Dwellings you LOVE

[Reesha]

A few of us started to stray in the Open Space thread that Shooting Star started and we began drooling over dwellings we loved.

As I am a huge fan of daydreaming about beautiful spaces, I wanted to make a thread where we can share our favorites.

This house will be a model when my partner and I build our next house:
http://blog.designpublic.com/2008/11/04/a-green-remodel-making-a-cottage-modern/

Here's a screened in porch that I am loving:
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3421/3728619230_6059d626b6_z.jpg

[shootingstar]

It is interesting you like screened porch. I don't.

That is a cute house. You and your partner must want a place with garden space...

I actually do like my home that I had in a different thread. ('Course there's issues related to the common areas of condo building, caused by the builder..)
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=45881&page=2

I've never lived in a home before...with a fake, natural gas fireplace. :p
In the above photo link, the place actually has ....2 large balconies which floored me when I got it. 1 off the bedroom and 1 off the kitchen.

I was never looking for a home with 2 balconies. 'Course I just haven't gotten around to getting patio furniture because finances don't permit right now.

[Crankin]

Screened porches are wonderful, Shooting Star. Why don't you like them?
Generally, they are on the back of a house, but still, it really extends the use of a porch because of the lack of bugs. We had a huge screened porch on our first house in MA. Since the house was quite a bit smaller than the house we moved from in AZ, it was a real extra room for the first 3-4 months we lived there, especially with 2 young boys. I love eating breakfast out on the porch. We also ate dinner out there every night in the summer.
When we bought our next house, it had a crappy deck, with very little room. We designed and had a 2 room mahogany porch built, with a wrap around deck on the back, on the side/back of the house. I finally bought some really nice porch furniture for the first time. While we actually designed the slightly odd configuration of the porch because of the set back laws, septic tank, and lot lines, there were several times I was out there, when people would drive by and stop to tell me how much they loved the porch, and that they had watched the build and were amazed. Sadly, we only used it for 3 summers before we moved. But, it was a strong selling point in a neighborhood full of cookie cutter houses. We ate most of our meals out there, weather permitting (not too cold) 3-4 months a year. There's a huge mosquito issue around here and being outside after dusk, or even early AM is just not feasible.
I can't imagine living without some outdoor space, whether I was in the city or country. Having balconies is kind of standard in condos in the city, here, and rooftop deck space is coveted.

[jessmarimba]

I liked screened porches but they aren't really as necessary in Denver. We just don't have the bugs. My favorite part of my house is the big open front porch.

I don't have a link to attach but I love Cliff May houses. They're fairly small but generally well-designed (originally) so they feel larger than they are, and they are wonderful for incorporating "outside" into the living space. There are a cluster of them here but most are in southern California - some of the ones there are just stunning.

[jobob]

I long for a house someday with a really big porch. The kind you can put a ceiling fan or two inside. A wraparound porch would be fabulous.

Screened porches make great sense when you live somplace that gets lots of bugs, esp mosquitoes.

Lee & I are the same way, when we pass by houses with nice porches we usually slow down to oggle.

I also like to check out variations on pre-fabricated homes, they've gotten really nice over the years. Blu Homes (http://www.bluhomes.com/) just opened a factory in nearby Vallejo, I hope to go check it out soon.

[shootingstar]

Screened porches are wonderful, Shooting Star. Why don't you like them?
Generally, they are on the back of a house, but still, it really extends the use of a porch because of the lack of bugs. We had a huge screened porch on our first house in MA.

Sure the mosquito protection makes alot of sense and for me, it's helpful since mosquitoes are drawn to me compared to other people I know. I just don't like the look of them from the outside.

When I grew up in an old drafty house, we had a back side sun porch. It was handy from my parents' perspective to have their 6 kids horse around there in the evenings when it was humid in summer. But in winter, I hated going out there, since it wasn't heated. We kept all our shoes, boots, probably over 35 pairs ..it was treated like a semi-mud room. There was some seating. The newspaper boy delivered our papers through a catch door. My mother dried her meat hanging in another corner, etc.

I never for instance, read a book in the sunporch. The "karma" just felt wrong.

Years later, I visited a friend several times over the decades, who bought a lovely cute (but big cottage with 3 bedrooms) by Lake Huron. It had also a sun porch at the front overlooking the bay. Still I never truly whole heartedly enjoyed being in the porch vs. the living room (with same view).

Then when I stayed at her other home (yes, she had 2 properties) in a town, there was a sunporch off the 2nd story bedroom where I stayed as a guest. I never wanted to go out on the sunporch. But then they didn't equip for sitting out but it was clean, etc.

It's just me. I can't explain it but probably does stem from childhood memories.

