H is having opinions.

[kaylie]

Not for the first time, but it's just so rare. Usually he doesn't want to know what I have planned for the house since it stresses him out, but now that work on the kitchen looks to be happening this year he's full of questions. I figured out that we can't put in the kitchen island AND keep the half wall that divides the kitchen and family room if we want to keep a table that seats four in the kitchen. The half wall has to come down to give the chairs clearance. He comes home last night asking me to show him what I meant and then starts on about how he wants to keep the half wall because he likes the separation and of course I want it gone because I've "had it out for the half wall since we moved in."

Then today I get an email asking me what kind of tile I'm thinking of. Ummm, you mean the flooring I already picked out? It's a wood-look ceramic tile and I send him the link. Then I get an email about how, after doing his research today he found out that we need 42'' between the counters and the island (or 48'' for good measure) and he doesn't know what we have it at currently (50'') but that he thinks we can make it work. We can't. My friend worked it out in autocad for me and the island would need to be 36'' from the dishwasher in order to keep the seating in the kitchen without removing the half wall.

Also, if we're taking out the half wall he wants to run the same wood we're planning to put in the family room into the kitchen. Wah. I really don't want wood in the kitchen =(.

Why couldn't he have an opinion two weeks ago before the contractor came by to talk about it? Doesn't he realize how many man hours I've already spent on this?

End rant.

[pitterwoo]

I dislike my H having opinions too. It slows down my process, but I don't think he's vetoed anything I've really wanted.

You may need to do some mock-ups by marking things off with tape or something so he can get a better idea of the spacial issues. And go from there. If you prefer open floor plan and he doesn't you'll have to see if there's a compromise.

Just try to get him up to speed with what you've picked and why and see how he feels.

[Deleted]

Well, have you had it out for the wall? This sounds like a job for Dr. Phil. Of course, to get everyone to his studio for mediation, you'll have to remove the wall so it can give its side of the story

Hope he comes around soon!

[emoflamingo]

LOL Juno.

Yeah, I don't like when my H has opinions. Of course, I still ask, but I expect a "whatever you want, dear." It always throws me for a loop when he has opinions. Usually, though, he's not real firm on them.

[kaylie]

The rest of the email exchange included him suggesting a different type of tile all together (he showed me a gray slate) to which I responded that we needed the wood look to make the room warmer. I showed him an inspiration picture with oak floors, white cabinets and kashmir white granite. Then he tells me that look only works with stainless steel appliances and ours are white.

Geee, why didn't I think to plan a kitchen around appliances we're replacing in 2-3 years (with stainless steel)? He clearly missed his calling in life.

Ya know what the kicker is? He's right on running the wood through both rooms. It will look better. Fuck.

[TBM]

I have seen mixed flooring look good, but it works best if it is the same color so that your eye perceives it as being the same floor.

I really am not a fan of wood in kitchens, because I have seen what happens to wood floors when there are undetected leaks (not pretty). Plus, I like not having to worry so much about spills. Tile is easy to clean.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Team kaylie. Half walls suck.