We got a 3D model of our house!

[@RachelandJunAdventures]

The first 1000 people to use the link will get a free trial of Skillshare Premium Membership: skl.sh/racheljunsadventures02211 We've been working non-stop between trying to decide things about the house, going to look at samples and showrooms, and normal work stuff so we're pretty mentally exhausted right now. We're so behind on everything that we haven't been able to take any breaks at all, and as you can see it's getting to us a little bit! I'm not even sure we're thinking clearly anymore, but we still have to decide what we want to do with our walls and all the bathroom/kitchen places before they start building so if you have any design ideas/suggestions please let us know!

[@haerinslover]

Hiiiiiii

[@sworin]

Hello!

[@wavypuppet34501]

For the first floor bath room you should... 1.maybe try to extend it. 2.get a shorter counter and have the toilet on the left or right wall.Also possibly have a hanging light over the sink/counter along with some photos on any of the walls.

[@beth_elsewhere369]

Hiya, hope you two are having a good day! :)

[@hasanmuhammad6651]

*f a k e p l a n t s*

[@julv5767]

Rachel: I don’t take baths Jun: wait I need to clarify, she showers, she’s clean! 🤣😭

[@JCXP123]

Lmaooo he protected her 😂

[@basedhutao775]

Hahahahaha

[@Kt-cn2rq]

Haha true not many people like baths but rather shower.

[@basedhutao775]

I have only used a bath once and it feels weird but comfortable

[@supposedly1-2]

that was definitely for the Japanese subs bcz i totally understood what she meant. it was cute though the way he explained it lol

[@kacichlada4364]

Tip from a veterinary student: try to use a type of flooring/wall material that will stand up to bleach in the quarantine room! Some pathogens are resistant to typical disinfectants, so using bleach/a strong veterinary disinfectant every once in a while is not a bad thing to keep the room clean! Having flooring that can withstand that is best. I know the cats will be looked over before entering a foster home, but you never know!

[@puddle-brigade]

Seconded! Here in the US we have a product called Rescue that is the veterinary standard for sanitizing. It’s activated hydrogen peroxide and unlike bleach you can spray it on clean surfaces and not have to remove it.

[@kimw92]

Agree! I also recommend bringing the flooring (preferably vinyl/linoleum, anything seamless and non absorbent) up the wall a bit, like calf height on your legs. That way your drywall doesn't absorb odour or stain and moisture from marking/splashing, etc which animals are prone to do. Especially around a litter box.

[@oakfur7028]

Agree! Cleaning wood with disindectant isn't that handy and will probably destroy ur flooring. Also don't rlly bother with curtains in a foster room, each foster cat react different to it!

[@KaZoo62]

You can not use bleach on wood or LVPs, only ceramic tiles which are extremely hard on the ankles. Based on my own experience of 25 yrs of ceramic tiles.

[@rochelle4133]

I volunteered in an animal shelter and my last task of the day was always cleaning out any recently emptied kennels with bleach. I definitely agree with this!

[@chaosarts127]

Addition to the kitchen working triangle, for most of us Architecture people, it is more efficient if the sink is between the fridge and the range, so things from the fridge would go directly to the sink if need to be washed, so there’s a smooth flow of activity. But it is with the discretion of the end user, on what is his sort of routine. ;) and for the paint, esp. for the weather of Japan, make sure to have a good waterproofing for the wall so you can avoid blisters on paint :)))

[@nevthepunk]

isn't it also a safety thing to have the sink between the fridge and stove? i remember hearing something about that (maybe not exactly like it) but it's in every house in the US

[@gracesheridan8553]

To add to that as a fellow architecture person it looked like the fridge was directly across from the range and while it is convenient, it could make a bottle neck and make it difficult to get into the fridge while someone else is cooking. Its so interesting learning how construction is different in Japan! Also! for not having high enough counters/tables (fellow tall person here) you could build/add a surface that maybe tucks away or folds away that Jun could use while cooking as a prep area. Maybe the top of it could be removed for easy cleaning and keep it pretty for filming. Something that folds between counter tops or even on wheels maybe. Thank you for the interesting video!

[@chaosarts127]

@@nevthepunk as long as ergonomics is concern, it is more of the work flow. But I think when it comes to safety, it’s probably the separation and relation of the different activities? Such as the travel distance of kit equipments e.g. knives etc. it is safer when it’s nearer I think.

[@chaosarts127]

@@gracesheridan8553 I agree, that’s more flexible than designing for just one user. :)

[@grayonthewater]

Interesting, I’ve never seen a sink in between a fridge and a stove but I live in the US

[@jennolemon]

One thing I would say as a semi-professional cleaner is that you should avoid the sinks that sit on top of the counter tops at all costs because water will eventually splash outside the basin and that will lead to mold build up at the bottom of the basin which is very hard to clean. Also if you get a wooden counter top the wood will start to rot at the joint between the basin and the counter and that’s irreparable. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news 🤷‍♀️

[@TheFairHelena]

Yes! As a cleaner it’s easier to wipe or squeegee the water back into the sink if it’s level to the counter (I bathe my cats in the sink so water gets everywhere)

[@soniccookie655]

They said in the last video they really want a one-piece! So a countertop where the sink is a dip in the whole thing, then it's sealed around the edges. Soooo much easier to clean, plus it looks nice.

[@sugarplum2467]

I'm not a professional cleaner but I actively avoid those types of sinks when looking for a place to rent because of that exact problem. Most of Japan have these HUUUUUUGE sinks where splashing is not an issue. I honestly thin their entire design isn't really actually taking into consideration LIVING there, they just think it looks pretty.

[@bettyhong312]

I have a sink like that in my apartment for ten years already. My family don’t use it that often since we have our own bathroom in our bedroom. Till now we didn’t find anything inconvenience with that sink.

[@murielleosborn1943]

OMG...so true about those salad bowl sink. I got splashed pretty good once by one of them. I turned the water on too strongly and the water followed the curve of the sink and well...my top got wet.

[@MyKoreanHusband]

Korea wallpapers EVERYTHING too, I hate it! Though newer places are allowing painted walls these days. Glad you are getting underfloor heating!

[@cree_VI]

it drys air a lot

[@miriam4235]

Also the ceiling like Rachel said? I've never heard of that before.

[@MyKoreanHusband]

@@miriam4235 Yup. Awful wallpaper all over ceilings.

[@annalopez4383]

I'm from Spain and the idea of wallpapering the walls and ceilings!? it's so weird to me. In some elementary schools from my country there's wallpaper walls but most times we just paint the walls. I think it applies to the majority of Europe.

[@aspannas]

@@annalopez4383 I don't think you can generalize 44 countries, they way people build varies a lot from the north and south. Here in Sweden we do both, but mostly wallpapers. If you paint then you'd probably have to do it over already existing wallpaper. But I guess in newer houses they have more painted walls if they choose to build it that way. But I've never heard of putting wallpapers on ceilings, that's sounds really strange. In my apartment the ceiling is painted and walls are wallpaper. In houses you'd probably have wood ceilings, it all depends on what kind of building it is.

[@janetay8798]

Jun hiding into Haku is me with my mid-terms and presentations and essays

[@Slayy69]

Underrated Man

[@lilygarrod4977]

Literally me

[@basedhutao775]

Hahahaha

[@KismetLizard]

Ditto

[@gloomy_nightflower7007]

Sameeee

[@johannerahbk8602]

You should keep in mind that the open-plan and open floor living-room will make the sound bounce all over the place so it will be very loud and hollow-sounding. Wall-paper would dampen the sound but otherwise you should consider rugs or other fabricks in that room to make it less eccoe. or have sound-panels on the ceiling? If thats an option.

