It’s been over two years since we moved into our bungalow in this quiet
Lincolnshire village. During that time
we have made quite a lot of changes to the place including new interior doors,
bathroom, kitchen and most recently, garage doors. In the next few weeks, if lockdown allows, we
shall be replacing the old units in the utility room and replacing them with Shaker
style cupboards to match the kitchen.
Replacement windows for the whole property are due to be installed next
Monday, including a new front porch door and big sliding windows in the garden
room.
 |
| utility room waiting to be re-fitted |
Like Dick Strawbridge (Escape to the Chateau), Paul always likes a project. In true Angel style I am happy to come up with wonderful new ideas to keep him busy! The bungalow has an attic room complete with dormer windows and heating; the previous owners used it as an office. To access this room it is necessary to release a hatch in the ceiling and lower an extendable ladder. I struggle a bit to climb this ladder and I can see it will pose problems for me as I get older and less agile. We don’t really need this extra room and at the moment it is a dumping place for various trunks, boxes and old photo albums. But I have a vision. Some sort of spiral staircase leading from the hallway to allow easy access and then turn the room into a cosy snug with soft lighting, nice bookshelves and a comfortable chair. Or maybe an artist’s studio. Or a sewing room. Or a Moroccan style Bedouin tent room…
At the moment it’s just a whimsical idea but if Paul gets bored enough – who knows!
As you may already know, I'm a huge Chateau fan. Forget the spiral staircase and put in a glass-tubed elevator like the one the Strawbridges have in one of their towers!
ReplyDeleteI did mention that solution to Paul but apparently we don't have the headroom for the mechanism. Wouldn't it be brilliant!
DeleteIt's wonderful that your husband is willing and able to tackle these projects! I don't think I would enjoy that extendable ladder, either. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteIt's quite heavy to drop down and if you don't secure it properly it swings to and fro - I'm too old for circus acrobatics.
DeleteI am sure that very soon your vision will become a reality. Your energies are amazing.
ReplyDeletePaul's energy is amazing for sure.
DeleteDo as Dick did and go for a lift and then you decorate around it.
ReplyDeletePaul's already poured cold water on that idea. Apparently the lift would be too small to be able to move any big size items.
DeleteIt will be tricky to move furniture up a spiral staircase, too, unfortunately. Maybe a better collapsible stairway... it is fun to dream, tho!
ReplyDeleteMy dream is fading fast!
DeleteLove the idea of a tent room.
DeleteI think it should be an indoor roof garden.
DeleteI'm with you and love renovating. There has to be a solution for stairs to your attic room. Perhaps an architect could design stairs for you. Alternatively, I find some builders have design skills and can help with design and build. A friend of mine bumped out an external wall to accommodate stairs to the attic.
ReplyDeleteEscape to the Chateau is outstanding. The transformation of their chateau is remarkably beautiful.
If the solution becomes too complex it just won't be worth doing really. Even if we had a customised staircase built we would probably lose half the floor space to allow for headroom.
DeleteI'd go for the Bedouin Tent. Belly dancing and the aroma of hashish would make it perfect. Paul would love it.
ReplyDeleteIt would be rather fun.
DeleteHow about a door and steps on the outside gable end of your bungalow? That's thinking outside the box!
ReplyDeleteWe have no gable ends!
DeleteIf it is going to be a Moroccan style Bedouin tent room you will need to learn how to bellydance for your DIY man as he lies on a sofa smoking a hookah pipe.
ReplyDeleteThat's just going a bit too far. I would never allow smoking.
DeleteA Bedouin Tent sounds a great idea! Thinking practically though, you may decide on an artist's studio or a sewing room. Either would be of more use, as you won't need to tidy up each time you use it.
ReplyDeleteHate to pour cold water on the idea of a spiral staircase, but that may become difficult to use as you advance in years too. The lift is a brilliant idea but a tad OTT considering the location?
It seems increasingly unikely that this room will ever be anything other than a storage area.
DeleteLOL. I'm glad I am not the only one whose mind wanders off on wild tangents when confronted with a 'empty space'.
ReplyDeleteIt seems such a waste not to do something with the room.
Delete