SYH: 1615
SY: Let's talk about rail in the mudroom. Honestly, we could keep what you have. We could paint the newel post and hand rail as shown here, but the post we created for the foyer half wall at the front of the house is white, and consistency is key for unification of style. I don't want to go too modern and depart from the style of the house - and even in modern homes I much prefer vertical to horizontal spindles. Which you already have! You could save some money and just paint the existing the new fresh trim color. That said, ask John, because he'll be pulling up the rail to lay the new flooring, and it may not be worth it to put the old back. JD: ok, I really like this! I’m so bent on updating, but not just for updating’ sake. And I do like the idea of keeping it consistent with what’s in front of the house. I will chat this with John for sure.
SY: We could also rip out your existing mudroom stair rail and replace with something new of course. I'd try to keep the craftsman style. A solid half wall around the basement stairs with posts and trim could hearken back to this design in your foyer and be really great. JD: let me give this one I think. At first, I thought I am reticent to lose the light flow that the railings allow. It’s not much, but I’d still rather maintain it if we can.
SY: Hmmmm this is food for thought for your mudroom rail. Something like this above the half wall might be worth exploring. But cost comes into play here. What is John assuming re: railing? JD: we haven’t even thought about it, TBH. Where would the handrail go in this case. I do need to consider that with my parents maneuvering around my house and all that but I really love this idea, especially because the light in that back space is so damn perfect for growing things. SY: you need a handrail for code (and obvious practical safety). See it on the wall in this image?
SR: Jenny this is a light fixture we are liking for over the dining table. Thoughts? It is a Sonneman fixture which we know to be a good quality. However, there is a knock off of this fixture on Amazon and other sites that is quite a bit cheaper but we don't know about the quality. So, possibly some price options if you're willing to try an Amazon purchase. JD: I love it! What’s the price tag on this one vs AMZ? Nvm - I was able to click through. Price isn’t too scary, but can you share the AMZ one you found? SR: The amazon one has this exact same image but the price is $300 which we are really questioning as far as quality and construction. But if you want to try it, it might be ok...we just don't know about these knock offs. But I didn't double check all the Amazon dimensions and options to make sure it was exactly the same I just happened upon it and saw the price difference.
SY: I don't want to mess with your fireplace and these windows are differently shaped than yours, but you get the idea. (Could do glass or solid doors or just bookshelves or whatever might be functional for you to put there?) JD: sorry I’m late in getting to these - I like these, would probably lean towards just open shelves… SY: got that!
SY: going for the putty/greige cabinets, with white tops. So pretty. You've said you liked pattern backsplash. Yes? I'm thinking something a bit more modern than this, though I don't dislike this... JD: yeah, this pattern reads a bit more “farmhouse” than I’d like, but I agree - this “greige” business is fab. (I love “greige” btw, just as a word, ha)
SY: I don't like this particular splash, but I like the general effect and the hint of color it adds. Seems you would too based on your previous comments? JD: 100% agree
SY: these are 8x8 cement tile (=less grout, which is always a good thing) and the pattern is promising... JD: agreed, I like this!
SY:Alternatively, a pattern (this is called Chaine Homme) in the installation is an interesting effect. Again, not inexpensive, but big impact. JD: now this I like. Again, maybe not this particular pattern but I like the impact in general. And we could always keep something like this limited to a small area to save $.
SY: backsplash thoughts? this is expensive. You have to really want it. :) (also the blue stove - ooh lah lah.) JD: a little busy for me, actually
SY: there's also the stone slab option = grout free! JD: v interesting! Not in love with this particular version but I love the no-grout bit!
SY: the most affordable (and not wrong!) option is simple white rectangular tile - which can have varying degrees of variance among the tiles to add depth or consistency. JD: I like this as an option if we need to cut some costs
SY: same kitchen as the last image, nice view of a pretty simple and neutral tile backsplash. (Don't worry, you'll still get color if you choose a simple backsplash. I'm on that.)
SY: basement vibe! yes? light, bright, cozy, modern, easy. warmth in some wood elements and cozy rug/pillows/etc. JD: love love love!
SY: I think mudroom flooring wants to be tile... and dark for maximum dirt control. We can do a pattern on the tile ... or an interesting installation pattern. Thoughts? JD: nah, keep it simple
SY: mudroom flooring option :slate in a Versaille pattern install JD: yes please!
