grey, but I don't like it with the wood. I also don't like the marble. I like the wood though.
color, style, feel here? ELG: There's something about this room that I just don't like. I think it's because there is a blank wall with nothing but the TV. I think this room lacks interesting elements that I was hoping to get with some shelves and fire place. I like the floors, I like chairs.
very colorful space here. thoughts? ELG: I think this is the same room from a different angle. I am not sure having a fabric topped bench would be practical for us. I don't like the solid turquoise pillows. I'm just not excited about this room.
this is a very colorful space thanks to one sofa and a bunch of art. The kitchen and fireplace and walls are all black and white and wood. Thoughts? ELG: I Like all of the color. I wouldn't typically like a dark back splash, but it looks fine here (although it's hard to see the kitchen very well). Is the island black? It looks blue to me. I like the wood around the fireplace.
color, style? ELG: This feels like an office to me. I wish the pillows on the sofa had more vibrant colors.
colors, style? ELG: I can't decide if the rug is too busy for me. At first I thought it was an interesting pattern...now I think it might be too much. I like the colorful pillows and the floors. I think there is a bit too much cream overall though. A light fabric sofa would never work for us. The two chairs at the end aren't my style and don't look very comfortable. Over all the room looks comfortable and not too formal. I like it.
colorful here. thoughts? ELG: I like bright chair. I think I would like having a bright chair in our living room.
yellow. ELG: Is the grout yellow too? That is kinda neat. I like how this looks so sun-shiny but I'm just not sure it's me. You probably already know that I think this tub looks fantastic.
color? ELG: I like the color. I am not sure that I want a whole room painted like that though. Maybe this could be a wall in our dining room or living room? I like the glass pendants.
ELG: I'm not sure if I like this or not. I would need to see this being used. Do you mean this to be a bathroom floor? I think I might like it there. Maybe as a back splash too. Really hard for me to tell.
ELG: I like this.
bright and high contrast. thoughts on this? ELG: I really like this. It looks clean and relaxing. All of our junk can go under the sink and that tub looks wonderful. I don't like the light fixture. This is at the top of the different bathrooms you have presented. SY: ok great. I wonder about navy cabinet instead of black? SY: following up: see the marble (or porcelain marble) tile on the wall and floor here?
colors and feel here? (forget the high ceilings) ELG: I like the overall feeling in this room. I don't like the stone work. I think the cabinets would hide electronics well, although I am not sure that Adam would like a wall of cabinets. Also, I can't believe I'm saying this....but the grey walls don't bother me! I am wondering how this would look with different material on the sofas. I think we could have a fabric chair (darker color and able to be scrubbed), but our main seating needs to be leather (or fake leather) or the dogs will make it filthy.
palette? contrast? color? ELG: I like the contrast and the palette. I think i would prefer navy to the black on the sink wall. To me, there is a mismatch between the faucets and the and the sleekness of the shower. I don't think I like the gold either. Aside from the rug seeming very impractical (unless they make bath mats that look like rugs), I really like the look of the rug. I like the white, navy, and pop of red, and wood combo.
more color here. thoughts? ELG: It's ok. There is a lot of blue and green but not enough of anything else. I wish there was something more around the face of the fire place. I like the blue/green chairs, I just wish there was more of other colors.
more colorful but still calm - thoughts? ELG: The wall of shelves books/knicknacks is too busy for me. The colors are ok. I would appreciate a bit of pink, red or orange.
ELG: I really like this kitchen. It was one one of the reasons I initially contacted you. I love the contrasting island and the different counter tops. My understanding is that marble is not practical and stains very easily. I am not sure if there are materials that look like marble but are more durable. This kitchen is beautiful. I am not sure it would look as nice with light floors.
this is one of our projects - very colorful overall but simple and clean and neutral too. thoughts? this island is a blue gray. ELG: Again, I really like this. The colors in the rug are fun. I really dislike the Halloween art in the background. I think you also had a really dark blue wall in this house and I liked that as well. Would the tiles you pointed out on a previous fire place work here (i remember there being a fire pace from the pics on your website)...maybe in a deep navy rather than the brown? The pillows on the couch are nice...I like the different patterns. The pillars for a coffee table aren't practical enough for us.
more colorful bathroom. thoughts? ELG: I do not like this floor and the sink vanity is too mid century modern for me. I would rather have the toilet next to a shower that has a glass separation rather than next to the sink (and my tooth brush).
