6 hours ago, Melissa1977 said:

My grandma always said "architects don't cook" in reference to impractical building trends. 

Also there are peole who buy houses because they are impressive, but don't think about the practical side. I have a relative who built a house with a 2 story glass foyer (it very rare here) only to realise later that it needs a professional cleaning service their town hasn't (the windows are so high they need a high stair to be cleaned and that is more expensive that a normal cleaning service). So the cleaners come from a further town and it  increases the bill. They are a very clean couple and are desperate when it rains, the glass gets dirty but the cleaners can't come immediately. Also it's very sunny at summmer and cold at winter and the electricity bill is high. My conclusion is that 2 story *glass wall* is for the rich or for people not obsessed with cleanness.

I live in a house built in 1948. So no new building trends anywhere to be found. I admit I’ve always hated the big two story open foyers and great rooms. For one thing, I always imagine it as wasted space. I think about how a bedroom could be on the second floor in that space. Then I also think about painting. I’m the person who does all the painting in our home. But if we lived in a house where there is a two story great room, I would have to hire it out. Because I’m afraid of ladders. I don’t trust them and I’ve seen too many people fall off of them. So that’s a bunch of money to pay someone to paint instead of doing it myself. On top of all that, I do wonder if it increases the heating and cooling bill in two story rooms. It may not be a huge increase, but I bet there is at least some increase. Especially if the upper windows aren’t able to be covered in the summer and there is direct sunlight. 

In which Lucas & Kara Botkin let it all out: 

Maybe that reporter will do a follow up that involves serious research.

On 3/27/2024 at 1:22 AM, TheGleeTeam said:

This thread isn't very active, but the podcast Be There in Five interviewed Olivia and I thought it was super interesting, answered a lot of questions I had had: https://bethereinfive.com/podcast/2024/3/10/welcome-back-to-plathville-feat-olivia-plath

It was really interesting, thanks. I also listened to her earlier episode that did a deep dive into Plathville. She said that she had read through Ethan and Olivia’s Venmo transactions (apparently that’s public?!) and they kept their finances so separate that they frequently sent money back and forth for little things.

My grandma always said "architects don't cook" in reference to impractical building trends. 

Also there are peole who buy houses because they are impressive, but don't think about the practical side. I have a relative who built a house with a 2 story glass foyer (it very rare here) only to realise later that it needs a professional cleaning service their town hasn't (the windows are so high they need a high stair to be cleaned and that is more expensive that a normal cleaning service). So the cleaners come from a further town and it  increases the bill. They are a very clean couple and are desperate when it rains, the glass gets dirty but the cleaners can't come immediately. Also it's very sunny at summmer and cold at winter and the electricity bill is high. My conclusion is that 2 story *glass wall* is for the rich or for people not obsessed with cleanness.

1 hour ago, Expectopatronus said:

I can’t imagine street parking over night all winter; how does your car start without being plugged in? Here the engine would freeze. 
My area is kind of the opposite of cookie cutter. The colours and design couldn’t be the same as houses beside or across the street from each other. 

I plug in. If I parked in the garage I wouldn't plug in. But the garage is one stall and it's not super fair for me to put my car and not his truck (which wouldn't fit anyway). Also winters are getting warmer overall and I don't need to plug in as much, as I usually only plug in when it's below 20F. I use an extention cord. 

The garage is more useful for storage. We have so much outdoor stuff and only like 1600 square ft in this house. Great location and it's a tight housing market.