SY: the main floor walls want to be bright white I think. But can I play with some darker walls for views and accents? JD: definitely
SY: Thinking about flooring. We'd like to try to extend your pine into the now open kitchen. Then we have a mud level - tile ok there? And basement: you can keep the carpet you have in the bedrooms, but we probably need new flooring in the parts we are reconfiguring. This is linoleum. I love it - for a clean, warm, modern look. It's not the cheapest solution - that would be LVP (luxury vinyl plank). But I hesitate to do LVP because of your wood floors upstairs and presumably on your back stairs too: not sure we can count on getting something that doesn't just look like fake plastic product next to real wood. I assume your basement is dry as you have carpet there already. Your thoughts about basement flooring? JD: the challenge with flooring in the basement is that the floor is pretty uneven. I like the carpet because it lends a warmth to the basement, but let’s talk more. SY: I *think* marmoleum would be forgiving in that condition. But if it turns out not, we can always go back to carpet.
SY: linoleum here. Note that this is not your mama's vinyl flooring. It's sustainable and lovely. Comes in sheets or tiles; I'd suggest sheet for your basement. JD: I dunno - feels like an Aloft hotel room to me? It would make sense in the kitchen, but then like you said there’s a big contrast between the hardwood and this. Hmm. SY: not for kitchen - for basement. I'd like the pine to extend through the upstairs level.
linoleum
linoleum
linoleum
SY: It steals inches from storage but we can recess the doors for you like this and get them out of the passage way, which is appealing. JD: love
SY: We have 52" for a pantry-cum-coffee/small appliance nook for you. This is probably comparable size and function. Not sure we'd do all this (wine, pull out cutting tray, drawers below) but this is good function for you, right? JD: definitely- this is so cool! And the doors close?! I love this!
SY: open this image up to see it fully. This is akin to the stove and counterdepth fridge space we're eeking out for you. Leave comments here if you run out of space in the text box under the other image. JD: Looks great!
SY: This is an SYH kitchen in a 1920s bungalow in Bloomington. Notice three things that we'd like you to consider: 1) the narrow island, 2) the inset cabinetry and 3) the counterdepth fridge. Like this kitchen, yours is not huge, and we're trying to balance storage with passage. 1) We may have room for an island but it would be narrow and would mean the passages on either side are minimal - 36-39". Not unlike this image. 2) Inset cabinets as shown here are more expensive but more period-appropriate. Otherwise we'd suggest full overlay, but still with a shaker profile. (If that doesn't make sense to you, let us know and we'll explain.) 3) You ok with a counter depth fridge rather than standard? Honestly, we need you to say yes. :) Leslie has reworked and vastly improved the stairs, and the only downside is that there's no place to sink in a standard depth fridge. We are constitutionally against fridges that are not flush with their surroundings. :) JD: Absolutely! I assume I would lose a little bit of fridge-space, right? But I totally trust your/Leslie's judgement!
SY: you rock at this, Jenny, thank you! This gives us a great start. Go back and check for follow up questions please in the images below. We have translated ESD's files to CAD (go figure, they weren't in CAD, but we got them there!) and are mapping things out architecturally. Moving right along! Happy weekend! JD: Yes ma’am! Hilarious re: ESD *facepalm*
SY: Let's switch to overall feel of the public zone. How does this space feel to you? JD: SO WARM & COZY. Many good conversations happen there. :-). SY: yes but lots more traditional, no? Talk to me more. JD: hmm, I do see what you mean. IMO, it does a nice job of straddling the line between overly traditional and that post modern look, Which can be a little less cozy sometimes. Am I crazy? Probablyyyyy
SY: natural with a bit of funk here. :) JD: LOVE. SY: [nodding]
SY: a good mix of vintage / traditional / comfortable / clean. Like? JD: TBH, I much prefer the post-modern pieces over the more traditional. SY: except that one two over with the yellow roll arm sofa and tufted wing backs? :) (No judging, I love both too.) JD: No, I totally hear what you’re saying! I think it’s just that Chest o-drawers in the background honestly that’s throwing it for me. This is so funnnnn
SY: midcentury lines / muted colors / light and bright and natural. Thoughts? JD: YESSSSSS. SY: um-hmmmm
SY: bright and happy and colorful and casual - and a little boho. Thoughts? JD: LOVE. would just swap out the carpet for something with a more modern pattern. SY: I want to come visit please JD: right?!
SY: same aversion to chunks of color on upholstery as you had on cabinets? (I know you won't have a built in with a tv. This is not a literal translation of the space/use - just a feel.) JD: NO, I kind of love this upholstery! Would not be opposed to a striking piece of large furniture like this! SY: OK! Fun!