[@queenpotato7766]

Yesss, I live in an open-floor plan house and I can hear my mom from EVERYWHERE; except for my bedroom bc in my bedroom i have an air purifier that basically makes white/brown noise that blocks out the sound of her talking. :D Highly recommend sound absorbing stuff

[@canwejustnot]

Curtains would also help a lot :)

[@Saphiroko]

Mm, good point. I think with the way they decorate with a lot of stuff/furniture/plants will definitely help. But yeah, rugs and/or wall hangings will help.

[@TheCatStatue]

The sound system should be chosen with this architecture in mind. Some of them are built to project the sound/base forward! :)

[@vapolasia]

IKEA has dyi sound panels also..

[@emptyarray]

Haku is just like "Rachael help me. Something is wrong with Jun" lol

[@pemilystallwark]

And Poki just gazed lovingly at Jun haha

[@gratrunka6479]

I love how this house tour starts off with "so this is the cat walk and foster room" cats are always the priority! YES!

[@briannasharkey6851]

I am more invested in this house than anything in my actual life at the moment

[@llivelife2thefullest]

If the kitchen island that you can get is a "premade" item, perhaps have them build/build yourself a base to attach to the floor, then place the island on top. You could get creative with it, make it out of something that would pop, or make it black, or make it match. But then you get the height without having to get an entirely custom-made island!

[@owmahdah]

Thats a great idea! I was going to suggest adding butcher block to the counter top to make it taller for Jun as well.

[@marym8894]

I was going to suggest putting the island on a platform if that's possible with the company and budget

[@amayamichellee]

I hope they see this!

[@livinginthenow]

Oops! I made my comment before reading yours. Great minds think alike!

[@rose8306]

This is what I was thinking :D

[@chikanoha]

2:22 “It’s Jun’s kitchen and I wanna make sure he loves it” WHOLESOME 🥺🥺

[@iramm]

I'm just gonna throw here some ideas i got while watching: Maybe think about incorporating a bench in the entryway so it's easier to take and put on shoes. And since the space is so big you defenetely need fabrics to prevent the echo so rugs and table cloths and curtains are very important. I've seen someone make diy acoustic board from old towels in a wooden frame and covering that with cute printed fabric. That could be a cool feature artwork that also had a function to it. If you're gonna paint the walls yourself I'd consider moving in first and living in there for a while to see the space with furniture so it'd be easier to pick right colours and walls to paint.

[@chena22]

This is a great point! Especially since they make at home videos and/or cooking videos, sound quality and the way it travels around their home should be something to take a account. I also wanted to add that having kitchen dining and living room together will be quite hard to accommodate when it's such an open space area. They mentioned having cozy spots, but thinking ahead on furniture choice and interior design to segregate these areas in some way will be good as well.

[@mirahadran]

yeahh a great ideas fir both couple all house area good..

[@jody024]

They did say the render makes the rooms look a lot bigger than they are in real life.

[@Molly.Vivi.]

I would highly recommend the ceramic laminate tiles (tiles that look like laminate) for your floors where you have floor heating. The floor heating makes sure that the tiles are not cold, plus tile flooring is very durable and easy to clean. We have this in our house and we love it.

[@LH-pj9sc]

My parents have the kind of tile that looks like wood in their basement, and it holds up better than the wood floor in the rest of the house, very durable. It can be a little chilly sometimes, but socks are an easy fix if the heater doesn't compensate for it. if they're really set on wood-looking floors, the tile really isn't a bad option at all

[@papaya388]

The only thing that struck my mind was how Jun's bathroom would be mostly black, even though it's very pretty and sleek, black tiles show ALL of the dust, hair and dirt. If Jun also likes dark gray, I would recommend that, since grey hides dirt more. (my grandparents had a modern bathroom with black tiles, and I still remember how it never looked clean) The house looks beautiful!

[@vansapo6558]

I was just going to comment this. I had an apartment with black counters and it showed EVERYTHING all of the time. Dust, a hair, a droplet of water from the sink, fingerprints... If you also like dark grey, I'd go with that instead.

[@kammymarie13]

Even better find tiles that have a bit of a pattern like granite because it hides all the mess!

[@wendyki704]

Thank you saying this....I’m a little late in watching this video, but I stopped it to check for comments like this. Any dark solid color, especially with a shiny surface, will show everything ...had a dark blue car once, never again 😄. Hope Jun will reconsider black for a dark gray or something with a subtle design on it. The overall house design feels like it could use a bit more storage (not sure why the coat closet was considered wasted space), but I love all the thought they’re putting into the cat spaces 🐈🐈🐈

[@rezam4487]

matt black and patterned tiles would solve the problem. however bare in mind that Jun is a very clean person, so maybe he wouldn't mind the cleaning process if that is how he really likes the bathroom. No pain no gain! :P

[@Blue42ness]

In addition, if the tub and toilet and sink are black, if they ever get a scratch or a chip, it will be really noticable.

[@CandycaneBeyond]

Instead of putting edges on those ledges for the cats I would advise putting some kind of extremely thin carpet so that they have something to grab onto when they jump back and forth

[@naveen4926]

Our college doesn't think about disabled students accessibility design as much as you both think about cat space

[@loudiaz6673]

Damn

[@commandrogyne]

lmaoooo you're so right, honestly not even doctors offices think about accessibility as much as they think about cats

[@kanukulgood]

Hahaha but I'm so sorry for the students!!

[@fossilfighters101]

F

[@okashi10]

@@commandrogyne Dude. Why are hospitals built like mazes?! To get to my physical therapist, you have to walk to an entrance on the opposite side of the building from the parking lot. Check in, walk in a different direction from the main hallway, then turn into a narrow unmarked dolrway hidden behind a vending machine, then go down a ramp. Then you reach a weird empty area between 3 hallways. Sike! You actually need to open the unmarked door and go downstairs. Once you're downstairs, follow the very small signs to another long hallway with an exit to the street at the end. One of the unmarked doors is the physical therapy office. Inside, there's another outside door leading into the same waiting room, and that door is apparently the same entrance door to get COVID tests/vaccines. If I was recovering from an injury, a weak elderly person, or someone who was less sound of mind... getting to the physical therapy office would be a nightmare.

[@JaclynMorris22]

Keep in mind easy access to clean everything. You never know when you are going to drop a jar of pickles and that juice goes everywhere. You should be able to easily access underneath built-in shelving and furniture. Moisture alarms are $10 each and if you set it up behind your dishwasher/washing machine it can save you thousands of dollars in mitigation and reconstruction since it will let you know it's leaking before your floor/walls are rotted.

[@altman575]

-Make sure the put an access panel and an exterior drainage for the built in AC unit. Built in units have a habit of leaking and you don't want to tear the wall apart to fix it. -Have the company put a primer coat over the drywall. Then the walls are prepped for you and the house will look somewhat finished when you move in. -Make the shelf behind the sink a full shelf. You will want more flat surfaces and it will allow for a changeable background while filming. Then add controllable lighting under the cabinets. This will also help with adding a back light while filming

[@Lyn-rv3vl]

R&J : married, living in Japan, have many cats, prepared their future house... Me (same age): watch their videos in my bed with a bag of chips

[@DemonMother]

We all get there in our own time at our own pace! You’re doing great!

[@Rachel-ft2bi]

35 this year and watching their videos in my rented cabin.

[@Lyn-rv3vl]

@@DemonMother It warms my heart to read this =)

[@BipBopBlehh]

My only goal in life is to move out on my own, and live peacefully with a pet cat and a dog.

[@henrik3141]

Well I didn't see them enjoying chips. 1:0 for you there.

