Plans, Part I: Upper Half

I had originally started this post complaining about our ineptness at handiwork.  Then it morphed into what I hope to do to the house.  I think it is better to post as much in a good way as I truly hate this house sometimes.  So, here, though I cannot say it will be a very easy read.  A much lighter (and longer) post than intended, but it sure does make me feel much more hopeful.  I'll do a walkthrough of the home as I order my boards on pinterest (which also holds many ideas that I hope to do).  All of the rooms need decorating and/or painting, so I won't even bother listing those unless there is something specific I want to do.

Attic

Currently, the attic is unfinished.  It covers the entire house but does have sloped ceilings.  There are three smallish windows on each side but the east.  I hope to turn the attic into two more bedrooms for Simon and Gabriel--one on the north and one on the south.  I believe I would like the TV up in the east side instead of the library.  The stairs come up on the west side.  Short.  Sweet.  A lot of work.

Kids' Bedrooms/Playrooms

Ideally, I would like to have a playroom.  I can be almost positive that will never happen.  However, I will not need a playroom if I can give each child his/her own room.  They will have enough space.  They do not necessarily need the space (especially because it will be that much harder to keep clean), but I did like the space I had throughout my childhood.  I am lucky to potentially be able to do the same for my children.

Aislynn

I want to paint her closet blue and paint some zebra stripes on the wall.  Her ceiling in the room and closet need to be repaired after water damage.  She has a decent-sized closet with some built in cabinets.  They need a little fixing.  Knobs would do wonders. 

Boys' Room

They currently have a pirate or ship theme.  I need to re-stain the crown moulding and re-install it.  Though the linoleum fits the theme (it looks like planks) I want in their room, they need some hardwood.  The west window needs to be put back together.  I also have issues with their tiny closet; it is so very awkward.  It may not be as much of an issue could I get just one child per room.  I think I want this one to turn into Roland's room. 

Littles' Room

Their bedroom is all white (primed white-not painted).  It is located in the turret.  It was the master as I did not want them to break the windows, but it was completely awkward for a master room.  It works as a one child room (or one little girl and one toddler).  It needs new flooring and a fixed radiator.  Oh the cute things I want to put in it.  However, most of it is SO girly.  Roland will not care, but I have other ideas for him. 

Master Room

This is the living-room-turned bedroom with no doors.  The flooring needs to be fixed or patched.  It has a nice arched entry into the once-kitchenette-turned-closet-turned-office-turned laundry/closet. 

Laundry Room/Jenn's Closet

Yay!  The sink did actually make its way out of this room.  I liked it, but it just was not practical.  Since plumbing was already there and a laundry in a closet is a genius idea, we moved the appliances upstairs.  However, the plumbing is in the way and needs to be moved.  I would like to turn the window into a door out to the little roof.  I have created a laundry line up there (with hopes to improve it), and it would be nice to have easier access to it.  Eventually, I would like a new washer/dryer with in front controls.  Then, I could make a folding table on top of them and have them on the same side.  Or I may like two sets of stacking appliances (though I hope to get our clothes situation under control by decluttering rather than constantly washing).  My mangle and sewing machine could go on the south side.  The cabinets need replacing or updating but work for now.  Everything in here is really dependent on where the plumbing is located.

Upstairs (Jenn's) Bathroom

I claim the bathroom because of the clawfoot tub.  The popcorn needs to come off.  The subway and flooring tiles need replacing (and I thankfully found some in the attic).  The big cabinet needs fixing or repairing.  I do not know what I want at the moment.  The old sink should go back in.  The old plumbing in the cabinet needs to be taken out.  The tub/plumbing again needs to be fixed.  The window needs repairing.  The door needs to be able to close.  I just found a doorknob in the basement yesterday, so we are getting closer with that find.  I wonder if maybe we could not put an elevated cistern toilet in here at some point.   

Sunroom (School/Jenn's Office)

Currently, this room holds my desk, crafts, and the homework room.  I would like to be able to grow plants here during the winter months.  I also want my office moved.  The door to the roof needs a good latch on it.  The windows need to be repaired, so they can more easily open.  I would move the kids' desks to where mine is to make things easier.   

Hallway/Stairs

The staircase is the original from the main entry (moved when the addition of the old laundry room was put in).  The railing is not as anchored as it once was.  It is unfortunate as it used to be one of the most solid features in the house.  Eric fell down the stairs one day and broke it.  I am glad that it was not him but sad that it was that, of all the house things excluding the windows, that got hurt.  The windows need fixing.  Crown moulding needs to be replaced in the hallway upstairs.  Unfortunately, the roof leaked before we bought it, and Aislynn's room and the hallway were the biggest casualties. 

That takes us through the upper half of the house.  Stay tuned for the the second installment of this episode.

The Organization beginning of the Sun/Craft/Homework Room

[Originally published 3/4/13]

As I stated two days ago (edit:  it was deleted and re posted today--grr), I joined Org Junkie's 31 Day Organization Challenge.

My main focus is the Littles' Room.  However, I really must also so the Sun/Craft/Homework Room.  I'm sure it won't get decorated, but the organization needs to again happen.  This room has been done several times.  However, I haven't been enforcing homework like a good mama should, so we aren't in this area as much as we should be.

This is an addition to the original house.  Previous owners moved the main staircase to the east side.  They did a good job of it according to my dad.  In a way, I wish they hadn't.  We gained closet space in the hall, but a staircase right in front of the entry would be grand.  Maybe someday, we'll be able to reproduce one--especially since one day will be long enough we won't need those extra closets.  I really would like this room for plants in the winter.  However, we need space for homework, and I'm unwilling to give up my Dining Room (the only room that would work well) for this.  I'm already starting to move sewing machines in there, so the sunroom "lockers" will only be craft storage.  Our laundry room is fairly small/awkward, so I want the coat/backpack drop for this kids up here.  Here is its current state:

seating area at the top of the stairs

left of the seating area

larger left of the seating area and doors to the hall (plus the little little brother) and the craft "lockers"

left side of doors--scheduling/picture area

homework area

view from the hall (plus a doggy-cousin)

This also isn't as bad as it normally gets unfortunately.  Ideally, but later on, this space will be nicely decorated, too.  This will help us want to work here.   The craft lockers aren't too bad.  They're not exactly organized as I'd like, but they aren't in the state of disarray as the rest of the house.  I had actually gotten to those recently.  However, all the stuff that didn't fit, it out on the desks or on the floor of the room yet.  Really, I think that's most of the clutter in this room at this point. 

I'd love to paint and hang curtains.  I'll just have to do with getting their desks and homework totes organized.  I will have to get the chore charts made, so we can keep up with what I will have accomplished at the end of this.  Riiight.