a put together look with large furniture....I'm a graduate student right now who moves a lot, so I end up coveting the permanence of these homes more than anything else. L)

Big window with lots of light. There isn't really much I can do about that!

And beautiful hardwood floors.

Someday.

Baseboard trim.

As someone in the midst of a whole home taking-too-damn-long renovation, it's the little things that I find myself coveting. Also - nice, luxurious curtains.

Ceiling molding. I grew up in a cozy farmhouse with ceiling molding everywhere, even the bathrooms. Apartment living makes me sad without them, and my OCD can't stand being able to see the uneven paint lines where wall meets ceiling.

That, and homes without clutter.

I dream of a bathtub large enough for human adults, hardwood floors, and a washer and dryer.

nice floors - with 3 XL breed dogs thats a dream

Amazing backyards. Or a mediocre backyard. As an apartment dweller with not even a patio or balcony, I long for a place to sit in the sun and read a book. I'll take a cute little vintage caravan, pool or hammock back there as well. Oh, and maybe a sweet-ass guest house. I guess that's more than one thing, though.

i'm with JESS13 & KSTEW! trim & molding because it's never done at my house! also any level of "organized" because my house always seems to be an exercise in chaos theory!

Huge huge huge windows with an ocean or river view.

At first, I thought "Oh, a spare bedroom" because we have only one. But then I realized that we deliberately sacrificed an extra room for other things that were more important to us. But one thing I do envy in other people's houses? A place to tuck away the litter box that is anywhere but under the bathroom sink.

Bathrooms that work.

Huge windows and a balcony with a view...

Household staff.

I'm not joking.

Exposed anything!

I would kill for a brick wall, or duct work, or wood beams, or polished concrete floors.... (A combination of all of these and I would likely die!)

Anything but a builder's-beige drywall box!!!!

A conspicuous lack of pet hair if they don't have a furry roommate. Either that or a lack of clutter. I accepted long ago that I don't have a fancy upscale kitchen or bathrooms so I covet a nice clean home.

The basics: walls with insulation, a bathroom with a more practical layout, more closets, washer + dryer and though I can't control this one-tenants who are loud. Slowly working on the former and hoping insulation will help with the latter.

The beautiful people inside? Is that wrong?

Seriously though, some of the reclaimed hardwood floors featured have been eye-watering.

More windows with south-east light.
Hardwood floors
A tub that drains properly
fewer spiders
a fireplace

I covet kitchen counter space that's not all chopped up, and a big bath tub.

oooh household staff...that sounds pretty great. But I would settle for outdoor space.

I never end up coveting, or even noticing, these things when I look at pictures of home interiors, but I would love a dishwasher and washer/dryer. What I do notice and want when I look at pictures are:
1) really nice couches, especially in exciting colors
2) great art, especially huge pieces
3) pets (I probably can't have any, and wouldn't handle the responsibility well)

Built in bookshelves. Large kitchen sinks.

A super-sized shower that can accommodate two people.

My own separate bathroom.

At least 10-ft. ceilings with celing-to-floor drapes.

Someone to come in and install a large pop of colour in my living room. It could even be orange, but definitely not purple.

Upholstered bed, big bathroom, and outdoor space.

Spaaaaaaaaaace!

i covet houses in neighborhoods with public sewer and water! i have a well and septic system. The septic needs to be replaced with a mound system that will take up my entire backyard and cost about $25 - 30K. i'd rather spend that on the kitchen i need to install. if the well ever dies, that's another $20K at least!

Architectural detail. I've lived in too many beige boxes. Also, a well curated eclectic and comfortable style that's effectively realized, since my home is in a state of 'just moved in and ran out of funds'. And, a decent backyard. My ultimate dream covet? Waterfront property. Drool.

