Our Big (Floor) Plans...

In order for you guys to get the full scope on our house renovation, I need to share the floorplans with you.  But before I do, let me just tell you a little background information...

We were told that our house was built in 1892.  It originally served as a summer home for a family residing in Philadelphia (which is about 20 miles away).  We have a train station running right through town, so this family could just hop on the train and get to their summer escape.  When the original homeowners passed away (I believe that this may have happened in the 1920s or 1930s?), they left the home to their caregiver.  Since she was only one woman, who couldn't take care of the house as it was, she divided the house into two apartments.  This situation allowed her to live on the 2nd and 3rd floors, while she collected rent from a tenant on the 1st floor.  We speculate that when this division occured, some critical changes were made to create a 1st floor apartment.  We think that the original staircase in the 1st floor entry hall was taken out (so sad), a 1st floor bathroom was added under the stairs (therefore, blocking the original back entrance on the 1st floor), and the back porches were enclosed.  We also think that at this time, the servant's staircase--which originally went from the kitchen to the second floor--was turned into the entry staircase for the second floor tenant.  They blocked off the kitchen entrance, and redirected the stairs to lead from the side of the house, right up to the second floor landing.  The two fireplaces in the house were also closed up at some point (I have read that homes of this age used their chimneys as a way to channel new plumbing and sewer lines, which were not original to the house-- I suspect that this is exactly what has happened in our house).

In the 1970s, our house was put on the real estate market for the first time.  A young family bought the home and converted it back into a single family residence.  They opened up the first floor to the second floor by building a basic 1st floor staircase, and they made some adjustments here and there.  Nearing retirement, they sold the home to us last fall...  and, now you are caught up to date. 

Anyway, here is what the home was like when we moved in this year... (AutoCad images are a bit difficult to read, click to enlarge)

the 1st floor

2nd floor

the 3rd floor

And, over time, this is what we DREAM of turning it into. 

1st floor

We want to reposition the powder room in order to create better flow through the entry hallway.  We want to add a closet (for much needed 1st floor storage).  The old kitchen will become an office and we want to open up the fireplaces...  oh, and that massive addition?  We have fantasies of ripping off the enclosed back porches and building a large addition to include a new kitchen and family room, and give the upstairs another bedroom.  It may not happen for many years, but it's a goal of ours.

2nd floor

We will convert the two front bedrooms into a master bedroom suite, with adequate closet space and a master bathroom.  The stairwell is too dark, so the bedroom at the top of the stairs will be converted into an open library (and will allow light from the windows to spill down the stairwell).  This room will also lead into our proposed addition (with a laundry room and additional bedroom).

the 3rd floor will stay the same. 

Since I share so much of our renovation on this blog, I thought it was time to talk floor plans.  Hopefully, it gives you a better idea of our end goals...  and I am SURE that things will change as time goes on.  But, for now this is what we are shooting for.  What do you think?

Happy Monday, chickens!

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