I did want a home in multi-rise building with a balcony. I just never expected 2 balconies. Our home in VAncovuer, does have a (smaller) balcony overlooking bike path, an ocean creek where you can see kayakers and sailboats regularily. All downtown. The sunsets/sunrises are wonderful and I miss it. http://www.velo-city2012blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/vancouversunrise.jpg This is the view from
Vancouver home.

I do get a wonderful but totally different view here (not in Vancouver), of rising foothills, bike-ped. path, greenway, etc. It's perfect since we're downtown here also.

Downtown living can work really well....one just has to be patient and choose their location carefully. I hear no cars...and we're just 1 block away from a busy road during the work week. Apparently there will be more bike lanes painted in our area over time.

I'm not really a house person at all. I just found out from a single woman who just recently retired from our workplace... she's under 65 and wants to sell her 2 story townhouse. Her knees can't take walking up and down stairs. And she's not that old! Another single woman who I know more closely for a longer time, who is 73 yrs. has a large 1500 sq. ft. 1-level apartment (she went through ownership of house, condos over the decades) who now is looking for ...a cheaper place to live while she is barely mobile with her walker because of a hip problem. It is VERY sobering to personally know someone well for past 30 yrs., beautiful, vibrant, fiercely independent and active and now she is ...abit disabled and weak.

[pll]

What an amazing view from your Vancouver home! I, too, have two balconies. In one, I keep a grill and, in the other, I have a table and two chairs (and planters). I don't need much more than that to enjoy the balcony!

I am pleased to say that I love my dwelling right now! I know the changes I want to make over time, but I love coming home after work every afternoon.

Here's the view from my balcony:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CEcFvEpSevg/TtpwvKGk7iI/AAAAAAAAd18/QFqzgH_gmqk/s400/47033_424073513859_773333859_4902261_6956467_n.jpg

[VeganBikeChick]

Your homes are all so pretty! Love the pics.

I'm currently in a studio downtown, as I was trying to live car-free. It didn't last, but I did stick it out for a good year.

I'm in the process of saving up for a house. It's a good 2 years out. My dream home would be a warm, inviting A-frame, rustic, with lots of windows, loft bedroom and HUGE fireplace. In reality, I don't think it's something I'll ever be able to afford, so I'm guessing a cookie cutter townhouse will have to suffice.

[Crankin]

That view is awesome, Shooting Star. It reminds me of the views I see when I watch HGTV, International. I am addicted to that show. I've actually learned a lot about the cultures of different places while watching a show about buying homes in different countries!

[emily_in_nc]

That view is awesome, Shooting Star. It reminds me of the views I see when I watch HGTV, International. I am addicted to that show. I've actually learned a lot about the cultures of different places while watching a show about buying homes in different countries!

Me too! Love that show. It actually first turned us onto Belize, and I've enjoyed learning about other places in the world. Some have been incredibly exotic to me, like Dubai, Singapore, and the like. It's fun to decide which one I would pick if I were choosing.

[Reesha]

I like my current house... for $85K I cannot complain!!! Yesterday I just closed up the sunroom for the winter and moved the furniture into the main living room with the fireplace. It's such a cozy house with pretty architectural details, but it has all the inefficiencies of a 1925 home. Tiny rooms, many without much utilitarian purpose. I have learned a lot from this first homebuying experience though and know exactly what we will look for when we build our next.

My friend's dog getting presumptuous in the sunroom:
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/33851_437866188654_511688654_5077806_7250588_n.jpg

The 'main' living room on one side:
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/267973_10150214042298655_511688654_7056157_709027_n.jpg

But man, I have the crappiest kitchen ever. When I first bought, I figured I'd use the $8,000 tax credit to improve it, but then I needed more practical stuff like a washer and dryer. Now we're going to rip out a wall and do it right once my student loans are paid off :)

[shootingstar]

Reesha your living room looks same as that of a sister of mine in Toronto. It's a nice elegant living rm.

Most interesting that I have learned when living in: Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary:

Toronto: I love the red brick homes. There actually was a local brickmaking factory that produced bricks. I plan to blog about it...since it's turned into an environmental educational centre.

Bricks are used heavily in southern Ontario. The old fieldstone homes are lovely too.

Southern Ontario for heritage homes might have more gingerbread trim. Not Vancouver nor Calgary. Forget it.

Vancouver: But Vancouver does not have much brick homes compared to southern Ontario. Nor stone homes. It's not really found stuff in natural local environment.

I've noticed that the milder climate there means, more steps are used in creative ways, wood, more balconies, etc.

Calgary: Does not offer brick homes (in the heritage sense). frankly this prairie town had lousy architecture historically, for homes. Just ugly and plain/flat. Of course new homes, are more standard look that you would find anywhere in Canada.

[goldfinch]

I miss my old home:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VlE1Xh7fTXc/SzTZtaV_veI/AAAAAAAAFPQ/BzG-oMw4Wi0/s640/017.JPG

I used to love to sit in this sunporch and read and watch the bird feeders.