My own apartment! Even if only a one bedroom :sigh:

Amazing lighting and landscaping. I only seem capable of keeping half of the plants that I purchase alive, so I envy people with green thumbs and people with the money to hire people with green thumbs. My boyfriend and I both make and collect art, so I envy beautiful lighting. These two areas are also where I've experienced the biggest sticker shock. Each landscaping or lighting element individually seems attainable, but then I see the total and my jaw drops.

nice curtains and lack of clutter

I covet bathrooms. 2 1/2, to be exact; one for me and the husband, one for the kids/overnight guests, and a powder room for visitors. Currently we have only the one (tiny, in a rental apartment, with lousy storage), and I absolutely hate having to share it with anyone that's not my husband or my sister. I would /so/ love not to have the whole family's soaps/lotions/etc. out in plain view (however neatly) whenever we have visitors. *Sigh*

@maplesyrup -- I hear ya. I have a well and septic (leach field). I used to have a mounded system. My sympathies...

that library ladder in the Smith's house tour! I have a loft and no easy way to get to it. And library ladders are super-expensive, unfortunately.

A real closet. You know, one that is deep enough to hold a standard hanger. I have a lovely home built in 1900. The main flaw is the shallow closets--I don't even care that they are small; I just wish hangers would fit in them! There's a usable 24 inches where the door to the closet is, and then there are the sides of the closet where nothing will fit.

Number one is a house with no pets. Pretty much directly followed by a nice shower.

an art nouveau style conservatory

I good place for the litter box in my 1 bedroom + den. Yes, technically we have enough room (1,000 sq ft) but it just doesn't seem that way. Our second bathroom is officially "the cat bathroom," its horrible. I love the furry critters but god I need a better solution. I've become so obsessed with moving the litter box out of the bathroom that I'm seriously considering putting it in the living room under a coffee table. I realize people hate litter box posts but seriously I need more suggestions!

loft style. big windows,hard wood floors,,no walls...and a simple gally kitchen ,,modern with white subway tiles and a beautiful stove for my husband

i put our litter box in the closet in the living room and always leave the door slightly open for the babies,,,,,it works great for us.

built-in bookcases and crown molding

To the person who craves a place for a litter tray: when we had a small apartment and two cats my husband made a litter tray concealed in a kitchen cabinet with a catflap inserted into the door! To make it even better, he drilled a hole in the back of the cabinet added an extractor fan attached dryer tubing to the outside of the apartment via a small window and put a timer on so for 5 mins every hour it turned on and extracted smells! The cats were totally happy with it!

Beautiful locations, interesting details, DIY skills, and [the illusion of] a total lack of unfinished projects/rooms...sigh.

@phd2bpolisci I have the litter box underneath my KITCHEN sink. It's the only place in the entire apartment that works. There isn't room in the bathroom and if it's in one of the closets I just know I'll forget to clean it.

I covet a washer and dryer and a safe place to lock up my bike that isn't behind the front door. Look-wise, I would love to have a lack of clutter but that's just not going to happen and I know it.

lofted bedrooms...high ceilings...industrial lofts...lighting (in general)...open kitchen shelving...large kitchen island in an open floorplan...

you know...the basics.

The libraries and bookcases. Someday...

Size, size and SIZE... Nice bedroom with a closet and wonderful natural light... Low noise level with more nature, urban living can be loud MANY days of the week! I dream of living by or on the water with very little "People" noises and beautiful natural light throughout the home :)

Space, mostly, particularly in the bedrooms. And while I am very happy with my 1895 house with its period detail, I do sometimes see industrial-look rooms with pipe and brick and think OOOOOOH.

Huh! I'm moving in eight days. To a place with two bedrooms, a two car garage, beams and a fireplace in the living room and more room than I know what to do with in the kitchen. AND outdoor space. I think I'm happy. And insanely lucky!

I feel lucky to have a home with great space, light and ocean view. The thing I envy is other people's ability to organise their space and belongings well. My place is always a mess.

I mostly covet... ownership. I'm in rental apartments with a good deal of flexibility, but it's hard to imagine putting any large effort into the space itself since I'll just lose it when I leave.

I also covet lack of clutter - I did not inherit any kind of picking-up tendency, and I tend to have crap all over the place - and a green thumb.

