Pictures or it didn't happen, part 2: bedroom built-in

[flexagon]

I've done some indirect explaining of why I want to live someplace nice in my adulthood, I've showed you part 1 in the pantry, so the stage is now set for the big reveal. In the bedroom we ripped the whole front off a shallow closet and turned it into a rather excellent built-in storage unit. As well as making the space more useful, this claimed some truly new space: the built-in goes higher than the old closet ceiling did, and of course we reclaimed the 4 or 5 inches that were once taken up by the removed wall itself.

Before:



During 1:


During 2 (upper and lower cabinet units are in. Also, action shot of my awesome contractor!):



After:


I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS. I've wanted to do it since day 1 in this place, and despite some scares and surprises thrown at us by the house, it ultimately came out really beautiful, and I'm really happy with my design and how it looks in the space. :D

(As a side note, the green thing in the After photo is a lovely mask I bought in Venice on our pre-honeymoon. It's been in a box for the last seven years -- I found it during decluttering. I'd love to display it there, but I can't because Nala really, really wants to get to it and eat its feathers... putting it there for the After photo seemed like a nice way to visually daydream.)

This concludes the current House Improvement Series. I'll be content for quite a while just moving stuff into all these new drawers. :-)

Comments

[islenskr.livejournal.com]

Wow, that really *is* much, much better. More use of the space, more space period, and that cruddy door is gone. (That door must have driven you crazy - it would've me.)

Out of curiosity, how do the drawers get past the windowsill? The last picture looks as though that would block everything, but I know it doesn't.

[flexagon]

My doors and walls are in a constant battle for which can annoy me more.

Out of curiosity, how do the drawers get past the windowsill?

With about 1/8 of an inch to spare. :-) The original design called for more room there, but we ran into a weight-bearing stud where we weren't expecting it, and that forced everything ALL THE WAY to the left wall. The contractor actually trimmed the windowsill, and I painted the cut part a high-gloss white... it doesn't look strange at all.

[crs.livejournal.com]

Breathtaking!

[flexagon]

Thanks! I really recommend this ripping-off-the-front-wall thing to anyone with shallow closets.

[crs.livejournal.com]

*eyes the closet in my room appraisingly*

Stupid rental place. Hmph.

[dancing-crow.livejournal.com]

yup - seconded. We had a closet across the width of our bedroom, clearly created by walling off the end of the room. I ripped it out and installed three big IKEA things that are a combination of closets and bureaus, and like magic we have more floor space (no bureaus) and less stuff hanging around (smaller closet space but all usable).

I like your changes a lot - may they continue to please you for years...

[silentq.livejournal.com]

It looks beautiful! Thanks for sharing the pictures. :)

[gmtarkin.livejournal.com]

Oooooh. Even better than the pantry. Love that, and what a huge improvement to the room!

[a-kosmos.livejournal.com]

Wow! That's really beautiful!

[dr-alycat.livejournal.com]

gorgeous! very nice work. I love your place!

[nahele-101.livejournal.com]

WHOA! I love it! It fits well in that space and looks like its always been there.

I think that corner closet might have been an energy sink, via the thinkings of feng shui.

[bluechromis.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous! I am in lust. I think my next furniture purchase, sometime next fall, will involve those little cube shelves.

[webrat.livejournal.com]

Nice job. :)

[apfelsingail.livejournal.com]

Oh my- that is absolutely gorgeous. Wow.

[kaigex.livejournal.com]

Total organization win! Inspirationally awesome cubbies, cabinets, and drawers.