[@rehliadeering4525]

Entryway tip: I would consider installing a curtain between the entryway and the living space. The heat loss from an open floor plan in winter is a lot greater than people often think, even with floor heating. But more importantly, it will also allow the heat to come in in summer. I work in a mostly open space office with high ceilings and floor heating, and both very cold and very hot weather are really miserable there because there's no way to close off areas and stabilise the temperature inside. Everything leaks. A curtain will help keep the temperature inside stable even when you need to use the door, and if you want the space to be completely open, a curtain is flexible and easy to pull back or tie up to the side so you still get the open space optics whenever you do want them. Window tip: I'd get some really, really good sunblocking shades. Large windows like that heat up a living space like there's no tomorrow and when I lived in a space with big windows like that without blockout curtains it was absolute hell. AC helps, but if it has to go up against the magnifying glass effect of those windows, it'll also drive up electricity costs and it's not good for the environment either. Having a good set of sunblocking shades to put down helps a lot to deal with the heat and keeping the insides cool even in really hot summer weather; I managed to make my space livable despite not having AC at all in 40° humid heat. The two points above I would especially keep in mind as temperatures will continue to grow hotter in the coming years based on all predictions we currently have, with summers getting more and more extreme so planning ahead for that while building should be a good idea to future proof your home. Kitchen island tip: perhaps you could consider getting multiple individual cabinets for the base, that match Jun's preferred height, and simply cover it with a custom made large wooden countertop? Or you could try using solid wooden beams as a base to put the kitchen furniture on; my mom's husband is a carpenter and raised their kitchen that way since they're also both tall people. I think the ideas you have for the toilet/sink spaces with lots of natural wood and plants sound really good, especially as you keep talking about not liking the fake wood most of the japanese furniture units have. It'll probably be nice to have something different and closer to what you like in those spaces to offset the areas where you have less choice! Congrats on your super large house! I love interior design so I already can't wait to see what it'll look like when it's finished :D

[@moon2shadow]

Some places use a ceiling track for the curtain in a nice "U"shape around the door entrance if it gets to be a problem in the winter. The first year will tell you lots!

[@RainAngel111]

Personally think the curtain idea is no good. It would look terrible! People are also underestimating how warm it is where they live. They're way in the south of Japan and it doesn't get very cold there. The bigger problem is the heat in the summer. Getting blinds on and curtains is absolutely necessary

[@Acorni]

I don't think it's necessary if the materials for the door are good. At least in Finland, even though we've over -20 degrees over the winter we don't have any issues with the doors bringin cold air other than when you open the door. I do think Japan has a good engineering that would prevent this problem.

[@kunokoaeri3505]

From what i rmbr from my classes, mostly u lost heat/gain cold because this is is not well insulated. If this is rightly made there is not problem in it. But i agree on the windows part, a real problem can happen from it

[@izamanaick]

@@kunokoaeri3505 you also lose it from poor airtightness. my front door has this issue, as the heat escapes from the bottom of the door as it's not improperly designed.

[@fireflyhm]

I'd swap the positions of the fridge and the cabinet, normally you'd want the fridge nearer to where you're washing/prepping the food for cooking instead of being behind you while you're standing at the stove.

[@willoww7023]

Agreed. Also, it could be awkward when you are opening the oven/stove door and backing up into the protruding fridge. And not that you'd have the oven and fridge open at the same time almost ever, but generally not a good idea to have the biggest swinging doors (fridge & oven) directly across from each other. You also tend to spend a fair amount of time standing at the stove, so you don't want what's directly behind/around your work space to be busy. For example, getting in the way if you wanted to "quick" grab a drink from the fridge while Jun is cooking. Flipping the position means it's quicker access to the sink and fridge from your sofa. It's also really important for Jun to consider if it's more important for him to have counter/work space on both sides of the stove, or both sides of the sink. I had space on both sides of the sink in my first place, but found I prefer having it on both sides of the stove now. I see you have counter space behind the stovetop in the current design. In practice, when you are cooking, it's not so easy or safe to reach over an active cooking station to get something you need, so Jun really only has space to easily place things to the right of the cooktop while working. Not sure if there's a island option with the sink on the end and the stove more centered. I also for instance like to watch TV when I'm cooking, so if you haven't already, something else people forget to consider is sightlines. Your home looks like it's going to be lovely though! And it can be stressful going through all the fussy details because you feel so close to the finish line, but those details can really add up. Been there. Just make sure you are content and feel good about the foundation/"bones" of your home, and then try to enjoy taking care of the little details. Most of the time, stressing out over these things now turns out to be silly stuff that you just deal with/adapt to just fine. Best wishes!

[@PhantomStella]

^this

[@FC360D]

I'm seeing this a lot and it's kinda weird to me if I'm honest. It's rare that I go from the fridge to the sink then to the cooker or oven and can't even remember the last time I even did that since all the food I get doesn't need to be washed since it's already been washed. The design I think works well is having the sink on the island and the oven across from it against a wall and then the fridge and freezer can be along the wall somewhere, I guess this could be flipped so the oven goes on the island and the sink is across from it against a wall instead.

[@FC360D]

@Seregiel If that happens then it's usually a sign that the kitchen is too small lol. The concept of having a cooker and sink next to each other is weird and dangerous to me unless it's a large island or cabinet and has the sink and cooker at the opposite sides to each other since cookers are electric and electricity and water don't mix very well, sure you can get gas cookers however from what I understand natural gas cookers are being phased out at least here they are but I'm not sure about other countries. At least with them being across from each other you don't have to worry about water getting into the electric cables of the cooker which I have seen happen at a friends house and is what made her get a new kitchen with the cooker across from the sink and the oven a bit further down which itself is a odd concept to me, having the oven and cooker separate but that's a completely different thing. When a kitchen is designed the space should be considered and from your comment I'd say this was not the case since people got in the way when they wanted to use the tap which tbh shouldn't really be used while cooking anyway, before and after sure but during just seems kinda weird. I cook all the time and can't remember ever needing the tap while I cooked and no1 else would need it as there would be no reason to do so, if they wanted a drink they can use the water jug or grab a drink from the drinks cupboard or fridge. If there is a limited space where 2 people can't be back to back then they should off set 1 of the things so it's usable without another person being in the way while using the other thing and is what I see in all my friends kitchens. Most have the sink in the middle of the island and then the cooker across from it but to the side.

[@ashleejones1690]

@@FC360D This is how my parent's old house was set up, and it had a very organic feel. All the homes I've lived in have had the refrigerator "too far away" by American standards and it's never been a problem, and also keeps people from getting in your way while you're cooking because they want to get a drink. We also never put "dirty" food in the refrigerator, and even if we had we'd just carry it to the sink and clean it, then pull out the cutting board (that was mounted under the counter and above where the trash bin would slide out from the cabinet) and prepare it. I'd rather have room to move around safely than have everything be "within arm's reach", but that may be an unpopular opinion. My kitchen is pretty large for an apartment, but it's set up like a square with the refrigerator and pantry on the wall to the right, the sink in the middle of the wall straight ahead (looking out the window), and the stove/oven on the wall to the left, with small areas of countertop space in between all the elements, and it actually works alright that way, though I wish the refrigerator wasn't directly across from the stove/oven, as it makes it difficult to get into the refrigerator when someone is cooking without crowding them. I've almost accidently injured my roommate multiple times because I didn't know she was behind me while I was cooking. 😓

[@Eva_R966]

The only thing I would recommend is to reconsider keeping things like makeup and perfume in the bathroom! The varying temperature and humidity makes products go bad quicker, as they are more likely to grow bacteria quickly. But your house concept is so beautiful!

[@granny-nyan]

I visited a perfume factory and i confirm this !

[@mimiisnotavailabe]

great advice!