look/feel/style/color here? (nb. I almost never put tv's over fireplaces.) ELG: I like the feel of this room. The light floors look nice. It's hard for me to see the fireplace very well, but I think it might be too busy for my taste. I know I commented below on a room being too white and there is a lot of white here, but I like this much better. I think because it looks less formal and there is more color in the rug and the pillows. I also like the darker wood on the counter stools. I like the potted plant near the fire place. Adam and I have talked about wanting some nice house plants (hopefully ones that don't require too much work). APK: I wish there was more color, the white walls combined with the white fireplace and light floors make it all just seem a bit washed out to me. This may sound a bit weird but I didn't like all the skinny legs in the room, the long bar chair rails, the chairs itself, the flour stand, everywhere I look I see them and for some reason it was a turn off. I definitely do *not* like the tiles around the fireplace, although maybe they would be fine with a different pattern on the tile. SY: Yes, I think it's clear where we need to go with bac...
color! do you like this space? feel? color? style? ELG: I like this space. I’m not in love with the green color, but the light floors look nice. I would probably want a different lamp near the couch. I like that the island is a different color, but the blue looks out of place with the green walls. I like that it isn’t too formal. Our dining table and chairs are much heavier than what is pictured here, so I’m not sure we could replicate this without a new dining set. I like the L-shaped couch and Adam knows I would prefer to get new living room furniture. APK: I like the color, I do not like any of the wicker lamp shades on the pendant lights. I feel like part of what makes this work is that they seem to have 10-11 foot ceilings, which we do not have. SY: I agree with you about the green and blue - not great together for me either. But overall good feel. Which I think we can effectively replicate without the high ceilings.
style, color, look and feel of this for living room? ELG: I like this very much. A cloth sofa wouldn’t work with the dogs but it looks cozy and the colors and the prints are fun. We would need pillows that can be washed (or aren’t expensive and can be replaced). A washable cover also works. APK: I'm not a fan of the art that has the same canvas as the wall color, and I really dislike the coffee table. That was all that stuck out to me here. SY: Elsie, I see you like more color. :) If you take out the art and coffee table, Adam, does this feel happy to you?
reverse this and it may be a possible layout for a fireplace in easternmost corner of living room, with tv centered, and nothing obstructing the windows on the west end / front of house. I put this here for layout/configuration, but go ahead and tell me about the materials and feel here. :) ELG: I like this layout. I had a hard time imagining how a fire place could fit in the living room without being centered on the wall. I like how the top follows the angle of the wall (comes down at a diagonal). I am not sure we could replicate that since our ceiling is the same height all the way across. I don't mind the grey stone, but the whole room is too much grey and white and feels very masculine to me. I don't like the hanging light fixture. I'm also starting to think about the kitchen more. If the fire place is closest to the kitchen, I'm thinking that moving the stove and hood to the island would be help break-up the wall it is currently on. I know you you had mentioned that being quite a bit of work and costing more, but I'm starting to wonder how much more...and how much better it might be. APK: I like the stone and the grey in general. I also wonder how well this would...
living room: fireplace area palette/style/feel? This is a beautiful palette with, for example, the look of the alliesiarto semihandmade kitchen below. ELG: I don't like the large white frame around the fire place. I think that there is too much white and beige going on. The cross hashing on the built-ins is ok, but I don't love it. APK: It's not clear to me where the TV would go, I don't mind the color palette, but I don't love it either. SY: OK! too monochromatic for you I think.
ELG: That tub looks awesome! I didn’t think a shower tub combo would ever work but this one looks really nice. I would need to be able to sit in one to make sure that I fit. The tile on walls isn’t my favorite. It’s very plain. I’m not in love with the gray and white color scheme. Also, I don't want the toilet next to the sink. I understand that we don't have a lot of space, so if it needs to be next to something, I would prefer it be next to the shower (assuming the shower has a separation or door) APK: I worry that this shower is going to get water *EVERYWHERE*. I see that there is a little glass half wall there to try and contain it, but I can't imagine it is very effective. It also seems like taking a shower might feel a bit cramped. SY: APK, YES. I have spec'd this kind of door but 2/3 length instead of 1/3 like this, and in a rarely used guest bath. ELG, are you looking for more color, you think? I'll see what other images I can find to do that. And a-ok on toilet. It's good to know that a separate tub would be ideal perhaps but that you are open to a tub-shower combo if it's nice and roomy. (Right?) ELG: I think a combo with full doors would feel too closed-in based on ...
