Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Reverse Living - thoughts? 3Mar 26, 2014 2:20 pm Our build thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70984 Re: Reverse Living - thoughts? 8Mar 27, 2014 8:29 am Quote: we will however have a balcony so I guess we would use that to entertain on mostly. Would you only use the balcony for entertaining and not the backyard? My set up of my current house annoys me because our entertaining area with BBQ & table is in the front yard (large deck at front of house), but the kids' play area/yard is the backyard, so guests get split b/n one & the other. My first house was single storey but with a long flight of stairs from the carport. Yes, it was annoying carrying shopping upstairs (and going back for 2nd & 3rd loads), especially when I had a baby to carry too. Re: Reverse Living - thoughts? 10Mar 27, 2014 12:29 pm Thanks everyone, lots of good points! We would use the backyard and the balcony so I guess even if the kitchen is on the bottom floor and we're entertaining on the balcony, you have the same problem as if your kitchen is upstairs and you're entertaining outside! We would look at installing a kitchenette upstairs tho if we have the living/kitchen downstairs. Good point about a baby, as I don't have kids yet it wasn't something I considered. God this house designing is hard work! Our build thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=70984 Re: Reverse Living - thoughts? 11Mar 27, 2014 1:01 pm Yes, some interesting points here. I guess it is horses for courses. If your site is located somewhere where there are great views from the first floor then it would make sense for living to be upstairs to make the most of it. Also you may be able to get more sun and light as well as breezes. A good sized deck as previously mentioned can work well for entertaining. Shopping can be heavy sometimes but should it dictate how you are going to live in your house? A factor, yes but if there is a killer view or fantastic breeze, I wouldn't let the shopping overrule it. As for babies, they get moved about all the time. I have had two and my second one was hardly in her room for the first 6 months. Most of the time she was downstairs with me in the pram. I am glad that you are thinking of these options though, as it goes to show the effort you are putting in. I know it is hard but it will be worth it once you are done. Keep going and you will be so glad you did. I wish you the best of luck with building your home. Cheers, Jenny. Need hints, tips and inspiration? Join me on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ournewhomecoach Who am I? See my LinkedIn page: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jennifer-crawford/1a/429/296 Re: Reverse Living - thoughts? 12Mar 27, 2014 5:11 pm We lived in our old house for 27 years and it had all living upstairs. I think we just adapted to it. We had a drop off spot at the top and bottom of stairs so every trip we made sure we carried something - laundry, rubbish etc. Recently did a a knock down rebuild and all living is upstairs because we have great views. There is a good size balcony for entertaining though, I agree that running up and down from the kitchen would be a pain. If you are really worried about heavy shopping etc. maybe consider a dumb waiter? We have put a lift in this house because we are getting older and intend to stay here until they lower us down in a box Re: Reverse Living - thoughts? 13Mar 28, 2014 12:12 am Friends have family/living kitchen upstairs and a large dumb waiter for shopping etc which works well- when it's working! It breaks down sometimes and gets stuck....They also have a laundry chute. There's a "horizon" pool upstairs. Looks amazing but I would be scared of it cracking! Only drawback, they say, is that the bedrooms on the ground floor are freezing in winter but that could also be because of the aspect. Re: Reverse Living - thoughts? 14Mar 28, 2014 7:53 am Quote: We have put a lift in this house because we are getting older and intend to stay here until they lower us down in a box Haha @ snufl how much did the lift cost? And @ treeseachanger how much did the dumbwaiter cost if you don't mind me asking ? Interesting to hear of peoples experience at doing this "reverse living" and I must admit if you have great views or for other good reasons it does make a lot of sense. Stewie Re: Reverse Living - thoughts? 15Mar 28, 2014 10:16 am Sorry Stewie, they bought the house from original owner/builder who builds custom homes to sell, so what he paid would have been cost price. Re: Reverse Living - thoughts? 16Mar 28, 2014 12:35 pm There was a lift at a home-show we went to a couple/few years back, before realising that we were going to be doing a project-home build & going to such places was therefore pointless at best & tauntingly depressing at worst. I can't recall the prices, but I have $70k in mind - I think it used a hydraulic ram, and was only one storey high. *edit* Actually, this page off an Independent Living site has a bunch of lifts & approximate prices, in the main they range from $25k - $40k. Getting a lift is something we're half considering when we retire, because we never want to have to move again!!! Re: Reverse Living - thoughts? 17Mar 28, 2014 12:52 pm Forg Getting a lift is something we're half considering when we retire, because we never want to have to move again!!! Never say never again Moneypenny.....That's what we said of our last build Re: Reverse Living - thoughts? 19Mar 28, 2014 5:38 pm OK hope this works Couple of pics of the lift going in Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ And the reason we have living upstairs View from dining Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ View from loungeroom and balcony Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Reverse Living - thoughts? 20Mar 28, 2014 5:57 pm @snufl. Very jealous! Amazing house and views using a phone so please excuse any typos and abruptness Were struck with: Colorbond Ironstone Grey roof and cream windows. What color should we render and paint the garage door to tone down the cream windows? Farm House, will… 0 25092 I would be wary. Is you site demilished but nothing else done? Sounds like liquidity problems to me. Our builder did the same. Got hundreds of thousands of dollars of… 2 15391 3 5581 |