The Housing Report

Today we received both good and bad news. First, we have in hand detailed drawings of the interiors - including the kitchen, great room and dining room. That's the good news. Now the bad.

After inspecting the foundation on the "new" addition from a few years back (and the future sight of our Great Room), we've been told that we're most likely going to need to replace the structure. It's just a big box, but one that will cost additional dollars that we didn't anticipate (at least I'll get my sundeck off the second floor master as now the structure will support the space).

Goes to show what happens when you remodel a house! Good thing the neighborhood (and eventually the market) will support us spending more money (as it's one of the few Chicago areas the housing slump didn't hit too hard). Check out the drawings below (or click on the images for a larger view).

This is an overview of the first floor. This is if you're looking to the East from inside the kitchen and if you go into the dining room and look East as well (where the Great Room will be located).
This is a view to the West from both inside the kitchen (that leads into a hallway where the stairs to the second floor is on your right) and a view from the dining room looking towards the front of the house.
This details a view from both the dining room into the kitchen and one from the Great Room out onto the deck (with the folding doors). Don't you love the leaning woman enjoying the space? We call her Millie - our cleaning lady.
This South view details the wall of bookshelves,, side storage units, fireplace and where the plasma TV will be hidden behind cabinetry as well as the South view inside the dining room (with the two windows).
This shot gives a nice picture of the detailed entryway into the dining room from the Great Room (with the wall of cabinets on your left).
The North view inside the kitchen details the stainless steel stove, backsplash tile work and cabinetry.
This wall, as you look into the dining room from the kitchen, will have wallpaper Chris selected - fish or something. I don't ask.