So choosing everything for the new house was a whirlwind. Our builder is a semi-custom builder who also builds production homes, except you can really tweak the production homes if you want. So they do have a list of standard features and their standards were pretty good (again, this isn’t a Dream Home, high end piece of property), so we just stayed with a lot of the standards. We’ve also built three production homes before and we know what’s worth upgrading and what’s not, what’s easy to do ourselves, what’s a total pain in the butt, etc..

As I said, choices were a whirlwind. We are building out of state, 1000 miles from where we currently live, and there’s only so many times I can get out there due to work, family constraints, whatever. So we chose everything over a period of two days. I’m pretty happy with my selections and can’t wait to see everything come together.

Floors are hickory. We went with a clear coat over them. Doors and trim are knotty alder, which we also went with a clear coat over.

Cabinets are clear Alder, shaker style. The stain is called Oyster, it’s a darker grey brown.

Kitchen granite, for counters and island, is Monte Cristo. I will be picking out my own slabs, and this is a highlyvariable granite, so the sample pics I have might not look anything like what I end up with.

Kitchen sink is composite, in black.

Heres everything together.

I’m going with a stone and glass backsplash, here’s a pic.

Here’s one showing the iridescence in the glass.

Put a revolving bookcase in place of the master bedroom door . . . don't tell the kids.

Consider moving the closet in Bedroom #3 to the opposite wall.

Lovely backsplash! It looks magical with the irridescence :)

If you can move the closet in Br #3, that would make that room much easier to furnish and use.

Mark, I know a house with a secret bookcase door, very cool! It leads to the game room in the basement, past the basement exercise pool. (You know, a lap pool but with jets to create the resistance). The owners said they had once chance to build their dream home and had the money to do it, so they did!

Batty, Do bring a tape measure every time you do visit to keep things on the up and up.

Glad you didn't do the bay windows - I think they often look weird and are hard to place furniture around / near.

Also agree with the idea to move the closet in BR #3. The space with the window is awkward and the closet will look more like an add on than an integrated space.

Also agree with the statement to bring a tape measure with you when you visit. I'll add to that to say you should get yourself a 6' level and have that as part of the kit. There's no substitute for plumb and level and it's a heck of a lot easier to discover and fix early.

Mark, with a revolving bookcase door there and it could be like the Bat(ty) Cave! I’d just need Alfred to clean my house and be all droll.

DH always has a tape measure, but the level is a great idea. I’m still commenting, after 13 years here, about how out of plumb some stuff is.

I do love the ‘splash but I worry it won’t age well. And look dated (like me). That’s ok, then I’ll get to rip it out and start new right? Lol

The rules over at the kitchen forum are to only have one element with a lot of movement. In the case of your granite and backsplash, it's too much. Both items are nice, just too busy to go with one another. Pick one or the other that you like best and select something boring to go with it. Otherwise, those items are going to fight one another.

Some more selections.

The baths have granite standard for the countertop. I didn’t want to upgrade that (Monte Cristo was a several step upgrade), so I went with one of the standards: Smokey Pearl. It’s a very consistent, non-offensive granite that goes with pretty much anything. I did granite backsplashes as well.

Here it is against the cabinet color.

I also went conservative with tile. In the secondary bath, the wall tile in the shower/tub area will be a white subway tile set on a typical subway pattern. I didn’t choose a contrasting grout. I went with white because I like that clean look. All flooring tile throughout the house (master bath, laundry, and second bath) will be the same. In the master bath, I did a running bond pattern, but in the second bath and laundry room I just stuck with the standard square pattern. The same tile will also be the shower surround in the master bath (again, went conservative, and money was an issue).

The master tub surround will be a glass mosaic.

Have you thought of moving your fireplace from the corner to the center of the wall. Corner fireplaces are a real challenge for placing furniture. Believe me, I hated my corner fireplace, could never organize the furniture around it.

PG, I actually don’t like fireplaces all that much and have more issues actually arranging furniture around them when they are centered on a wall. But the hubby likes it.

My only worry is that the backsplash in the kitchen is going to look too busy against the counter. I might post in the home design forum to get opinions.

I agree on moving the closet in bedroom 3. I would think that is a very minor change to the plan and it will help keep noise down from the living areas too.

