We have quite the "team" doing this house.... we have the Architects... and an independent designer - not an "interior designer" to pick colors etc - but a design firm that specializes in a "holistic" design approach - their job is to do all the design work that requires cabinets - fixtures - lighting fixtures - as well as a complete review of door placements and which way they swing - etc. So this firm designs for the build - exactly where every wall socket goes - and exactly how high a wall sconce should be off the floor etc. Super detailed.

We also have a lighting design firm - and their job is to design all of the interior and exterior lighting. Lighting can make a room or house. How the lights are placed (up or down lighting) - the type - etc. With the stone that's in the interior of the house - there will be lighting that does nothing but accent and shadow the stone walls.

What we've found with working with a team like this -- is some fantastic little changes that will make all the difference in the world. They're not expensive changed -- they're just "if you did X look what it would do to Y". I personally - having retired from being in the furniture and design business as a wholesaler -- love this stuff. A sofa is just a sofa - until you get the right fabric and accent pillows etc on it.

Our builders - don't build "normal" houses... it's all custom stuff... and they have been fantastic at bringing ideas to the process - having done various things in other builds. They also bring what they all refer to as "value engineering" to the table. There's many ways to skin the cat -- and they look at stuff and say -- if you turned this wall into a pour in place wall - we could then just use "lick and stick" stone instead of building it out of full stone... WAY CHEAPER to do lick and stick! So all of that is where we are at now -- a total review of how it's to be built and the line items plugged in and minor adjustments made as that review process gets drilled down on.

I love this stuff... it gives me something to do other than to figure out what changes I'd want to make to which car over the winter. Some folks think the process is too complicated or overwhelming -- I love it and love the details and I know how important those can be. It isn't the first house we've built -- or the first remodel so we understand the little things that you forgot in the last one -- or you placed wrong in the last one...Like you want a table lamp over by the sofa but that's not against the wall -- so you need a floor receptacle etc. Our cell phones and all their related chargers etc will be INSIDE a drawer so we don't have that kind of stuff out in the open. It might seem small -- but to me it's a "why not" kind of detail. No different than which way a door swings.

I won't have a built in coffee maker... While it's the rage right now - we tend not to do trendy.. because 10 years from now - that one is out of date and the new one doesn't fit in that hole -- etc. We use "getting a good cup of coffee" as an excuse to walk into town. And I'm a certified coffee freak! Besides - it gives me an excused to BS with my buddy Rizzo... The Starbucks here (and I'm not defending their coffee -- (I only get coffee from made with the Clover) is the center of the known universe.

Travis ---- we began by saying we wanted 4500 to 5000 feet... with the changes it became 8000 feet!!! We then told the architect -- who had decided on his own to just push thing this way and that -- that he had to "find" a way to take at least 1500 to 2000 feet OUT of this project!! A) there's only the two of us most of the time B) we can't afford to build 8000 feet with all the cost of the shop and everything else C) we're not really very fancy people and thought the whole idea of living in a McMansion was just ostentatious and certainly not "us" -- having said that -- I'd still build smaller than what we are - but there becomes a point in the "I want list" and what it takes to get there - and what the area "demands" due to dirt costs etc.

Yes -- similar to Jackson Hole -- but I think Sun Valley is much friendlier and a lot less touristy and we tend to attract people that own here (second houses etc) over the come for the weekend/week crowd. The airport and services here SUCK... and that holds down the fly in and out folks. It takes some effort to get here.

Greg Weld's house
 

You guys are doing it wrong.. it is suppose
to be a 1 bedroom, 1 bath house with a 10,000 sf shop:)

But I know what you mean.. When Mom and Dad retired
they moved to their Ranch and built at 7500 sf house not
counting the large 3 car garage, the shop, the pole barn
and the two other houses.. Now it is just Dad and he spends
most of his time traveling.. He finally got a cowboy and his
family to live in one of the houses and take care of a lot of
the things.. although at 80 he still works his ass off when he
is at home.. old guy climbing the hay stack to get bales to
take out to the pasture

Panteracaer Norcal Bob

If it was just left up to me -- I'd just have the shop -- who needs a bedroom? I'd just stay in the toter.

In the interest of "getting old" which it seems we close that gap sooner and sooner --- we do have an elevator serving all three floors. We are going to die in this house. This is it - the coupe d'gras (or is it poop the grass?)... and figured our friends are getting older as well. Lugging cases of wine up the stairs and suitcases etc -- I figure might be done easier "mechanically". HAHAHAHAHA!


While the landscaping seem like 'a lot' it's done with Sun Valley mountain living in mind - note there's no grass to mow... :>)

Greg, just so you know I am up for adoption. Haha. :bow:

Beautiful. Man. put those dividend checks to work! heheh


I'll be sending in my reservation request card in a couple years. ;)

Here is the plans for my new house. I just haven't been able to convince Robyn that this will be good for us.

Your mother called -- said she never wanted to raise a trust fund baby....










Perfect 'cause that's just about when she'll be done!












Woman are just so.... so..... well..... so practical.

Garage isn't big enough.

Maybe a loft over the bedroom with a view would close the deal. :unibrow:

Can I come play golf? :) I'll even sleep in the garage. :hello: