Kate Bobrow-Strain

Overview: Kate would like to split the home into a duplex. The goal is to make a lovely studio apartment with access to the yard for Carol, Kate's mom. AND to create an attractive three-bedroom, two-bath apartment to rent that will cover the costs of the property and possibly bring in some income as well.

What do you like/dislike about the house: Kate likes the extra big yard at Frankland street. She likes the compact home, the location, and the cozy vibe. The trees are also essential to the house and the neighborhood. 

Budget: $100,000 or so. 

Timeline: Ideally, the project will be complete by the end of 2021.

Materials: Kate has many pale blue tiles that she might like to use for this project. She prefers sustainable materials for personal projects, but she's a bit more open to a wide range of quality but reasonably priced material choices for the rental. For example, Kate's seen Ikea cabinets well used in high-end homes.

Also:

• The studio does not need a dishwasher.

• We'd rather have copper than Pex.

• Carol would like awnings over the south-facing windows.

Pets: Lucky will live in the studio. The rental will very likely have a policy of NO pets. Kate says, "God, I don't want to allow pets."

Storage: Adequate storage should be built-in for both spaces. We can split the garage to act as storage for both units.

Accessibility requirements: Ideally, the home should be wheelchair accessible. Someday there will be a ramp on the front porch.

Style: Kate's personal preference is a clean, modern, urban loft. She likes less ornamentation and has a preference for natural materials.

Flooring: Kate prefers hard floors with area rugs.

Carol Blue

Leisure Time: Carol likes to sit comfortably, look out the window, and see people in the neighborhood. She reads, watches TV, cooks, eats, and sleeps. Carol often watches TV for three to five hours a day and sometimes binge-watches even more. A space for a bigger TV would be nice. Carol also likes to read books indoors and out. "Somewhere to put my feet up is important." She listens to NPR on a table radio but only occasionally listens to music.

Office: Carol doesn't need a desk. She uses a tablet or phone to access the internet.

Guests: Carol never has overnight guests, but she does have gatherings of a few people for dinner. Most groups include fewer than four guests, but there are times she has up to eight guests.

Cooking: Carol is used to cooking in a small space. She likes to cook, and she uses a stovetop and roasts vegetables in the oven. She uses a percolator for coffee and often uses a microwave for reheating meals. A dishwasher is not essential. Carole does not need a dining table, "Meals are usually at the TV."

Outdoor Space: She loves to be outside, and she emphasized that access to an outdoor space is essential. Carol enjoys gardening and dislikes mowing the "damn" lawn. Lucky needs space in the yard too.

Pets: Carol introduced us to her dog Lucky. Lucky's needs are simple. Access to food, water, the yard, and a cozy dog bed keep Lucky happy.

Appliances: Ceiling fans are delightful. A natural gas fireplace would be lovely.

Architectural style: Carol points out that function is foremost. Aesthetically, she likes sparse and open spaces, and she likes Japanese design. She says that, although she doesn't live in a sparse space today, "I can imagine living that way. It appeals to my eye."

Floors: Hard surface floors are preferred. I can add area rugs as needed.

Windows: "Lots of natural light would be lovely. I'd rather that all my windows did not face North so I could have more light in the space." Carol would like window treatments with translucent top-bottom shades.

Health concerns: It would be best to avoid stairs.

Colors: Carol prefers soft, neutral colors.

Storage: "I am good at working with what I have. I will fill all the available space." 

What did I forget to ask you: I'd like a dog door. I would also like a shower instead of a bath.

Interesting philosophical point: "Honestly, I don't really approve of how I live. I have this idea that I cook beautiful meals and people love to visit. However, I am becoming more realistic."