The granite and the backsplash are going to be pretty variable depending on what slabs I choose. For example, this picture is also Monte Cristo granite and it’s no where nearly as busy.

The combo of granite and backsplash are still busy. Sorry

I agree with cpartist - it still looks too busy.

I generally like calm and not much pattern, but I kind of like the last one. All depends on if you like patterns a lot or not.

Some people may not prefer split pea green, either. Perhaps batty likes her combo.

It’s your opinion anyway,

Eh, not always.

This is an opinion: I like your wave-y tile very much. Your granite, eh.

This is a fact: Moving the closet in the middle bedroom to the opposite wall will allow you more than one window in that small bedroom /will make the room a more pleasant place.

I recommend you open yourself to ideas. You don't have to accept ideas you don't like, but it can't hurt to consider other thoughts.

Mrs. Pete.

I recommend you pay attention to what I said previously because being tapped out on the budget and having signed all the paperwork on the house build, which means no changes unless I shell out more cash, does NOT mean I am not open to ideas. It means I am tapped out and can’t get blood from a stone to change stuff that doesn’t really bother me anyway.

Your insinuation that I’m not open to ideas because I can’t change everything everyone suggests is rather offensive.

Rubynellcherry,

That’s just a sample of the granite that they sent me when I asked for one, I am not into vomit green granite :) That sample just had a lot of that color. Monte Cristo is a super variable granite and it’s usually a lot of grey blues, depending on the slab. I was using it only as a reference as being “less” busy :)

I don't see any vomit green granite. That's an opinion as to the color. I happen to like vomit green granite.

I do see someone with a negative attitude from their opening post.

From your very first comments:

This isn’t a “tell me what I did wrong” thread. It’s your opinion anyway, and I will probably just disagree.

This isn’t a “tell me what you hate about my selections” thread. Again, your opinion, and I liked what I’ve chosen, so why are you being a pill about it?

This forum is NOT just for posting stuff you want advice on, it’s also to share your build, your color choices, etc.. so please don’t tell me I am posting in the wrong forum. I’m not.

Since this is a public forum, of course you can do what you want, but I don’t come into your threads and crap on them, so please try not to do so on mine. Thanks :)

I understand if you can't afford to make changes (either monetarily or because it's a tract home) or choose not to, but that doesn't mean you need to be rude to others who make suggestions. Truth is every one of us has a budget. Yours may or may not be larger or smaller than someone else on this forum, but frankly, I think your comments were out of line.

My build thread has over 600 posts and some people have offered suggestions and some suggestions were not feasible while others have definitely helped me clarify things in my build. Some suggestions I asked for and many I didn't. Doesn't matter because I posted in a PUBLIC forum and posting in a PUBLIC forum means I'm going to get all kinds of responses.

It doesn't mean when I didn't agree with the response or others commented on something I had already set my mind to, that I ignored them like you did with a number of us. And it certainly didn't mean I responded in a rude way like you just did to Mrs Pete. In most every case I tried to thank the person and explain politely my reasoning for doing or not doing their suggestion.

Mrs Pete is correct. Maybe if you open yourself to ideas, you might wind up with something better because even when things can't be changed, many of us might be willing to offer some low cost suggestions to improve on what you're building. But first even a little gratitude for those willing to help for free goes a long way.

Good luck with your build. I hope yours goes smoothly.

How exciting! We are doing a new build from a production plan as well - with a few modifications moving or removing walls, windows, doors, closets, laundry rooms from here to there and that kind of thing. Mostly no cost to small (worth it to us cost) tweaks that just work better for us functionally and in how we will live in it (just my husband and I). We are also happy with most of our builders standards: we went with our builder because their standards were better than most other builders around here. Building is just expensive around here it seems to some of the costs I see mentioned on here for builds and we just don’t have an unlimited budget as we aren’t interested in being house poor :)

Best wishes with the build and yes, don’t stress those who don’t seem to realize that you can’t just go moving closets at this point without shelling out money for the change (often a lot of it!). May be minor practically on paper, but not so minor when your contract (like mine for example) charges $1,000 for any further changes after the plans are signed off on. Not everyone here is building their high budget dream home or being their own contractor, and there are limitations, financial and otherwise. Your granite/backsplash combination is not my taste, but it is also not *my home*! Your home should reflect your personality and preference not mine as you are one living in it. If you ever resale it is easy enough for you or the buyer to switch the backsplash to something less busy, etc. Until then, live with what brings a smile to *your* face!

