Living Room Demolition
I got all the demo in the living room done last week! I think my original plan showed me just making the two doors in the hallway the same height but I really planned on tearing one wall out all along. (I just forgot.)
The space already feels bigger than it did before.
Remember the coat closet?
It’s gone, but remember the bathtub?
I finally figured out the reason behind the tub being moved out so far (I think). The door in that bathroom, that barely clears the toilet as it opens up INTO the room, wouldn’t have enough space to open if they’d put the tub in the room properly.
Seriously? I just ordered the pocket door hardware for that door for $108. For $108 they could have put in a pocket door and put the tub in the right spot! In the grand scheme of house building, what’s $108?
*#@&$&#(*@)$# (I’ve decided to tone down the negativity directed at certain parties when speaking about this house and the way it was designed and put together!)
I haven’t decided what I’m going to do with it. I know what I could do. It would like cool and the room would be very functional. Justnot in the way I wanted it to be and that really irks me and I’m thinking of options that I know I shouldn’t consider because that extra foot isn’t worth the expense, time or effort. Or is it? Seriously, there is no where to put a Christmas tree in this house and that’s the spot I wanted it! RIGHT THERE! But minus that extra foot it’s too narrow. Sigh.
I’m just leaving that spot alone for now and moving on to the other areas.
I’ve got to frame out this new,higher doorway. (I preserved the drywall on the living room side so I wouldn’t have to patch and texture out there. I hate the heavy texture on these walls but I don’t want to HAVE to change it and patches ALWAYS show up.)
And frame in the new doorway into the formal living room.
What do you think? Do you prefer the new open space to the old look?
I just found your blog and am loving it. We have been renovating a home for 11 months and I am so tired of it. You are inspiring and I wish I would have found your blog before. I showed my husband your master closet and he looked at me and said, “What’s wrong with you? I think you can do the laundry room all by yourself.” Oh, I wish I was as energetic and confident as you! (Are you sure you don’t want to make a trip to Idaho and help me!) As far as the bathroom goes, take out the tub. I have been living in this home with my 5 kids and the things that bothered me 11 months ago still bother me! It’s not worth it! Or maybe you could just make a small corner shower instead of a full tub. Just an idea. Keep the updates going. I am hooked!
Ever since you started showing pictures of your house I didn’t understand that coat closet. Who puts a coat closet in the den? But now that you’ve opened up the living room it is amazing the difference. Really, you are a genius.
I am sorry about the weird floor plan/bathroom problem. Doesn’t it make you wonder how these people got to be home designers? It’s not that hard to make a bathroom work. Lisa~
Sandra, I’m a designer so I feel your pain. The closet was stupid, good riddance! Keep going, it looks better already!
I love that you said that closet was stupid. It makes me feel so good to say that and hearing someone else validate it feels even better. LOL
It sounds like the person who built your home got trapped in “the way is has to be” syndrome and took some unusual measures to “make it that way”. It’s a good thing that this house has someone like you who sees “the way it could be” and is willing to work toward it!
Opening up this space might be frustrating and challenging, but your results are going to be tremendous!
Liz
Even though it’s still a crazy mess, it’s exciting to see it transforming from dumb…to better. LOL
What a strange design. My house has no closets in the bedrooms… well one. Master bedroom has no closet!
Can you tell me where you got your doggie cage/play area and the brand? I need one and yours looks cool.
I’m not sure what the brand is but we bought it at PetSmart. It was one of two options and the other one was metal so you’ll definitely be able to get the one we got if (it’s still available) if you go with plastic.
No closet in the master? That’s crazy. I guess you just build awesome wardrobes then?
Thanks Sandra. I did build a large oak armoire, but it takes up needed floor space (it’s a small house).