Living in old Boston-area building I've always had wood floors, or that would be high on the list. I love me some wood floors, no matter how beautiful or basic.

# A separate restroom, for the litterbox. Haaaaaaate that our cat always poops when I'm in the shower or brushing my teeth.
# An apartment in a calm neighbourhood.
# Big windows & space.

... Or a houseboat.

I LOVE my place. at the 1,280 sq ft w an attached one car garage/storage unit and an 11x17 ft covered patio space is not an issue and the layout is fabulous . there isn't overhead lighting in the bedrooms or living room(have some gorgeous plug-in chandeliers picked out. and the brass vanity lights and kitchen/bathroom knobs drive me nuts. easy fixes. and even though it's a rental if I'm calling it home I gotta make it my own

Built-in bookcases. Unusual artwork. The fact that everyone else seems to have completed homes while mine's always a work-in-progress!

A nice bathroom (i.e., no ugly old tub and no ugly blue wall and floor tiles to match the ugly blue color of the ugly old tub).

When I lived in my apartment last year, all I wanted was a working bathroom. Now, that I have a working bathroom (actually 2 working bathrooms) in my new house...I can honestly say, I am living the dream. Plus it helps that the house has gorgeous stamped concrete floors and is a total open concept and it has a metal roof...but its the working bathroom(s) that really sold the place (flushing toilets, that don't backup into the bathtub, what I concept).

im pretty much jealous of anyone who doesnt live in an apartment.

Front view of the ocean, back view of the forrest.

One of those gorgeous free-standing bathtubs, big enough to soak in, in front of a window with a beautiful, but private, view. Ahhh!

Clawfoot tubs, bay windows, exposed brick. One-of-a-kind thrift store finds. Huge honking slabs of real old butcherblock.

I, too, covet a lack of unfinished projects or areas that need renovation.
I covet a really finished look. In the photos, everything looks so CLEAN. You never see the discoloration on the floorboard because it always looks FRESHLY painted.
OH and ceilings that don't have popcorn...

What Lyonstill said, plus herringbone floors and a working fireplace.

A pool. Specifically, a wall of glass that opens out to the heated POOL.

Ocean or bay view, particularly on a high floor.

Hard wood floors.

High end fixtures in a bathroom.

Marble countertops (yes, I know maintenance is a "challenge")
Gorgeous silk curtains
Art tastefully placed through out (I'm a huge chicken about putting anything on my walls, I'm afraid I'll mess it up.)

@ANGELCAKES yes...a little space to sit in the sun and read a book...a slice of heaven....a grassy space and I covet their non shared walls with creepy strangers...and painted walls that have not been breathed on by creepy strangers..that I can't repaint....; )

It used to be a working bathroom, but now that i've finally got one, i am upgrading to backyard and working WBFP.

There is not enough space in this square to fill up my list. LOL

Historic details
Kitchenaid mixers and other nice kitchen appliances (I have a rocky relationship with the 1980s stove in my current rental)
Painted walls

1. Hammock or a hanging chair - be it outside or inside.
2. A yard or balcony - I love plants and have acquired quite a few in our tiny bachelor apt, but wold love to be able to have my own outdoor space. I do go to the park every day with my son, but it'd be nice to sit and have breakfast on my balcony. Especially because I live in a very quiet residential area, unlike my old apt which was basically at yonge/bloor in toronto.
3. Fresh flowers in my home regularly
4. A place to eat rather than on the couch. I do sometimes eat at the desk, but hate staring at the printer.
5. Pets. I love my snake and all, but he's got to be the worlds dullest pet.
6. Beautiful large pieces of art.

Big windows, natural light, and a claw foot tub.

There are so many little things that I love about various people's places, but I would trade them all for a kid or two or as many as I could handle being blessed with.

However, if I can't get them then I want hardwood floors, crown molding and most of all, to actually own the place I am living in. Then I can't paint it however I want because there will be no land lady to stop me!

