We just came from a lovely showroom that had the Wolf appliances well displayed. One thing the seemingly knowledgable salesman said is that for the charbroiler option on the range, we would need a larger hood that extends almost out to where one stands to cook because apparently charbroiling on the range is "a very SMOKY process". I don't have a grill option on my current range so I am not sure if this is the case or if he was exadurating.

Can anyone confirm if we put some burgers or chicken breasts on the charbroiler to cook we would have a smoky kitchen? We plan on getting the standard Wolf hood that is sized for the 60" range?

Thank you! Katherine

We are getting closer to a final plan of our new home build and we are seriously thinking of doing a 2 island kitchen. Each would be about 4ft wide and about 6-10 feet long depending on the space. Does anyone have a kitchen with dual islands? Is it a pain to walk around one to get to the other. We are thinking the more distal one would have barstools and be more for eating breakfast (we have no chance to add a nook in this layout).

Any comments or thoughts are much appreciated! Kay

We are building a tuscan style predominantly 1 story home in So Cal and have been working on a layout with our architect. We love everything about it except the greatroom. DH and I are concerned that the 2 story room (plus angular ceiling) will be waaaay too grand and too 'cold' for our otherwise intimate feeling home. We are hoping to make the great room be 1 1/2 stories, kind of like this:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-3WBViHssK8/TB_625DBF3I/AAAAAAAAEAA/JJNHrt6M O_Q/s1600/greatroom.jpg

But what we are getting is essentially 2 1/2 stories due to the mezzanine on the 2nd floor connecting the kids' rooms to our MBR. We are getting this look, which I just don't like for us:
http://www.houzz.com/photos/94128/Tuscan-Inspiration--Family-Room-and- Dining-Area-mediterranean-family-room-columbus

Without rearranging the whole layout, can anyone offer suggestions to bring down the scale. The home is going to be big (about 8000sf) but we don't want it to feel cavernous or gigantic.

Thank you,

Katherine

Here is a link that might be useful: Nice example of Great Room that is good height.

This post was edited by kath0000 on Sat, Apr 27, 13 at 18:09

Thanks! Katherine

Here is a link that might be useful: Amazon Drawer Microwaves

We are looking into options for our showers in various bathrooms. Currently we have a beautiful marble called Emperador Dark. I LOVE the way it looks but it is sooooo easy to stain up with waterstains. We have 1 shower with Emperador Light that I like and is easier to maintain but still gets water stains. We seal our showers once a year too.

We'd like to pick natural stones that look just as nice but can be left without constant squeegeeing all the walls and nooks and crannies. Anyone have suggestions? We don't mind sealing them routinely but the daily squeegee/cleaning is getting my back achy.

I'd appreciate any input. Kath

Looking at a custom kitchen and Wolf appliances including a 48" gas stove. I have trouble with the crazy noise of the hoods though so don't use them often enough, in our current home. For our new home, can someone recommend an appropriate hood that is actually QUIET and doesn't sound like a 747 taking off when on even a low setting?

Thanks! KL

So are we in for the worst experience of our lives? That seems to be what everyone tells me but I just can't fathom why that would be. We already have a very experienced architect who is starting prelim drawings (which I will def post here) and have interviewed some builders with good reps and so on.

Maybe I am just naive but I don't see how this process could be that much of a nightmare.

Has it been that bad for all of you? Kath

We are starting our custom build this week and we need to move out of our current home and put it up for sale while the new home is being built. So we are downsizing from 5000sf to about 2700sf rental home till we can move in to our new build.

Does anyone have any tips and tricks on finding moving boxes? We have been looking around for ages now and everyone wants like $3-$5 a box! I have even checked ebay and they are pricy.

Thanks for any advice. Katherine