Addition notes

General stuff

  • Cat6A or Cat8 cabling throughout the house.

  • 10Gbps managed network wherever possible (so all computers, but probably not Xboxes, etc)

  • Solar panels and backup battery storage.

  • IP cameras outside the home.

  • Smart locks on front and rear doors.

  • Automatic blinds with extreme light blockage.

  • Surfaces, sinks, etc. raised about 4-5” to be better suited to my height.

  • Underfloor heating in all bathrooms

  • Covered gutters

Further modifications

  • Existing living room converted into a dedicated library / office.

  • Perhaps a dedicated office?

  • Dedicated workout room added.

  • Another guest room added (bringing it up to five bedrooms total), and possibly another one added.

  • Washing machine and dryer brought into a finished section of the house, possibly in a dedicated laundry room.

  • Extractor fan added to kitchen (we don’t have one!)

  • Actual two-car garage (our current garage barely fits the Model X)

  • Larger hobby space.

General Inspiration: This Old House Gray Lodge

General Inspiration: This Old House Cape Ann

General Inspiration: This Old House Westerly House

General Inspiration: This Old House Belmont Victorian House

Home Gym

Screening/entertaining/relaxing/living room

  • Large, eye-level television with reconfigurable seating arranged in an arc around it in a slightly recessed (2 feet max) pit, with surround sound.

  • Electronics cabinet with dedicated air-conditioning zone.

  • Latest gaming consoles and high-end gaming computer tucked out of sight as much as possible.

  • Sound isolation, from windows to walls, to keep exterior noise from getting in the way of TV/games/etc

  • EXCELLENT light-blocking blinds.

  • On a level raised up from the TV seating (at the same level as the rest of the ground floor), a table and some sofas. These can be moved around for screening movies, so that a dozen or so people can be comfortably accommodated for watching a film.

  • Behind that, wine and refreshments fridges, glassware, a small bar, and board-games.

Garage

Office part of Den / separate office

  • Full-wall bookshelves

  • Completely rethought lighting (to maximize bookshelf space AND reading modes)

  • TV REMOVED and replaced with a painting / photo / set of photos

  • Two recliners minimum, with floor lamps

  • Working fireplace

  • Adjustable sit-stand desk with desk top that matches book-cases, and a chair that adjusts to height for both us parents AND for kids (when they get older)

Master Bedroom

  • On the new second floor (American third floor).

  • More space in the room itself (compared to the existing bedroom, though not a lot more).

  • Walk-in closet, possibly with a dedicated coffee machine.

  • Roomier ensuite bathroom with two vanities.

  • Dedicated balcony with seating, and room for Stef’s telescope.