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

Same for clothes too close to the bathroom. An apartment I want to move in to has some designs with the closet IN the bathroom with no door for it, so you'd have to purchase a shower curtain or something to keep the steam away. Very dumb design, quick way to constantly have damp or moldy clothes. I'm going to ask to get an apartment of a different design, lol.

[@courtneyk9755]

This is a really helpful tip. Expanding on that, having a proper vanity to sit in front of is a game changer, even if you have a relatively simple routine. Personally, I'd suggest putting one either into rachel's room or the closet/storage room.

[@Jill4ChrisRedfeild]

@@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley i think Japanese bathrooms have very good humidity control. Japan is a very humid country in the summer see.

[@luisasjouke1282]

Multiple people have already mentioned the sound issues with open plan spaces, cork is a good material for absorbing material. It looks natural/neutral and can be fairly subtle. Fabrics are also good options, felt is something that absorbs well.

[@amandakattengell445]

As an architect and interior designer, I have to give my respect for the amount of research you have put into your home design. I was trying to envision the floor plan while going through the tour. Some design ideas I would give are to go full customization in the kitchen (if possible). It’s usually the most custom space in a house because it should be designed with user in mind. The triangle is a guideline to help you in the layout of the kitchen. The size of the triangle varies and screws and is different for everyone. Be careful about putting appliances with doors across from each other because it will get cramped if ever you use them at same time. No wallpaper if you can avoid it. It will date your house fast, and it’s hard to remove if you decide you don’t like it. Go with texturing the walls with the texture pattern of your choice and painting. I see light orange peel texture, which is just a light random stippling texture, used a lot in my jobs. Consider painting a neutral color that’s not too white but more off-white...unless you really like white, then go for it. Also consider accent walls in certain rooms that can be painted a different color. If a room has a large window, the wall with the window will appear darker due to shadow when the sun is shining and the house lights are off...just a tip. Congrats on your house!

[@annalaura3223]

Hey! Kitchen tip, my kitchen has a lifted dishwasher with a little drawer under and above it. It has saved me many times from hitting the dishwasher and not straining my back. Would highly recommend!!

[@FiveOClockTea]

Same goes for the oven! Ours is around 1m off the ground, so whenever you put anything in/out you don't really have to bend down 😊

[@annalaura3223]

@@FiveOClockTea yess!!! Our oven is above out dishwasher actually. Very handy

[@chefevilee9566]

This is a wonderful tip. Throughout most of Europe that is exactly how they have the dishwasher installed. My husband had a client years ago that taught us that. We have tried to have people utilize this tip. But nobody wants to do it! Better believe when I get to finally build my house I will definitely have the dishwasher up off the floor!!!! And you are so correct about the safety hazards of low dishwashers on the floor! You better believe that should be the number one rule in everyone’s house. Have that dishwasher closed when not being filled. Oh and knives pointed upside down!

[@IsleNaK]

@@chefevilee9566 usually it's: no knives in the dish washer because it makes them blunt :)

[@FiveOClockTea]

@@chefevilee9566 how would you put knives upside down? The highest level is a flat surface for cutlery at our dishwasher. Is the American one different?

[@lluviavargas5429]

Kitchen tip, what we do for tall people that want to use pre manufactured kitchen cabinets. We build a concrete/ wooden platform underneath the area were the cabinetry would be sited ( this kind of plataforma can be as tall as you need and even makes more space for your feet under the kitchen furniture. Its easy to clean to !

[@Cmallon81]

More expensive, but if you go with the wood platform you can make it into extra drawers or other form of storage.

[@juliakovacs4885]

Or put the cabinets on raised legs

[@SoraCyn]

Washer tip: connect the counter top for the sink directly across the top of the washer, which creates a sort of under-the-table nook. This way stuff won’t fall behind the laundry machine, and you can use the new space as a folding table. Place narrow-ish open shelves above counter for detergent storage, etc.

[@Toyon95]

Smart!

[@TheFairHelena]

I love this tip!

[@mirahadran]

very smarth desission our home how to connected they bloom inside!

[@DaSwedishGirl]

Exactly what I was going to say. Having that extra counter space above the washing machine is amazing.

[@silvermoon2281]

Yep, we have a counter in our laundry room that goes above the washing machine and dryer, with cabinets above - it’s good for space and the cats love sleeping on it in the afternoons. 🥰

[@HM-qe8wv]

Jun: *existential Crisis* Haku: "It's okay, dad."

[@mikoomeemoo]

cat room suggestion: i think installing a shade or a curtain for both windows would be a good idea because when you have a new cat in there you want them to feel secure and not be too bothered by whats happening outside for the first few days. if they feel exposed they might not get comfortable or feel anxious. :) cat privacy lol also it would be great if you guys upload pictures of your floor plans, elevations, and sections since those are pretty integral to designing interiors

[@XSemperIdem5]

I'm wondering if those shades you roll down like the kind Starbucks has on their windows could work. They can keep them rolled up and out of the way when not needed.

[@kimw92]

I think they'd be okay if they supplied tents or cat hut beds for hiding initially, or at the very least a partition of some kind for the litter box area (but not a covered litter box! Ferals will sleep in it!) As a former cat shelter manager, in my experience, if you give them too much opportunity to hide, it takes them longer to get used to you/come out of their shell.

[@elementarywatson5345]

One of my favorite ways that people paint walls is by painting most walls a neutral color and then one accent wall with either a patterned design or a fun color. I think one of those walls in the living room with the big windows would make a really nice accent wall.

[@galtenoble]

I was thinking the opposite, that the wall with the tv would be a better accent wall. I think painting the walls with the windows would look strange

[@elizaruthcope]

Not to mention it can be an easy way to "separate" a space, since Rachel talked about creating cozy spaces within the open concept.

[@elementarywatson5345]

The TV wall would be nice but I thought I saw some texturing on it that would make it difficult. I'm not sure though. I just thought I caught a glimpse of it.

[@galtenoble]

@@elementarywatson5345 well they're only looking at a mock up so I'm sure they could easily say they didn't want texture on that wall

[@Kettie5]

Since I can tell you’re going with a slightly more minimalistic, tighter space, especially with the kitchen, I recommend looking at some tiny homes for some inspiration. They have some really cool transformative, very space-saving ideas when it comes to furniture.

[@polomints2586]

If jun wants a taller island that's not gonna break the bank, could you potentially buy a flat pack island? Literally you buy the cabinets you want and then add your own counter top. My parents did that and it meant we could have a taller than average island and we were able to customise it.

[@RunaVanBeeck]

just a tip from a kitchen person. You can easily heighten your workspace with a "block" underneath. You can blend it by using flooring or a neutral paint. This can easily be made out of strong wood, just remember to provide acces to your electric, gas,...

[@gwillis01]

Here's a wild idea: Is there a chance someone could put a pedestal base under the premade kitchen island so that the top surface would be high enough for Jun to work without bending over and getting backaches? Is there a chance you could have a person skilled in making things with wood [ or maybe even concrete ] make a pedestal base to elevate the premade kitchen island?

[@DharleneValeda]

Yes I'm very tall. It was not overly expensive to have my counters raised this way. We had standard size cupboards but everything raised, including the sink. That's where I get the worse backaches, washing the dishes. We even had the stove and dishwasher up on pedestal bases to raise everything to the same height.

[@Penguin.In.Pyjamas]

Just to add to this. Dont raise it too high, if the counter ends up being above elbow level you'll get pain in your shoulders instead (:

[@lisebetta]

Just an idea to help create workspace to compliment Jun's height. I've designed kitchens for nearly 20 years. The one I did for my brother, who is 6'5", is what comes to mind. His budget did not allow for custom cabinetry, so we used the standard height cabinets but raised them up on a platform that was created from simple 2 x 4 lumber. Since we were raising these about 6 inches, we got an extra cabinet door to set horizontally to make use of the new space. It was great for storing large pans or infrequently used items. I used this method with other client all to great satisfaction. This might be an answer for you and Jun as well.

