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[Chief Pote]

Nice job Phobia.

You seem like the type of contractor that pays attention to the finish details. The average homeowner doesn't know what makes those "high" end projects look good when complete. Contractor's that do OR even care are rare.

Originally Posted by ChiefPote

Nice job Phobia.

You seem like the type of contractor that pays attention to the finish details. The average homeowner doesn't know what makes those "high" end projects look good when complete. Contractor's that do OR even care are rare.

Thanks brotha. It's those little things that make the project complete. I really do care - even more than my own house. I've been living without quarter round for my hardwoods at my house for over a year - among many other things. I'd never do that to a client. Heh. Sometimes it costs me too much time but I do like to leave everybody happy.

[go bo]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Thanks brotha. It's those little things that make the project complete. I really do care - even more than my own house. I've been living without quarter round for my hardwoods at my house for over a year - among many other things. I'd never do that to a client. Heh. Sometimes it costs me too much time but I do like to leave everybody happy.

i know you made me happy...

this gives me another chance to say thank you...

and to recommend you to anyone who needs some top of the line quality and workmanship...

highly skilled and very creative...

an unusual combination...

color me a very satisfied customer...

[OnTheWarpath15]

That's phenomenal, Phil.


I know this: If Sal and I ever move to KC, you'll have a client for life.

Great work.

Oh good. I was feeling guilty about commenting on those lights. They really didn't fit, IMO. But I'm pretty picky about lights. I already don't like the two vanity lights I installed in my master just a year ago. Maybe I'll find a project I can use them on and find something better for my master.

Speaking with regard to lighting, I think every room needs a statement piece. Up until a couple months ago my master was kinda bland despite decorative inlaid tile on the floor and tub surround and a quality faux paint job - then I installed a large hanging light fixture that would have seemed WAY too big for a bathroom but it really finishes the bathroom. I should go take a couple pics. It's really spectacular. I love trying stuff like that - stuff most people wouldn't be ballsy enough to try. Hey, if it doesn't work, take it down and try something else.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Oh good. I was feeling guilty about commenting on those lights. They really didn't fit, IMO. But I'm pretty picky about lights. I already don't like the two vanity lights I installed in my master just a year ago. Maybe I'll find a project I can use them on and find something better for my master.

Speaking with regard to lighting, I think every room needs a statement piece. Up until a couple months ago my master was kinda bland despite decorative inlaid tile on the floor and tub surround and a quality faux paint job - then I installed a large hanging light fixture that would have seemed WAY too big for a bathroom but it really finishes the bathroom. I should go take a couple pics. It's really spectacular. I love trying stuff like that - stuff most people wouldn't be ballsy enough to try. Hey, if it doesn't work, take it down and try something else.

Ah, don't feel guilty. I like to hear people's opinions. And you were obviously thinking the same way as us, so we must have similar tastes. That again confirms that I'd hire you in sec!

It's amazing to me that there are places like Lamps Plus, all these online places, Mom & Pop stores all over Los Angeles and yet it's next to impossible to find something that works.

I'd love to see the pics and I'll try to gather up a few more bathroom pics to post as well.

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Ah, don't feel guilty. I like to hear people's opinions. And you were obviously thinking the same way as us, so we must have similar tastes. That again confirms that I'd hire you in sec!

It's amazing to me that there are places like Lamps Plus, all these online places, Mom & Pop stores all over Los Angeles and yet it's next to impossible to find something that works.

I'd love to see the pics and I'll try to gather up a few more bathroom pics to post as well.

Oh, I don't want to be THAT guy - the guy who comes over and scrutinizes your whole house. You know him. Everybody has one in their circle of friends. I've been him before but I really try not to be. Sometimes I can't help but open my mouth.

I never really have trouble finding functional and attractive lighting. I mean, it's definitely an art but I have very specific tastes which seem to work in most applications. I can handle contemporary, industrial, and rustic. I hope I never have to choose lighting for a traditional application - I can't stand brass and/or crystal.

[DaneMcCloud]

Oh, I didn't mean that you were that guy. Just that I like it when people make comments about all the work we've done here, good or bad. Though fortunately, we've rarely ever heard a negative comment.

Our home is more contemporary modern and ceiling fans with light fixtures as well as the previously mentioned vanity lights were a pain to choose. We just couldn't walk into Home Depot or Lowe's to find what we needed. Not to say that's there's not suitable and nice lighting at those places, it's just that we were always looking for "unique", and that requires a lot of research and work. Plus, we'd never done any remodeling before so it was all quite a challenge.

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Though fortunately, we've rarely ever heard a negative comment.

So, I'm that guy afterall? Heh. I enjoy the distinction. I'm actually rather relieved you replaced those fixtures. I'd have hated to put that in your head and helped you to start disliking them.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Phobia

So, I'm that guy afterall? Heh. I enjoy the distinction. I'm actually rather relieved you replaced those fixtures. I'd have hated to put that in your head and helped you to start disliking them.

That bathroom was completed in September of 2005. We knew immediately that those lights didn't work but the subsequent light fixtures did work. I'm trying to find a pic and when I do, I'll post it. Outside of that pic, I'm not sure if anyone actually saw that fixture outside of me, my wife and now Chiefsplanet. So I'm sure there would have been others that would have commented on that particular fixture, so no worries.

The main concern for my wife in that bathroom was lighting. There isn't much (if any) natural light in that bathroom so we had eight 4" can lights, two exhaust fan lights and a Sola-Tube installed. The Sola-Tube was pure genius, because it allows so much natural light to flow through the room. But the bigger issue wasn't light during the day but adequate lighting for make-up and whatnot at night. So our first concern was the number of lights on each vanity fixture.

And I'm with you on ceiling fans. It just takes time to look and find the right fan/lighting combo but fortunately, there are plenty of resources available via the internet.

Ceiling fans are more difficult to choose. But I've always found exactly what I was seeking and it's worked perfectly.

I was working on a basement for my cousin a few years ago - he made it into an Irish pub with many traditional elements. I enjoyed the woodwork and bathroom but all the other requirements of brass really threw me. I did not enjoy that aspect of the project. The project ended prematurely when he ran out of money (bad gambling problem) and we never got a chance to finish so I have nothing to show for it.

My master ceiling is vaulted with the roof line. There's plenty of natural light due to 2 windows but I'm still dying to install an electric sky light I can open and close on a remote.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Phobia

My master ceiling is vaulted with the roof line. There's plenty of natural light due to 2 windows but I'm still dying to install an electric sky light I can open and close on a remote.

That sounds awesome! The drawback to the Sola-Tube in a situation like that is that it always provides light. It's great in the bathroom and our foyer. It provides light for the foyer, which is three floors below.

But an electric light would be really cool in the master. How much do those cost and are there leakage problems?

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

That sounds awesome! The drawback to the Sola-Tube in a situation like that is that it always provides light. It's great in the bathroom and our foyer. It provides light for the foyer, which is three floors below.

But an electric light would be really cool in the master. How much do those cost and are there leakage problems?

They're as much money as you're willing to spend - generally a minimum of $600+. A skylight will leak under 3 conditions:
1. Poor quality.
2. Incorrect installation.
3. Damage.

Otherwise, it's a non-issue.

BTW, thanks for humoring me in this discussion. I enjoy talking construction with those who appreciate the finer points of the trade.

[BigOlChiefsfan]

Good work Phil - a lot of nice stuff in this thread.

If you're ever shopping for someone with an 'Arts and Crafts' style home (lots of these in KC) I like these folks.

http://www.crafthome.com/products.htm