Want to help me design my house?

[bsouls]

My brother told me to start finding pictures of things I like, so that way he can get an idea of what I like so that way he knows what I am looking for.

I get overwhelmed with decorating, picking colors and all that jazz. My brother did everything in the last house, but I guess I should control the direction it goes this time around - especially, since he wants my input!

I know if we have to put down new hardwood flooring then I would go with a wider plank with a darker stain - but, we are unsure if we will keep the hardwoods, because it might depend how many walls we're moving.

The kitchen cabinets will come from: www.meikitchens.com/
They're the best cabinets for the cheapest price he can find - he has done a couple of kitchens with them. I think I will do white, because the last ones in my old house were dark - the nicks drove me nuts and I could see the dust on them in the morning light.

The only other kitchen criteria is to have a deep sink (besides lots of cabinets and dishwasher). I want a disposal, but my brother doesn't like to do them - yay or nay?


I will have two bathrooms - the en suite that we are creating will just have a shower and either double vanity or double sinks. The other bathroom will be fairly small.


Anyone have any pictures, opinions on materials, or anything else that they would like to share? I have a hard time looking at kitchens/bathrooms - new is always nice.

[Deleted]

I would look at pinterest for inspiration. You could create an entire board on it.

[meggsm]

Heyo! I'm an intern architect and a lot of what I do (after the building) has to do with finishes. Are you bounding your house or renovating it?

Best advice I can give you is to think about how you want to feel in the space. Picture yourself in it. Is it relaxing? Is it like the beach? Is it light and airy or dark and cozy?

For the kitchen think about the same things. How do you like to work in the kitchen? Why doesn't your brother like the disposal? Is it difficult to install? Or use?

As for colours and materials go to Home Depot/lowes and touch everything. Even if you think you won't like it. For floors if your questioning hardwood would linoleum/marmoleum work? What are you using the space for? Different materials have different strengths for high traffic etc.

For colours think about having a base/field colour you can handle everywhere and an accent colour when you need it. And a trim colour.

Pinterest is good but can sometimes leave one disappointed as sometimes it's not really suited to their needs/wants even though it looked good online.

Good luck and have fun!

[nattybumppo]

I don't have anything to offer but I will commiserate. I love home stuff in theory (love HGTV!) but I have total commitment-phobia about ANYTHING in the house.....furniture, decorative accessories, floors, paint, bathroom/kitchen finishes, etc. I know what I DON'T like (and sometimes that's the most important!), but I feel like what I DO like is all over the map and I don't know if it goes together. Like if it's cohesive on a room level or even on a whole house level. I'd like to redo both bathrooms, kitchen, all the floors, fireplace, new curtains, maybe some new paint.....but I have NO idea where to start. A friend of mine just remodeled her house and hired a designer (?? - not sure if that was the right "title") but this person had an hourly rate and basically helped them pick out all the materials. My friend said she sort of felt that it was something she could have done herself but said the upside was this person kind of made them do it quickly when it would have taken her 10 times as long to get to the same point if they had done it themselves. (So she paid the money to save herself the time and thought it was worth it.)

[ellabee]

I would recommend using houzz.com or the houzz app. It's like Pinterest for remodeling. I used it when we renovated our rental unit. It was awesome.

[bsouls]

Thanks for advice. I've been super busy now, so I haven't gotten to look at anything.

@meghsm I don't know what bounding is, but I'm guessing renovating. Kitchen will be gutted and expanded/reworked to go into the dining area. Upstairs bathroom will be expanded and created into a master en suite.

I don't really understand his dislike for disposals. I think it's cost, installing, replacing - just doesn't see the need. But, I've had so many assholes try to put food in my sink