Monday, August 2, 2010

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!

... 


17 comments:

  1. So amazing that you know the full history of your house!

    The plans are fantastic! One day!

    Its like you are living in your dream house, it just needs to evolve 'a bit'!

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  2. Thanks so much for sharing the floor plans. It makes it so much easier to visualize all the work you're doing on your second floor, which is so fun to follow. The plans look amazing. I love the idea of having a phased set of renovation plans that you can do over time as life and budgets allow!

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  3. looks great..maybe flip the powder room so it doesn't feel like the door is opening up into the kitchen!! Does that make sense? looks great Kate!
    What an amazing place.

    Best,
    Julie

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  4. I get all goose-bumpy when I look at blueprints. Guess I miss my calling. Looks incredible. Thanks for sharing. xoxo

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  5. This looks amazing! Thanks for sharing, I can't wait to see the progress in pictures. You are so talented. xoxo

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  6. Exciting!
    I can't tell scale, but the hallway (208) on the second floor addition seems really wide and sort of dead-ends. What if you moved the doors to the bedroom (207) and the laundry room north, then walled off the end of that hall, creating a walk in closet for the bedroom (in what was the hallway) and more of a vestibule for the addition. Just an idea.
    Good luck with all this! Looks like a ton of work!

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  7. Wowie! So exciting. I'm in the same boat with our house. We had planned on remodeling our 1880's farmhouse right away, but then we got pregnant the night we moved into the house (whoops) and quickly learned that 2 kids (under the age of 2) and ripping lathe and plaster out don't really mix. But, I can't wait to open up the fireplace in the butler's pantry into the kitchen, and raising the roof on an entire wing 4 feet plus dormers! Woo Hoo!

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  8. That is amazing...so exciting to see the vision and excited to be around to see them come to fruition!

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  9. i love houses that have a great history to them. i imagine it must be so much fun living on 3 floors, and i LOVE the plans you have for your floorplan. on another note, i'm currently taking a drafting class, and am so jealous of your autocad rendering. i can't wait until next quarter! :)

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  10. When can I visit Edith? I would to tour this beautiful home once complete! See you Thursday!

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  11. That was so much fun to see. Thanks for sharing your ideas!

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  12. Thanks for all of the wonderful comments, guys! I really appreciate the support!

    Jess, I thought about transforming that hallway too... and even after you mentioned that, I am thinking about transforming it again! The only reason it was drawn that was to bring as much light into the second floor as possible. I need that window! But, I think I might move the laundry room door, so that it's not dueling doors at the end of the hallway. :)

    xx
    Kelly

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  13. hi kelly
    love your blog!
    love how you recycle....i like to do that also!
    Sherry

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  14. AMAZING! I WANT TO COME VISIT YOU!!!

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  15. MUST have laundry on 2nd floor! good call. we renovated our 1918 home last year - get ready for a rollercoaster ride!!

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  16. I love the new open spaces that you have planned to create. Also, it seems you have added appropriate spaces for storage which I think was a very smart idea. I wish you the best of luck through the renovation process.

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  17. What a gorgeous home! I didn't realize you live in the Philly area as well!

    The proposed layout looks wonderful. I like the open library on top, and agree that the powder room adjustments make a nicer entry way. Good luck!

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