If you've read my blog awhile you know about my problem room. Built in 1954, our house had a narrow "dining room" that connected the living room to the family room addition (seen in the background of this photo) and the kitchen and den/office. The kitchen is another problem child as it has an awkward L shape. Nothing like opening your dishwasher only to have 5 inches of clearance to get by to the basement stairs. 
Above pic, Narrow Dining Room, Christmas 2009.Well, finally after living here 10 years, it dawned on us that we could relocate the stairs to the basement from the kitchen into the dining room*. (*which we haven't used as a dining room since last year when we made the former den/office the dining room.) Above is the tape marking where the new stairs to the basement will be. You'll head down the stairs from the living room.
BEFORE
The office/tv den (currently functioning as the dining room) was originally a carport.NEW
Here's the new first floor plan showing where the stairs will be. This gives us a larger kitchen that is not L shaped! - There will be a tall window too to let light into the space and down the stairs.
- The opening to the kitchen will be about 7 ft wide, flanked by built in cabinets on either side. From the front door you won't be able to see the kitchen sink but you will get a view into the far corner of the kitchen/family room area.
- It's also possible during the renovation that we'll expand the kitchen out a bit to the left, into the hall/stair space.
- The wall that is against the dining room will be the cooking area, our counter depth Blomberg fridge will relocate to the right side of the sink, in the corner. I also plan to put my grandmother's small kitchen table, with drop down leaves, in the center of the kitchen.
I love my carpenter! (aka my husband) Here he is, hard at work, starting to remove the floor. I'm not worried since he built our family room addition back in 2004. He might not be worried either, but I'm not sure how happy he is... As he keeps telling me, "I'll be happy when I have it all finished."
I love my carpenter! (aka my husband) Here he is, hard at work, starting to remove the floor. I'm not worried since he built our family room addition back in 2004. He might not be worried either, but I'm not sure how happy he is... As he keeps telling me, "I'll be happy when I have it all finished." New Lower Level - Because of the slope of our lot, our basement is 2/3 above ground. After we renovate that area we'll have:
2 bedrooms
1 bath (expanded from it's current size)
TV/media area
Multi-purpose space with laundry, craft area, storage and wet bar for entertaining
I'll post on that tomorrow as I have to head off to work now. I've been off for 3 weeks so this will be hard!
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17 comments:
Michele,
Can't wait to see the finished renovation. I know that you are excited.
Teresa
xoxo
This is fabulous! Like getting a new house without having to move.
Great idea to move the staircase. That space appears to be made for it! Looking forward to seeing your progress!
I don't think it's natural to consider moving a staircase so I think it's quite a genius moment. And what an amazing difference it makes in the floor plan.
Take lots of photos!
Oh, excited to follow along. We are also relocating our stairs in our upcoming remodel....a hassle and inconvenience for sure, but amazing what a change it can make! I am envious that your husband is handy!
they say you shoul live in a house for a few years before you remodel - and you prove that point. it looks like the flow and room space will be so much better this way..
one suggestion and you can tell me to go shove it and mind my own business but - why not open the dining room up to the living room. that would really create good flow and make both rooms appear larger. no, yes, mind your own business?
Good luck...and just remember...it always takes twice as long as you expect and double the amount of cash! I know!!!
Michele, How exciting! We look forward to sharing in your renovation. Good luck getting back into the swing of things today!
Angela and Renee
I am so excited to see this transformation. The staircase will be so much better in the new location.
You can also tell me to mind my own business, but I was thinking the same thing as Cote de Texas.
You live in your home and know better than us- but just suggesting:)
Assuming you've been at this over the last several weeks, bless you all for keeping it together for a reno + crazy heat here in the DC area.
Oh, how exciting, especially since I have been in your space and can picture it all!!! How wonderful this will be. And I simply ADORE that tall sun room you have on the back - I would be there all the time. But now the rest of your house will have that same airy perfection...
I also love that instead of trading houses, you are taking an already lovely house in a beautiful neighborhood and improving its flow. I think it is all about living efficiently and beautiful without needing 5000 ft2 to do it!
Good luck with it. xo Terri
Michele,
I am so happy for you- re-purposing that space makes so much sense. We also have a tiny DR, which I actually have never used as a DR.
And that added space in the kitchen and lower level- such possibilities!
Joni & Nanci - Love this idea to open the living room and dining room together. The wall is load bearing as it used to be the exterior carport wall and is 2 ft concrete and brick. But, you've got me scheming!
Thanks everyone for the encouragement!
Can't wait to see the end result, Michele!
genius!! don't you just love that "ah-ha" moment when something that has perplexed you for so long is simply.... solved!! That 'why didn't I think of that earlier' feeling... but I think thoughts/antiques/friends;) all come to us when we are ready for them!! I love this solution- it is just fabulous! And, how great to "love" your contractor:) This will be fun to watch your progress- good luck with everything!!
joan
Brilliant! Much better use of the space! You're sooo lucky to have a live in handy man. And there must be a way to punch a hole in the dinning room wall.
Oh my gosh....let the sawdust fly!!! Can't wait to go on this one with you :)
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