The Worst Silicon Valley Renovation Trends
angelalashbrook.medium.com
angelalashbrook.medium.com
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.
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.
I for one would pay much more for an antique original home than any “flipped” style renovation.
The new interiors were nice
I'd say it's the author that has no taste!
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.
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.