I still need all of your good thoughts to make sure things all work out for purchasing the new house in time… the seller’s bank has gone into a black hole and isn’t responding to calls, e-mails, etc. If things don’t work out, you’ll see Connor and me living in the back of my Volvo wagon, since I’ve given notice to my current landlords!
I did a little more work on the schematic for the new house. One of the things I didn’t clearly indicate was that there’s a fireplace in the living room, and I think that should be the focal point of the room. 
The room is about 12x12, and it looks like there will be room for the sofa to face the fireplace, with two ottomans on the left against the staircase and a small upholstered chair in the corner. I had thought about bookcases on either side of the fireplace, but if the next room is the library/dining room, that might be too much.
I’ve marked the windows (w) and doors on the schematic, so you can get an idea of where things are being placed. My current house only has five windows, and this one has 12! Wooooo!
I still haven’t decided how the workroom is going to be worked out. I have a large stainless steel free-standing kitchen counter, which would be great, but I am just not sure. I also have a long Ikea table that might look better, and then I can use the steel table outside as a potting area.
The bathroom is another area that I am working out. The sink is a pedestal with no storage under it. My current house has a linen closet, but this one doesn’t. I have a set of doctor’s cabinets I bought at Housewerks that might work in the space. 
They’re steel and glass with industrial plastic on the flat surfaces, so would work in a bathroom. I’d like to have them powder-coated, but that will have to wait. They would certainly fit all my towels and other bathroom gear, and since the tub is an old clawfoot tub, it would work.
The house is right next to Alpaca Alley, so I’ve started a new category called Alpaca Street. Remember, suggestions are welcome and good thoughts and mojo are appreciated!
Meg this is very exciting for you! When you are moved in things will start to fall in place. You will love all of those windows!! I hope you are collecting lots of fabric!
ReplyDeleteKarena
Art by Karena
This is so exciting Meg...can't wait to see what you do with it. I really like your plans so far, xv.
ReplyDeleteI love how you have arranged the living room...And I wouldn't fear adding the bookcases next to the fireplace, even with bookcases in the library/dining room. One set could showcase books, while the other could display pottery or other accessories. In my opinion, one can never have too many bookcases! If you put books in both places and covered them in tan covers, it would make continuity in both rooms. I love what Brooke of Velvet and Linen recently did with your bookcases.
ReplyDeleteHappy moving, trust it all works out.
Dear Meg, all of this is so exciting for you, buying a home under normal circumstances is a pain in the butt but a short sale is a flippin nightmare. Hold on,it will happen, think of the sale from the banks point of view. They need this house sold, you are dealing with people that do not care either way whether the sale goes through or not. I am speaking of the NUBS that handle the closing process. My daughter bought a home in the Seattle area under the same terms as you, and it took quite some time with virtually no communication from the sellers bank. Then one day BAM, it was over and the process ended up with her family owning a great home. She put down over $80K so one would assume there would have been no probs. Not true, as well her Realtor (whom I would have fired) was a slouch.
ReplyDeleteOn a lighter note, your plans look wonderful! I agree with Maurie, one can't have too many bookcases, maybe order or make some of those with dust jackets of a light, powder blue.
You will be fine, hang in there and it will happen.
Sorry this was so long of a comment.
Carol
What wonderful developments! Can't get enough bookcases! Love forward to your new home stories (yes, it will happen).
ReplyDeleteKeeping good thoughts for you and Connor getting into this home sooner rather than later.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the metal cabinets for the bath. Wish I had that kind of space in the bath.
As much as I love bookcases - I think since you are creating a library - having bookshelves in the LR might take away the impact of the "Library".
Workroom. I think the Ikea table might be easier to cut fabric on. The stainless steel might be a little slippery if your main focus is working with fabrics.
And on that note - we're heading to naptime since we spent 6 hours today on our Central Park adventure!
Bookcases don't have to have books...never a bad thing to have extra shelf space! You'd think the bank would be happy to get the place off its books.
ReplyDeleteoh..forgot...love the cabinet.
ReplyDeleteHi Meg--I have been in your nail-biting situation several times and things did always seem to work out.
ReplyDeleteSending prayers.
Wishing you the best on this one Meg. I love small houses like yours/ours. We still have too much furniture and I envy your minimalist plans.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a cellar?
so excited for you meg. really, really special time for you. hope everything works out. keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting. I think the proposed layout of the drawing room is just right, using the sofa and sofa table as corridor guides to the rest of the house. I also think your placement of bookcases is the correct one. If you have good pictures, they will look well either side of the fireplace. The bookcases there might make a small room smaller, depending on the colour of the wood. All the best for the move, when it comes; an exhausting experience!
ReplyDeleteBuying a house is always stressful. Just try to be patient and use the time to finish your planning. If you know where all of the large pieces of furniture belong by moving day, it all goes much more smoothly. I really like your floor plan. I do have one suggestion. Try placing the bed (master bedroom) on the wall to your left as you enter the room. It may have enough space so you can flank it with a matching set of small dressers to maximize your storage. It would also make the bed the focal point of the room, instead of the windows. I do like the idea of facing all of those windows though.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck! I can't wait to see pictures when you are all settled in.
Buying a house is always stressful. Just try to be patient and use the time to finish your planning. If you know where all of the large pieces of furniture belong by moving day, it all goes much more smoothly. I really like your floor plan. I do have one suggestion. Try placing the bed (master bedroom) on the wall to your left as you enter the room. It may have enough space so you can flank it with a matching set of small dressers to maximize your storage. It would also make the bed the focal point of the room, instead of the windows. I do like the idea of facing all of those windows though.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck! I can't wait to see pictures when you are all settled in.
Can't have too many bookshelves in my opinion...
ReplyDeleteMany good wishes winging your way!
Egads... THE CABINETS!!!!!
ReplyDelete*swoon*
My friend is having her parents' home restored because she is planning to move in a couple of weeks from now. Since she is under time pressure, she wanted the rooms to be without hassle, on the budget and be done on the expected date. Recently, I had my son's room remodeled. It was a great move hiring somebody to do the construction, to avoid stress and making wrong decisions. I suggested that she do the same. She did listen to my advise. She hired a professional siding contractor (Minneapolis area). They helped her with the windows installation and of course the sidings. For the master bedroom, instead of wood, they used vinyl replacement windows. Minneapolis residents are now using this material since vinyl is economical, easily customized and does not require painting nor staining. Hopefully, she will be able to move in next week. She just need to do some finishing touches. I came across your blog, and I think that a house having 12 windows is astonishing! Assuredly, it will create a good atmosphere and in the long run save you heating and cooling costs.
ReplyDeleteHouse plans and home designs are very important. It does take considerable research and concentration to avoid the common mistakes that can ruin your dream house.
ReplyDeletePlanning in arranging the things inside your house was very important and I think what you plan to do is encridble.You can put a linen closet also and storage so that all your things will in its proper place.Good luck in purchasing a new house.Thank you and God bless
ReplyDeletecharles a