[@Birdborb4]

Love this! The added drawer underneath bc of the added space is SUCH a good idea!

[@alexe5606]

Yeah that might be a good and affordable solution for them!

[@chinesecovidanalswabs4752]

This is actually good

[@Nicky_TM]

The first thing I see is haku and I’m not dissapointed

[@hasanmuhammad6651]

@Beau-Angelo Simon why?!¿¡?¡¿!

[@kellyprimrose6925]

Have you considered adding an outdoor deck around the living room, like a larger version of the porches you see on old Japanese houses? That would provide some great indoor/outdoor flow to the garden on days w/ good weather!

[@mach1nefan]

We need Haku pillow merch so we can all be Jun in times of need

[@kittymaniac10]

No one: Jun, patting Rachel: She is very clean

[@e.q.9861]

I dont know, the height issue in the kitchen seems like a necessity and not just an option. That would be a worth while investment for his health.

[@appleofmyeye1221]

Its true. I live i asia where people here have average tall( for asia) so the standard counter top here are making my back pain worst as i m quite tall for standard asian woman. For years i have been dreaming n planning that 1 day when my own hse build i m gonna do a custom made counter top

[@RachelandJunAdventures]

It's not an option. That's the most important part of this kitchen for Jun

[@victorianelson7270]

@@RachelandJunAdventures really that's terrible I would have thought they could think of one considering jun's height

[@renataravensong]

@@victorianelson7270 I think what she means is that doing a custom island isn't optional, they must do it for Jun.

[@chena22]

Arent there options to custom build a wooden frame and purchasing a slab of marble/granite as a counter? Similar to how you've used ikea wardrobes in the kitchen, thinking more work station for the island might result in more durable and cheaper alternative?

[@Darkelve7]

Concerning the bath on the first floor: I wouldn’t advise on a free standing sink. It might look great, but could be a real hassle to clean... I love the idea with the natural wooden board though. Also, it’s quite awe inspiring to listen to Rachel list all her diy projects 😁👍🏻

[@Serena-or7sl]

I agree - free standing sinks might look good, but they are quite inconvenient to use and to clean.

[@sarahreeve9892]

"Jun's black bathroom" do you get any limescale in your water? We have a mirror black glass sink, big mistake! If even a droplet dries there's a small grey water mark, and we only get a small amount of lime in the water. And so many tiny scratches. If possible, better to go with dark grey, preferably lightly textured like stone. Same onsen effect, hides marks better.

[@patriciaarive7661]

Maybe like concrete/cement tiles? they’re not that hard to maintain + not slippery when wet. Would probably look good with those wood tiles!!

[@spoog314]

Dark green or blue also tends to look amazing in bath rooms too!

[@Acorni]

I'd recommend considering a table top for the laundry machine, you'd have some space to fold clothes etc! It could be for the whole width of the wall so your sink would be on the same level?

[@puddle-brigade]

I mean, if you’re having trouble visualizing the interior if your house, I’d recommend playing Sims 4, maybe with creative content, so you can just shuffle through the ideas you have there.

[@KiaraDex]

Ya cc has some reality good things

[@CarnivalOfSorts]

Or bloxburg on roblox it’s rlly good for house design but u need in game money tho

[@gracehaven5459]

I've been designing my future house in The Sims 4 since it came out haha 😅🤣🏡

[@Hug_Junkie]

Careful of the cat railing above the cat wheel -- it should be high, or else they may try to leap from that on top of the cat wheel. Maybe a white/clear plastic net would be easy and a good protection against falling?

[@babybaklavagus]

I had the same thought!

[@Serena-or7sl]

Or a shelf just over the cat wheel so they cannot jump on the wheel and don't get stuck in a net

[@heatherarm1295]

Adding an electrical outlet on one of the short sides of your kitchen island can be nice to have somewhere to plug in kitchen electronics while using them. Or to plug in your phone and other devices.

[@babybaklavagus]

Omg I didn't even think about this! Have electrical outlets EVERYWHERE!! The worst thing is when you want to rearrange your furniture but you can't because of outlet placement/lack of outlets!

[@MelodysEnd]

My parents have a huge 6x4 ft island with seating on one side and they have a set of outlets (like 4) on each corner, and have both normal outlets and usb outlets on the seating side. You can almost never have too many outlets, they’re so useful!

[@amandakattengell445]

Yes! So true!

[@jayliebenberg7549]

All I know is that the cats will never want to leave this house haha

[@animeloverXinuyasha]

Wow I love how the sliding doors for the master bedroom can be left open with the light streaming in from your large windows in the fukinuke area and the lovely view to enjoy. I also love the idea of the two cozy spots, especially the one on the second floor where you again have the large windows and also view of the cats - sounds like paradise to me! Your house concept looks so interesting and fun - I am still a child at heart, so it makes me want to jump into the video and go and explore the cat walks and hole in the wall, the laundry chutes, Rachel's secret door and Jun's relaxing dark onsen bathroom! What an adventure!

[@ikallibby]

Interior set designer for film here! Tip for not having to use a design program to visualize decor: make your home, or even just the separate rooms in the sims 3 or 4! Plus they have lots of nice decor you can use to imagine the final design instead of just blank walls:)))

[@amilyn13]

The garden under the stairs... don't know any cat that could resist a built in litter box. I'd worry about that one. Love the concept/idea photos for the bathrooms!

[@wendyki704]

Maybe they can put in a Zen-like pebble garden instead and/or just use containers/large pots to hold numerous plants. As you said (I have 6 cats and didn’t even think about that consequence!!), cats would love a giant litter box like that 😸

[@kimw92]

Right?! We looked at buying a place that had a few of these indoor planters throughout. I was so in love with them. But my cat would 1000 % use it as a litter box or at the very least mess around with the plants and drag dirt and rocks out. And my cat was feral originally so maybe that's why, but he even tried to poop in my potted plants up on shelves unless I put pinecones on top of the dirt lol

[@catbeara]

Maybe they could put a wooden covering or something over the soil, with holes cut out for the plants to grow up through?

[@ngomez2551]

Hmmmm... they could use really big rounded rocks though the size of your hand to cover the soil which would be quite uncomfortable to do their business but not hurtful for them if they walk on it.

[@samara4664]

covering the earth in there with gravel or coco fibre pallets helps I heard :) but that seems to depend on how stubborn the cat is haha. Maybe a bit of trial and error, but I think it can be done.

[@denwanai]

Just put the island on a platform. No need to make any changes to that dimension, just put it on a foot high platform and finish or paint the bottom frame

[@Cassie-oz1xx]

If it's a high enough platform could put drawers there

[@nephthyse]

So tips from a recent "design your own place" person: kitchen: make the cabinet on the wall as deep as possible so you can store more and put things on the counter. Leave it open to the right so you have space to put things from the fridge. Get a build in fridge. Bit more expensive but worth. Instead of a kettle i can recommend a water faucet that can provide cooking hot water (in germany the company Grohe makes them). Get ikea for Island and wall cabinets. They can be adjusted in height and you can still diy doors and counter. Get internet wired in the whole house. Get more outlets than you need. And Last tip: If you can afford it revisit your decisions, its crazy how you can improve everything once everything ist decided and with less preassure.

[@pippylunalove]

I second the more outlets than you think you need. When my parents bought their house 40 years ago you could manage with only e outlets in a room, now we have so much more technology that you need more like 6

[@Serena-or7sl]

Also, put outlets in every side of the room. I't amazing how many outlets I managed to cover while growing up in my parent's house.