This is a picture of the livingroom I took the day we moved out after selling the place:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-D0NL17S5l_Y/SzTZogseMoI/AAAAAAAAFPE/oS0Di4AHs80/s512/021.JPG

[emily_in_nc]

Wow, Goldfinch, what an elegant home! What beautiful wood moldings. I'm in awe...

[NbyNW]

I just found out from a single woman who just recently retired from our workplace... she's under 65 and wants to sell her 2 story townhouse. Her knees can't take walking up and down stairs. And she's not that old! Another single woman who I know more closely for a longer time, who is 73 yrs. has a large 1500 sq. ft. 1-level apartment (she went through ownership of house, condos over the decades) who now is looking for ...a cheaper place to live while she is barely mobile with her walker because of a hip problem. It is VERY sobering to personally know someone well for past 30 yrs., beautiful, vibrant, fiercely independent and active and now she is ...abit disabled and weak.

It's incredible that homes of any size aren't better designed and built for our aging population. It's one thing to want to downsize, but you'd think people would still be able to get in and out of their homes and still be able to use the bathroom, kitchen, etc. even as they lose mobility. Moving is stressful, especially if you have strong ties to a community.

This has been an area of study for me for the past few years. Retrofitting is often expensive, awkward, and not fast enough to keep up with people's needs. Why not include accessible design in new construction? If you design those features in from the beginning, they don't have to be these costly retrofits that stick out like a sore thumb and often stigmatize the people who need them.

My in-laws moved into a townhouse a few years ago that was marketed as an ideal place to age. They are finding now, with FIL's knee, hip and back problems: not so much. There is a bedroom with a 3/4 bath on the main floor, but the shower is not curbless and they would probably have to take it back to the studs to put in support for grab bars. Plus he's a big guy so maneuvering in this tiny bathroom is awkward. So every time he goes to use the bathroom he has an increased risk of falling and injury.

This problem could have been much easier solved during initial design and construction. Thankfully the in-laws have a bit of time to figure things out.

[Pax]

I love my current home, it's a 1943 bungalow, only 810 sq. ft. but has a full basement and a large front screen porch. It has all original wood work, hard wood floors, and a fantastic galley kitchen.

But I'm not really a house person either, I'd love to have a place like pll, a nice balcony to hang out on... with a great city view. But I live downstate where such a place doesn't exist, so I'll stick with my little house.

[shootingstar]

It's incredible that homes of any size aren't better designed and built for our aging population. It's one thing to want to downsize, but you'd think people would still be able to get in and out of their homes and still be able to use the bathroom, kitchen, etc. even as they lose mobility. Moving is stressful, especially if you have strong ties to a community.

This has been an area of study for me for the past few years. Retrofitting is often expensive, awkward, and not fast enough to keep up with people's needs. Why not include accessible design in new construction? If you design those features in from the beginning, they don't have to be these costly retrofits that stick out like a sore thumb and often stigmatize the people who need them.


Well, maybe it's our definition of a perfect home that changes at different stages of life. I'm not convinced that many people even think rationally how their body's capabilities will change, when they look at homes to choose. When my parents bought their home in Toronto, before I spent time advising that they get one with less levels. That was over 10 yrs. ago. Of course, they had a right to follow or not follow advice. It was the latter that happened.... I guess the good thing is that they stuck to a home near transit...they always have each time, they moved. Always no more than a 15 min. or less to the transit stop.


I always wanted a 1 level home...and I've always had one: I just can't be bothered the hassle of vaccuming staircases. Again another childhood memory/task....into my 20's when we had to look after a 2nd house for our absentee landlord-parents who lived in another city at the time.

We do have grab bars....but too low, for lowering oneself in a whirlpool jetted bathtub --another frill I didn't EVEN notice when I got this place. I didn't look hard into the bathtub. I've barely used the whirlpool jets and should, just to keep the lines free-flowing.

My place is 770 sq. ft. But if you include balconies and storage locker (where 2 bikes are kept), I guess that's another extra 150 sq. ft.
Plenty of room, some of it under-utilized right now.

An ideal situation might be have a large lot with a house and then a small cutie, studio house. When things get difficult in physical abilities, sell or rent the bigger and occupy the studio house.

[NbyNW]

An ideal situation might be have a large lot with a house and then a small cutie, studio house. When things get difficult in physical abilities, sell or rent the bigger and occupy the studio house.

It doesn't matter how big or little the house is, it's absolutely useless for getting in and out of if there are steps required to get in. Try getting up even two steps if you are using a walker or wheelchair. When I was discharged from the hospital after fracturing vertebrae, my little sister had to lift me up the steps to get into my parent's house. Just two steps, but impossible for me to navigate in my condition. Thankfully she is trained as an EMT so she knew how to do it without injuring me or herself.

