Bathroom sinks

First choice: Cheviot Dover Over Counter Sink

http://www.cheviotproducts.com/pages/products/details.php?id=380

Second choice: Ceralux Juno Vessel Sink

http://www.ceralux.com/specsheets//Juno_Vessel.pdf

http://www.amresupply.com/product/6092

Third choice: Acritec Angular Countertop Basin

http://www.acritec.com/products/bath/basins/ceramic/specs/36562.pdf

Heath Zenith outdoor sensor wall lamps

@ Walmart

Heath Zenith 180 Degree Alexandria Mission Lantern with Curved Beveled Glass - Antique Bronze

Item Number: 1244572

$42.97

The SL-4192-AZ features 180 degrees motion detection up to 30 ft. away. The lantern has curved beveled glass and is of diecast construction with a weather resistant finish.

Features DualBrite 2-level lighting. Uses (1) 100W Max Medium Base Incandescent bulb. Meets Energy Star guidelines. 5 year warranty.

Same model of lamp in white @ Home Depot ($49.99). I don't see the bronze version at Home Depot's website.

@ Home Hardware

HEATH/ZENITH

FIXTURE, OUTDR SNSR RUSTIC BRONZE

Item # 3698-738

Model # SL-4146-RB

$ 89.99 EA

Oversize Corinthian Lantern

- Features 150 degree motion detection up to 30

ft. away

- The lantern has seeded glass and is

constructed of metal with a weather resistant

finish

- Uses 1 medium base incandescent bulb (100W

max. - not included)

- Features include DualBrite 2-level lighting

- Meets Energy Star guidelines

- Rustic bronze

@ Rona

LANTERN WALL EXTERIOR DOWN

HEATH ZENITH

02555047

$50.99

Same lamp @ Home Hardware

HEATH/ZENITH

FXTR, OUTDR W/SNSR ANTIQUE COPPER

Item # 3698-735

Model # SL-4171-AC4

$ 59.99 EA

Napa Motion Sensing Decorative Lantern

- Features 150 degree motion detection up to 30

ft. away

- The lantern has seeded glass and is made of

diecast construction with a weather resistant

finish

- Uses 1 medium base incandescent bulb (60W

max. - not included)

- Features include DualBrite 2-level lighting

- Meets Energy Star guidelines

@ Home Hardware

HEATH/ZENITH

FIXTURE, OUTDR SNSR CCH ANT CPR

Item # 3698-835

Model # SL-4168-AZ

$ 79.99 EA

Motion Activated Bridgeport Coach Fixture

- Dusk to dawn option

- Metal construction

- 150° coverage

- Rustic brown finish

- Beveled glass

- Medium base 100w incandescent bulb MAX

- Open bottom

- 7.68"W x 9.45"D x 14.17"H

Same model in white @ Rona. Rona's website doesn't have the bronze version.

LANTERN WALL EXTERIOR DOWN

HEATH ZENITH

02555048

$60.99

Outdoor lights @ Rona

This one for the front door:

"Manchester" Outdoor Suspended Lantern

GLOBE

5849023

$34.99

This one for the exterior walls:
"Burke" Outdoor Wall Lantern
CANARM
3739113
$34.99

3D drawings and tile laying

A few rough 3D drawings I've been experimenting with making. I'll try to do the whole house eventually!

This is how I want the tile to be laid out.

Schoolhouse Electric picks

^ Above: Cakes, not lamps

v Below: Lamps, not cakes

FAMILY ROOM & DINING AREA

Left:

Fixture - Northwestern 4

$75

fitter size: 4''

fixture length: 5''

canopy width: 6''

max wattage: 100

Shade - OP-4383-08-4

$57

w 8.5'' x h 8''

Total price - $132

Total size - w 8.5" x h 13"

Right:

Fixture - Westmont

$85

fitter size: 6''

fixture length: 5''

canopy width: 6.5''

max wattage: 100

Shade - OP-6614-14-6

$85

w 14'' x h 11''

Total price - $170

Total size - w 14" x h 16"

I like how these shades on these fixtures look like cakes on stands. The one on the left is smaller, and can be used in a smaller space, like the living room. The one on the right is big enough to be used in the dining area. It will be big enough without limiting where we can put the table.

KITCHEN

Fixture - Union 4

$109

fitter size: 4''

length: 12" - 36"

canopy width: 5.5''

max wattage: 150

Left:

Shade - OP-2265-09-4

$40

w 9.5'' x h 7''

Right:

Shade - OP-2251-08-4

$37

w 8'' x h 6.5''

The Union 4 is only shown in chrome colour on the Schoolhouse Electric website, I coloured it brown, similar to a matte bronze, because that's the finish I think we should use for these lights. It is neutral enough to look good with any other metals that might be in the room on fixtures and door handles.

The ones on the left with the shade that looks like an ice-cream cone will be great over the counter. The one on the right that looks like a mushroom will be great over the sink.