APK: I like the shower door hardware, I also like the shower floor. I don't like that the tile is the same of the floor and the walls. ELG: I like the white and wood combination, but I think having it for the floor of the shower is a bad idea. Won’t it look worn over time? What sort of upkeep is needed to keep it looking nice? If the wood floor doesn't require a ton of upkeep, I am for it. I like the glass shower separation. If we have enough space, I would prefer that the toilet be a bit more removed from everything. A tub is VERY important to me (10). SY: I'm not actually sure about the teak shower floor in terms of upkeep and aging. I've never done it - more often I throw in a teak stool or woven trashcan or walnut light fixture if we are trying to warm up a bathroom that is otherwise all white/gray/black. Nice feedback about toilet location. And YES on the tub. Gotcha.
aside from materials: This layout could work for your space, with private WC for toilet, if you didn't want a tub. Thoughts? and go ahead and tell me your thoughts about materials / look & feel here too. :) ELG: A tub is essential. There are some things about this that wouldn’t work well for us: there’s no counter space, the storage space needs to be organized all the time to look nice. I don’t like the dark floors and I think it looks particularly bad with the wood (that I usually like). I don’t like the light fixtures... they remind me of the lamps that get used at construction sites. APK: There is no storage space in this setup, where will we keep all our products, medicine, etc.? Overall I think this is a bit too on the rustic side as well. The black and white tile also feel a bit cold/impersonal to me. SY: Right-o: like the kitchen, we will conceal your stuff. :) And good feedback on materials here - nixing this!
ikea cabinets with semihandmade doors. Also shown: light floors and lots of contrast. ELG: I keep looking at this picture and then coming back to it. It has been growing on me. When I look at the back splash up close, I like it. But when I see the whole picture, I think it looks too busy. I'm not sure if there is an opportunity to include a pattern in part of the backsplash, but not all of it. Otherwise, I am not sure that I need a pattern there. I like the drawer handles. I'm not sure If I would like a different counter top color better (the pictured counter is black, right?), but I like the type of counter. I don't like the granite that we currently have. I don't like the big hanging light in the photo. APK: I feel like the cabinets and the handles look almost identical to what we already have (not necessarily a bad thing) but if we went with this approach, would we just keep what we already had? I do not like the backsplash, I find the pattern busy and distracting. I also am not a fan of the benches built in to the wall. SY: Seems we may need a happy medium in terms of backsplash: the marble rectangles below laid in an interesting pattern may be good, or something ...
IKEA + SEMIHANDMADE KITCHEN RENOVATION: BEFORE AND AFTER ELG: This is only slightly better than the grey cabinets and black counter top. There isn't any color and it feel very cold. I think it's confirmed...I don't like subway tiles! APK: I do like the waterfall countertop for the island. SY: waterfall countertops are beautiful though fairly useless, which makes it hard to justify the cost. :/ I wonder, Elsie, would you like the black (or gray) and white more if the surroundings had more color? Or do you think you'd really like colored cabinets? (Blue for example)
semihandmade doors on Ikea cabinetry ELG: This is my least favorite kitchen. I don't like the black counter and grey cabinets. Based on the tub/shower combo picture above, I think that I don't like subway tiles. APK: I don't like windowed cabinet doors, as that requires I keep the cabinets they are covering too organized and uncluttered. I don't mind the grey cabinets or the fact that the lower cabinets don't match the upper cabinets. The sink is too small. SY: Great feedback! We don't want to see your stuff: got it. And we will stay away from subway tile. Perhaps lighter countertops for Elsie.
the cabinets are all from IKEA with custom fronts from Semihandmade. ELG: I like the contrast between the blue cabinets and light counters. I also like the backsplash. I don’t like the hardware on the cabinets... a little too old timey. The open shelves for cabinets are not practical for us. We don’t keep dishes organized and I don’t want dust or grease getting on them. APK: I like the color on the cabinets but not the hardware. I also like the feel/pattern on the backsplash. Not a fan of open air shelving for the reasons Elsie mentioned. SY: Hey, how useful that you both agree on all these fronts! :) Ok, I got it. No open shelves. And I agree on all the other things too.
light and bright
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