The perfect tub

http://acritec.com/products/bath/bathtubs/clawfoot/detailed/victorian.html

Acritec's showroom on Main Street only had the bigger version of this, so that was the one I used for test-lounging. It was very comfortable - the back support was just right. The construction and craftsmanship appears well-done. The only problem was that it felt too big. I felt like I could almost swim in it. This is not good since I want to lounge in it, not swim in it.

So getting the smaller version (Victorian I) should be just about right. It would be the same manufacturer and the same overall design, just slightly smaller, so I can't go too wrong with this choice.

The suggested retail for the Victorian II is $1420, homedepot.ca has the Victorian I in their online store for $1022 (the Victorian II is $1238). More to change the feet to brushed nickel ($1310). $87 shipping (ships directly from the vendor and takes about two weeks).

Edited to add: Hillcrest Plumbing Discount Centre near Ripples Kitchen and Bath on Main Street had the Victorian I on display last time I was there in March 2010.

A yellow door

I'm toying around with the idea of painting the front door a very different color from the rest of the house to make it the focal point of the house. Yellow seems like a good choice.

White doors are more normal. But normal is kind of boring.

Red or yellow

A red door looks fine and quite dignified on a green house

But yellow is so inviting and playful!

It even looks warm on the inside.

House exterior evolution

Top: the original design from a magazine. The stone fronts are a little too much. Too complicated with the extra roof lines.

Bottom: A little slapdash Photoshop job turns it into a simpler house, though now it looks a little too plain. A carriage house garage door has been added.

Our house would be built in the "mountain sage" colour hardiplank. This colour looks a little strange with stone fronts. It's as if a plank house has swallowed a stone house, but cannot digest the whole thing, so a part of it is leftover.

Top: With the green colour, the house doesn't look too plain even without the stone fronts or the stone border.

Bottom: The house can be made much cuter by adding gable ornaments (aka "gingerbread", aka "gable pediment").

It would be even better if the finials on the gable ornaments can be removed. They aren't exactly sharp, but having pointy things hanging pointed down over your head just doesn't feel right.

House exterior references

A house feels more like a home with the classic farmhouse look.

Heritage houses at Britannia Shipyard

New houses in the Steveston area

A photo from an american custom home website.