[@sinaelb2596]

Definitively an outlet next to/behind the sofa so you can charge your phone and laptop. So you'll propably need some in that nook near the entrance as well.

[@foxceles]

I want the boiling water tap now!!! I drink tea like it's going out of style

[@tvdsje]

The boiling water tap is really environmentally unfriendly though

[@PhuongTran-yw9zn]

A couple things on the kitchen, I often find that having workspace on both sides instead of the stove (instead of just one) is very helpful! The general rule of thumb is roughly 15 inches on each side of the stove. If you're short on space, prioritise the space between the cooktop and the sink to save time and effort when it comes to cleaning up. It's different for everyone but Jun should consider how he prepares food for cooking, and so organises the sink, stove, and fridge in a way that will flow easily and doesn't require a lot of walking back and forth/around things. Don't have the sink, stove, and fridge too close to each other though, as you will end up constantly bumping into each other when you're cooking together. The walk between the 3 elements of the triangle should be around 1 meters minimum. One of the space I used to rent have no counterspace within arms reach of the fridge and it was one of the most inconvenient thing. Lighting over the main counter workspace is also important, typically potlight only provides illumination for the room but not task lighting for where you're prepping. IKEA also has the SEKTION line which are their specific kitchen lines with cabinets going up to 203 or 229 cm tall. They're pretty much the same as the PAX closet systems but I find them easier to install and easier to customise. Just a few of my take on how I would do things and what I learned from designing and building an IKEA kitchen but you should all just consider your need and work with it!

[@ndpd7695]

I never thought I'd be this excited about someone else's house

[@asparrow5505]

My main advice would be make sure Jun knows what kind of workflow he likes in the kitchen, higher or lower storage, where he wants to go for what. Storing dishes, cutting vegetables etc. Then focus on aesthetics. Good luck! 😄

[@alexthomp5559]

I just with through a kitchen renovation. I would recommend having a company come in and paint especially with a two story wall. It seems like a good idea at first to paint it yourself but in the end it can be a bit difficult

[@ashleejones1690]

I agree: I painted a small kitchen with relatively low ceilings and I could barely move the next day! I never expected to use every muscle in my body while doing something as seemingly simple as painting a room.

[@aineg2259]

To save space and avoid putting a kettle in the display space, you could get an instant hot water tap added to the sink! Not sure if they're as much of a thing in Japan but you can get them in the UK

[@Aki-hono_13]

For the living room, Just make sure that the lamps fixed on the wood where the cats can walk is not at paw range for them (if they get curious and get an electricity shot or burn would not be nice)

[@tristianmason3095]

I relate to Jun, as someone who is 6' 1" cooking and washing dishes makes my back sore even though i live in the US. I've learned to use a wider stance to make myself lower without bending over as far (like a giraffe drinking water). I highly recommend a paint color called Honest Abe it is a mid dark gray with a somewhat bluish hue. It looks great with dark colors as well as light colors. It might look good with Jun's secondary kitchen furniture.

[@fancimcguffin2227]

It amused me Jun pointed out Rachel showers. I’ve had people assume I don’t wash at all when I say I don’t like baths. Oh my. I get bored in the tub and the water doesn’t stay the temp I like. Shower people unite!!!

[@selinesbeau]

I shower to clean, I use baths to relax or soothe sore joints.

[@CrossoverGenius]

free million dollar idea: invent a heated tub that will maintain the water temperature.

[@Doodleoodle01]

@@CrossoverGenius That's a great idea! But how would you make sure the heat in the tub itself doesn't hurt the person in the tub 🤔

[@Nezumi--]

@@CrossoverGenius um. yeh. japan has those :P i dunno the cost of them, my place is older i can only control the temp of the water going in, but i stayed at a friend's place and the bathtub itself is heated. it's not boiling, of course, it just keeps the water at whatever temperature you set it.

[@shoyrushoyru]

I’ve never taken tub baths growing up, I always assumed it would be pretty gross to sit in a tub with my own discarded filth floating around me. I don’t know if tub bathers soap and rinse themselves first and then clean the tub before filling it up to soak or what

[@athena3866]

I can’t be the only one waiting for Pichi’s update

[@cemeterygirl-x6p]

yeah

[@galtenoble]

Have you looked at their Twitter? They've posted some adorable Pichi pics

[@cemeterygirl-x6p]

@@galtenoble thank you

[@hyperdim8457]

She’s doing fine and fitting in well. She’s also gotten really close with Poki. Which is adorable.

[@ieatdust8666]

@HyperDim Yeah, she's another fan of Poki like Haku.

[@rin4ever666]

It’s so fun to see the design of your house! I can’t wait to see it all finished! I do have a recommendation though near the stairs. I think the cat steps near the stairs could be dangerous if someone were to fall down the stairs. Maybe it could be switched to the wall across it just in case? I can’t wait to see the final product!^-^

[@RachelandJunAdventures]

haha, I actually argued this exact thing! We're considering putting a vertical board all along the left side of the cat shelves so at least if someone slams face first into something it's just a flat surface and not a shelf corner.

[@youarebymyside]

Just one thought: maybe you'd like to make a non-transparent (basically, ordinary wall) in the cat room? I was thinking about the how the cat might want to hide as it feels stressed & exposed. Just imagine: you're in a glass cell & you can't escape. It feels more like somebody is watching you rather than you're watching what's going on around you? In other words, just give the cat a little more privacy and a hiding spot. It's all going to be overwhelming at first, and only later the cat will want to look around.

[@everentropy]

That's a really good point!

[@animeloverXinuyasha]

I imagine the room itself would have plenty of hiding spots too, like cat boxes and furniture. I think Rachel mentioned that the partial transparent walls would allow them to check on the foster without entering its personal space/ the room and also allows the cat to see them with a safe barrier in between, so it can grow more accustomed to people without needing to physically interact with them

[@lukvanleeuwen7603]

Maybe a curtain on the outside would be a good solution, so that you can close it without going inside and so that the cat can't ruin the curtains.

[@cinemasubject5492]

Alternatively, set up a curtain rod to cover it on the outside so it can be closed and opened to check on the cat or get them slowly used to other cats and the rest of the house

[@naylisyazwina6836]

@@animeloverXinuyasha ah that makes sense. Partial transparent walls is good with many hiding spots

[@MyviolentheartEvey]

Love the style of your house and the colors you've chosen. We also got our house one year ago and I remember how expensive the kitchens are. To save money, we purchase the kitchen separated from the countertops and the machinery. We bought the countertops directly to the factory and the electronics in a regular shop. In total instead of 33k we paid 15k. Be carefull with ikea wardrobe, we have in our house too and some drawers are already broken, even if we don't use them a lot. Can't wait to see a home tour with all your cats, delicious food of Jun and Rachel's decoration ideas! Love 💗

[@Uufda651]

Tip for flooring: there are pet safe floorings that are resistant to claw marks and easy to clean (Edited to make it plural)

[@mavel2038]

Adding that luxury plank vinyl about 1/2" to 3/4" is the most popular choice for it, in the US at least and have wood looking and tile looking options 😊

[@xXSAGISTARZXx]

If its available in Japan, I highly recommend using chairs with cushioning for the back and butt in the eating area; those specified spots will thank you! Also, if Jun needs extra space for meal prep or wants to entertain more people in the future, extend the island countertop by a couple inches and add some cushioned bar chairs.

