Title of this draft? MOVE-IN &…YUCK.

Greg and I have always dreamed of a finished attic space. We investigated the possibility at our last house, but the beams just wouldn’t cooperate. Our new home had the option of a finished attic, and we jumped on it without even putting much thought into what it would be. We’ve long called it “The Bonus Room”, but it wasn’t until we moved in that we realized we had VERY DIFFERENT plans for this space. With so much going on elsewhere in the house, we never really had the time or energy to disagree about it. It has a cute little landing at its entrance and steps  down into it, so every time we got frustrated with the mess, we couldn’t help but say, “But it’s so wonderful! It’s such an amazing space! What should it be? It’s clearly going to be EVERYTHING AT ONCE.”

Draft 1: A little work, a lot of play.

I always envisioned the attic to be a space for desks (homework), my writing desk, the books, sewing, and project/crafting space; a place for Science Fair exhibit work, diorama creation, Christmas card making, sewing, puzzles, and just all things “doing”. Greg had thought it would easily double as a playroom for the girls. My gut told me “no way can homework space and play space coexist peacefully”, but as the movers brought in loads, “just stick it in the bonus room” became my go-to phrase.

It was SUCH a mess for the first 2 weeks we lived here. Multi-use cacophony doesn’t begin to describe it. Just trying to organize it helped Greg warm to my plan for desks. Luckily, Goomommy and Goodaddy liked the idea of “desks for Christmas”, and my room plan came together quickly. When Greg assembled the desks, I loved the education he received about how the girls “play”. “Lori! Did you know there is TRASH in here? There is just…GARBAGE! There are toys piled on ponytails, lying on top of pencils, and there is….JUNK EVERYWHERE!” He’s never cleaned their playroom. He didn’t know, and now he can never un-know. Bless his heart. I did the deep cleaning (and throwing out of the junk kids accumulate) while he did the assembly. By the end, we had very similar ideas for how this space would work.

Draft 2: More work than play!

Greg got the fun bookshelf from a photographer who bought it for a shoot and didn’t use it. Score! We found desks to coordinate, and with Greg’s mighty muscles, the toy armoire (in reality, it was a piece of furniture from the nursery, but it’s too cute to sell), and the toy chests all made it to the basement. I promised the girls I’d find a great space for “Calico Critter World”, and in the back corner is a shelf neatly organized next to a large area for the imaginary play which occurs with their favorite toys (in perpetuity). The craft supplies have been organized into the attic’s closet, and it looks almost exactly like The Art Closet from our old house. The only change is that the play-dough bucket is now a duct tape bucket, almost making me tear up at how fast childhood is flying by. All other toys have made it to the basement, and the girls seem giddy to have them where they used to be. They are equally giddy with their super cool desks, and for one entire day, I didn’t have to ask them to do homework. If only I could bottle the excitement that comes from a new, spotless work space…

Panoramic View of Draft #2.

I unpacked my sewing “area” along the back wall, and for now, my writing corner is near the window. There is also a couch on the far side of the bookshelf for reading and bugging Mommy while she’s trying to write. I call this a draft, because it’s not done. All rooms in this house will see several drafts-in-motion as we spend many years settling into our home. This.will.not.be.fast. Next I hope to find coordinating white desks for me and Daddy, and then I’ll paint the walls grey. I will attempt to turn the accents cobalt blue and tangerine orange, but don’t hold your breath. This room wants for color. The last phase will involve a rebuild of The Beast around the windows with a window seat, and then a removal of the old bookshelf on the right wall. The girls have asked for bulletin boards between their desks, and I foresee a larger project table in our future. Oh yeah…and there’s that issue of the girls needing desk chairs. Apparently they not only want desks, but they want to SIT THERE too. Jeez.

The room has been in its current state for about 6 hours. The girls and I have already started a large puzzle. It’s so awesome to be able to walk across this room.

Calico Critter World has been blessed by the Calico Critter Priestess (Sara). They said it was too pretty to disrupt (just yet). This will be a tornado soon, I promise.

And Christmas teacher gifts have begun. This week’s projects include so much Christmas packaging, you’ll be over me and my wild wrapping by Saturday morning.

Alrighty gang, we have a new crafting space, and that can mean only one thing: it’s time for me to make a mess SO BIG, you’ll wonder if I have magic cleaning elves. I do not, but there’s no stopping us now! Grab the hot glue gun, STAT! (1st drawer below the doors, left side, front half). I look forward to sharing my new space with you!