I envy your large triple car garage! We don’t have the room on our little 0.14 acre pie city lot or the budget for one so we are sticking to a double (21”x23.5”). I will be only one parking in it so we can have room for our kayaks and such. It would have been another $5,000 minimum to widen it and add more concrete and we too are “tapped out” budget wise as we are doing 20% down plus cash for overruns and long story short we already changed the whole house plan once. But we agreed that my husband can build his own big garage off the back lane in 5-6 years and he is happy taking the driveway while I take the heated garage until then. That’s love, ha ha :)

Rai Kai,

THANK YOU! You absolutely get it.

Do you have a thread on your build? I’d love to check it out. I Really like looking over people’s builds and enjoy sharing in their excitement. Building a house is a pain in the ass bt it’s also fun.

There’s a pretty non-judgemental thread that starts up every month with the Month Year and Where is your build or some such. I love going there, people are just happy to see others’ progress without sniping about it.

Enjoy the heated garage, it will be so worth it on those cold winter days :)

No, no thread yet! Maybe I will put one up once we get things sorted but admittedly I am not as brave as you to bring all the commentary about changes I can’t make after the fact, and my “snout house” itself already would be on many hit lists, ha. I will take a look for that monthly thread, though!

Batty, No judgement. It's your investment. You get to make the decisions. You get to live with them. You did ask for comment.

No less than four posters have commented and cautioned you about your kitchen material selection. It's not the individual pieces, they are lovely. It's how they are put together.

Here is the why. Busy plus busy doesn't equal a good result. Busy plus quiet equals a great result.

A good example of using this guideline successfully is your bathroom selections. Those are going to be stunning. You've got busy granite counter, quiet subway tile, quiet black cabinet, quiet grey tile and a small band of busy mosaic tile. It's mostly quiet with a pop of busy. That's a good combination. It's going to look sharp.

The issue is the kitchen combination. You have a busy granite with a lot of movement. Your backsplash has multiple colors, a very intricate shape and multiple colors. It's busy. If you selected a quiet quartz or laminate with that backsplash, it would look great. If you selected you granite and a quiet backsplash such a white or cream tile, it would look great. You might consider using that mosaic you selected as a band inside a white/cream subway tile. Using it as a design above your cooktop would be another option. As I said, the individual pieces are really nice, they just don't fit directly adjacent to one another.

I hope you view this as being helpful and not critical. That's how it's meant. Best of luck to you. It's an exciting time in your life.

THANK YOU! You absolutely get it.

And you absolutely don't!

Cpartist I think that was un-necessary and not your normal helpful nature. I hope nothing else has gone wrong on your build. If the OP likes it together then what does it matter to us. We can state logic and reason for things and why someome should change their minds, but in the end even if we feel they are making a mistake all we can do is state our reasons why we feel that way. They may get what someone is saying, but choose to ignore it because they disagree and not have to defend themselves. We all see things differently and sometimes just have to learn by experiences too

What got me was her rudeness to Mrs Pete who gives her advice freely and is always willing to also explain herself. Mrs Pete and I don't always see eye to eye regarding decorating, but I will always respect her opinion. I just called it as I saw it in this case. I stand by what I said.

I don't find the rudeness, I see a dirext reply with the same info provided in the original post. It was direct, but I didn't see anything rude, but maybe I missed it.

I agree Mrs Pete always gives freely and with good explanations and I don't always agree with everybody either, but I do appreciate every one providing advice even if I disagree.

I recommend you pay attention to what I said previously because being tapped out on the budget and having signed all the paperwork on the house build, which means no changes unless I shell out more cash, does NOT mean I am not open to ideas. It means I am tapped out and can’t get blood from a stone to change stuff that doesn’t really bother me anyway.

Your insinuation that I’m not open to ideas because I can’t change everything everyone suggests is rather offensive.

I read what you said. You've made it clear that you're not open to new ideas, but what I was urging was moderation in that arena.Some ideas won't cost you a penny. No one's ever suggested you should make every change other people think up, but being outright unwilling to hear ideas -- well, that is kind of the definition of closed-minded.