[@jetproject4972]

Rachel: It's Jun's Kitchen *Roll credits*

[@KarTheWanderer]

I've worked in home insurance before, so I always worry when I hear Rachel talk about her laundry chute since I know they're huge fire hazards to the point where some insurance companies in the US won't even insure houses that have them. I know how convenient they are--my mom's house had one when I was a teenager--but I also know how they can allow a fire to rapidly cross from one floor to another

[@aceilidh]

Is it possible to install a sort of fireproof flap within triggered by fire sensors?

[@KarTheWanderer]

@@aceilidh Many laundry shoots already have doors in the spots where they open at higher levels (my mom's had a metal one). but they still need to be open at the bottom in order to function for their intended purpose. Installing a door at the bottom of the shoot would just cause things to get caught in the shoot even if the fire-smart door never malfunctioned or closed due to false alarms. Constant clogs would make the shoot a hassle to use since it would need to be unclogged all the time. My mom's was smooth all the way down, but it still got clogged so often that she eventually banned its use entirely. The inside of most laundry shoots is made of metal or wood or drywall (my mom's was metal), but even metal ones aren't treated or sealed to prevent fire from getting through to the wood and drywall around the shoot like a chimney would be. Even if they were perfectly sealed like chimneys (which would be super expensive and impractical) and had airtight doors, there would be a chance that the pressure of a fire could open those doors (if they weren't already left open by mistake or convenience as is pretty common) due to the open bottom. Even if the bottom did have a fire-smart door, that door could malfunction and not close as intended since devices like that can be finicky. I'm no fire marshal, but even a laundry shoot sealed like a chimney seems like a way fire could travel up or down to other levels if the shoot is open anywhere since one of the most dangerous parts of a house fire is the explosive air pressure looking for a way to escape and push fire out Tl;dr: Even with doors, laundry shoots would be a fire hazard

[@aceilidh]

​@@KarTheWanderer This must be one of the most detailed answers I ever received on the Web, and very interesting to read. Thank you for taking the time and have a nice day!

[@KarTheWanderer]

@@aceilidh It was a fun thought experiment. It would be cool if there really was a safe version of a laundry shoot, but I haven't heard of an affordable way to make that a possibility. I'd be interest to hear a fire marshal's thoughts on it. Technology is improving all the time, so they might know of a way to make it work without it being a fire hazard I hope you have a nice day too!

[@Serrenoa]

I never thought about that before

[@darkclouds27]

Just an FYI with all the windows you have it's a good idea to apply anti-collision window decals to avoid bird-window strikes that kill birds on impact or soon after. The reflective decals break up the reflection in the windows that look like an endless sky/trees. I've had a few, especially during nesting season where a male is in hot pursuit of a female, and they both crash into a window. I put up decals on all the windows and it has been a positive improvement although yesterday a Eurasian-collared Dove and a Red-winged Blackbird collided into a corner bedroom window. There are decals but that seems to be the problem window that needs more. I ordered more decals through Amazon yesterday. Looking forward to a video tour of your new home!

[@roelandkrop2539]

It looks absolutely stunning! My one worry would be the cleaning of the high walkways, especially in case of a furball. Are they easy enough to reach?

[@auditoryeden]

There's lots of telescoping dusters and vacuum attachments. Or they could tie a dust mop around Poki and get him to run back and forth with snacks.

[@SongOfChaos1]

This was also my concern. I know it's smaller than it looks, but I don't know how easy it'd be to dust up there.

[@canwejustnot]

You can just use some small household steps to reach the catwalk to clean it.

[@galtenoble]

@@Nicole-zy4vb that probably wouldn't happen very often. You just have to grab a ladder to clean those types of messes.

[@maibeary]

can u just have someone build a foundation for the kitchen island and then set the too-short-for-jun island on top of it ?? so that the height of the foundation+island is tall and comfortable for jun. and if the foundation has a bit of a smaller area than the island you can stand more comfortably bc there is space for your feet under.

[@Emily-mv4cx]

I worry that your cats might try to use the plant bed under the stairs as a litterbox. I know mine would

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

Great point.

[@kagehikari4281]

I dont think so, not with that kind of gravel.

[@donnadanger4322]

I have my houseplants in glass cabinets for this same reason, and to keep the cats from eating them too.

[@13SarcasticCats]

yes, pointing out how the cats will ruin the house now is a good idea. Lord knows I wish somebody did that with me. Then maybe my cat wouldn't eat the carpet that's falling apart because another cat uses the carpet to open the door. ROFLMAO

[@styawy]

suggestion: if the space between the fridge and the stove not big enough for two people with the fridge open, I would switch the sink and stove places

[@TheThacylla]

You can tell how long Rachel's been in Japan with the way she says Ikea. It's so cute how they take bits and pieces of each other's pronunciation 💕

[@lilbrig6016]

Jun putting his face into Haku at the beginning is such a mood

[@mr.pokeylope8401]

If you want to make a painted wall more interesting, you could do a feature wall with suede paint or other textured paints.

[@carrie_578]

For your laundry/bathroom, one idea that comes to mind is including a foldaway table to put your clothes on while hanging or folding. You could attach it to the side of the closet in your laundry room where it folds down and the you twist it to make it a flat surface. We have one in our house but we used and old ironing board for dual purpose.

[@aartadventure]

It's so cool seeing your home slowly develop. Here are my suggestions: Kitchen: Use a white marble or white countertop (instead of wood grain). White is easier to see any messes and for cleaning. It allows you to present food in more appealing ways too. If possible, have the oven and dishwasher at least 1m high from the floor so Jun doesn't always need to bend. Lower bathroom: Dark is cozy and relaxing but make the bathtub itself white for easy cleaning. Have a dark top and side surrounding the white tub for the cozy feel. Jun's wardrobe: Definitely keep it on the first floor near to his bathroom and laundry. Just buy ikea cupboard etc for storage. First floor cozy area (behind genkan): Consider making this just cozy seating without a table as there is a table very close by. Make it a large purpose built in chair/sofa instead (maybe with a sidetable to rest snacks and a book or laptop etc).

[@LH-pj9sc]

white marble is actually pretty soft, so most people go with a quartz imitation so it's not as affected by acids or dings! but yes, wood can also be difficult to sanitize so it may not be the best choice, an alternative if they really want some wood would be to install a section of removable butcher block, it serves as a cutting board and a counter, while also being cleanable

[@naylisyazwina6836]

I agree with everything except the white on the counter. I really like wood and they probably like it too

[@bluwasabi7635]

I 95% agree👍

[@muchomalasada]

Love the cat friendly home! Suggestions: Create an alcove for trash and recycling bins; have a designated spot for cat feeding area; create a cat door from the inside to an outdoor enclosed catio with a pass through that can be locked; if possible have sides of house with large windows not facing west; since you have large window surface areas get energy efficient rated windows (makes a huge difference in comfort and heating/cooling bills); have a spot for you to place mail and other junk; don't recommend your cat highway going through the kitchen; create a platform area at the corner of the cat highway for kitty lounging; if your cats sleep with you install a cat door to allow them to go in/out so you can keep your door closed. The entry area seems a bit awkward from this view and built in shelves would be convenient here to put things down when going in/out of house; built in seating also saves space in dining area and breakfast nook. Take breaks and don't let this stress you out!

[@minime7375]

I can already picture Poki getting in the laundry chute😸

[@ashleylowther7759]

Oh lord, it would be 'go to the bottom floor' faster XD

[@mariaduenasperez6055]

Yes! just like he did jump into the trash can in their older apartment! slideeeeee

[@galtenoble]

A laundry chute should have a good latch on the door, otherwise it's a fire hazard

[@minime7375]

@@mariaduenasperez6055 that’s where I got the picture from😂

[@MauraMaudJadeit]

In regards to the downstairs kitchen something that I discovered after tweaking the layout in my kitchen: counter space right next to the fridge, highly practical for putting away stuff or taking it out. Having the sink in front of the fridge might also be useful, if you can change the layout of the island.

