renovation // week one

We have broken this big renovation down into two phases.  So the first phase is finishing the basement and a small addition to the main floor.  This is what it looked like before any work began.  This pink sink (which I believe is original to the 1928 home) is so adorable to me.  We don't have any where for it to go, since I don't have room for a sink in our new office/laundry addition.  But, I will store it until I find a good home for it in some future project. :)

We love how wide the staircases are--so unusual for a home built during this time!

 

1 // The basement family room was finished when the home was built, and was the only room finished in the basement.  We plan to keep our basement family room in the exact same location to take advantage of all the great (existing) windows & light.  No reason to cut out a bunch of new window wells if not absolutely necessary! 

Nevertheless, there will be lots & lots of work going on in here.  Over the last 85 years the home has settled and there is a definite, noticeable slope to the floor.  So, the wood floor will be ripped out, and a new concrete sub floor will be poured that will be nice and perfectly level. :)  

We'll save the wood floor boards to possibly use during phase two when we redo the kitchen (currently ceramic tile).

2 // A mantle and surround will be added to the fireplace.

  

1 // Another view of the family room.  (This room was STUFFED with boxes that are all now in the attic--which was kind of the prologue to this phase of the project.)  This wall will be completely removed so that when you walk down the stairs, you walk into an open, bright space.

2 // A new opening will be cut here to access the bedrooms and a bathroom.

1 // Walls behind 1 & 2 will be completely removed.  Behind the walls right now are existing storage rooms.  The doors both have the original crystal door knobs on them. :)  Of course, we are keeping all the doors and door knobs.  A new bedroom will be here.

2 // A future bathroom will be here.  During this phase we will begin redoing all the plumbing and electrical work too. 

3 // The new opening to the bedrooms and bathroom.  That little white cupboard above the 3, is an original (tiny) laundry chute that goes up to the second floor.  A happy coincidence, as it is perfect placement for our new electrical and air conditioning lines. :)


In other news, school is finally out.  Yay!  We have been celebrating non stop since Wednesday with picnics and sleeping in, a new trampoline and of course, summer workshop.  The kids are in that gung-ho period of summer workshop.  I love it.  Hope you are all having a happy start to your summers!

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