I'm sorry you took it offensively, but since you've made it clear that you're only looking for positives and praise, so I'll bow out of all future conversation.

What got me was her rudeness to Mrs Pete who gives her advice freely and is always willing to also explain herself.

Thanks, I didn't think your comment about two busy items together was rude either. I thought it was a clarification /explanation that explained why the two nice items don't necessarily work together.

I don't find the rudeness, I see a dirext reply with the same info provided in the original post. It was direct, but I didn't see anything rude, but maybe I missed it.

Well, it's a bit like my students, who ... nah, I'm just done.

batty, my comment earlier was directed elsewhere and not toward your particular choices :)

Mrs Pete cpartist has deleted it. And you're right that unless there is a specific defined etiquette rude can be seen different by different people.

Edited to add: I guess we were all rude too since we went against the wishes of the OP.

I deleted nothing.

Now that we've straightened that out, and we understand that batty meant it when she said the budget was set, I look forward to following the build!

Cpartist then someone reported the post right above mine as the post I objected to was deleted.

Generally nice design. What's the total sqft? I find the Bedroom #3 closet placement to be a bit odd but I can't come up with anything better. The foyer closet area is a bit funky. Those are minor. Looks like it will a lot of fun!

I guess I can't quite understand why the OP posted here at all. No changes, no advice, nothing. I assume she wants our praise and validation of her choices. Not quite the way things usually work on GW...

The OP has deleted her account

There are a few threads where the thread owner knows that they are doing and is posting as a way to follow and share, kind of like cpartist. Pretty early on with this one, like in the first post and In her first response to the tile and closet questions, batty made it clear that money for changes was a big issue. At that point we could have been interested and supportive if any problems arose, but we didn't.

I hate to sound like my parents, but you do need to learn to accept fair criticism. I didn't see anything out line with any of the comments. I think they were all offered in the spirit of wanting gain from a lot of hard-earned experience. I hope she's happy with the final product. I'm sure her friends will universally praise her taste.

I posted some pictures of my lighting choices over at the Home Decorating Forum. They were shot down big time. I cancelled the order and thought about what the critics were trying to convey. Subsequently, I've made other choices that are more harmonious with the theme of a distinctive house. But, they aren't my first choice by any means. I appreciated the cold water response. I thought I knew what I was doing, but apparently I didn't. If we don't lavish praise on something as a group, maybe a few moments of introspection is warranted by the poster.

I think this thread started out on a difficult note because the OP already seemed a bit on the defensive. To some extent I can understand wanting to point out the thread's purpose and I think that the climate can sometimes put one on the defensive.

But I wonder really if it is a good idea in general to start a progress thread so early. If this were a progress thread that actually had a framed house involved, or a drywalled house involved it may be easier to follow it as a progress thread, ,and not turn it into a critique thread.

I have seem some progress threads that seem to be mostly about validation and encouragement and they remain that way, and I think maybe the difference is that there has already been a lot of progress. There have certainly been progress and finished threads where I personally think the result is pretty awful that get a lot of admiration. It could be that my personal taste is a lot different than the average or it could be that people are focusing on the merits of the project and not the other stuff, I don't know.

It's a matter of timing. Because I've also seen "finished" threads show up and I don't remember there being any discussion of the project up to that point, so in that regard maybe nobody who participates in this forum has much of a vested interest in the project or its result. And then maybe that thread doesn't get much traction either.

I've never really posted full progress reports on renovations as they are ongoing. I have posted cropped detail pictures to show specific things but no general views and even this is sometimes problematic.

When I had a custom vanity made for the hall bath, we went through several iterations of species and finish colors, two onsite measures and then when the guy installed the knobs (two only) they were visibly uneven, and it was more of a rant, like "why would you be so careless on a grain matched vanity at the very last step". And what to do about it. I ended up having my contractor epoxy the holes and redrill and deducted about $40 from the final.

But I got a number of questions about why I chose the particular knob I did (a $1.00 ceramic ball knob), and this was because it was the local architects' mid century knob of choice for this sort of cabinet and house, and I was using white cabinet knobs in other areas of the house. But there was a certain amount of critique of that one detail, and a thing like "the knob isn't that nice anyway, get something with an ornamental back plate and you don't have to worry about coverage of the holes".