Fixture - Northwestern 3.25

$75

fitter size: 3.25''

fixture length: 5''

canopy width: 6''

max wattage: 100

Shade - OP-0868-05-3.25

$40

w 5.5'' x h 6.25''

Total price - $115

Total size - w 5.5" x h 11.25"

This smaller and shorter light will work in other areas of the kitchen that need an overhead light. I see there are two marked in the plans. That can work, but I think one may be enough.

This picture gives us a rough idea of how the lights might look together.

I don't know what to do about the family room lights yet. There are four marked in the plans. That may be too many. One big light might be enough. Or two smaller ones if we must have more than one.

LIVING ROOM

Fixture - Westmont

$85

fitter size: 6''

fixture length: 5''

canopy width: 6.5''

max wattage: 100

Shade - OP-2288-16-6

$115

w 16'' x h 7''

Total price: $200

Total size: w 16" x h 12"

Lights @ Home Depot

This wall lamp ($46.99) was seen at the Bridgeport Home Depot.

BATHROOM

Also seen at the Bridgeport Home Depot, mix and match vanity lighting.

This glass ($6.99) is my favorite. It can be paired with a two headed holder ($39.99). More glass can be seen here. More holders can be seen here.

This cheap but okay light could be a good choice for the spaces that need light but doesn't need anything too fancy:

A simple light ($15.46) and it looks fairly decent for something that is mounted flush to the ceiling. This light also comes in Antique Bronze.

Kitchen wall tiles

Tiles from Ames:

White Gloss - if you want shiny look

White Matte - if you don't want shiny look

I think these would both work.

Simple fireplaces

http://www.rumford.com/Charlene.html

It would be great to put a big rough piece of wood above the fireplace as a mantel/shelf.

Fireplace picks @ Home Depot

Both available at Home Depot for $1000.

Historic Mantels Limited (link)

Home Depot link: Designer Series Louis XIII Cast Stone Mantel

Historic Mantels Limited (link)

Home Depot link: Designer Series Paris Cast Stone Mantel

Soapstone kitchen counters

American soapstone

Canadian soapstone

Soapstone and granite are both luxury materials.

Because granite is so popular, there is more poor quality stone being sold under the name of granite, and more contradictory information on how to treat granite. Many granites can be damaged by acids such as lemon juice and vinegar. The heat resistance can vary.

Soapstone has been used for a long time as countertops in laboratories. It does not have a problem with acids. It is very heat resistant. It can scratch, but scratches can be fixed.

I prefer a stone that is not shiny. Soapstone is not shiny. Granite can be finished in a way that is not shiny, but from what I hear, granite gets dirty more easily without a shiny finish. Soapstone doesn't seem to have this problem.

A Canadian soapstone company, according to their website, their soapstone is BC soapstone:

http://www.soapstonecreations.com/

Here is another Canadian soapstone company that gets their soapstone from Quebec:

http://soapstonecounters.com/

This is a kitchen counter company in Vancouver that sells soapstone counters:

http://www.ssccountertops.com/products.html

Their soapstone comes from this American company that gets their soapstone from Brazil:

http://www.greenmountainsoapstone.com/

Attic ladder @ Home Depot

Another thing we can get from Home Depot: an attic ladder.

Kinetico

@ Costco

The dealer who was at Costco:

http://clearwaternow.ca/

Kinetico's main company website:

http://www.kinetico.ca/

According to reviews, Kinetico is the "Rolls-Royce" of water filters. The main complaint about it is that it is expensive. I couldn't find complaints about its function. Apparently the water pressure is very strong even with the filter. A major concern some people expressed is that you can only get the parts from Kinetico, so there is a limit to who can service their water filters. If the local dealer goes out of business, it may be difficult to get parts. There was one person who found that costs of repair work is not covered by the warranty, only parts are covered. That case seems to be in the US, it might vary in Canada.

Schoolhouse Electric

More photos here:

http://www.schoolhouseelectric.com/inspiration.asp

Garage door

This looks like a good option. It's Costco's Amarr N1 - NORTHAMPTON - CLOSED ARCH.

I didn't know Costco sells garage doors, but the way it folds in three panels instead of four looks good, and according to reviews it's as good as Clopay, possibly better. Sounds good to me.

The Classica 3000 is a triple layer steel door. Amarr has one other type of steel door that is even more well-insulated, but it's an R-value of 15.67 vs a R-value of 13.35 for the Classica. The Classica is much better looking. And at least I'm told it costs less than wood and wood composite doors. I don't know the exact costs yet, we will need to ask Costco for a quote.

Here is what the house would look like with this door.

Stairs, banisters and balusters

I really like the one pictured here:

It looks solid, simple and classic. I especially like that the balusters are rectangular sticks of wood painted white and that's it. No carvings or other shapes.

I like this idea of having contrasting colours on the stairs. Makes it less likely to accidentally take a wrong step.

Satin Finish High Performance Flooring

Link to Satin Finish website

Satin Finish's picture of their Frost flooring. I think it looks too cold and uninviting.

Not a picture of Satin Finish, but probably close to what French Oak would look like. Dark enough to feel more grounded, but not too dark. With enough hint of red and yellow to feel warm without being too red or yellow.

Frost

French Oak