Orchard Hills - Strada by Irvine Pacific

[Perspective]

Hi -- would appreciate any suggestions on shower surround tiles and size-- between 18x18 and 12x 24 porcelean tiles-- which of these will look good and for maintenance? 

Also any suggestions about bathroom countertops?  -- between petrafina/ granite and caesarstone -- petrafina price looks good but is there any advantage of putting granite or caesar in bathrooms?

Last any suggestions about shower floors?
Thanks in advance.

These issues are just a matter of taste. Share what you like with your designer, and ask about the possible negatives of everything you like.

As for shower floors though, white tile & white grout can turn grey very quickly with standing water on shower floors. So, we might go with the standard 6"/6" white tile in the master shower, add a 6" ribbon around 5' high, and match the entire shower floor to the ribbon tile.

Thanks -- do you see any issues with the standard 6x6 white tiles in the shower from a cleaning angle or should they be fine? We were also looking at the option you mentioned -- of taking white tiles and doing some liners -- debating between this and getting porcelean tiles for the shower and tub surround.

We had white tiles in three of our last house' bathrooms, and the staining was only an issue on the floor. That's why we won't do white tile/white grout on the floor again. Even bleach wouldn't remove the grey.

 

[Purple]

I think 12x 24 tiles give a better visual impact and make the bathroom look bigger compared to 18x18. In my opinion, the grout-line can be thinner with porcelain than ceramic tiles. We have ceramic tiles in bathrooms and have no problem in keeping them clean. It ultimately boils down to what you like and how much you want to spend.

 

[ariesinapril]

Our move in date is mid June. I'm researching on internet & TVproviders. I came across this adhttp://www.broadbandsp.com/internet-providers/California/Irvine/Orchard-Hills/
I would like to get your advice here on the board -- Thanks

 

[timandjess]

There's a gentleman from cox going around the neighborhood offering a great deal.

100mb Internet
All available cox channels
For $120
Catch is you need to have the phone service too.  But it's free anyway.

After 12 months it expires but usually if you call them they will extend the deal.

 

[Irvinecommuter]

Our move in date is mid June. I'm researching on internet & TVproviders. I came across this adhttp://www.broadbandsp.com/internet-providers/California/Irvine/Orchard-Hills/
I would like to get your advice here on the board -- Thanks

We pretty much cut the cord.  Internet only with Netflix and an over-the-air antenna.  We use Ooma for home phone and it's like $3.50 a month (for the taxes/fees).  Works extremely well for us. 

You can also get Sling TV from Direct TV for $20 if you need your ESPN.
https://www.sling.com/

 

[aquabliss]

I wish I could cut the cord and get HGTV and Food Network a-la carte.  Those are the 2 channels my wife won't live without.

 

[irvinebullhousing]

Go with KODI.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

I wish I could cut the cord and get HGTV and Food Network a-la carte.  Those are the 2 channels my wife won't live without.

Sling TV has both of those.

 

[ps99472]

I wish I could cut the cord and get HGTV and Food Network a-la carte.  Those are the 2 channels my wife won't live without.

Sling TV has both of those.

But does it work?  I need my flip or flop viewing with no interruptions

 

[bones]

I wish I could cut the cord and get HGTV and Food Network a-la carte.  Those are the 2 channels my wife won't live without.

Sling TV has both of those.

But does it work?  I need my flip or flop viewing with no interruptions

I know I chimed in before about sling not being ready for prime time due to interruptions. I realized it was cutting in and out only on my TV, but not on my iPad. So it could be a Firestick issue, not a sling issue.

 

[Legit949]

Is the business channel offered? Thank you in advance...

 

[aquabliss]

I wish I could cut the cord and get HGTV and Food Network a-la carte.  Those are the 2 channels my wife won't live without.

Sling TV has both of those.

Oh shoot you're right... I'm gonna look into this after my DTV contract ends.

 

[Perspective]

The $3,750 price to upgrade cabinets throughout in three different styles and three different stains is pretty reasonable, no? I don't mind white cabinets. They're clean and don't clash with any flooring or other design elements. However, I'd prefer the MDF white cabinets like in the Plan 3X model, not the standard thermofoil white cabinets. This upgrade is $7K.