And there was another about a custom bedspread I had fabricated that unfortunately had the quilting slightly off center and there was an obvious seam as a result. The fabricator agreed without any discussion to make a new spread.

But I posted a picture and said "Can you see what is wrong with this bedspread?" to see if people picked up on the seam, which some did. But I also got "It looks like you need a new mattress", " Let's see where do I start, it looks like a sleeping bag?" "Do you mean that it's ugly?" and "It looks like it's made out of plastic." (?)

Why would anyone get a bedspread made out of plastic? It was made out of linen and the way the light was hitting it picked up on threads in the linen.

So I think to some extent one has to have a thick skin and not care what people think, particularly if one is not making "top of the trend" decisions. Because let's face it as much lip service as not following trends gets, there is really a lot of pressure to do exactly that. And secondly I think there are some people who get off on deflating other people's ideas, and like being able to be mean in the guise of being "honest" in the relative anonymity of an internet forum.

Pretty early on with this one, like in the first post and In her first response to the tile and closet questions, batty made it clear that money for changes was a big issue.

BP, I don't know if you remember, (probably do since you were one of the first to be so helpful on my early threads) but several times different people suggested we add square footage even after I made it clear I couldn't because of site restrictions. I had the choice to make snotty comments as to why I couldn't do so, or to thank the folks for trying to think outside the box and explain again why I couldn't. I believe I chose the second option in all cases. If I didn't then I humbly apologize.

Money is a big issue for anyone, whether we're building a $100,000 tract home or a $1,000,000+ custom home. We all have to make choices based on our needs, our wants and our wallets. Batty was from the start defensive in her opening post.

Too bad because I would have suggested she move the window she added to the garage out of the garage and into her kitchen so her kitchen gets natural light, and I would have also suggested as others had about moving the closet. I also would have told her to save her money with the window in the master closet since light isn't even good for clothes.

In general I find it difficult to know how to respond to threads like this with all sorts of parameters about how one is supposed to respond. Because essentially it's like "Here is what is going to be done, take it or leave it."

So really anyone else's opinions--whether they agree or disagree--don't matter. If I don't like it, don't say anything (which is perfectly reasonable at times) and if I do like it all I have to do is say "I like it" and then I'm done.

But I don't see much point in threads like that. A professional has a vested interest in putting finished work out there in order for people to see the finished work and possibly it will increase business, but I am not sure what the point is for a homeowner.

CPA, your thread is of interest to follow because you did start with asking for opinions, so people who offered opinions, whether they made any difference or not still have some sort of interest in seeing the end result. Because at some point outsiders were part of the process.

There's nothing wrong with simply sharing someone's excitement about their new project or build, I guess that's why that sort of blog is popular. (Although honestly I don't follow any sort of non-participatory blogs like that).

But the reason I don't really post any of my own house other than individual details that might interest someone is because I very rarely ask anybody's opinion about anything. I pretty much know exactly what I want to do and I do it with minimal input. (I ask for input about specific things and there are people with whom I discuss things in depth, through email.) So since I don't really let people participate in the process, why should I expect more than a passing interest in the process or the outcome? Maybe it's just me but I don't really see the point.

I feel the need to weigh in on this one seeing as I have known batty longer than I haven't known her and I was with her through her last house build, the whole process of deciding to make what is a huge move for her and her family, the decision to build again and what builder to use.

You may or may not care for her straight forward and matter of fact tone in the first post, but I think she was perfectly clear about where she is in this process and what she was hoping to accomplish by starting this thread... but in case she wasn't clear and it would be helpful to have it said a different way... she is excited, anxious and at times overwhelmed even though this was not her first rodeo and was hoping for some people who get that to share in her joy and excitement with the progress, as well as the inevitable stress that comes with a build.

Just because you see something on the internet doesn't mean you necessarily have to answer it, right? So if she is not your cup of tea and her build is not your cup of tea, there are plenty of other threads that I'm sure ARE you cup of tea, where your expertise would be seen as useful instead of condescending.

Because honestly, some of the critical comments I see are pretty condescending in nature and make some assumptions that just aren't true.