Immediate needs: more space, more storage, some sort of outside area (I'm an artsy person... it's very difficult trying to spray-paint things in the parking lot behind my building.)

Dream wish-list: Higher ceilings, bigger windows, separate rooms (I live in a studio), CHARACTER of any sort whatsoever...

Gotta prioritize these things.

Ceiling trim. I go to a spa that is in a building from the 1920s and the amount of ornate ceiling trim I see is just mindblowing.

Kitchens and basements.

Our kitchen is so late 70's. And the refrigerator is in front of the light switch. The backspash tiles have crudely painted Mayflower-esque ships and scenes of men hunting with dogs and rifles. The cabinets are oak, the counters yellow, and don't even get me started on the flooring.

Other than that, I'm really starting to envy people with finished basements. I want a laundry room that isn't creepy, and our basement is huge, so it feels like wasted space. I'd like a craft room down there someday, and to finish the "man cave" in the room with the pool table. It has so much potential, it drives me crazy.

Square footage...there's a lot you can change, update, rearrange, remodel...but the one thing I can't add to my condo is space. Or a backyard.

A couple of stories. I loved so many things about my condo, (the hardwood floors, the huge closets and yes, a place for the litter box!), that I was willing to overlook that it was on the first floor. But I do miss being up amongst the trees and being able to keep both my shades and my windows open at night.

Basically everything. LOL Big, bright, sunny kitchens. Sunny, comfy rooms with big bookshelves. Bathrooms with gigantic tubs, bamboo floors and natural elements.

I house-sat for a friend once, in a totally gorgeous, funky neighbourhood. Her house featured the following:

- original, federation-style character frontage, perfectly restored, with wooden veranda overhung by wooden lacework
- massive, high-ceilinged extension overlooking garden at the back
- mix of wooden floorboards and polished concrete throughout
- aged leather sofas, antique Indonesian wooden cabinets, open fireplaces
- entire wall of glass overlooking heated swimming pool surrounded by succulents and fountains
- I could go on, but I'd start crying with envy. Again.

Old homes with lots of weird angles and cubby holes. We move too much to really put in the time to find and live in something like that. Maybe one day....

Hardwood floors.

A garden and backyard instead of a patio and "container garden."

A vibrant neighborhood with a good mix of retail, restaurants and neighborhood gathering spots within easy walking distance.

A finished bathroom remodeling job ;)

Family heirlooms.

A feeling of *completion,* ah! (is there such a thing?)

(on the other hand, I like my easy commute and proximity to entertainment districts; my arched doorways; terra cotta tile flooring in part of the condo; floor plan and plenty of space to hang art; abundant storage and lots of sunlight; and the slate patio and large trees and bushes around the edge of the patio)

Scrolling back through other people's really interesting comments, I see a number of people mentioned wishing for a good place for their litter pans.

Here's what I use for that: a "wicker-look" hutch (actually made of plastic or resin)

It gives my 2 cats privacy and it hides the look and possibly shields the odorl til scooping time.

I was skeptical that my cats would accept this setup, especially given the fact that my boycat is a Baby Huey size, but they both took to it right away.

(Granted, the girlcat prefers the planting strip around my patio, argh, but they willingly use their covered cat pan as well, plus an uncovered one that I keep in a hallway closet whose sliding door I leave ajar.)

Here's the type of thing I'm talking about, at the URL shown below; I don't think I paid anywhere near this high a price for it, but then again, I bought it five-plus years ago, so maybe the prices have gone up quite a bit? (I didn't buy off Amazon; I bought from a home goods or pet supplies catalog)
http://www.amazon.com/Resin-Wicker-Litter-Box-Cover/dp/B005O9RH62

P.S. the husband who created the extractor fan setup for the family cats sounds like a genius! I love that idea! I dont have the setup for that, and I also wonder how noisy the fan is and if it would totally freak out a cat if the fan went on when the cat was doing its business at the time, but I love the idea! :)

I've got the ideal shower mentioned in the post and hardwood floors (great with dogs) but what I really want is a purpose-designed mud room! With dogs, horses and lots of outdoor chores it would be great to have somewhere to dump dirty clothes, shoes and equipment before coming inside.

