The Empty Nest, Now With More Tidiness

Monday, July 1, 2013
Since my Hot Daughter moved out, the Smart Man and I have been executing on some long-delayed home improvement projects here at the Big Yellow House, and I'm pleased to report that we've made significant progress.

Here is the new spare bedroom, rescued from the swirling vortex of entropy and hoarding that was my Hot Daughter's bedroom:

Now fit for human habitation.

Clearly you want to visit. You know you do.


The bathroom also needed some work, and if you've stayed at our house in the last two years, you know why:

There's even room for your toothbrush!

So then we decided that it would be nice to have a secondary sleeping option for when we have a houseful of guests. But we didn't want to spend money on additional beds and such - eventually we're going to downsize to a more reasonably sized domicile. So the downstairs futon has been moved to the new library, and can be used as a fairly comfortable bed as needed:

Plus there's a place to sit and read.
 
This is what's left after dozens of boxes of books being donated to our local library, and there's a third shelf out of frame.


So now we're working the downstairs room that used to be the library, and that I've now dubbed "The Mystery Room." The reason is because it's a mystery to me what the architect thought it was actually for. It's a strange room, as the front door leads directly into it, the stairs to the second floor are right there, and the entrance to the kitchen is opposite the front door. It has a two-floor vaulted ceiling,* and most of our neighbors with comparable floor plans have a similar problem determining what to do with it.

This bookshelf needs a new home.

Please ignore the lack of vacuuming. Nothing to see here, move along.


We've considered turning it into a dining room, but the simple fact of the matter is that we don't often entertain. We don't like people very much as a general rule, and the ones we do like tend to be spread out over many states. And the idea of hosting the traditional "family holiday dinner" is enough to make us run screaming into the night and become feral people. Except we'd miss the Internet. 

The Smart Man thinks getting a couple of over-sized chairs and ottomans, along with some end tables, is a fine idea. I don't really have an objection to this, except that it wouldn't fill up the room and I doubt it would get used very much. The problem, of course, is that the house is just too big for two people, said the privileged white girl.

The only thing we know for sure is that our new Empty Nest is going to remain tidy, well maintained, and clean, even after we choose to get another dog.

So, give us some advice, Internet. What should we do with the Mystery Room?

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*We're having a painting service come in some time in the next month to paint in there. Because, scaffolding.

18 comments:

Random Michelle K said...

You obviously need a wing chair, facing out the window, and a cane to lean upon the chair that you can shake at the kids as you yell, "GET OFF MY DAMNED LAWN."

Megan said...

Looks great! Sadly, I have no suggestions about how to use the room. If I saw it, I might suggest taking down one of the walls to combine it with a nearby room, but it's hard to know just from your description whether that's even possible.

Janiece said...

Megan, the walls are all outside or weight bearing.

Juan Federico said...

That mystery room always struck me as a kind of parlor room. So the Smart Man's idea should work. Add some art work and mementos of both a your travels and leave it except for dusting and watching the weather.

The Mechanicky Gal said...

Michelle - add a little table for the binoculars. The better to keep track of neighborhood "activites". Mrs. Kravitz-like.
But how about letting the room be empty for a while and see what suggests itself?

Janiece said...

Juan, it is reminiscent of a parlor. Which seems strange in a modern house.

MG, I can't think of anything more tedious than trying to figure out what our neighbors are up to.

And we probably will let it sit idle for a bit - we need to get it painted and new carpet laid before we spend money on additional furniture.

Matt said...

Wet bar . . . obviously!

Anne C. said...

Yep, I'm betting parlor/living room. And many houses that are way too big have both a living room and a den.
I liked the use of it as a library, since it said a lot about your love of books as soon as you walk in the door. :)
My sister's house has a similar little room at the front that she has a desk and kids toys in that she'd like to make into a library.

Carol Elaine said...

I like Michelle's/MG's idea, but my first thought was, "Billiards table!" Even if you never play it, a billiards table is just awesome to have.

Janiece said...

Carol, we already have one. It's in the basement...

mom in northern said...

Books with out question...

mom in northern said...

No idea...

Carol Elaine said...

Billiards party at The Big Yellow House! WooHoo!

Unfortunately, I have no practical solutions. I do like the idea of a parlor, but if it's not going to be used much, it seems a shame to put furniture in there that won't see much love.

Maybe an art gallery of sorts? Since it's the first thing visitors see when they walk in, having things of beauty greet them might be kinda cool.

mom in northern said...

After thinking about it...it will always be Boogie's bedroom.

IP Camera said...

looks very good !

IP Camera said...

good for share!!

Dana Teel said...

I think the space needs some greenery. Can you keep a plant alive?

Janiece said...

Dana, not even on my best day.

I think we're going to end up combining some ideas. We'll let the space stew for a bit, as we need to get it painted and new carpet laid down before we buy any new furniture.

I'm researching some fabulous art for those big ass walls, to make it a place of beauty.

And we'll probably buy a couple of recliners to go along the long wall.