Comments for A House By The Park

Comment on Plans Submitted to City, and Other Updates by Mike D.

Mike D. — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:45:06 +0000

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Lots of good stuff to look at. Benjy, no worries.

Comment on Plans Submitted to City, and Other Updates by Benjy

Benjy — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:57:53 +0000

I don’t mean to be self-promotional, but another good resource for modern lighting is Lightology. In the interest of full disclosure, I work for the company as web marketing manager, but am recommending it because we do have a large selection of lighting in the styles and price points you are likely considering for you house.

I am a longtime reader of your personal blog, and given my interest in architecture, etc. I have really been enjoying the chance to live vicariously through you on this undertaking.

Comment on Plans Submitted to City, and Other Updates by nick

nick — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:32:17 +0000

Mike,

We’re remodeling our bathrooms and I’ve found the following to be solid:

The coolest sinks and showers ever designed:

http://www.dna-plus.com/BATH/index.html

An awesome resource for tiling and stone:

http://www.annsacks.com/home.html

Clean lines and reasonably priced bathroom stuff (see Philippe Starck range)

http://www.duravit.com/

Also, if memory serves, there’s a Waterworks store down on First Avenue.

Regards,

Nick

Comment on Plans Submitted to City, and Other Updates by Vince

Vince — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 04:31:11 +0000

I have found lots of great ideas at the Cool Hunter

http://www.thecoolhunter.net/house/

Comment on Plans Submitted to City, and Other Updates by Lou M

Lou M — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 03:49:20 +0000

Thanks KP for the feedback on the resourcing of materials. Good to know. Can’t wait to see the final renderings of the house and of course, actual photos once its all done up.

Comment on The Cost of Heating a Hot Tub by Don

Don — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 03:04:17 +0000

Hi Mike,

I can tell you the following:
a. we love our hot tub (but only use it in the winter — we drain it and head to the beach in the late spring, summer and fall.
b. your cost to heat will in fact have a lot to do with each of the following:
1. do you use it … use will cost more because the cover is open, because the jets are on circulating the water, etc., but using it is the whole point
2. do you in fact leave it open after treating it for a bit as suggested to prolong the life of the cover, or do you close it and buy a new cover more frequently (they are not cheap and do only last about two to three years maximum)

You do leave it on all the time (we find 102 to be uncomfortably hot) … we keep ours about 99 degrees.

I have no idea how much it costs a month. Absent a meter on it … how would you ever know? I do know that I built a special deck for it and I had to have special wiring run. I’m glad we have it and I enjoy it. Go for it.

Nothing is better on a cold and snowy night than walking out to the hot tub, jumping in and sitting for a spell. Very relaxing.

Comment on Plans Submitted to City, and Other Updates by Lou

Lou — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 01:22:18 +0000

Thx Mike. Definitely agree with your sentiments on the economy. We are in the beginning phase of a similar style project but are taking cautious steps and trying to pay as much out of pocket as possible instead of going after a huge loan. Look forward to hearing more about your project and good luck!

Comment on Plans Submitted to City, and Other Updates by marc

marc — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:57:39 +0000

The best online place for contemporary lighting is ylighting.com. I’m not sure about the ceiling echo damper… looks too much like the 70’s to me! How about some neutral sound dampening material directly applied to the ceiling (kinda like a ceiling carpet)?

Comment on Plans Submitted to City, and Other Updates by Cara

Cara — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:27:57 +0000

For bathroom fixtures, lighting and cabinet/door hardware, I love Restoration Hardware. They have a brick and mortar store in Pacific Place in downtown Seattle and in U Villiage.

Comment on Plans Submitted to City, and Other Updates by Mike D.

Mike D. — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:07:38 +0000

Daryn: Thanks! Will check out Velocity as soon as the snow clears.

Michael: Thanks for the link. I haven’t seen that show. I did watch “Dream House” though and it’s a total disaster so far! :)

Lou: It’s about 3000 square feet. I’ll have to doublecheck but I don’t think the fee is based directly on square footage. Just “cost of construction”. As for lighting and fixtures, yeah, Build provides a lot of guidance there but I’m the type of person who likes to know everything that’s out there. The current plan is to look at breaking ground in the spring, but I may end up delaying if the economic picture isn’t clearer by then. If housing and the economy are about to drop another 50%, it probably doesn’t make sense to make such big expenditures right now.

Nic: Oh yes. Those are probably going in. I’m bitter because the water pressure at my current place is not even high enough to support them. My current shower is basically a watering can.

Jack: I would say no. I haven’t even been able to make it up to the house since the snow to check it out. The roads are bad and my car isn’t exactly snow worthy.

KP: Thanks for chiming in. KP has a beautiful house extensively remodeled by Build and finished up just days ago. It’s really nice and makes me all the more optimistic about this process.