we thought we were so original
these are the decisions we make
tile versus slab
pine versus cherry
plain versus fancy
over and over again
we promise ourselves that
when the time comes
we will choose
plain
so that we can afford the space we desire
everyone agrees
choose form over finishes
build the bones correctly
and the rest will follow
eventually
we tell ourselves that actually
we may like the plain as well
or better
Alice Waters has slate tiles for her countertop
set around a custom copper sink that we cannot afford
still, the tiles are lovely
and dark grout isn't so hard to clean
but he points out that slate chips easily
it isn't as durable as we would like
at the same time as we are trying to be frugal
we are trying to chose materials that will last
a century or so
like our house has
more or less
a better choice
zinc countertops like the Victorians used
they won't stay as pristine as stainless steel
zinc and copper are living metals
but patina means you don't actually have to clean them
right?
and there's a rough honesty to a painted pine cabinet
enduring charm that resists
the sea of black granite and Brazilian cherry
we start to get excited about painted wood
just like Julia Child's kitchen
so homey and functional
comfortable for dog and children
and then the man tells us that actually
painted cabinets cost more than solid alder
so we had better have stained wood instead
and zinc costs more than than granite
those choices would save us nothing
we'll shave another six inches off the bones
hope that that's enough
at least my mother will be pleased.
Isn’t Formica the cheapest countertop material? It is durable but not very pretty. But I have it until I can afford something else.
We’re trying to avoid as much as we can the cost-ineffectiveness of changing materials. Short-term, putting in a laminate is less expensive, sure. But if we’re going to change it at some point, then we have to add that cost to whatever we eventually put in. So laminate ends up being more expensive, long-term.
So overall, since we hope to be here for thirty years or more, we’re not really trying to just pick the cheapest finishes. We’re trying to chose less expensive finishes that are still ones we like and expect to be happy living with, ideally for a very long time. If we put in a zinc countertop, for example, that could easily last a hundred years.
And when we do plan on replacing things, we’re trying to make those the things that are easier to replace — lighting, for example, rather than counters or tilework.
Oh, OK. I was thinking that putting in something functional, to be replaced only if/when you sold another book or something was in keeping with what the retired architect said.