SY: Funkier here but I love it. Thoughts? This is in the same house as the kitchen we both love below with the built in banquette on the peninsula! This is the living room end of the space. Heidi Caillier is the designer - one of our favs. JD: hmm, too much going on here for me! I want to love it, it is super funky, but there's just too much going on, IMO. SY: yep, that's Heidi Caillier for you! Ok! I love the other images you love too. :)
SY: more of that Heidi Caillier Olympic Manor kitchen/great room. SY: these are oak cabinets, I'd think. JD: love the kitchen
SY: more of that Heidi Caillier Olympic Manor kitchen/great room
SY: more of that Heidi Caillier Olympic Manor kitchen/great room. This could go medium gray like the image you like below, but what do you think of the sage green effect? You can see it on the right in the HC kitchen image we both like below. JD: I like it! It’s still fairly neutral so it would last a while in terms of style
SY: here is a natural look but with walnut. Thoughts on this? JD: nah, too dark. SY: yep, that's what you said on the walnut below too. Roger.
SY: another gray kitchen - with brass hardware - like the one you pinned below. I do like this! I have brought yours up next to this one... JD: Interesting, this one strikes me totally different than the other (not in a good way) - I think it's that the other uses white cabinets up top, while this one has the grey throughout... SY: yep! ok!
JD: ok, this may be where we need to go - the dark(er) cabinetry would hide slops, but the kitchen itself remains nice & light. SY: I love this! How do you feel about glass front cabinets? This rug? Stainless hood? These pulls? JD: Glass-fronts are a maybe - I have some of those currently. Maybe one or two - just for glassware or whatever? I'd prefer a more modern print on the rug, love the stainless hood & cabinet pulls - the more modern the better on cabinet hardware
SY: a beautiful natural look here - soapstone, putty color, wood. (Regarding that black window. Your windows are white. What are our parameters on windows. I know you'd like to leave the big bay and front window; enlarge the two by the fireplace if you can afford it; what about the kitchen window? And are we matching existing windows in the rest of the house or do they all need updating?) JD: Love the colors here. would prefer some more modern cabinet hardware, this looks a tad farmhouse-y to me. Again, steer clear of the open shelves, but I love the wood, putty situation. Regarding windows, let's stick with the white. We updated all the windows about 11 years ago, so let's let those ride. I'm good keeping the kitchen window as-is. SY: GOT IT
SY: now this one, you could maybe look at a little bit literally. :) Open up to see how the dining area (under your bay window) interacts with a peninsula. Pretty great? And also tell me how the overall feel of this strikes you? It's so warm and inviting, IMO. JD: YES. So much to love here. I can see maaaany similarities with this and my space. So warm & inviting, like you said!
SY: again, feel here? any particular elements you react to positively or negatively? JD: this is the type of pop of color I like. the light blue tile is super interesting and I love the wood on the island (would prefer a lighter color though)
SY: Just want to give you a wide array of different schemes to react to! JD: Nope. :-) I think I would tire of those colors in about 3 weeks :-D SY: got it! Nixed!
SY: this is colorful and fun. How does it strike you? JD: first gut reaction, the cabinet color is very close to what I have today, and the dark appliances are a definite no for me. SY: yes, it is close. Do you know what your cabinets are? They strike me as maple. (These seem to be oak, which is what I'd want for you.) JD: I thought mine were oak, but maybe maple?
SY: Holy color, Batman. Are you into this feel? JD: oh noooooo. much prefer the natural/light colors, maybe with a pop or two of color.
SY: Just trying to nail down feel and color scheme. Don't try to do a literal translation of these images to your space; just give me a gut reaction to the feel, and to any particular elements that stand out as things you love or hate (tile, a particular color (this blue, brass fixtures), an element of function (open shelves?), the light fixtures, etc. JD: I like just about everything in this kitchen (cabinets, countertops, appliances/fixtures) but not the blue. Surprisingly I don't hate the brass faucet. Let's steer clear of open shelves, that would get cluttered in .05 seconds in my house. :-)
JD: see photo with library-ladder in the kitchen! lol - taken just a few hours after I posted the other photo! SY:lolllll
SY: thanks for the feedback. I'll keep working on a stair idea that is interesting and lets the light through in the mudroom, so you can see what the $$ would get you if you choose to upgrade. Your backpocket option is to keep what you have.
Q