So this may be my very last post on wordpress.com. The lovely Suburban Mum, one of my earliest readers, who’s blog I’ve been reading for years (in her various incarnations!), has been helping so much behind the scenes, making everything at the new self-hosted place look wonderful. It looks – well, like a REAL blog. Like everyone else’s blog I read! I am really pleased. She will be getting a big care package. The problem is, I can’t send crappy Canadian chocolate as she lives in the land of real Cadbury.
She’s building me a new home. And it’s fantastic.
*
Anyway, for potentially my last act here? Help me figure out what the hell to do with this room in my house.
It’s our side entrance, the one we use as a front door. It’s stupidly large. It’s awkward. It leads directly into our eat-in kitchen.
Mark says that when we came for a viewing before we bought it, the room had a desk. He wasn’t sure if it was an office or a play area. Well, we already have an office. Eventually we are going to want to sell this place (soon, please), and we’d like to have the room have a purpose other than a GIANT ROOM TO PUT SHOES & COATS IN. Because that’s silly.
The only thing we can think of is to use it as a playroom. The kids already have lots of places to play but this could be dedicated. The only problem I have with that is that I don’t want them near the dog food.
What say you, wonderful people? Bid this place adieu with your advice.
And I’ll let you know as soon as I’m ready to send you over to the new (internet) home.
Monday, February 8, 2010 at 9:42 pm
the alcove is an interesting feature…
you have lots of space. I am jealous.
I’d do floor to ceiling cabinets myself
but I am just a storage nut, not a decorator, I am sure there will be better ideas.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 8:38 am
We have so much storage in our house, it’s sort of incredible. Storage we have. Many other things that I want, we do not have.
Monday, February 8, 2010 at 11:44 pm
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Emma W, Emma W. Emma W said: Making a house: http://wp.me/p8DVg-q6 […]
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 12:09 am
That space cries out for something big and bulky that needs to be displayed. Loom? Quilting rack? Easel?
Exercise equipment?
Wow! New digs! Can’t wait to see….
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 12:10 am
It’s hard to say without actually being in the space but I think tucking an armoire into the alcove would be good. Then you can tuck everything away into it. Loose things like mittens could go in baskets on the shelf of it, or drawers if it has any. The main thing you want to do is minimize clutter. If you could store all the other things away into closets that would be best. Then a simple table with a nice vase or plant would be fine. I’d keep the space as open and airy as possible. I would not use it as a play area if you want to stage it soon.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 8:39 am
Definitely could put everything away – would do that for sure for a viewing. Probably should have cleaned before photos – but what the hell, this is how we live!
The plant is a nice idea.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 12:13 am
Or instead of a table a writing desk and chair against one of the walls on the left would be nice. A large plant somewhere and then a dog bed near the food would make it seem quite homey. Ok, I’ll stop now 🙂
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 8:39 am
The dog bed is in our bedroom – so that’s also a good idea, to move it there when we are selling.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 6:37 am
I would install some IKEA wardrobes that you could use for storage of coats/boots/mits and other things. And leave the rest of the area open. Think giant mudroom.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 8:40 am
I’m surprised that most of you have said giant mudroom. Because that’s what it is – I thought it should have more purpose than that, no?
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 9:50 am
Obviously I vote for giant eyesore plastic rollercoaster as soon as you walk in to the room because that would make me feel better about mine. 🙂
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 8:35 pm
You know what? Callum and Oliver would TOTALLY agree with you. Particularly as they couldn’t stop talking it about after we visited! 🙂
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 9:54 am
Rare commenter (but love your blog + looking forward to the seeing the next iteration) – but am currently obsessed with various renos myself, so couldn’t resist adding my $0.02…
I think you could make an adorable mini-mudroom out of that alcove (kinda like this: http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/clean-up-time/make-a-closet-into-a-mudroom-059974) and then I really like the idea of a dedicated playroom area for the main space. Since you say you have lots of space for storage otherwise (jealous!), move what you can out, and move some kids toys/craft area/table chairs – maybe some shelves or storage bins for toys? Dunno what you have – but I’m sure you could make it a cozy little area.
Oh, and I wouldn’t worry so much about the dog food being in a corner – my daughter plays near the cat and she rarely eats it. 🙂
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 8:37 pm
1. I saw you linking to me recently so I subscribed to yours! And you are way too kind.
2. I just now finally looked at that link and THAT is awesome. I wish my house looked like a Pottery Barn catalogue like that.
3. Cat and dog food is good protein, right?
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 11:16 am
So envious. I have a 2 x 2 vestibule that doesn’t even hold coats, much less a body.
If you’ve got office space, and the kids already have a playroom, I’d turn it into a reading room. Line the walls with bookshelves, get a couple of comfy chairs (or a couch) maybe even a TV. Think of the privacy, the haven, the serenity.
Ahhh….
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 8:39 pm
Am also blessed with a wall of bookshelves in my office, with two reading chairs… One day, it might even be serene!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 6:28 am
considering building one in Brazil… don;t tell the wife… am still looking at prices etc… but it will be awesome (i’m designing it… 🙂 )
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 8:39 pm
You know she reads my blog sometimes, right?!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Call it a butler’s pantry – install large food cupboards, a counter w/a sink if possible. Then when you entertain, you can make that the area that you fix the drinks in. (I’m guessing you already have a separate laundry room?)
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 8:40 pm
I would love to make it a REAL mudroom with the washer and dryer in it. They should be upstairs (we are in a long bungalow with a walk out basement). Instead they are in the unfinished basement. If we were staying here, I’d invest in doing it up properly.