Friday Five

From willsmama at RevGalBlogPals
As some of you may know I am in the midst of my first home purchase. It is a new-build and so some of the fun was picking out upgrades and major decor items to my taste rather than walking into a previously owned home that needed to be upgraded room by room (pink and teal tiles in the bathroom, anyone?). As much as decorating is not my thing, I did try to embrace the moment because just how many times do you get to have a do-over on kitchen cabinets/floors/countertops?

And so, my questions to you this fine Friday involve your home past, present or future...

1) If you could, what room in the place you are currently living would you redo first?

First, you have to know I have a perfect house. It is a 20s bungalow (not quite Craftsman, though there are some beautiful Craftsmans in my neighborhood). It was completely redone just before I bought it. The remodeler added a great room to the back. It runs across the entire back and has big windows overlooking the tiny back yard. I had the back yard redone. It's all patio with a koi pond and waterfall. It is lovely. And the house is just about perfect.

2) What is the most hideous feature/color/decor item you have ever seen in a home?
When I was looking for a house here, (I think I saw 70 or 80), almost everyhouse had a red room. What were they thinking. I asked my sister who has remained a Southerner and she said that Southern Living seemed to feature red rooms. And the laundries were the strangest things. In one house you couldn't open the dryer door completely because the water heater was in the way. In another, the washer and dryer were moved onto an otherwise great back porch. I don't know what one does when it's 20 degrees (and we've had cold weather here for a few days).

3) What feature do you most covet? Do you have it? If not, is it within reach?
My house is just about perfect. I never particulary wanted a whirlpool tub, but I love it. I now can't imagine not having one. And my refrigerator has one of those water/ice thingies on the door. I wouldn't have bought one that way, but I love it.

4) Your kitchen - love it or hate it? Why?
The only problem with my kitchen is that it is the passage way between the old house (and the dining room) and the great room where I live. It's OK, except when I have people over. I used to just close the messy kitchen door. Now I have to leave enough time to have a mostly clean kitchen.

5) Here is $10,000 and you HAVE to spend it on the place you are living now. What do you do?

Actually, there is nothing that needs to be done. I told you I have the perfect house (at least for me)
BONUS: Why do you think there was such a surplus of ugly bathroom tile colors showcased in all homes built from the 1950's right through the early 80's?
On my various house hunting tours, I learned that I could date a house from the color of the tile. What is so wrong with white? It goes with everything. My upstairs bathroom is white. The one downstairs has a sandy/pinkish stone tile on the floor and in the shower, but not elsewhere.