Dream Home Upgrades

Filed under: Your Home, Fun Stuff, Design, etc

If money was no object, what would you do to your home? ShelterPop staffers share their dream upgrades.

When you live in the land of rentals, like myself, it's easy to find yourself daydreaming about the perks of homeownership. Just imagine: No more landlords, no more rent checks -- not to mention you can do absolutely anything you want with the space. Sick of your old carpet? Rip it out and install hardwood floors. Thinking about a new color scheme? Paint to your heart's content. And if it's more open space that you crave, just knock out a few walls. No biggie.





Ok, ok, so maybe it's not all easy being a homeowner, but a girl can dream, can't she? In fact, I spend quite a bit of time thinking about my fantasy home upgrade. More spefically, the kitchen.

That's right, for a girl who calls grilled cheese a gourmet meal, I sure do spend a lot of time drooling over pictures of wide open kitchens with clean, white, glass-front cabinets, stocked with colorful bowls and glassware. Sprawling soapstone counters would top off an oversized island (perfect for slicing cheese for those fancy grilled cheese sandwiches) with oversized industrial-style pendant lights hanging overhead. And for the walls, a backsplash of simple white subway tiles. French music would play softly in the background and overflowing arrangements of periwinkle hydrangeas would always add a pop of color to the otherwise two-toned space.

Swoon.

And all of this daydreaming got me to thinking: What do other people crave about for their home's? Lucky for me, I have access to a few of the most creative home design minds in the business. When asked what one upgrade they would add to their home, the staff members at Shelterpop seemed to stick to two common themes: luxury bathrooms and high-end amenities, like pools. Here's what they had to say on the subject:

Brooke Lea Foster, Editor
"My ultimate upgrade is to have a freestanding cast iron tub in my extra large bathroom. I particularly love the more modern interpretations of the classic clawfoot tubs. To me, the bathtub is the main event in the bathroom -- it's where I want my eye to go as I walk in, and the sight of it alone makes me long for a good long soak.

I imagine that you feel really beautiful soaking in one of these tubs, even if you're having one of those I-feel-ugly days. I'd also position the tub under a large picture window overlooking the ocean. Then I could take a bath, stare out the window at the waves crashing below and relax. I decorate my home pretty conservatively, but I'd love to go luxe in the bathroom: I'd even love to hang a really elegant crystal chandelier over the tub."

The azure blue indoor pool at Hearst Castle. Photo: Stuck in Customs, Flickr

Amy Preiser, Associate Editor
"Living in NYC, the list of things I covet can get very boring: A foyer, a hallway, a dishwasher -- the list goes on. But my true dream upgrade is much more glamorous: A swimming pool! Of course, since I'm dreaming, it would be indoor, tiled with rainbow-colored glass mosaic tiles (Bisazza, please) and lined with lush greenery.

Of course, I wouldn't have to worry about cleaning it because someone very handsome would do that every morning, right before I'd go for a rejuvenating wake-up-swim. I'm sorry, did I say pool? I meant pool room. I'd like there to be lots of luxurious chairs to sit in and read design mags. And shiny modern tables to hold my seltzer and snacks."



Mark David, Celeb Reporter
"Besides solar panels, my dream upgrade would be to do-over my guest bathroom. Since the bathroom is all but windowless, I'd rip everything out including, especially the old-school tub/shower combo and plain white square ceramic tiles and turn it into a wet room completely tiled in either a ludicrously vibrant color like tangerine or or shimmery gradient pattern."





Laura Fenton, Writer
"Short of more space (which we could really use!), what I'd really love to do is gut our bathroom and start over. Seriously, down to the studs. New sheetrock would be a welcome change from our tired walls and ceiling, and it would be such a luxury to install heating beneath the floor tiles! I am giddy at the thought! In terms of style, I'd opt for classic, neutral tiles, sink, toilet and tub. It both suits my taste and is a smart choice since we don't plan to be in our apartment forever -- think classic, white subway tile and timeless chrome fixtures. I also love the black penny round tiles with black grout that Anna Dorfman used in her bathroom renovation."




Jaime Derringer, Writer
"I would love to have a modern saltwater pool -- rectangular, long and inviting. I also want a good lawn. I've always wanted a lush, bright green lawn -- the kind that makes you want to lay down and do snow angels (minus the snow)."

What is your dream upgrade? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook.

Dreaming of your own upgrades? Consider these:
- Why Pink Is the New Black
- The New Canopy Bed
- Demi Lovato Trades Up

 

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