Making Plans
9 hours ago
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Painted Van and weird houses
Our daily driver vehicle is a ES 350 ambulance van converted into a motor home. There are murals that my wife painted on the side. She's just getting into painting and thought to use our van as a canvas. We tend to forget that most people's cars are boring.
We were doing the groceries and yet another person came over to look at our van. They thought it was cool that the van was all painted up. My lovely wife asked them why there vehicle wasn't decorated.
Why indeed?
One reason is, of course, is that most people never let themselves play like that. Another reason is trade in value. Dealerships wouldn't know what to do with a customized car. Everything has to be plain and the same. There exists a brisk after-market in customization accessories, but they almost all fit into the same old tried and true categories.
Ever do anything different on your house? Ever try to get a bank loan to do it? Forget about it. Banks are looking are resale. They don't want your house personalized.
Here's what I had to do to finance my dome home. I bought what was a fairly small cottage from my parents. They made me a really good offer. I sold my house in town and used the profit to work on the cottage. A mud room was added, the roof cut off, and a dome plopped on top. Now that it actually exists, banks will deal with me again.
It drives me crazy when people choose home improvements solely for their resale value. Aren't homes places to live in? Don't you want to do fun things with your house?
Your car?
Your life?
-Sixbears
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There used to be a VW van around town with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs painted on it. I supposed it was a hippie van and wondered what kind of an idiot would do such things to a vehicle. Now I know. Years later, I had a college professor who mentioned his VW van with the aforementioned design. He's now the friend that I call "the guru." Ya just never know!
ReplyDeleteYes, you never know. Bet he had fun.
Deletea house and a home are not the same.I have a home its paid for after i die the kids can sell it rent it or burn it down.I do for myself not for a future value myth.As for the van i bet you always wanted a 1976 chevy van with a bikini clad goddess painted on the side!!!! :}.I saw one a few weeks ago driving own the road braught back memories i bet it even had SHAG CARPET.
ReplyDeleteToo often the future value thing is a myth.
DeleteDidn't want the van as kid. Back then my dream car was Checker Marathon -a taxi cab. Would have loved to customize one of those. I know, weird kid.
Once owned a van just like the one in "Booggy Nights," that that's a whole nother story.
Money rules unfortunately...
ReplyDelete. . . but it's fun to break the rules!
DeleteThis is the last home we will ever buy. We have made it very comfortable and workable for us. I don't care what any resale value would be. Tell your wife that I have paintings hanging on the walls that some people would find them a little "different" - but I like 'em!
ReplyDeleteIf you like them, that's all that should matter. Glad you made the house comfortable for the way you want to live.
DeleteI always liked the nose art on old aircraft and wanted to paint my honda like a flying tiger but then realized that it was a japanese car and bad karma might happen. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteWe make our own karma, do it anyway.
DeleteSo that's why I can never get good prices for stuff when selling. Go figure...
ReplyDeleteOh well, I don't buy em for someone else !!
Oh well. Funny how people buy things with the thought of selling to someone they don't know or like.
DeletePictures!! Where are the pictures? We want to see you wife's art work.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm bad at pictures. I'll do better.
Deletei'd like to know how to prep the surface, what paints to use and what to use as a finish coat.
ReplyDeletethanks.
deb harvey
Sand the surface lightly so that paint can grab. We used Rustoleum paint, cut 50/50 with thinner. At least 4 coats of that, with a light sanding between. That was the base colors. Art was done with uncut Rustoleum paint. When good and dry,could be polished, but we didn't bother as we didn't need the polished look. Cheap and easy.
DeleteYes! I get so sick of hearing people gripe about their property "value" when someone does something unique to their home. And when they sic the code nazis on "non-conformists" I want to draw a bead on their asses! It's called FREEDOM! You know, that thing which millions have supposedly fought and died for?!! I know, preaching to the choir here :)
ReplyDeletePreach away Brother Mayberry. They truth will set us free.
DeleteI had to get a building permit for my dome, but the guy at the town office never even blinked. All he was concerned about was if I was encroaching on my neighbors. Since my building was far enough from the property line, no problem. That's it.
thanks for directions. there is a bit of rust so it needs painted.
ReplyDeletedaughter has wanted to paint dragons on it for long time.
also thanks to helpful man who pointed me to bows at walmart.
many thanks to all.
deb harvey
You're welcome. Oh yeah, I used those cheap foam brushes and rollers too.
Delete