The biggest is that she is a newbie and has no idea what she is doing. It turns out this is her third build, not her first, and she has owned her own home for a few decades. So maybe it is possible (I know hard to believe) that she actually knows what SHE likes, knows what HER priorities are, and what is important to not only her but also her husband, and where they to spend their limited budget, and where they are both fine with living with the builder standard.

cpartist may feel like a better use of money is to completely rearrange the standard builder kitchen in order to put in more windows than to put a small window in the master closet, however that is their opinion, and a completely unrealistic and not very useful one. We looked at many many plans and many many builders together and this kitchen was the best of the standard kitchens, in spite of the lack of natural light... I personally would not trade a window over the sink for a kitchen half the size and with horrendous functionality and neither would she... and yes, we already discussed that stuff. REALLY. This stuff has been considered and hashed out by people who know the full picture that could not possibly be conveyed in its entirety on this forum. REALLY.

For example, she has a small window in her master closet in the home she is living in currently (and that she built with great care 15 years ago) and that small little detail brings her great joy, so for a couple hundred bucks she can repeat that detail and make her new place feel a little more like the home she raised her kids in. But you'd have to know her and know her situation to get that. Which is why she hashed out the details of the build with people who know that, including her husband... who has his own very strong set of opinions and I can assure you could not possibly care less about what strangers on the internet think of them. Believe me, sometimes he has ideas about stuff that makes me go "hmmmm" but at the end of the day he is working his butt off to pay for this thing that is HIS home and it really matters not if I agree with what he likes or doesn't like because it's his house, not mine.

Because no one here can possibly know the full picture, and this is not a custom build where all things are possible, it is basically a useless exercise to submit her plans for critique on the internet. It's not that she doesn't value the expertise here, she is just not in a situation to utilize it and is past the point in the process where she can realistically make changes anyway. She made the decision a while ago that a smaller group of people who actually have a good handle on the entire situation, including what is possible with this particular builder and her budget, was the way to go. Again, you may not agree with that decision and you may feel that a house designed by a committee of many strangers opinions is the way to go, but she is a grownup person and it's her right to decide to do it another way. I'm sure there are plenty of threads with people who want to design their home by committee so feel free to join in there.

I just think it's kind of crappy... but not unsurprising, that she came here to share her joy with others who are in a similar place and ended up having unkind and downright nasty assumptions made about her. There are enough people here who managed to be generally supportive and not nasty to tell me that it IS possible for her to have gotten what she wanted out of this thread. Just not very likely on the internet.

Everyone who replied was trying to be helpful. People are going to offer advice on these forums, even unsolicited. The readers took the time to review her drawings and choices, and offered advice. Some people supported her choices, and some didnt. Truthfully the suggestions were minor (a possible busy backsplash, move a closet) compared to what we usually see on this forum. No one understood the context of things she cant change. In the overall scheme of building a house, these items are very minor.

If you read through cpartist's threads, you will see that she reviewed many of her choices and decisions throughout the build on the forum. She solicited advice and continues to do so. It seems logical that she would also track the build with the people who have weighed in on it from the beginning.

Anyway, I just want to point out that people were only trying to be helpful.

It was mentioned above, but I think it’s worth pointing out again - the monthly build post is, for better or worse, the best place to post on this forum if you want to share your building excitement without the critiques (I love reading about people’s progress!!)

Beyond that, having your own blog to share with friends/family is a great way to share your excitement with the people who know you and your situation best.

Best of luck to Batty

I will say, I have been reading this forum for 4-5 years, and there is a few tendencies that would make people pause. I feel there are commenters in this forum who get more joy out of telling people what they are doing wrong, and what they would do with an unlimited budget, more than out of a want to be helpful. There is then a pig pile effect that happens a lot where a few beat on an issue.

damiarain,

I was thinking that maybe we needed something like a "Share my Progress" forum or a "Finished _______Forum"...there was a Finished KItchens link on the old Gardenweb that Starpooh? ran.

But of course that's what the "How is your build" thread is for. That is probably where Batty's info should have gone rather than a personal thread.

People are generally trying to be helpful, but in a specific thread about a specific house or kitchen, people are also used to being able to participate rather than just randomly compliment everything.