http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/ en Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:07:23 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/images/misc/rss.png http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/ http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?51403-Damage-on-dining-table&goto=newpost Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:31:21 GMT When we bought our house, I picked out my dream dining table (well, it was the matching chairs I loved most, not the table) and my parents paid for it. It was supposed to last us a lifetime. It's this one, though the finish is a little different: http://www.ethanallen.com/on/demandw...ish%20classics

I feel like we've always been careful with it, but it has so much terribly ugly damage on it. Spots where someone put a warm dish down (on a placemat or other cloth), spots where someone spilled a drop of water and didn't immediately wipe it up, and so on. The finish just bubbles up immediately. Once I had a party and someone dripped something on it, not even sure what, and by the time the party was over and I noticed it, that spot was already damaged. So for the past 4 years at least we've kept it covered with a cloth all the time, sometimes horrible vinyl ones. That's annoying too since the kids spill things all the time and I can't wipe it up. It will cost around $900 to get the top refinished, and I'm not sure how good even that finish will be - obviously I'm concerned about spending that much money only to have problems again. According to other people online Ethan Allen says it's the customer's fault, and even that their dining tables shouldn't be used every day!! This is our only table and we eat at it at least three times a day. It's also a bit big for our small house, which definitely irritates me at times. I don't know how we'd find a different table to match the chairs, and I'd really hate to replace those. Even the damage is something I've carefully hidden from my parents because I feel so guilty. I just don't know what to do. Any advice? Maybe this should be in emotional support ;) ]]> All Things Home magrat http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?51403-Damage-on-dining-table http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?51388-HVAC-Reasonable-expectations&goto=newpost Tue, 04 Jun 2013 00:49:38 GMT I recently had my HVAC replaced and the company left a message on my answering machine about my satisfaction with the job done. I have several irritations, but I am not sure if I am "right" to complain. I could use your opinions.

1. Part of the unit was in my attic. When they removed it it leaked and now my living room ceiling has a very obvious and large water damage stain. Is this something that could have been avoided if they had been more careful? Or is this just something that goes with the territory?

2. They took my bathroom door off the hinges to move the unit in (attic access is via the bathroom). There was a doorstop on the top hinge that stayed on the pin when it was removed. It is now missing. It is not a part that rolls. My feeling is that they didn't want to deal with it and so discarded it. As an added bonus: they originally reinstalled the door upside down and were about to drive away when we noticed the issue and had them come back inside to fix it.

3. Water from the unit also dripped on my living room carpet when the unit was being removed.

4. There are small divots in my drywall near the attic access.

5. I have a shelving unit I use for linens. It is on wheels for easy movement. They first said they would move it out of their way. Then they didn't. I discovered last night that they tossed some of my clean linens into a nearby box where I had placed a bunch of dusty items in an attempt to neaten their workspace before they arrived. I would have preferred to have been told that they wanted to move these items and have been asked where I wanted them placed. Now I have to launder linens that they have caused to be dirty.

6. The door to my bedroom was scratched from where they moved the unit in.

7. It started raining towards the end of their job. SO is concerned that they might not have given us a full freon charge in their haste.

1 and 2 are my biggest issues. Everything else is fairly minor as far as I'm concerned (except for 7, if that truly is the case).

