Outside the Box - Thinking about the Way We Live

We've been without internet service for awhile so there haven't been updates for weeks. At the apartment we've been signing on to what we thought was the wifi hot spot for our complex. Then, when we got locked out, we learned that our apartment complex has no wifi broadcast.

One architect we've been interested in is Sarah Susanka, whose firm has published a number of books about "not so big house" building. Careful consideration is given to how rooms are actually used, creating multi-use spaces, and making them beautiful. Function is first and followed closely by how people feel being in them.

We designed this house for empty-nester convertibility. The main floor has everything that two people need--master suite, laundry/sewing, powder room, living room that will hold a Christmas tree and all of our children and their spouses, and an eat-in kitchen designed for multiple cooks. The house expands downward when family and friends are around. The daylight basement has two generous bedrooms each with its own full bath (so daughters do not have to share with brother-in-laws and grandbabies have a potty close by), a library-away room, a second smaller laundry, 8x32-ft cold storage, and a craft/game/hangout/exercise area. Instead of a family room, which is only used to watch TV, Kelly gets a theater with an adjoining box office and refreshement stand (grandchild sized) and a dressing room with little door that comes out onto a stage. He wants a place for kids to perform, and he wants to be the coolest Grandpa in town.