s/o of the YHL thread - splurge H&G purchases?

[Susie]

One of the criticisms that I see (and make) of YHL is that they never splurge on anything; it's all about doing every single project as cheaply as possible.  Sometimes that's just not the right choice.

I could use some inspiration on this too, what with my house of CL, hand me downs, etc.  What have you splurged on?  Now that you have it, do you love it?

Bonus points for PIPs

[lb2006]

Convection double ovens! Starting the kitchen remodel this year, so will have to PIP once installed. Let's be honest, my whole kitchen will be a splurge & I can't wait

[munkii]

Ha, lb! We actually installed 2 convection ovens (standard not double) in my kitchen this past fall. Freaking fantastic decision.

Rather than a $99 light from a big box, we purchased a very nice Murray Feiss light for our dining room. Not fancy schmancy for many, but it's a nice addition to our 1950s ranch.

We also spent a nice chunk of change on a SS farmhouse sink (not yet installed).

ETA: Here's my sink: www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Kraus-36-inch-Farmhouse-Apron-Double-bowl-Stainless-Steel-Kitchen-Sink/4282012/product.html. I had a 15% off coupon which made it better.

[lightbulbsun]

Recycled material countertops. They were nearly $3k for our small L shaped kitchen, but I've had them for almost 2 years and they still look like new. And I love that they're made out of recycled material and corn based resin.

We're also splurging on a crate and barrel sectional for the family room. We don't have it yet, but it ate up half the budget for the entire downstairs renovation (family room, band room and powder room). It's so comfy and big. We didn't want to get up when we were in the store.

[lb2006]

we're also adding a farmhouse sink. My husband wants SS, i want fireclay (did want copper, but after reading about upkeep & softness, not so sure)

Do you like the stainless steel?

[munkii]

Mine isn't installed yet, but my current sink is SS. It's fine and easy to clean. Boiler has a farmhouse SS installed already. Maybe she'll chime in.

[boiler717]

I am the self-proclaimed queen of the splurge / skimp combo decorating. I think you all have seen my kitchen a billion times but here's the list:

Splurge:
- single vessel stainless farmhouse sink ($450)
- awesome pendant lights ($450 for two)
- cabinets upgrades to white shaker cabinets (can't remember off the top of my head, probably a couple of thousand compared to basic builder cabinets)
- triming out kitchen island to look like cabinets instead of bead board ($400)
- roll out shelves and soft close doors (can't remember exact number on this either)
- wine fridge, dishwasher (3rd rack and built in water softener), 30" wide double convection ovens, 36" gas cooktop (hard to give a dollar amount over what you would consider base)

Save
- clearance light over kitchen table ($45)
- IKEA barstools with custom covers ($220 for 2)
- reprinted old Value City table and chairs for kitchen table ($40 in paint and supplies)
- builder basic faucet
- online pulls and knobs
- Hired out backsplash for $250 for labor and materials
- basic fridge, microwave, and hood
- all accessories are Home Goods / Target finds, mostly on clearance

[boiler717]

Jan 18, 2013 10:08:26 GMT -5 munkii said:

I would have babies with my sink if I could. It is the most amazing thing in the world. Everyone who comes is in awe of it. It could easily fit 2-3 toddlers. Clean up is a breeze.

The bottom has gotten scratched some so I do need do some work on that. But it looks a million times better than my mom's enamel coated cast iron sink. She cannot wait to replace with stainless.

[lb2006]

do you mind posting your dimensions? i.e. is it a 30,33, or 36 inch bowl? I'm looking at double bowls right now Thanks!

[boiler717]

Jan 18, 2013 10:22:22 GMT -5 lb2006 said:

30.5 x 18

Get the single!

[boiler717]

I can't modify on the app, but I consider our countertops (Carrara marble) neutral. They were the same price to us as quartz or a nicer granite.

[carifly]

Sadly I don't think I've had any furniture splurges in my life yet - my biggest there was upgrading from a hand-me-down sofa to an Ikea sofa

My biggest tendency to splurge is artwork. I generally don't like hanging things on my walls that don't have meaning to me or are mass-produced. So over the years I've collected paintings/pottery, etc. while I traveled, from friends who are artists, etc.

[boiler717]

For my sunroom, pretty much everything was a save with 1 big exception, the drapery. I don't think a single item in the room including rugs and furniture was more than $150 with the following exceptions:

- Custom drapery, $2500 (these were actually retrofitted from our old house where they were custom made for)
- coffee table, $300
- Leather accent chair, $250?
- sectional, $1600

TV strand, side board, endtable, 8x10 rug, floor lamps, wall clock etc were all deals.

[Deleted]

We tend to splurge on things we want to be forever purchases.  If we don't expect the item will out-live us, we generally don't splurge on it.  If we're going to live with it forever, we figure it's only once and we better get the best thing we can afford.

