^ designing with deb
Turn Dead Space into Drop-dead Gorgeous Space
Y
ou might love your home but still need more space. Go ahead and step into
that “forbidden” area – the attic! It can provide so much more than just a black hole collecting that trashbag of old clothes, the Christmas wreaths in January and bags of old vacation mementos. There are a few necessary steps you can take to bring that dead space to a whole new level. You need to verify that your house’s foundation and framing can carry the extra weight of a finished space, which tends to weigh more than what is typically stored. It’s best to bring in an expert (engineer) for this very important phase to give his/her professional stamp of approval. Once you determine your attic can meet basic codes—such as a minimum 7’ clearance from floor to ceiling (50 percent of that space must have a 7’ clearance) with a minimum 70 square feet in each direction— it’s time to consider some basics. Although these may not be the sexy parts of decorating your newfound addition, believe me—you will be glad you addressed them when it comes time to enjoy that new bedroom, playroom, bathroom or office. • You may need to beef up floor joists to help support the added weight of a finished/functioning room, and it will also help with those annoying squeaky floors. • Lighting is paramount to taking an “OK” room to an awesome room. Recessed lights—and plenty of them—are great for lower ceilings. Skylights are a fantastic resource for natural light if you can’t add any windows. Even better, add both if your budget permits. • Temperature matters! Attics aren’t typically heated or cooled. Don’t skimp on the insulation, and you may want to turn to the experts when extending the heating and cooling into your new room(s). • Take advantage of every possible square foot whether it is for organized storage or living. • A money-saver if you are adding a bathroom is to place it over an existing bathroom or kitchen to take advantage of plumbing placement. Now that you’ve addressed the important function issues of your remodel project it’s time to express yourself. Let your imagination be your guide to creating another dream come true for your home.
The Fosters’ outdoor space is just as inviting as the indoor.
The second level of the home is one large open space, with several beds. For the moment, it serves as place for the kids to sleep when they visit, but Jackie hopes (someday) it will be a place for her grandchildren to play. “I love the idea of grandkids coming and playing in this home,” Jackie says, motioning to a large wooden table in the center of the room. “I can see us doing crafts or playing hide and seek up here.” As Jackie continues to make over her home, she admits it will never be completely finished, and she’s always looking for ways to make it better. In fact, one of the newer additions to the home is actually in the backyard—a pair of chickens the couple lovingly call “the girls.” No matter what Jackie and Darren add to their home, one thing is clear. It is truly a reflection of their love and passion for design. And that’s what fairy tale homes are made of. ^
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-Deb
Kim is a writer, interior designer and sales rep. She is also a complete klutz that can crank out a killer cartwheel on demand. Her favorite place to write is curled up on the couch, with her two dogs and two cats fighting for a spot on her lap.
Deb Vogler has been creating her own brand of Comfort by Design for more than 15 years. She deals with all aspects of design, from budgeting, to floor plans (renovation or new construction), to furniture, to color at her full-scale design firm. Have a designing question for Deb? Send it to debvogler@msn.com.
27 vintagekc spring 2015
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