ᐅ What was cut from the list?

At least for the time being, the following have been dropped from our plans:

- Elevator (shaft is planned and constructed, but will be used as a "closet")
- Jacuzzi on the terrace
- Kitchenette in the basement (the "horrible" wall)
- Sauna
- Air conditioning unit in the attic floor

Most of these we will probably add later at some point; we’ll see how long we can manage without them. I would have liked the jacuzzi to be floor-to-ceiling, but for now we’ll just have to place a portable one when we decide we really want one. Connections are available.

- Fireplace/tiled stove, which I absolutely wanted (and still somewhat regret not having today)
- KNX – my husband decided against it; I’m not sure if that was the right choice
- Straight staircase (otherwise the house would have had to be bigger, which we didn’t want and it would have taken up too much space on the plot)

Tarnari schrieb:

We would like some privacy screening, but right now we have a hedge that is about 20m (65.6 ft) long, which is just a fraction of what we will have in the future.
And even that is difficult for us to maintain...

Hmm. Then install a metal lattice fence and plant ivy on it. It takes a while for the ivy to establish, but it becomes dense enough to block the view even in winter and doesn’t require much space.
You will need to trim it occasionally, but that’s manageable.
It’s also more environmentally friendly than those ugly gabions or plastic strips.

Alternatively, an even more ecological option would be a hedge made of various native shrubs. If you choose them carefully, the maintenance effort can be kept reasonable. However, they need space in depth—around 2–3m (6.5–9.8 ft) would be good—and of course, it takes time for them to become dense enough to block the view.
Ours has been planted for one year now and will probably need another two years until you can’t see through it anymore. That doesn’t bother us—it also acts as a form of burglary protection.

I would be cautious with ivy. I actually like it a lot, especially because it keeps its leaves in winter, but it grows EVERYWHERE. Even in places where you don’t want it, like inside garden sheds, and it can sometimes damage walls, etc. It’s like the spirits you called but then can’t control. If it’s a spot where it can’t cause any damage, then go for it. Otherwise, think carefully! There are also other plants that work well for green walls or fences.

Tarnari schrieb:

Fencing/privacy screens are also on our minds.
Have you been able to implement a hedge more cost-effectively? If so, through a landscaping company or DIY?

Yes, hedges done as DIY.
Ordered online and never regretted it twice.

A welded wire fence or wooden fence would have cost about twice as much – and wouldn’t have provided real privacy.
The landscaping company’s quote for the hedges was about three to four times the price we eventually paid, but that included labor costs.

The amount of work required for the DIY was manageable:
We spent about one day on each roughly 2x 20-25m (65-82 feet) hedge (including filling with planting soil and covering with bark mulch).

The walk-in closet simply made the rooms too small for a completely unnecessary space.