So, what are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance. ]]> All Things Home Ali http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?51388-HVAC-Reasonable-expectations http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?51386-Fungus-growing-on-my-mulch&goto=newpost Sat, 01 Jun 2013 16:44:53 GMT I have this orange fungus that keeps popping up on my mulch out back. It's so gross and literally looks like vomit. How can I get rid of it?? ]]> All Things Home bensgirl1222 http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?51386-Fungus-growing-on-my-mulch http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?51381-Openings-in-upstairs-hallway-loft-How-to-make-them-safer&goto=newpost Wed, 29 May 2013 21:44:11 GMT I don't know what to call these, but our upstairs hallways and loft area have these large arched openings in the wall that look out over the downstairs living room. The kids' bedrooms and play area are up there, and I've had to get on to them a few times about pushing over a chair or box to stand on and leaning through the openings. I am scared that they (or visiting kids) are going to lose their balance and fall through. I want to make this area safer, but can't figure out how to do it without making it an absolute eyesore. I also want light to still pass through there, as there are no other windows or natural light sources in the loft/playroom. I thought about covering the openings with large sheets of clear acrylic, but the largest size at Home Depot was still too small. Maybe I could use those thickish clear shower curtains (on the upstairs side of the openings) and stretch it taut somehow...? ]]> All Things Home ShelbyMay http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?51381-Openings-in-upstairs-hallway-loft-How-to-make-them-safer http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?51375-Need-Help-with-My-New-House&goto=newpost Mon, 27 May 2013 16:44:26 GMT So we finally found a house for all of us. Good (but bad) thing is that DH and I are practically taking nothing with us and starting from scratch on furniture. I realized I am just at a loss now, because everything was always a hand me down, except for our bedroom set which was a cheapie and... So we finally found a house for all of us. Good (but bad) thing is that DH and I are practically taking nothing with us and starting from scratch on furniture. I realized I am just at a loss now, because everything was always a hand me down, except for our bedroom set which was a cheapie and falling apart.

I haven't finalized anything on colors/patterns/pieces of furniture. I'm looking now for furniture and am so second guessing myself. Here are some pictures of the house, and the living room, which is the first room I'm tackling.





The living room is right of the entrance. Right now I'm thinking of doing a sectional on the one side of the fireplace and a TV in the corner and then having a small sitting area (love seat, 2 chairs?) on the other side.

We will be redoing the kitchen, but I gave DH a 2-3 year reprieve on that, but I'll be tearing down wallpaper once again. So any help as to if this is a good ideal or where to start is appreciated! ]]> All Things Home http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?51375-Need-Help-with-My-New-House http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?51370-Washer-Dryer-Reccomendations&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 19:46:07 GMT Anyone buy a washer/ dryer recently that you would recommend? Ours are 20+ years old (came with the house) and are on their last legs. We are not looking for front loaders as I have heard too many stories about mold in gaskets and funny smells. I have been looking at consumer reports and most of... Anyone buy a washer/ dryer recently that you would recommend? Ours are 20+ years old (came with the house) and are on their last legs. We are not looking for front loaders as I have heard too many stories about mold in gaskets and funny smells. I have been looking at consumer reports and most of the machines they reviewed don't score very high in actually washing the clothes ??:confused: ]]> All Things Home spps http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?51370-Washer-Dryer-Reccomendations http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?51369-Bathroom-conversion-question&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 17:57:19 GMT I know this is individual / regional / whatever, but my opinions about ideal home configurations and specs do not seem to be 'the norm' so I'm looking for external input. We have a 4BR / 2.5BA home and I am considering converting our half bath to a laundry room. (Laundry is currently in the garage, which is pretty normal for CA, but I hate it!) For us it would be ideal, as we barely ever use the half bath anyway, but I'm wondering about what future home purchasers might think. The room is pretty small for either function, so it could not feasibly be both. I would stack the washer/dryer but even so there wouldn't be much more space- maybe a small laundry sink or counter (not both) and room for a hamper. Thoughts as a potential future buyer?

While we are on the subject, this has come up because we are embarking on renovations for all of our bathrooms, which currently are gross and we will completely gut and re-do them. So the 2 remaining full baths will be brand new (basically), but we are planning to take the tub out of the master bathroom and put in a large walk-in shower. I'm not sure that matters, it's just also on my mind!

