CREATING SPACES^tm

CHANGES TO HOME TO WORK WITH CURRENT LIFESTYLE

We make changes to our homes for many reasons. The need for space is the biggie, however, we also try to update, do things to gain more light, and slight modifications to make bad spaces work better. Sometimes we are following a dream such as trying to duplicate images we've seen. There all sorts of reasons, and most of them make sense at the time, but might not really solve the problems.

PROBLEM

This was a nice, two-bedroom (A & B), two-bath (C & D) home with an attached two car garage, when it was born. One former owner was a masseuse and she claimed part of the garage for a separate space for her massage room (E). She raised the floor so that the floor could be insulated and plumbing added.

The den (F) behind the massage room was on a slab and used to be a porch. The same was true of the hallway (G), creating a way out to the backyard.

The kitchen (H) was recently remodeled and open to the front through the breakfast room (I).

The Dining room (J) and living room (K) were very nice, enjoyable spaces.

The current homeowner added the sunroom (L) for a few reasons. First, the house was situated on one side of the street, and a body of water was on the other. There was a view, but traffic interfered. Second, she loved light. The walls of glass and the skylights pulled in powerful sun, which at times could be a bit much. Third, it solved the problem for the front door (M) .

The couple solved their closet problem by taking over the massage room (E) and converting it into a walk in closet. The down side is that you have to go through the bathroom (N) to get to it. He located his desk in the room and made it his little 'hide away'.

It turns out that the beautiful sunroom (L) made this couple feel like they were living in a fishbowl at night. They actually preferred to spend evenings watching TV in the den (F), which felt more private. They wanted this room bigger and nicer and asked what we could do. I was concerned about the access to the room.

SOLUTION

Naturally we needed to expand the den, but there were other issues to address at the same time. It was important to raise the floor to be level with the house - for a good flow, and to allow for insulation under the floor. The addition (O) is only eight feet, enough to allow for French doors to be installed on the side wall. These will lead out to a delightful deck (P).

We extended the bedroom (B) to consume the hallway (G). This gave room for a new closet and a coat closet (Q). I needed the old closet in that bedroom to create a new ½ bath (R) so that guests wouldn't use the bathrooms in the bedrooms. I also added hallway storage (S) to eliminate the hall entrance to the bathroom (C).

With the hallway elevated (T) the way in from the garage moved. We recessed a "To Go" shelf by the door. The former entrance from the garage became a recycling center (U).

The Husband's closet (E) and bathroom (N) was reconfigured. I enclosed the storage in the garage, taking the whole length of that side of the garage. The bathroom moved to the end (V), improving and enlarging it and adding a glass block panel with ventilation. Now he can walk into the closet without marching through the old bathroom (N) and his access to this room is more direct off the hallway (T). This also gave us another furniture wall and eliminated a traffic pattern in the new Den/family room (W).

MARCIA LYON

is a professional remodeling designer and freelance writer, producing projects locally and several other areas across the US and Canada. Her new book on remodeling design is The Essential Planner for Home Remodeling is available on her web site www.creatingspaces.net Reach her at E Mail:Marcia@creatingspaces.net ; or phone 515-991-8880.