Hi milton_bound,
It's great to hear from another Juneberrian. I'll try not to be too jealous of your Nov 2008 closing date. Oh who am I kidding, i'm green with envy!
You asked what kind of structural changes Mattamy allows. The answer, unfortunately, is not many. As you probably already know, there are a set of generic structural options that they allow for all models -- things like deeper basement windows, 9' ceilings, etc. Beyond that, for major things that involve moving walls, doors, windows, etc. they have a pre-determined set of options called "Make it Yours". If it's not covered by those predetermined options then it's a no-go.
There are 5 Make-it-Yours options that we know of for the Juneberry. They might add more, but when we bought these were what they were planning at the time:
1) standard fireplace in lieu of double-sided. Fireplace would be on the outside wall and maybe there are extra windows beside it (can't recall), and then the current double-sided fireplace between the great and dining rooms would just be a standard wall. (I can't imagine who would select that option, but you never know.)
2) parlor in lieu of study -- opens the room up by removing the wall to the right of the powder room, and using columns if I recall correctly instead of the double doors.... or something like that, I'm not sure I remember it exactly since we prefer the study.
3) larger laundry room plus an ensuite for bedroom 2 in lieu of the loft.
4) pantry in lieu of chef's desk.
5) alternate kitchen. Window on right wall is deleted. Sink and dishwasher move to island. Fridge stays where it is and the rest of that back wall beside the fridge is entirely pantry (like 6+ feet of pantry). Stove goes over to where the sink used to be. Chef's desk stays where it is. I think that's pretty close to what it looks like.
milton_bound wrote:
Please feel free to give your feedback on these ideas (positive or negative). Would be great to get other opinions in case we've overlooked anything.
-make door to the laundry room open the other way so that it doesn't open into the wacher and dryer (better to open into the laundry tub)
That's on our list too for the same reason you state. Can't imagine it will be a problem but if it is, no biggie to change after the fact.
milton_bound wrote:
-close off the bedroom 3 adn 4 access to the main upstairs bath...we think it's unnecessary, more wall space in the bedrooms (especially the oddly shaped bedroom 3)
Agree whole-heartedly. We wanted to blow those doors away too, especially re. the lack of useful wall space in bedroom 4, but the sales office told us it wouldn't be allowed. Would have preferred they skipped the jack-and-jill thing and put a second privacy door to the tub/toilet area instead. We might have that done after closing.
milton_bound wrote:
, and most importantly 1 access will probably stop some fights between the kids.
LOL!!
milton_bound wrote:
-in the master, make the door on her WIC more similar to his WIC so that there is less interference with the main bedroom doors. i.e. move the her WIC door more towards the his WIC and flip way the door opens
We hadn't noticed that. Good point, although they'd likely classify it as structural and not allow it.
milton_bound wrote:
-add storage in the window seat beside the loft
There's an option for a hinged toybox lid with storage underneath. We're also wondering if they'd do straight pullout drawers since that's shown on a window seat in one of their brochures.
milton_bound wrote:
-other than that, would like to do some major changes to the kitchen. would like an in-counter gas range and in-wall gas oven. if we can do that, that will likely mean there is no room for the fridge on the same wall. hopefully then move the fridge to where the dishwasher is (right tight in the the corner), move the sink and dishwasher to the island,
I think you'll be good for all those above, re. the alternate "make it yours" kitchen.
milton_bound wrote:
make the breakfast bar raised,
I think they'll do that as well, though we prefer flush so didn't specifically ask. The sales consultants said that in general the design centre will try to accomodate most design requests in the kitchen as long as they don't involve structural/mechanical things.
On the next part, I'm trying to follow you but can't quite get there ....
milton_bound wrote:
and finally, the one i am not sure they'll let us do, move the window to over the chef's desk, and move both those two to exactly the middle of where the window and chef's desk currently sit.
What do you mean by "move both those two to exactly the middle of where the window and chef's desk currently sit." ... what two? not following that part.
They won't let you move the window, but the alternate kitchen deletes it altogether. No big loss as we figure we'd just have been staring right at our next door neighbour's brick wall anyhow.
milton_bound wrote:
lastly, put a pantry where the chef's desk currently is, and a 1/2 pantry for a broom closet just past the pantry. (would love your feedback on these ideas particularly!)
Love those ideas. With the alternate kitchen you will get enough pantry space for that ... you can then just decide if you want to keep it on the back wall or move it to where the chef's desk is. I think the chef's desk area probably makes more sense myself.
milton_bound wrote:
miltonLeo, wondering what sort of structural changes you are making. We are still very unfamiliar with what sort of changes Mattamy allows, especially structural changes, so I am wondering what you are doing. Might give me a better idea what what they will allow us to do...and not to do.
The options that are on our wish list, which include both pure structural things and some things that aren't so much structural per se but would be a major pain to do later (e.g. hardwood stairs) are:
9' ceilings on 2nd floor
5-6 additional operating windows (master, kitchen, hall, bedroom 3)
faux transoms over some interior doors
rounded corner bead
200 amp
upgrade gase line to 1"
rough-in basement bath
deeper basement windows
move taps off back wall in garage (if possible)
oak stairs with stain
add capped ceiling lights over island
add lighting in front and back foyer closets
ceiling light and/or wall sconces in study
extra cable and phone outlets in various places
two power outlets on underside of island (for sitting with our laptops)
counter-height vanity in ensuite
double sinks in ensuite
6' soaker tub, not sure about whirlpool
sprayer hose for tub in ensuite
alternate kitchen
One thing we really wanted to do was to delete the closet in bedroom 4 to make a bigger toilet/shower area in the ensuite. Then move toilet 90 degrees and back, add a cabinet or shelving beside toilet, and then a separate door to toilet/shower. Mattamy won't make that change so we'll look at having that done aftermarket.
We also want to change the kitchen quite a bit, including some plumbing, and aren't sure if Mattamy will entertain it or if we'll be forced to an aftermarket kitchen. Hoping there's some leeway with a bit of plumbing changes, but we'll see.