What did you indulge in at the house, what did you give up?

I also imagine it to be quite pleasant when a certain framework is already given by an existing building. Certain boundaries inspire creativity. When building new, you sit paralyzed in front of a white canvas full of possibilities. Although – that only lasts a short time, as long as you have no idea. Once you understand what the plot dictates regarding access, cardinal directions, slope... and what your own budget dictates hehe...

The white canvas is also available in the old building if you rebuild enough. We haven’t even decided where the kitchen should go yet; actually, every room has been discussed at some point. But that also means it could work anywhere. Total freedom, in other words. The bathroom will now be where the house entrance used to be. If that’s not maximum flexibility, I don’t know what is. The house entrance has been moved to another floor and to the opposite side of the house. Everything is being completely changed. Even the window sizes were changed, here one was completely closed, there a new window opening was cut into the facade, this and that window is now tall and narrow instead of square and wide... What we treated ourselves to: a high-tech front door with fingerprint scan and remote control as well as motor lock. New windows everywhere, even the insulating windows that were only 10 years old were thrown out. Doors and windows alone cost 30k euros and thus swallowed half the renovation core refurbishment budget. What we spared ourselves: roller shutters (I just found the boxes ugly), fully automated heating – instead, an inexpensive pellet heating system for 6000 euros including installation and everything, but with pellet bag carrying and refilling each bag ourselves.

Gone without roller shutters?

Unthinkable for us. Such a roller shutter fulfills various tasks, ranging from darkening for sleeping to insulation in winter, heat protection in summer, as well as sun protection for furniture in summer.........
I don't find those things ugly. But it's a matter of taste

I am conservative about that too. A house without [Rollläden] somehow feels incomplete to me.

I also find roller shutters horribly ugly and we use shutters instead. But as with everything, it’s simply a matter of taste

I agree with Elina and Bautraum2015, I also find roller shutters ugly. But we have them anyway, as we don’t want to miss their advantages. Although the insulation in winter is more of a pipe dream, right? Our builders rather doubted that. What I would have liked to have treated myself to was a special roller shutter color, but for price reasons they are gray after all....