Splurges:
-Knotted wool rugs.  There's no comparison to tufted/synthetics, and I love them so much.

(pic of one rug + sort of picture of the settle)
-Bathroom (and probably kitchen) light fixtures.  I have a special sort of weakness for Rejuvenation. They still make me sigh sometimes.

I also have a schoolhouse fixture in the ceilling but no pics.
-Old-style wood windows in the remodel to match the originals.  Yes, I know I'm obsessed.  But if either of us had to choose between our windows and each other, I'm not sure what the outcome would be LOL.
-Living room settle. Stickley style (not Stickley, so I didn't splurge that much).  I don't love-it-more-than-anything (DH is a bigger fan), but I like it better than regular sofas.  Solid oak, should last forever.
-Antique cast iron stove.  It was cheap enough on CL, but we spent about $2K total buying it, shipping it, overhauling/cleaning it and delivering it (a cast iron stove is not cheap to move).  It's a true workhorse though and I totally expect it will outlive me.  I will never need a new stove.  Use it daily and love it.

-Master bedding. Sort of an exception to my out-live me rule.  It was a lot for me; I'm not sure what normal is.  I got one of the thicker down duvets and down pillows from The Company Store, plus a pricey-for-me cotton cover.  That plus the 800 TC Hotel Collection sheets, and I'm about $1k in for bedding. My bed is one of the most comfortable places on earth though. I love it, contingent on how long it lasts. If it only lasts a few years before looking shabby, I will not be happy.  At all.

Pic in summer without big poufy duvet inside cover.  Pics don't do much for this; it's more of something you'd have to feel.

Most of my other stuff is hand-me-downs, Craigslist, DIY, or Overstock.  I would PIP my splurges, but I feel like I already AW my tiny little house waaay more than it deserves.  It's all in my bio. (Updated b/c Susie twisted my arm.  Not that it required much twisting LOL.)

[pickle123]

Another vote for the single bowl sink, you'll love it! I could bathe my 2 year old in it. We don't have SS though....ours is a granite sink and it's so awesome how easy it is to clean.

[Susie]

Jan 18, 2013 10:46:38 GMT -5 @juno said:

I would PIP my splurges, but I feel like I already AW my tiny little house waaay more than it deserves.  It's all in my bio.

Please feel free to PIP and AW anyway.  I have a hard time remembering a lot of posters' homes, and often notice things in pictures that I wouldn't have if we weren't talking about a particular item anyway.

I  (heart) PIPs.  Especially on a board like H&G.

[sratsey]

I got my stainless steel farmhouse sink on overstock.  I love it.  To me, it was a bargain because the sink was cheaper than the builder's credit we received to take out the tiny one that came with the house.  We actually made $6 off the purchase. LOL.
I love it, but I live in an area that has hard water and even with the water softening system, the inside gets spotty.   The rim of the sink has a few black marks from my FIL washing pots and pans and leaning them on the edge.  ARGH!!! Nothing that can't be buffed out, but definitely requires more upkeep.

My splurges:
Living Room and DR:
1.  Custom drapery panels.  A splurge because they weren't cheap...but a save because they were the cheapest I could find for what they are. 
2. Re-upholstering two antique chairs.  Worth every penny. Went from old man ugly to gorgeous aqua glam.
3. This massive ottoman in my LR. It's 4 feet wide, tufted leather and blue.
no regrets on any of the above.  The LR has become my Mom Cave. It's soothing and since the kids stay out of it, it's clean all the time.

Light fixtures
My DR fixture is Candace Olson and I bought Savoy House for my island pendants and MB fixtures


The Kitchen
We splurged a ton on the kitchen.  Basically tossed everything that was builder's grade and went all out. 
1. Cabinet hardware,  SS double oven, built in fridge with cabinet panel, under counter ss microwave, paneled dishwasher and cabinets that were staggered with crowns being built to the ceiling.  A built in hutch and a butler's pantry.  This is a new build and my second build, so we pretty much filtered all of it into the hub of the home.  This is a picture prior to the backsplash going up.  The butlers pantry is on the other side of a doorway, so you can't see it.

2. A custom built aqua blue island is currently being built.  It's going to be 4 feet deep and 8 feet long with turned legs.
3. Custom upholstered counter stools for the kitchen island....figured if I was going to go all out on the island, I wanted really nice stools to go with it...in a fabric that's light AND washable.

4. Custom Valances for the kitchen.  One is to go over an 80" window and the other is to go over a 110" triple door.  This is a splurge because it's pricey, but still falls into my "cheap for what it is" category. {shrug} A woman on etsy is making them for me and the fabric I bought was only $13/yard.

I have no regrets on any of my splurges.  I LOVE my kitchen and when it's totally complete, I might never leave my house.  I spent 8 years in my first (new construction) home saying "I wish I had done ____" and when the time came, we did almost everything I said I had wished for the first time.

