Construction.
If you can avoid it…don’t do it.
Ok maybe that’s a little harsh. Because let’s face it, we do it because the end results are so rewarding. Plus…I’d like to keep my clients so that’s terrible advice now that I think of it.
Reality… If we can, we should definitely edit our lives as I always say. And that means making our spaces that don’t work for us WORK for us. Visually it should be what makes us happy. The space should be usable and work for our daily lives. That can be something different for each of us. But we know it when we see it and feel it. I have a theory about why we’re much more relaxed in a beautiful hotel. Besides the fact that someone is waiting on us hand and foot (don’t you miss room service and twice daily housekeeping when you come home?) the spaces are specifically designed for comfort. They appeal to our senses and our need to feel cushioned, warm, soothed and happy. Our home spaces should do the same.
This project of mine started about a year and a half ago. It’s been a long process to say the least. I brought on the same crew that did my interior renovation/restoration nearly 8 years ago. We looked at the property and talked about the end goal. I thought I knew what I wanted and did a few early concept drawings for them. Based on those drawings they began to draft some ideas and research our zoning and permitting…all the city red tape stuff. That’s where we ran into the wall. We live in an area where many things like historical preservation and green building come into play. My original plans were for a full outdoor kitchen, revamping the size and shape of the pool and making one of the wasted garage spaces a small, finished home gym. After going round and round with the city about moving power lines, mandated garage sizes and more I finally settled into the idea that I could live without the lush outdoor kitchen. While pretty and nice to have, I realized that:
A) Although I do grill out each weekend, we don’t really entertain that much.
B) Upon further consideration, I didn’t really want to walk that far across the yard to use the grill
C) I’m from the Midwest where we had yards. What I was really after more than anything was a just a quiet, serene, GREEN outdoor space I could spend time relaxing in.
As the weeks went on, I also realized that D) this was the time to work in that design studio I desperately need to keep my work from spreading out all over my house! SO back to the drawing board.
Ok so now that you know that… let’s reveal what I’m working with:
Original 4 car garage with an unpermitted addition at the far end.
And let’s not forget the elephant in the room…the odd shaped pool and spa that was dropped in between the house and the garages!
Yup. Go ahead and say what you’re thinking. Fantastic right?
Apparently, the previous owners decided at some point that they wanted both to add a storage space AND a pool at all costs. And clearly…it was at ALL costs. Where is the pool pump and all the equipment located you ask? Why it’s behind door #2 – INSIDE the second garage of course! We’re not entirely sure that’s even safe…clearly it’s not permitted. Spectacular. In addition, when they put in the pool, they surrounded the yard in all of this glorious chain link fencing just inside the tree line to meet the pool surround regulations. What’s not to love people?
chain link…not working for me
After 7 years of sidestepping around the pool edge to make it into either of the 2nd or 3rd garages and maybe getting into that pool 3 times… I decided I was over it. And speaking of the garages and storage shed – In Los Angeles, we don’t use our garages to park cars in…so these are just glorified storage sheds really. But the city has its say, and if we make any changes to the structures then we are bound by current code that says we must keep enough garage parking for 4 vehicles (because it is a duplex). Sooo…let’s recap. When we’re done, I will have 2 new garages that will meet code, but still function the way I want them to, along with my coveted yard and sitting spaces. At least, that’s the goal going in.
And that’s how this story of construction madness begins. We inherited some not so great design with not so great function. (I’m trying to be respectful) I mean, it may have worked for the previous owners. But now it’s mine. And I’m going for what works for my family. I’m taking my own words to heart and I’m finally editing this space after 8 long years of just putting up with it. Yes! Let the games begin!
edit. your. life. 