"Perfect house" (Chicago, Western Springs: hardwood floor, upkeep, work)

[Glamona]

What is a perfect house to you: house with hardwood floors or carpet; with neutral colors or accent wall; ranch, split level, victorian...; ceramic tile in kitchen or hardwood floors; small bedrooms and big living rooms or small living rooms and big bedrooms (if you must choose between those two); 3 bd or 4 bd; separate kitchen or the one open to living room/family room; color of the countertops in the kitchen (I guess you all prefer granite) and color of the cabinets; color of the exterior walls of the house...

Taste in housing is changing, so I would like to know what is your first choice.

[60439]

My perfect house is a victorian. I finally got to custom build my perfect house and move in last July and now my husband has been transferred. So now my perfect house is on the market. Link http://homes.realtor.com/search/list...&lsn=1&srcnt=3

I love the intricate detail of a victorian, but prefer a new home to older homes with small rooms and closets. That is why I built a new "victorian". I actually like the look of most historic homes. They just look so inviting. I like large closets, hardwood floors, neutral wall colors, chandeliers, good quality mouldings and cabinets, extra large windows and I prefer to have my home within walking distance of shopping, dining, and transportation.
My current home was the culmination of everything I wanted, but I with deep sadness have to leave it. I hope whoever buys this house loves it as much as I have.

[Windy City John]

I like Gingerbread! yum!

[ahava]

Interesting question. I love Victorians and old houses, that's one of the reasons why I live in Western Springs. I like hardwood floors downstairs, carpet upstairs, and I usually prefer neutral colors but if bold colors are done right they look really good. 4 bedrooms because I have 3 kids, and they have to be at least 12x11, otherwise they might as well be a closet.

[BRU67]

The Chicago Bungalow is mine. Affordable (though that's changing in a lot of areas), solid brick construction, and oak trim, doors and floors. You can't beat the character and history of one of these houses. They also have a lot of room. They look small but the main living area is around 1,200 square feet, and if you finish the basement and attic, you can have 2,800-3,000 square feet. For a "worker's cottage" designed in the 1920s, I think they adapt pretty well to modern living (except perhaps small closets on the main floor). That you see very few of them being torn down for new construction is testimony to their desirability.

Honorable mention -- the Chicago Greystone. Frank Lloyd Wright's houses are also excellent. But since I don't have $3 million or so burning a hole in my pocket, the bungalow will have to do

[Chinolala]

I like older homes, two story brick Georgians or Tudors as well as octagon bungalows. I'm willing to forgo a large kitchen and many of the amenities that people want today, for character. My ideal home would have a living room, formal dining room, family room, fireplace, basement and 1.5+ baths and 3 bedrooms. I like hardwood floors except for bedrooms, which I prefer carpeting. I particularly like winding staircases to the 2nd floor, arched doorways and baseboard heat.

[Beezuss is new in town...]

I always thought I'd like a brick bungalow...but with prices rising I'm in a raised frame ranch from 1955... It does have all of the features I was looking for though. Original oak floors & doors throughout three bedrooms w/closets, two baths, full unfinished basement and a giant yard. I hope to move on to older and older homes as time goes by. Love those Victorians too!
...The best part of my Baltis built ranch is the convertible third bedroom though...I'm a sucker for a good mystery/multipurpose room!

[NYrules]

I like all new typically. Traditional two stories with a basement are nice. Must have at least a two car attached garage and a basement. As for the interior decor, I hate hard wood floors. They are too noisey, too hard to maintain if you have pets because of their claws, and scuffs to easily for me to consider putting in. Pergo is nice because it doesn't scratch or anything, just don't get the crap wet! (it buckles) I love ceramic and even lynolium if it is layed right. I love carpet in rooms such as living rooms, libraries, and bedrooms. It provides a warmer, quieter welcoming feeling to me. Dining rooms would be one of the only rooms where I would consider putting down hard wood due to the lower traffic and ease of cleaning up spilled beverages and food. Wall paper is fine in some rooms such as bathrooms and even kitchens but no where else for me. Panelling is out and I hate it. For me I have joined in with the thousands of other homeowners who paint each room some certain color. Its easy to do, cheap, easy to maintain, and looks really nice. I love the "Seasidescapes" collection sold at Lowes. They have some really nice color schemes.

As for size... I don't want a house that I will need to hire a staff to maintain, yet I want some space and don't want my neighbors right on top of me. This would be a nice home for me that I would like to live in. http://www.homes.com/Content/Listing...earchorig=main Or this notice how bright and cheery looking it looks. http://www.homes.com/Content/Listing...=main#features

[gardener34]

The bungalow - I am about small, efficient, brick, low upkeep. Unfortunately we moved to the fox valley where bungalows are rare.

[Windy City John]

One that you can afford, and live safe.