All the projects I have in mind for my home are killer expensive. After we bought this place 15 years ago, I put in all new wool wall to wall carpeting. The kitchen had only recently been redone in wide plant oak flooring. Today the carpeting is worn out in the traffic areas and the kitchen floor look like crap. I want to install all new hardwood floors, but with nearly 3,000 sq. ft. at $10 to $15 a square foot, we are talking a lot of money and then there are rugs to buy.
Because I am sick of cleaning my gutters 3 or 4 times a year (I live in a forest), I had LeafGuard gutters installed a couple of weeks ago. This set me back nearly 10 grand so the floors will just have to wait a little longer. Sometimes I feel like a downtown condo with all the fees would be a better option.
Like you, I rarely purchase new furniture with the exception of upholstered furniture. When my wife and I started out, all we had were some hand-me-downs. We've built on this over the years by buying the occasional antique and sometimes new stuff too. Our entertainment center is a nice cabinet, but it was designed for a giant television (not the flat screen that's in it now) and it takes up far too much room. I would like to get the TV mounted over the fireplace and dispense with the big cabinet. We too have a large square glass coffee table with a bronze base in the living room. Visually, it works. However my wife has been falling a lot lately and if she were to fall on a corner of the coffee table, she'd be a goner. Our dining room table is a highly polished antique Hepplewhite oval table that seats twelve when opened out. We have pads to protect the top from damage. Today's lifestyle is more towards casual entertaining and we'd like our furniture to reflect this. Unfortunately, I have champagne taste and a beer budget. I think we are stuck with the antique stuff.
Even if I had a lot of money which I don't I don't see myself buying new furniture. Well Expensive ones that is. I was looking at some coffee tables at the store and they want 470$ for the decent looking ones. Which I think is madness. Its a small table, only a few wodden parts and some paint. Fuck that. Especially if you have some patience you can find a simular looking table for 20$ used. Which if you're lucky looks brand new. Or you could always just paint it.
I guess its called craiglist or something for used furniture in america (and everything else). Just keep an eye there once a week or something. Every now and then you stumble upon people who wants to move Fast and get rid of everything right away. Never understood why americans loves their carpets so much. Everywhere. Personally I find it nasty lol. A nice looking wodden floor over carpet flooring any day int he week. Hell even a ugly floor is better then carpets everywhere. But as always personal preference.
I would like to change floors in kitchen and new sink etc. But since im just renting that's not worth it.
Sorry to hear about your wife Prime. Take care
