The 'Dream Stuff For My Dream Home' Thread

[vidwarren]

My girlfriend and I recently started sharing a Google Doc with a load of cool stuff for if we're ever lucky enough to build our own home. Here are a few cool things:


Bookcase Stairs:

http://weburbanist.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/book-staircase.jpg

Cool plugs (I hope they’re real!):

http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/241083386272598679_OaTLkMK7_c.jpg

Rocking Bed:

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/404546_10150674378037922_538472921_10992807_409849 990_n.jpg

Aquarium sink:

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/391967_198622113566358_131291716966065_364737_1157 125908_n.jpg

Telescopic Van:

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/431042_364901950195295_269623806389777_1403474_189 3190748_n.jpg


Would love to see some more cool stuff if you know of any. :popcorn:

[LowSky]

You need to pick up a subscription to Dwell magazine.

If I had the money I would build my own furniture. I hate how most of the world is now fine with MDF, plywood, plastic, and particle board. I like my stuff made from wood and metal. If can't last what's the point?

[drawkcab]

If can't last what's the point?

Planned obsolescence--throw away your furnishings and buy new junk every couple years or so.

[Bölvaður]

I have always wanted to build my own things my own way. I think toilets and showers aren't designed with user in mind, so I'll probably design my whole house with user testing (mainly me but I also have to make sure visitors will not hate it).

As those ideas you posted, I think the fishtank sink is a bad idea unless if you manage to have silent waterpumps. I'd hate to be in a bathroom which has waterpumps like in most fishtanks I've seen.

I'd have lan cables everywhere in the house to be able to have low latency connection everywhere. Have a server running and controlling computers everywhere in the house. The server would be controllable via android program.

[wewantutopia]

I hate how most of the world is now fine with MDF, plywood, plastic, and particle board. I like my stuff made from wood and metal.

YES, yes, and YES.

Even relatively high end cabinets are made out of plywood with a wood veneer.

I can't stand MDF especially. Seems like EVERYTHING is made out of it! Shelves are really bad; contact paper covered MDF - horible. Man do they flex/bend/sag. Nothing like real wood.

I am in the process of completely remodeling our first home (including super-insulating), a 1920's bungalow. Some of the original woodwork remains which literally had 7-8 layers of paint on it (including the stairs) and I've now refinished (only about 80 hours of work but TOTALLY worth it).

Removing the all MDF baseboard that previous owners installed (ugh)...

Oh and this:

http://www.gettysburgsolar.com/index/images/stories/aei%20evacuated%20tube%20solar%20panel.jpg

Evacuated tube solar thermal panels to heat our radiant heat floors (or at least most of it). The end goal post super-insulating.

[vidwarren]

Yeah, I fully agree. I remember when people used to upgrade to a better phone because it had been so long that the current one's were far superior. Now it's all 'it stopped working once the warranty had run out'!

Those solar panels are cool, are they expensive? Efficient?

[wewantutopia]

Those solar panels are cool, are they expensive? Efficient?

For a 30 tube panel they run from $1-2,000.

They are ~ 92% efficient since the heat is insulated via vacuum. Most of the heat loss occurs via conduction in the copper inner tube. Each will put out 20-40,000 BTU per day.

If interested search "evacuated tube solar panel" they're thermal panels (not photovoltaic) for heating water (drinking/heating).

[forrestcupp]

I want a house like S.A.R.A.H. on Eureka.

[vidwarren]

Just found this:

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/429646_10150587050660983_239179645982_9555793_2138 843577_n.jpg

It's a clock that knits a scarf over 365 days. I already have a scarf that I barely wear. I just like the idea.

[PuddingKnife]

I approve of this thread.