Come to think of it, I can't even think of a "splurge" that I have ever regretted.

[thewop]

Stratsey!!!! Those black cabinets are freaking awesome. I dream of putting dark cabs in my kitchen! My kitchen is significantly smaller, but that's the look I'm aiming for. Most people look at me like I have 2 heads when I talk about dark like that. Yours is kitchen porn for me. Do you have any specifics you can share?

[sratsey]

Jan 18, 2013 11:06:02 GMT -5 thewop said:

Stratsey!!!! Those black cabinets are freaking awesome. I dream of putting dark cabs in my kitchen! My kitchen is significantly smaller, but that's the look I'm aiming for. Most people look at me like I have 2 heads when I talk about dark like that. Yours is kitchen porn for me. Do you have any specifics you can share?

We went back and forth for a long time between white cabinets and dark...especially since our floors are stained a medium walnut color.   I know white has been on trend for awhile now, but I'm just drawn to dark cabinets and in the end they won out.  I have a lot of natural light in the kitchen and I think the counter tops and backsplash being light helps to balance it out.
They're by Yorktowne Cabinetry (it's who the builder uses) and the finish is Java.  Wood is maple.
The reason I'm doing the island in a contrast color is because there are so many cabinets and countertops in there that I really wanted to break it up.  The top on the island will be butcher block.

All the appliances are from the Kitchenaid Architect II Series, except for the microwave.  The microwave is actually H's splurge because he didn't want anything on the counter and I wanted a strong hood for the cooktop.  It's by Jenn-Air.

Granite is Kashmir White and we put up this subway tile and listello, but in an off white:


Any other specifics you want to know, feel free.

[Susie]

Such pretty things in this post!

[thewop]

Jan 18, 2013 11:33:04 GMT -5 sratsey said:

Jan 18, 2013 11:06:02 GMT -5 thewop said:

Stratsey!!!! Those black cabinets are freaking awesome. I dream of putting dark cabs in my kitchen! My kitchen is significantly smaller, but that's the look I'm aiming for. Most people look at me like I have 2 heads when I talk about dark like that. Yours is kitchen porn for me. Do you have any specifics you can share?

We went back and forth for a long time between white cabinets and dark...especially since our floors are stained a medium walnut color.   I know white has been on trend for awhile now, but I'm just drawn to dark cabinets and in the end they won out.  I have a lot of natural light in the kitchen and I think the counter tops and backsplash being light helps to balance it out.
They're by Yorktowne Cabinetry (it's who the builder uses) and the finish is Java.  Wood is maple.
The reason I'm doing the island in a contrast color is because there are so many cabinets and countertops in there that I really wanted to break it up.  The top on the island will be butcher block.

All the appliances are from the Kitchenaid Architect II Series, except for the microwave.  The microwave is actually H's splurge because he didn't want anything on the counter and I wanted a strong hood for the cooktop.  It's by Jenn-Air.

Granite is Kashmir White and we put up this subway tile and listello, but in an off white:


Any other specifics you want to know, feel free.

  Yeah, natural light is huge. We have a large kitchen window and our kitchen is connected to a very informal eating area with 2 huge windows, so I'm not at all worried about it looking too dark for us. And I'm not really into white. Too stark for me.  I can't wait to see your island! Aqua is my favorite color! I actually sent the picture of your kitchen to my husband to show him what I want. So beautiful. Thanks for sharing.  

[kaylie]

Let's see, the things I splurge on:

- Fancy light switches: we're changing most over the Lutron Maestro ones. They have so many "smart" solutions - our family room lights have a remote so we can turn them on or off or dim them from the couch, we put a timer switch on the upstairs lights to that we can leave them on for an hour after we go to bed so there's light if someone needs to get up for something.
 
- Light fixtures: I think lighting can make such a big difference in a room. We spent $425 (on sale from $500) for this in our dining room:


- Flooring: We're going to be dropping a pretty penny on extremely hard wood floors in the next couple of years. I really only want to replace the floors once so it's totally worth it to me to spend a lot to get it right the first time.

- Appliances: It's not like you have to buy them every year, so I prefer to get the ones with the features/look I want. I haven't told H yet that we're going to blow $2,500 on a slide in induction range in a couple of years.

[tarheels]

I drove to Atlanta a couple years ago to go to the big Scott Antique Market. I bought a sideboard and a pair of chairs that I wouldn't buy again. They weren't that expensive (I mean, not CL prices, but not $10k each, either, KWIM?), so it's ok that I'm not in love with them.

The sideboard has a knee hole (I guess it's not a knee hole if it's not a desk, but you know what I mean), which means you lose TONS of storage in the middle and I wasn't thinking about that at the time. I really need that storage!