It's possible to design homes with zero-step threshhold, and still keep the rain out. I know an architect with a young family who designed his home this way. They love that they didn't have to lug strollers up and down steps when their kids were little. Also it's a 3-level home but he has stacked the closets on top of each other so that if they ever need to put in an elevator they will save a ton of money on structural.

The point is, the way our current housing stock and even most new housing stock is built will probably not be able to accommodate the needs and wants of our seniors, who are increasing in absolute numbers every year. That's basic baby boomer demographics. Concepts like aging in place and universal design need to be a lot more mainstream than they have been.

[shootingstar]

It doesn't matter how big or little the house is, it's absolutely useless for getting in and out of if there are steps required to get in. Try getting up even two steps if you are using a walker or wheelchair. When I was discharged from the hospital after fracturing vertebrae, my little sister had to lift me up the steps to get into my parent's house. Just two steps, but impossible for me to navigate in my condition. Thankfully she is trained as an EMT so she knew how to do it without injuring me or herself.

.............................The point is, the way our current housing stock and even most new housing stock is built will probably not be able to accommodate the needs and wants of our seniors, who are increasing in absolute numbers every year. That's basic baby boomer demographics. Concepts like aging in place and universal design need to be a lot more mainstream than they have been.

Yes, totally agree ++1 NByNW.

This thread hasn't gone the way, that Reesha might have expected. :confused: But still it's wanting the ideal place for a long time.

[Reesha]

This thread will be what it will be, but when I have an awesome house that I love to post, there is a place for it!

[zoom-zoom]

It's interesting the discussion of design and aging. Recently DH and I have talked about maybe someday building a house. We had planned to do this before DS came along, then ended up buying our current fixer-upper moneypit.

I found a plan that I really liked, but it was 2 stories. DH immediately put the kibosh on that thought. We're not people who like to move a lot (we've been in our current house nearly 12 years) and he pointed out that anything we build would likely be the house we retire in (we're both pushing 40).

[Koronin]

I would love to have a two story home with a full finished basement. However the basement part is basically impossible apparently in most of the state of NC. In western NC the mountains make it very difficult and at the coast the water table is too high. The two story homes I like are just way, way too expensive. (I think that's partly from growing up in a two story home that I loved). The one bigger thing I wish I had was a nice front porch, we have a great back deck, but I'd love a large front porch. Also a childhood memory from the home we lived in when I was pretty young before moving across town. (Both homes were two stories with a finished basement). Otherwise I really like our home.

[skhill]

There's a place down the street from me that I just love. The house itself is pretty typical-- about 100 yrs old, cottage, roughly 1000 sqft, big front porch. It's the yard that's fantastic. There's a pear tree in the front, and in back, the chickens have a well-fenced area with a handsome coop/house. There are a series of raised garden beds, and a tiny greenhouse. The family's chickens have more room to play than the kids!

[ny biker]

My father has lived in the same house since he was 12 years old. He is now 76. My mother has lived there for more than 50 years, and she is 74. It's two stories with a basement. The house is on a hill, so the basement is below ground in the front of the house but ground-level in the back. When they go out to the car, they usually go out through the basement. The basement is also where they do laundry, store a lot of their food (the kitchen is small so there is a pantry area in the laundry room, along with a full-size freezer). There's also a work room for my father and his large model train layout.

Their bedroom is on the second floor of the house.

So my parents walk up and down stairs all day long. Honestly, I think it's one of the reasons why they are in such good health for their age, because they are constantly getting exercise as they go about their lives.

(If they had to, they could move their bedroom to the main floor, though my father would hate that since there is no heat in that room.)

[emily_in_nc]

So my parents walk up and down stairs all day long. Honestly, I think it's one of the reasons why they are in such good health for their age, because they are constantly getting exercise as they go about their lives.

I totally agree. I'm 50, and DH is 58, and I wouldn't hesitate to build a two-story house again if we were going to build a house. My mom is 77 and still lives in a two-story house and does fine. It's actually some of the only exercise she gets, so I am glad she has stairs to climb! I fully intend to be able to do stairs for a long, long time. Only time living in a two-story (w/all bedrooms and showers upstairs) wasn't good was when I fractured my pelvis and had to have a hospital bed in the living room until I could butt-scoot up the stairs. :D

We live in a four-story condo building now, and the wife of the couple who live in the penthouse is scared of elevators and always takes the stairs. She's 72 and very fit. That's exactly how I plan to be. And if by chance I'm not, I'll deal with it. I've moved enough in my lifetime that having to move again due to a physical limitation wouldn't be a huge deal.

We happen to live on the first floor in a single-story condo now, but that wasn't by choice; it was just the only condo available that suited our needs. If we could have put this condo on a higher floor, we would have done it and taken the steps. It's just more private being on an upper floor.