Comments on: Diary of a Dream House – Part 1: Purchasing the Land

By: Deb

Deb — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 21:00:57 +0000

Hi Shari–I’m a fan since the beginning of your HGTV days, I was “hooked” from the first show – and SO HAPPY to find you here! After doing some updates to our current home – I learned from some mistakes. When you build, think of doing these things (forgive me if any have already occurred to you, they are just great ideas passed along to me & probably lots of others, too!)
1. Smart – hook up/recharging station in one designated cabinet in pantry or kitchen
2. Designate a drawer in a bathroom vanity to make it a plug drawer. Open the drawer, and plug in hair dryer, curling iron, what ever you need, and then – when you are done, you HAVE to unplug the unit to shut the drawer. It TOTALLY ELIMINATES potential for starting a fire- or, wondering if you…turned off the flat iron!
3. Build a ledge out from the wall in the kitchen – only 3- 4 inches wide, about 8-10 inches high off the regular counter top height. If you put a piano hinge along the top, the interior of this space can serve as a hiding spot for valuables, can serve as a recharging cubby, could be a place where you built a fire safe box to keep your important insurance documents in case of fire, the possibilities are endless. This false wall is where you could also run electrical outlets. Plus it gives you a nice ledge for decorating, putting a small lamp-pretty ambient lighting in a kitchen. I plan on doing this in our new kitchen, some day.
4. Fold down ironing board in your pantry/laundry room. The builders who did a new part of our house forgot that I wanted this when they drew up plans, and I forgot too
5. In our big new bathroom upstairs, we had tons of room and I wanted a coffee making station, for those mornings when you just want to hop back into bed and drink coffee, read the paper (read my kindle), or, for sitting in your bedroom and reading. A nice cup of tea would be welcomed too, in the afternoon in winter, putting away clothing, etc. I let the builder talk me out of putting in a sort of mini-pantry to match the cabinetry, and I am angry at myself for caving in. The time to do this – if there’s room, is when you are drawing up plans. But 10 years later, we still have tons of room and no real beverage station, so I bought a beautiful iron bakers rack-heavy duty, and painted it metallic copper/oil rubbed brass–combination, and it is going in the bathroom soon as we paint! I’ll put in a coffee maker yet!
4. LOVE the look of slate floors? So did we, but a new builder we had – suggested we go w/porcelain tile-in the look of slate, in our hallway and small bathroom makeover. Everyone else told us to go with “real” stone, but this builder told us about the flaking/chipping, and problems w/maintenance-that no one else bothered to mention. He got a gold star in my book for being so honest, and 2 1/2 years later, the gorgeous porcelain tile floor looks amazing and everyone thinks it’s slate. We are running it now-in every open room downstairs to have a cohesive look. It’s dark gray, with other tones. We are really loving it. Something to think about!
I am sorry to take up so much space, but having lived in a new home that was never quite done – with my dad as the builder, and learning from our mistakes here-has opened up my eyes to the next phase of our building & I thought maybe some of these ideas could benefit you, too! Best of luck in what ever you decide, and GET PBS to put your show on regularly! Best Regards, from CT ! deb

By: sheila kercheville

sheila kercheville — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 18:28:53 +0000

I am excited and happy for you! While I am not interested in purchasing land and building a home of my own, I am fascinated by the whole process and seeing little by little how everything comes together. I personally love apartment living and we have found a community a few miles from where I am now working that, as you said, I continually dream about and visit and make plans about…
I cannot wait to watch and see all the blood, sweat and tears… and abundance of love that you will be putting into your new home! God Bless!

By: Shari Hiller

Shari Hiller — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 14:06:57 +0000

Sarasota!

By: Shari Hiller

Shari Hiller — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 13:54:05 +0000

Darlene, we too are now awaiting cost…very scary because I don’t really want to eliminate anything. Although, my husband and I already put a list together of the things we could live without if we had to! Just hope there’s enough on that list!!! Good luck and keep me updated, it’ll be fun to compare notes!

By: Darlene

Darlene — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 22:05:28 +0000

We are going through the same process right now. We purchased our land in Missouri about 3 years ago. Just last week we submitted our design to our builder and he is in the process of estimating the cost. We are in our ’60′s and made sure our house will be handicap accessible just in case as this will be our forever home. Our priorities include large and conveniently located laundry room, walk in tub and lots of storage. Waiting to hear from our builder and keeping our fingers crossed on the cost. Good luck with your build and it will be interesting to follow you with your experience as we go through ours.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 02:37:31 +0000

We want to move to Venice in 2016… Where are you building?

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 01:12:11 +0000

I was wondering why there weren’t more updates to the “Whole House Decorating” section on your website! Now I know…you kind of put it on “pause” while you were looking for your dream location. Very excited to watch as you build this new home and allow us to share in your project! Love your work! Best wishes on your new home!

By: Shari Hiller

Shari Hiller — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 12:11:46 +0000

Thank you all for your good wishes and support. I’ll post as I make progress. It has been fun and such a great experience for learning…which I promise to pass along!

By: Shari Hiller

Shari Hiller — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 12:09:44 +0000

Hi Micki, I noticed that WEDU didn’t carry us, but CREATE TV did. Keep your eye on their schedule, we’ll be back!

By: Trina

Trina — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 01:05:07 +0000

So happy for you. Thanks for letting us go with you on
Your journey.