Does anyone have concerns about the standard cabinets? Another concern with white cabinets is that if you choose not to upgrade the tile in the baths, that's a whole lot of WHITE screaming at you in the baths.

The three stain options for solid maple cabinet doors are:

1) espresso - very dark brown which should avoid direct clashing with other wood decor in your house; and it adds depth/richness to the kitchen and baths. It's kind of boring in that this dark stain has been very popular in new homes for quite a few years.

2) golden rod - medium brown stain, looks really good (I think the Plan 1 model is in golden rod), but will limit your flooring options so as to avoid clashing wood stains, including other wood decor.

3) sage - medium/dark grey (although the name suggests a green tint, I can't see green in it). I think this stain is extremely versatile. It might feel a bit "modern" and therefore feel stale in a few years though. This grey stain won't clash with any other flooring or wood decor.

Note - you can also upgrade the staircase handrail to match the cabinet stain you choose - nice tie-in feature.

 

[8porkchop]

I upgraded to the espresso. I think the upgrade is worth it. Problem is that if you upgrade the cabinets, you have to upgrade the rails, which can be expensive.

 

[Perspective]

I upgraded to the espresso. I think the upgrade is worth it. Problem is that if you upgrade the cabinets, you have to upgrade the rails, which can be expensive.

Ah, I didn't know the stair railing upgrade was tied to the cabinet upgrade. Our design meeting isn't for another couple of weeks. Both of these upgrades are already on my design center site wish list, so there's no additional cost for us.

The espresso stain is very nice. I toured the Crawford models at Greenwood (The District) yesterday at lunch, just to get design ideas and price compare. One of the Crawford models includes espresso stained cabinets with the upgraded bar pulls, and it looks great.

The $7K cabinets throughout upgrade includes three solid (non-laminate) painted options. I thought I might like the Johnston color, but in person, it appears more light beige than it does off-white. Another benefit of non-laminate though, is that you can paint the cabinets in the future when you tire of the color or stain you chose at purchase.

 

[Perspective]

By the way, we could buy a Crawford at Greenwood house 33% larger than our Strada Plan 3 for roughly the same base price. When you adjust the price for the different tax rates (1.4% vs. 1.75%) and HOAs ($196 vs. ~$300), the price gap shrinks.

Of course, this isn't apples to apples, is it? 

 

[eyephone]

By the way, we could buy a Crawford at Greenwood house 33% larger than our Strada Plan 3 for roughly the same base price. When you adjust the price for the different tax rates (1.4% vs. 1.75%) and HOAs ($196 vs. ~$300), the price gap shrinks.

Of course, this isn't apples to apples, is it? 

I think you made the right choice.

 

[Perspective]

I upgraded to the espresso. I think the upgrade is worth it. Problem is that if you upgrade the cabinets, you have to upgrade the rails, which can be expensive.

Since you went with the espresso cabinets, maybe you can answer this question I have. Are the legs on the island espresso stained maple legs, or painted white? This assumes you didn't go with the "waterfall" island that eliminates the legs.

 

[aquabliss]

I upgraded to the espresso. I think the upgrade is worth it. Problem is that if you upgrade the cabinets, you have to upgrade the rails, which can be expensive.

Since you went with the espresso cabinets, maybe you can answer this question I have. Are the legs on the island espresso stained maple legs, or painted white? This assumes you didn't go with the "waterfall" island that eliminates the legs.

Just curious how much does that "waterfall" island upgrade cost (with granite or quartz all down the side)?  I've been seeing that in a lot of models lately and looks really nice, assuming it's not cheap.

 

[Perspective]

I upgraded to the espresso. I think the upgrade is worth it. Problem is that if you upgrade the cabinets, you have to upgrade the rails, which can be expensive.

Since you went with the espresso cabinets, maybe you can answer this question I have. Are the legs on the island espresso stained maple legs, or painted white? This assumes you didn't go with the "waterfall" island that eliminates the legs.

Just curious how much does that "waterfall" island upgrade cost (with granite or quartz all down the side)?  I've been seeing that in a lot of models lately and looks really nice, assuming it's not cheap.

$6K - includes choice of three quartz colors.