[**I change my mind about everyday on whether this is our 'forever' home or not. It probably isn't, which is why I'm even asking this question. If it was for sure, I would just convert it now and be done with it. I'm expecting we will probably only live in this house maybe 5-ish years or so. ??? but who knows.] ]]> All Things Home laura http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?51369-Bathroom-conversion-question http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?51368-Palladian-Window-Help&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 12:57:42 GMT We have a large Palladian Window (Arch Top) in our dining room which also serves as the main natural sunlight source for the front of the house. When we moved in, the previous owners left the treatments. Which is a burgundy draped swag type of thing that goes in a triangle shape up to the top of... We have a large Palladian Window (Arch Top) in our dining room which also serves as the main natural sunlight source for the front of the house. When we moved in, the previous owners left the treatments. Which is a burgundy draped swag type of thing that goes in a triangle shape up to the top of the arch, drapes across a rod at the bottom of the arch on a curtain rod and then down the sides. It never was my style and now 8 years later isn't very modern.
I have no idea how to dress this window, but I hate the current swag. I don't want to do blinds or shutters. Nor do I want a formal dining room type of treatment as it won't blend with the rest of the house. Mostly I just need simple curtain ideas which will not block the light, there is a large bush in front of the window that I can't get DH to trim enough to suit my light needs so I don't want more sunlight blocked. We are looking to move at some point so I decided against anything expensive or custom.
I've done a lot of searching on line but everything I've seen is very formal or is for a much larger window.
Any ideas? Thanks! ]]> All Things Home VASLP http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?51368-Palladian-Window-Help http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?51367-Would-you-sell-or-would-you-quot-sit-tight-quot&goto=newpost Wed, 22 May 2013 05:42:16 GMT I have a question, but I don’t want to derail Taffers thread, so here I am.:)

We bought a home in May 2008 (after the 1st major drop in the real estate market, but before the final dive in Sept. 2008). So, we have been under water for basically the entire 5 years we have lived here (something to the tune of $80-$100K). Well, the current market conditions are such that it appears that we could actually sell and break even or even maybe walk away with $5K. Now, every indicator points to the fact that the increase in our local house prices is due to a bubble that has a high probability of bursting in the next 6-18 months. There are some actual facts, current legislation and inventory issues that support the prediction that a price correction is on the horizon.

We have two reasons for considering the option of selling:

1) We want to lower our mortgage payment. We went down to one income last summer and because of that, our mortgage is a very large part of our monthly income. The thing is, I have looked into refinancing and have exhausted several programs, talked to multiple loan officers including ones from our bank and whatnot, but we do not qualify. With out revealing too much information, just know that refinancing is not an option at this time. We also looked into a loan mod…but the bank feels that our debt to income ratio is so low (we have very little debt, our credit is great and our income is fine) that they do not feel we need a loan mod. So, if we stay in our house our payment cannot be reduced for the foreseeable future.

2) We actually feel that our house is too big and would love to downsize. We would love to reduce our square footage by 500-700 sq feet and have a single story. Also, after re-evaluating our financial position and future, we are seriously considering going to a 15 yr mortgage, but we could only afford to do that if we bought a house that is about $80-$100K less than our current home.

Here is our dilemma:
Because of a short sale we had in October 2011, we cannot buy anything until October 2014 (another 17 months). We have the credit, we have the income and we have the down payment and have already gotten pre-approval (which comes in about $150K more than what we want to spend).

We are trying to decide what to do. We kind of feel that we have a very small window of opportunity in which we can sell our home without having to bring money to the table. So, we are toying with the idea of selling now, renting for 1 year (a small house, with low rent, which will help our current cash flow situation) then buying with the idea that prices would have adjusted down a bit. So, basically the idea of selling high and buying low. I realize this is gamble and this is the ultimate desire of anyone trying to buy/sell a home. Hence, the major hesitation with this idea.

Or, we could just sit tight and see what everything looks like in 17 months. The thing that worries me is if the price correction really does hit like predicted, we would no longer be able to sell for what we owe. So, it doesn’t matter if prices drop on the homes we want to buy, because we cannot sell. Obviously, if prices continue to go up, then sitting tight for 17 months makes sense. Because our house will be worth more and it will allow us to put a larger down payment on the new, smaller home.

So…if you were me, what would you do? ]]> All Things Home PLNUBRIDE http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?51367-Would-you-sell-or-would-you-quot-sit-tight-quot