Now that we’ve been in the house for almost 4 years, I’ve had
time to think of things I would do differently. I would build the exact same
layout I designed because it has really been perfect! I find other things I
like, but I just still really like our layout. It suites our needs.
- The bathroom windowI picked tombstone-shaped mirrors for the master bathroom and LOVE them! They are such a sophisticated shape and dress up the bathroom vanity area. What I would change is matching the shape of the mirrors on the window to the shower. The shower window has always looked plain to me, but I didn’t know how to dress it up. An arch top would be perfect. And actually, an arch top to the door, too! Once I saw this picture of Holly’s shower, I knew I should have added more arches. I didn’t think arches were my thing, but I like them in certain places.
Current
Current
inspiration - OurFauxFarmhouse - Sealed BrickI bought unsealed brick pavers for my flooring and I regret it. I love the flooring, but it is not at its full potential. Our installers quit on us while laying the brick floor. It was frustrating to them. If I had bought sealed brick, the grout process would have been easier. The grout would have cleanly wiped off the brick instead of having to avoid getting it on the brick. Had our installers read the box, they would have seen it said to seal the brick before you grout it, and then seal it again after your grout it. But if I had bought pre-sealed brick, it would have been one less step. Instead, I have dull brick that I have been sealing the heck out of. It is so pourous, that it took so many coats to seal it. That still didn’t make it shiny. To make the floor shiny, you have to wax it. I learned all this as I read the box THREE years later. I was going through the attic and read all the instructions. I have since waxed them and they look beautiful. I will now have to wax them once a year. You live and learn!
- Not Dig HolesWe learned a lot with landscaping our own yard. I would have had a more elaborate sprinkler system and French drain system installed from Day 1, but we have added to it, so it’s not bad, but recovering from the mess of an add on is temporarily unsightly. But the biggest thing we learned was to not dig holes for the plants. We dug them and then within six months, we dug every single plant back up and raised it above ground, then piled dirt around it and topped with mulch. Below is a diagram of what we did. If we would have done that, it would have saved us so much time not digging holes. It was a great workout, though. Oh, and I’d add good dirt on top of the clay before adding sod. And not trample on my newly laid sod until it was established.
- Better placement of outside faucetsWhat should have been the backyard faucet ended up being in the front yard because of where we put the fence. We ran the hose underneath the fence, but had to run to the front to turn it on and off. We later added faucets in the flowerbeds in the backyard.
- More Showerheads in Master ShowerMr. JCrew requested two showerheads in the master shower and our plumber plumbed for two and I said, “No.” I thought it was excessive and didn’t need it. Now we are tearing down tile and adding shower heads! I realized how we use our shower, we need more showerheads. Mr. JCrew was right! And it would have cost less to do it then than it is costing to do it now.
- Insulate Interior WallsWith an open floorplan, things get loud. We insulated the walls of the laundry room and that was very helpful, but I wish I would have done all the walls and the space in between the first and second floor.
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