Funny the things one chooses to spend on versus save on!
We are back at the El Cajon Adobe doing a significant project this summer. Here is our Scope of Work for the summer:
Demo out, re design new Master Bathroom and Dressing Area
Demo out, re design new Kitchen
New flooring throughout the 4,000 sq ft home
I have the kitchen layout signed off and we have our custom cabinets ordered. Waiting for this beauty to get delivered tomorrow so that I can select cabinet colors
https://www.ilveusa.com/range.html?sku=UMDI10NS3MGB
I will load kitchen design to the photo group. Basically we are moving the island out to provide more room between sink and back run of cabinets. Island is going to get shorter lengthwise, but deeper. Adding more functionality. Installing a custom $2,500 expresso machine on a pull out shelf with existing Wolf built in microwave above it. Keeping owner’s existing Viking refrigerator. Building a ‘bar’ area towards family room that will have two wine coolers and an ice machine in the cabinetry with some open floating shelves above.
Biggest issue with kitchen is cabinet colors. Unfortunately I’m stuck with the brown wood ceiling (Son convinced Mom not to paint it out) and a lot of beams/angles going everywhere in ceiling. And, I need to hold up some coloring against the matte graphite oven color to make sure cabinets colors work with the oven.
There is no way to run wires in ceiling for lighting, so we are going to have to do some cable type track lighting. We do have wires for pendant lighting over island.
I loaded a lot of photos into Houzz so that the owner could look through them and give me an idea of her style choice. This is her favorite kitchen. However, this kitchen has a ton of beautiful black framed windows and high ceilings, so we are not going to be able to copy this look very well.
I am working through flooring choices for the home. I loaded photos of the samples with a lot of explanation of the issues we face. In most rooms there are just too many different wood colorings and the adobe walls are textured. So, my opinion is that the flooring needs to be as neutral as possible.
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Love this kitchen too! Not sure how it would fit though with the style of the El Cajon house.
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I like the neutral flooring too. The wood ceiling I think is pretty but I’m not sure on the blue cabinets with it.
I agree that anything other than a neutral flooring will look busy and distracting. There are so many strong lines and angles with all the wood doors, windows, and ceilings. Even a herringbone pattern seems too much.
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In a normal house you have drywall ceilings and drywall walls. So most flooring sold has natural wood patterns of knots and stripes. It’s very hard to convince owner that these floors won’t work in their house because she looks at marketing photos and busy floors look OK. I had to scour the universe to find photos with wood ceilings and beams to show her
Believe me the traditional kitchen style doesn’t go with the rustic Adobe architecture OR her crazy furniture she is bringing into the house. None of it works but I’ve given up. I tried hard to get a modern Spanish style bathroom or kitchen. The husband wants everything contemporary industrial
He hates the tile styles in the Studio we did but he was outvoted
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Urgh! I hate when decor fights with the architecture of a house. I know this house has phenomenal views by why buy a rustic adobe house if you want something uber contemporary?
One of our neighbors has a gorgeous 125 year old english tudor that the previous owner put a huge addition onto. The addition is totally contemporary and doesn’t work at all with the rest of the house. Crossing the threshold into the kitchen feels like walking into a totally different house. IMO, those old owners ruined all the charm.
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The son should have been outvoted in terms of that ceiling paint. Really…a more neutral ceiling would have opened up tons more options in terms of everything else.
Are these people making money in their basement😉
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I need the link. Gotta see this!
We are starting to select important items for the Master Bath. I’ve designed the master vanity and linen closet. They are going to be flush front contemporary style floating cabinet. But in a nod to slightly rustic, we are doing wood stained black with grain showing. The floating cabinet will have a countertop waterfall on left.
These are just examples
The focal point in the bathroom is a freestanding tub across from entry door in the bay windows, with a hanging light above. So today I sent a list of freestanding tubs and features. The husband got back with this as his absolute favorite, it was definitely not on the list. I’m not sure what to think or say. How would you put any tile features in a bathroom featuring this??
Can’t answer your question, but I’m in love with the tub! 
I think a plain tile because the tub is the feature.
Even the marble wall tile in that picture is too busy for that tub !
Hate the tub. Also agree that the tile would need to be plain and boring.
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I personally do not like the tub. But, if that is what they want, my job is to bite my tongue and find tile that works. Problem is wife loves bold bling tile. The two do not go together
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Does copper patina go with contemporary?
Gaudy tub.
The only thing that would go with that tub is black.
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