[@ebitoro4590]

"We didn't want tatami" *flashback to old tatami ranting video*

[@izi-evil]

the key to open style houses like yours is for thing to be functional yet blend in and be cohesive. I really recommend looking at american butler pantries for organization tips! also, if you plan on getting a custom island, you could get built in cat bowls, they just slide out. if you dont, you could later on build it into the benches of that nook you have planed! as for that itty bitty bathroom, you could turn that into a feature bath, with a bunch of cool art hanging on the walls. also in you work room make sure to have windows because being able to see out helps relive stress! I can’t wait to see more of y’all’s beautiful house!

[@parrotlove30]

When you actually move in I would recommend getting at least 2 each see thru bird feeders and see thru nesting boxes for each floor to space out and attach to the outside of the windows to provide more entertainment for the cats. They're not expensive and personally my cockatiel and my mum's cat loves them.

[@chunkymonkey921]

That should also help cut down on avian collisions, too. Windows that big are going to make birds think it's just a tunnel to fly through or will reflect the outdoors and become invisible to the birds. Feeders on the window will help as they'll slow down during their approach to feed. Not a perfect solution because you'd need a ton of feeders to eliminate collisions entirely, but it should help!

[@Botea_jrnls]

AAAA FINALLY A HOUSE UPDATE I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS 😭

[@balentay]

Right? Just the other day I was wondering how their house stuff was going!

[@TheRangerGreen]

As far as the kitchen counters being low for Jun, could you have someone make a raised platform that you could clamp on top of the existing counter? That could at least raise a portion of it. Possibly a temporary solution at least. Wouldn't solve the issue of the stove being low though.

[@auditoryeden]

I don't know, I wonder if they could have the company build the island basically just big enough for the stove and sink at "normal" height, and then DIY a Jun height island around it using IKEA units and countertop? There could be storage on one side and seating on the other using cafe-top table legs, or storage all around even. I don't know which units are available in Japan, but if they're already using Pax for the rest of the cabinets it seems like a good idea. Honestly the cabinet design sounds like genius.

[@nadhilac7656]

Yes I thought about this too

[@brief402]

Also have to remember that since its Japan and everything is built as a unit rather then individual, the builder may not make that adjustment or let others come in to do a single thing. So they may end up having it installed by the builder to then take it apart and reassemble to their height. Not much room for customizing whatever you want over there from what I gather... (unless it comes to cat things, then customizations galore!)

[@Marillawen]

It is exactly what we did for our kitchen, we built raised platform and put everything on it! I don't know if they could do that with the company but it is a very good idea!

[@cherrypie3830]

In our kitchen we have a raised platform too just under the cabinets, it is really good for tall people and cheaper if the taller cabinets are expensive at the kitchen company. The raised platform is something the construction workers had to do, not the kitchen company.

[@Denisewithonei]

Two ideas I had: I didn't see anything like a bedside table for a water glass, humidifier/de-humidifier if you get sick, cell phone and charger (if that's your thing). Maybe the bed is low enough those things could be put on the floor. The other idea is more access to the cat walks for older, arthritic cats. The house looks gorgeous, so light and bright.

[@sirBrouwer]

With the cat walkways keep in mind that you will need to be able to excess them in a way to clean them and your upstairs windows. It might be a bit to much to make the walkways strong enough to hold a human so you can clean them but maybe with a ladder that can reach high enough safely.

[@heersyal2454]

I really like the openness of the house overall, and natural light flooding in will create a positive energy. I absolutely love that wood shelf you're thinking about for the upstairs bathroom - it is just SO you! Also, the breakfast nook will be a wonderful place to have a good breakfast with guests. And I bet all the cats will love soaking up the sun there, too. How about an open carved wooden panel at the front door for a bit of privacy, rather tan a curtain. Is it just me, or can anyone else see how Haku resembles Rachel, and Poki resembles Jun - ?

[@grenier70]

I’m a bit confused. Didn’t you say you were having in floor heating? Tiling is perfect for in floor heating. The tile would be warm not cold. Here in Canada we tend to do in floor heating, especially in bathrooms. Cheers 👋🇨🇦

[@annanochannel]

I was actually thinking the same thing! In-floor heating works well with tiles. Actually, I think it might be better with tiles than with anything else, because the tile doesn't insulate the heat like, say, wood might. (You can correct me if I'm wrong, though.)

[@indigothecat]

Looks good so far! Definitely implement things to help with Jun's height right away, whatever it takes. If Jun cannot get tall enough counters/tables/cabinets in the beginning, he will grow to resent the house. I would make that a priority, even seeing if you can sub-contract with another company to make some of the custom pieces he needs right away, and have them coordinate with the house company. Good luck!

[@felixdifferent7394]

As an idea for Jun's closet/storage room: maybe have like closed counter height cabinets on the floor for storage that everything can disapear in and then above that clothing racks and open shelving for Jun's clothes? that way it looks neat when he gets dressed there and being limited to the cabinets for random storage might help with not accumulating too much clutter. also the cabinet tops can be a neat spot for foling laundry or stacking aditional drawers on top for underwear and belts and things like that.

[@auditoryeden]

Definitely putting doors on shelving is a great idea. Helps with dust as well as keeping the storage area nice looking.

[@RachelandJunAdventures]

That's a pretty great idea! We do have our current white kitchen cabinets that we'll be putting in there along one wall as "storage" cabinets, but they still shut flat so they won't be too distracting. But then we also have our luggage and tote bins...

[@rendiggietydog]

@@RachelandJunAdventures In my parents closet, they actually hide their luggages behind their clothing, so they have a whole wall with two bar levels for hanging clothes, and luggage is placed behind the clothes hanging on the bottom bar. it's not completely hidden but it's close!

[@moon2shadow]

A bench for seating is really nice feature in a closet too, If you are limited on floor space there are ones that fold up flat to the wall, kind of like the American style folding chairs.

[@madisonmorris7394]

I love that you designed your house with your family in mind! Love that you included quiet areas, Jun’s Kitchen, and the cat intended architecture! Really love how much thought went into your guys’ home!

[@beatitude1000]

I recommend a warm white for your house! It's still neutral but will make all the open space seem more cozy! Also try looking for a console table for your storage /display and bookcase for your hallway! Perhaps a couple of loungers and a side table for the booth area next to the dining. Could be nice to sit down for drinks after dinner there.

[@marloesv2813]

In my home we have that tile that looks like wood that you talked about. It looks really good and with under the floor heating it’s nice to walk on in socks during winter.

[@AnyLynn]

I really can't imagine how hard it is to buit a house from scratch, we're having a hard time just to choose the garden tiles here... I can't wait to see your house it's gonna look so pretty I'm sure

[@ChibiIdoruDoll]

For that little inset space upstairs, I'd still do bookcases. You can put other things on there and vary the shelves. Or even do floating shelves! There are lots of hybrids that allow space for books/art/knicknacks combined with cat shelves on top. Or go really over the top and make it a waterfall or one of those living garden walls!

[@SaltyyCasheww]

One thing I'd suggest for the laundry chute, if you do plan on also turning into a pulley system, is maybe having sturdy hooks of sorts on the higher level(s) on the inside walls for the basket to comfortably rest on instead of having all the weight constantly on the rope/cord when not on the lowest level. If not hooks, then a door that can open flat and horizontal so you can pull the basket straight out onto it to rest there, giving the pulley some slack until it's loaded/unloaded. Laundry isn't heavy when transported once or twice, but the wear on the system over time could be diminished even just a bit this way! Best of luck to you two!! 💛