Hardwood floors - heck, even tile would be nice (I wish landlords understood that it's not fair to foist carpet on wheezy asthmatic/allergic tenants who don't wear shoes at home...).
Efficient work triangle in the kitchen.
Old bones - especially antique fireplace mantels (ugly brick fireplaces don't count).
A closet that isn't the size of a postage stamp.
And as long as I'm dreaming, I'll take an oceanfront location and neighbors who aren't insane.

a fireplace.

I live in a small house and I love almost everything about it. My wish list would include:

1. A bigger bathroom. Doesn't have to be huge, just bigger than a postage stamp.

2. A first-floor laundry room.

3. A dipping pool! Not practical, but wish I had put one in when I actually had some money.

4. Someone said fresh flowers all the time, and I want them too. Sigh.

5. Built-in bookcases in the living room. For which I would need a slightly larger living room.

A huge old turn of the 1900's mansion; preferably overlooking the ocean (and this is coming from a desert near minimalist).

Otherwise, there have been a lot of artworks shown in AT pics that I'd really like to have; most are finds of the owners & not 'made in great quantities' copies (like much of the furniture).

As a person who is living out of boxes at the moment, the only thing I "covet" is to have everything done.

I guess if I had to pick something it would be butcher block countertops and a double bowl sink but those may come later this year. :)

A clean, quiet, orderly space… Our ongoing house renovation means constant chaos, construction, dirt, and upheaval, and sometimes a toilet residing in our foyer for the month its install is delayed.

A view. Water - lake, ocean, river would be especially nice.

Birch floors and walls of contemporary minimalist homes with more space than is needed for any human being with high ceilings. I loathe traditional North American homes.

I think I will always have a wishlist. I would love a fireplace, a larger bathroom, a breakfast bar, and less clutter. That said, I am pretty happy with where I am now.

Whatever I'm searching for at the moment...like new kitchen chairs & I've lovin' those blue ones in the picture!

A big mature tree that provides a lot of shade.

Sunlight! Character! Low rent! :)

a HUGE walk-in closet (even bigger if i have to share) with the perfect wardrobe (not too much, not to little) and a perfectly cozy, perfect "feeling" space where I can relax. Or work. I'm all about how to create my spaces so they 'feel' ...right. And of course the type of shower mentioned in the post,

Huge windows letting in lots of sunlight
View of other buildings
Subway tile
Honeycomb tile
Moroccan tile
Hardwood floors
Farm sinks
Double sinks
Arched doorways
French doors
Huge refrigerators
Ancient gas stoves
Chair rails with wainscoting
Cup pulls on drawers
Vintage metal kitchen cabinets
Balconies
Schoolhouse pendant lights
Butcherblock countertops
Stainless steel countertops
Exposed brick
Glass doorknobs
Hanging pot racks
Pull-out spice cabinets
Mis-matched dining chairs
Sunrooms

Whoa...I envy more than I thought!

I'd go with:
- two more rooms: a guest room and a "basement" room where we could put our renovation tools and things.
- A real entryway. How am I supposed to organize a 2 square meter entryway for a family of four ?
- stand alone houses. I hate row houses.

As for the rest, I'm in love with my house. We moved in three years ago, and are remodeling it entirely, by ourselves. It's a labor of love, and the result is fantastic (but slow). I'm really looking forward to the bathroom, now that the much-needed kitchen reno is done.

An extra bedroom.
A decent-sized bathroom.
Light.
The holy trinity in NYC...

Outdoor space

I also covet a nice walk-in shower like described above and a separate bathtub that is actually big enough to take a bath in.
A well designed pantry is very high on my list also.
I also admire well tended outdoor spaces - mine certainly has the potential to be nice if I had the time and motivation to dedicate to it. So I guess I covet other people's energy and dedication!

Big bathrooms
Dishwashers
A balcony
Large tubs