a. Perhaps it would make sense to cut back the legs of the “horseshoe”. Currently there is 4’ from the counter ends to the window. If we put a 12’ long line of low cabinets in – with French windows or sliding windows above to make it easy to reach through to the patio – we would be up at 60-65 shelf feet (adding 24 and subtracting 9-15 out of the first configuration). But such a credenza may turn out to compromise the glasshouse concept???
b. Another idea is to swap functions: move kitchen&family to the current living and dining room, and use the garage niche for pantry. It would provide lots of shelf feet. But what about the study? See below…
2. Garage niche: I really like the idea of the study niche – it is such a great idea. However, what may seem like a simple addition that make use of existing footprint, may actually be a demanding solution. The problem spot is all the infrastructure that currently sits in and along the wall between garage and living room. While it may be reasonably straight-forward to re-pipe the water and sewer, the heating system may be more costly. Relocating the heating system will likely require complete new ducting, new gas line run to wherever we put it, and some magic way of fitting 10” return air + 14”+10”+8” warm air (HVAC person’s guess about current ducts leading out of the furnace) into the crawlspace). If we don’t touch the HVAC part, there is only 7-8 feet width available for the niche. So what are the alternatives?
a. Perhaps the cost of making the study niche is not much higher than it would be to integrate a 12x15 feet addition on the NE side? It could be used as a study, and some of the same effects that the study garage niche would be possible: i.e., opening up to get the full view and closing off when things need be tidy. The question is if the big kitchen island will obstruct most of the view. On the other hand. It would be beautiful with my 58” tall bookcases on the north wall with clerestory windows above, showing off the oak grove.
b. The niche, in its reduced form, could be a pantry to a relocated kitchen (see Kitchen idea (a) above). Actually, we would not have to do anything in the garage right away, just make sure there is designed for a door later on.
Here is a sketch that reflects the idea mentioned above idea - click on the image to download it as a pdf file.
Universal design: One of the major advantages of my home over most other PV homes is that it is single floor. I promise myself to consider universal design throughout this remodel, e.g., think generous door openings, get rid of "hard-to-negotiate" corners. I would have liked less of a maze in the access to the MBR. Also remember to put backing (?) into walls to allow later attachment of grab bars. And make a no-threshold shower.
I wonder if the wall at the end of the hall should be pushed back to the beam - think disabled access! Or would this be the place for a laundry closet?
Closet space in MBR: I like the expansion of closet space and drawers - I hope there is an inexpensive way of making it look like a continuum
