The Worst Silicon Valley Renovation Trends

https://angelalashbrook.medium.com/the-worst-silicon-valley-home-renovation-trends-caf845302e04

by williamsmj • 5 years ago

21 8 5 years ago

angelalashbrook.medium.com

buzzert• 5 years ago

Does anybody actually like the “antique” style interior? More than a modern renovation? I just moved out of a classic, unmolested Victorian house in SF and let me tell you, I don’t miss it one bit.

The fireplace was not functional (I presume there’s some law that actually forbids burning wood or something), smelled bad, and looked just like the picture in the article. I’ll take a modern gas fireplace I can actually use that doesn’t make the air smell like wildfire season, thanks. The “original” windows also didn’t close properly, wobbled all the time and made noise.

That being said, I absolutely adore the outside of Victorian homes in SF. They have all the charm and beauty with none of the downsides.

username_taco• 5 years ago

Sounds like you don’t like a poorly maintained interior. Style has nothing to do with it.

I for one would pay much more for an antique original home than any “flipped” style renovation.

firecall• 5 years ago

Agreed

The new interiors were nice

I'd say it's the author that has no taste!

danans• 5 years ago

The fireplace was not functional (I presume there’s some law that actually forbids burning wood or something)

That's exactly right, and a good thing for all our lungs. I don't get why people are so attached to open wood burning fireplaces when anymore they just make houses colder, and are terrible for local air quality.

Then this from the article:

Whether in working condition or merely decorative, original fireplaces are often the highlights of old homes. Dramatic and elegant, they introduce personality and amiable hospitality that exude the idea of warmth, even if they’re filled in.

This is putting form over function in a pretty vacuous sounding way. A non functional "classic" fireplace at best looks bizarre if filled in, and at worst is a tease on a cold day. It at least should have a gas insert to make it useful.

sagarm• 5 years ago

Agreed, victorians look great from the outside.

On the inside: they're generally drafty, loud, and have awful floorplans. While the loss of some of the original details like the wood flooring and fireplace (especially that flooring!) pains me, I completely understand the desire to gut and redo. I wouldn't want to live in an unrenovated victorian.

FooBarBizBazz• 5 years ago

The worst sin here is the destruction of fine hardwood floors. Half the time you can't even get that kind of lumber any more. The trees are gone.

The "unnecessary gut job" example was the most painful. A lot of value was destroyed there, IMO. There was nice work in the fireplace, the moldings, the floor, and it was all well-maintained. Any "fashion depreciation" is done. With maintenance, it's going to look that good forever. Its replacement is a mediocre sheet-rock job that's going to age quickly and need another gut before long.

Half of what gets to me is the waste. I picture the dumpster that was undoubtedly outside during the gut, and I get mad.

Also, glass staircases are going to be super dated in ten years. They're already becoming an ugly cliche.

Jermaine_Jabi• 5 years ago

I imagine the people doing the actual work do see the value in the floors and fireplaces and they end up salvaged, somewhere. I hope so anyways.

dmode• 5 years ago

Hmm, I actually liked the renovations. I guess different strokes

The Worst Silicon Valley Renovation Trends

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