Hi, I'm new to the discussion board and am so excited to discuss some of the possibilities in Sarah's books.
Dilemma: I curently live in a grand old 1890's home with beautiful details (gorgeous moldings, stair railings, marble mantles, etc.) The problem is it's near a six lane highway and the noise is outrageous.
Dilemma #2: I'm considering buying a home in an almost perfect location, however it is a 1980's tract home with total lack of character, charm, or flow. (Friends think I'm either spoiled or nuts to want to leave my beautiful house for the tract home.)
In your opinion, is it better to live in a "wow-factor" house near a busy highway or in a no-flow, no-charm house (which hopefully can be changed into something beautiful) in a fabulous location?
Question: Is it possible to create a beautiful, welcoming, home with a high level of detail from a house that is currently void of any character, flow, or well-proportioned rooms? Or do I need to start with a house that already has good design elements?
It is possible to work with a house that isn't great and make it wonderful, but it's not cheap to do so. However, given that you seem to be sensitive to the noise of the six lane highway, it makes sense. Some people just aren't as sensitive to noise, so they might think you're crazy. You're not.
My question is, are those your only two choices? They are such extreme opposites, it makes me wonder if there isn't a house out there that is in a decent location AND won't require a fortune to remodel.
If money is no object, then there's nothing stopping you from remodeling the tract house, of course.