The chair cushions are 100% down and get really flat really fast. I'm constantly fluffing. They're also only comfy if freshly fluffed. You really do need down cushions to have modern foam in the middle. They're also kinda small/ladylike. I liked it at the time, but it means you can't curl up in them with a book.

[ktzmoh]

We are splurging in living room furniture. It's the first thing you see when you walk in, so I splurged on the sofa, the lighting and we have plans for splurging on the other key pieces. We've opted to space it out to ease the pain of spending on these pieces, and just have lots of empty space in the interim. To me, id rather have an empty room for a while than fill a room up cheaply just to fill the space.

[housegeek]

We don't splurge on anything, really. Our mattress? Does that count hah?
I have a 3 1/2 and 5 year old, and we live in this house. So I don't have anything I'm going to cry over some unexpected "artwork" or anything.

I would like to upgrade to fancy light switches though, I'll have to add that to my looooong list.

Because of my own outlook, I don't mind YHL's not splurging. Neither of them work at a typical job, Im not really surprised they don't go out and spend a ton of money on one item.

[pitterwoo]

We've taken the time to do our renovations correctly so the biggest splurges are probably insulation, electrical upgrades and replacement of damaged joists. All sorts of things you can't see.

Inside the house I can think of just a couple splurges- getting a chair reupholstered.....and that's it besides shoes.

[pitterwoo]

Jan 18, 2013 11:33:04 GMT -5 sratsey said:

We went back and forth for a long time between white cabinets and dark...especially since our floors are stained a medium walnut color.   I know white has been on trend for awhile now, but I'm just drawn to dark cabinets and in the end they won out.  I have a lot of natural light in the kitchen and I think the counter tops and backsplash being light helps to balance it out.
They're by Yorktowne Cabinetry (it's who the builder uses) and the finish is Java.  Wood is maple.
The reason I'm doing the island in a contrast color is because there are so many cabinets and countertops in there that I really wanted to break it up.  The top on the island will be butcher block.

All the appliances are from the Kitchenaid Architect II Series, except for the microwave.  The microwave is actually H's splurge because he didn't want anything on the counter and I wanted a strong hood for the cooktop.  It's by Jenn-Air.

Granite is Kashmir White and we put up this subway tile and listello, but in an off white:


Any other specifics you want to know, feel free.

Please add your pictures to a home bio.  You have a really stunning kitchen and I'm sure we'd all like to see more!

[SusanBAnthony]

Jan 18, 2013 12:27:39 GMT -5 housegeek said:

We don't splurge on anything, really. Our mattress? Does that count hah?
I have a 3 1/2 and 5 year old, and we live in this house. So I don't have anything I'm going to cry over some unexpected "artwork" or anything.

I would like to upgrade to fancy light switches though, I'll have to add that to my looooong list.

Because of my own outlook, I don't mind YHL's not splurging. Neither of them work at a typical job, Im not really surprised they don't go out and spend a ton of money on one item.

This is me.  We dont really splurge on anything.  We did once, on couches, and I ended up fairly strongly disliking them.  But for what we spent, I will never get new couches again  .

So at this point I figure:  1.  The kids will destroy.  and 2.  I might change my mind.  Not to mention, #3.  We don't have the money to spend on it anyway.  

The only things I can think of are stuff that it would be impossible for children to destroy.  This is all hypothetical, btw.  A nicer dishwasher would be worth more to me.  I will install real wood floors someday, but not until I can trust the kids not to destroy.  I will pay any amount of money never to have a single bowl sink again.  I would pay to convert an electric stove to gas.  We did "upgrade" our kitchen faucet, but I am talking instead of the 30$ one we got the 100$ one, not the truly nice ones.  

[Deleted]

We spent a ton of money on cement sidewalks around the house lol. We have a few hundred feet of cement out our back door and down the path to the driveay that leads to the barn. Here in mudville anything else is a disaster and grass would just get tramped down. Looks super cool though!
We also shelled out on comfy sofas and mattresses. Even our guest room ones are decent. We're also getting higher end cabinetry and shelving in our basement in the next month or so.
Like a pp said, stuff I'll have forever. The decor stuff I'm cheap as can be. I do like good quality bedding...but even I limit that at $150.00 or so so not too bad.

I'm more into "higher end" clothes and shoes lately for some reason actually. I'm kind of decor burnout but we've beat that to death!

[jhawks482]

We splurged on our bar tile (Crossville, porcelain tile) - well, we have a friend that works at a flooring place, so we saved a ton. Still a bit of a splurge though, but I LOVE it.

We splurged on our leather couch and two chairs in the basement. They were about 12K. , but we paid for them in 2 years, no interest. I love them and they were totally worth every penny. It pained me deeply when we had them in storage for over a year!

We splurged last fall for a stamped concrete patio, and it was e best decision we've made at our new house. It's gorgeous and our neighbors love it too!