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Let me show you my mess.
You know where most of that stuff needs to go? A thrift store. Or the trash.
This is my much-maligned downstairs. (Mostly maligned by me. Well, and the children. They malign it frequently.)
This area was originally intended to be a basement, and it’s constructed as if it were a basement, with cement floors and mostly cinderblock walls. When construction started, the builder told us that he had found too much rock. Digging down the basement would be very expensive. He suggested building up–making the basement the ground floor and putting the main floor of the house on the second floor. The nice side effect of this decision was that we have a great view from the main floor. And seriously, can you imagine if this had not happened this way? If the main floor of the house was at ground level, we’d have all the chickens roosting on the porch instead of just a few, and Clover would be sitting in a rocking chair drinking iced tea from a Mason jar and ordering cookies.
Anyway! So, we have a basement that is not a basement. This often creates confusion for people. Sometimes people think our house is huge. If the basement were below grade as it was intended, the actual main house would look a lot smaller. The house isn’t actually that big, which is why we decided to go with a basement to begin with. There wasn’t enough space in the house for bedrooms for three teenagers. Morgan has a small loft bedroom upstairs, on a third floor that is just her bedroom and a small bathroom. The only other room where I could put the boys was the bedroom at the back of the house that we use now to keep the wood stove and for some office space. (I work at home.) Couldn’t really see cramming two teenage boys in there. So, we built the basement that is not a basement. It’s the same dimensions, of course, as the main floor of the house. (About 1100 square feet.) We sat down with the builder and devised an outline for the floor space, creating two bedrooms at either end on the back side. Between the bedrooms, we made a large utility space with a big wash tub for dogs and vegetables (hmmm…… that doesn’t sound too good, does it?) and a bathroom for the boys. Since there was plenty of space and we had a free extra washer and dryer, we had the builder put washer/dryer hookups in there and it has been fabulous for the boys to have their own laundry. If you have teenage boys, you know what I mean.
The remaining space is divided by a staircase to go upstairs. One side is a “den” for the teenagers. An old couch is in there, a weight bench set they had, a rough desk for their computer, and a TV.
The other side was intended to be storage space, but it’s so disorganized and junked up, it’s useless. I also keep a few freezers there.
The entire space is brutally spartan. Cement floors. Cinderblock walls on all walls but the walls for the bedrooms and bathroom. Floor joists for ceilings.
Time has a way of passing, and with it, children grow. And LEAVE YOU. Ross is in the Navy. Weston is headed for college soon. (How? Why? Can’t we start over with kindergarten???) To make myself feel better over this abandonment by my offspring, and because I like to utilize space, I have begun to dream a little dream down there.
No, not a dream. A plan!
I’m going to start by getting rid of all that junk. I’m going to get rid of the weight bench, too. Ross told me he isn’t going to want to ever take it, and Weston never uses it. (Note Weston’s jacket hanging on it in the photo above.) I’m going to strip the space down–and transform it. This year, for the first time, I can afford to use my tax refund for something other than keeping myself out of jail. I’m just kidding. About the jail. I’ve never been to jail. I swear! Anyway, I’m going to invest my tax refund in the house. Make this space lighter, airier, and more comfortable. I see classroom/workshop space. Shelves, a few worktables. LOTS OF LIGHTING. I think paint for the block walls to brighten them up. Maybe some wall hangings–old quilts. The bedrooms are already sheetrocked. I see two bedrooms that with elbow grease, paint, trim, throw rugs, ceiling tiles, careful selections from antique stores and auctions, and assorted other accoutrements can be turned into old-fashioned, cute “farmhouse” style bedrooms. The theme will be simple, quaint, vintage.
Ross’s room, already partly cleaned out. The only thing that will stay is the bed. (It’s an antique spindle bed that was mine as a child.)
I see a Weekend Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast with Cheesemaking Classes. Or a Weekend Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast with Soapmaking Classes. Heck, if you just want a Weekend Farmhouse Bed & Breakfast with Feeding Clover Cookies, you can have that, too.
I see a tax refund that I can invest into something that will change my life, offer me some added security, and give me another way to bring in income and support the farm. And Clover’s cookies. And a barn.
And so, before I start this project, I’m giving you the “before” pictures. I’ll be posting as I take it step by step, cleaning it out, stripping it down, and building it back up and decorating it–on a very frugal budget. I’ll need your ideas! Wanna come along?
Posted by Suzanne McMinn on February 24, 2011
Very cute, nicely done.
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Can’t wait to see the after pictures
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Wishing you much fun in attaining ‘the dream’, looking forward to seeing the on-going project
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You have two old freazers paint those too. Make everything bright down there also.
Most of all have fun with it.
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Project process depends on if your basement walls get damp. We used the green dry wall over polystyrene just in case of moisture.
My lurker status is fading this week.
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Fabulous idea, Suzanne, seriously! I have friends in Missouri who have Bed and Breakfast places and it’s an interesting venture. And the ‘farmhouse’ style is a refreshing break for the stuffy, too-girlie Victorian style that a lot of B & B’s go with.
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Cathy would paint for cheese, lol!
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Put a long counter along a wall, lots of extra storage! Also, a good sink, one of those with a really deep side and a shallow side, and a gas stove that’s easy to use during power outages or for summer canning, and one refrigerator, but leave room for a second one too!
Guests can have a coffee maker there, some juice or whatever one of the fridges and a little table since not everyone enjoys being sociable very first thing in the AM, this gives them a chance to have a cuppa before they come up for real brekkies.
Some of this is because we had a downstairs summer-kitchen growing up, and some because I had good friends who had a B&B downstairs like you’re talking about. All they had was a tiny kitchenette, but canning, cheesemaking, extra cooking room for you will be invaluable I promise!
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Dianna
http://www.thesedaysofmine.com
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Euni
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We live in an old farmhouse, but, fortunately, we have a full basement. It is an underground one and is very dark. We’re hoping for more light and some paint this year, anyway. We have a tornado shelter built into the basement that is lined with shelves and jars (doesn’t make much sense to have exploding glass in the tornado shelter, does it?) . . .
So, we are really looking forward to watching your progress – what an undertaking!
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If you take all of your “junk” to the thrift store it will give you good karma and you will get what you need in return, maybe not all at once, but eventually.
Go for it
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You might also consider creating a rag rug for the floor by the beds. You can braid it or crochet it or hook it or however you like and wind up with something pretty and useful. Ever tried one? It can make a sealed and painted concrete floor more comfortable on your feet with almost no investment of money.
I’d plan on taking the unused space and sketching out on paper what you’d need for craft classes–obviously sink, counter to work on, small two burners or small stove for canning and heating, shelves for storing pots, jars, supplies. Can you create a space for about 6-8 chairs so you could demo for a small class? If so, consider suspending a tilted mirror over the table so people could look down into your pots. (They added this to the meeting room in my library so they could do all kinds of craft demos which are enormously popular.) If you only had two bedrooms to rent out, you could now and then have small craft classes. For example, in the fall offer a 4 hour class with lunch on making Christmas ornaments, homemade presents, and gift baskets of goodies. You could do that! Lunch could be grandmother’s bread, homemade cheese, homecanned vegetable salad and pickles with samples of what you’re including in the gift basket. If I lived within a hundred miles I’d take that class!
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Regarding the basement fixing-up: Do look into Bed & Breakfast regulations for WV before you start building, if you haven’t already. A license is required and to get one, there are code items that must be met. The state says it wants to encourage small business owners but also wants to ensure guest safety.
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When you can buy the insulation and sheetrock it would be a wise investment, I think!
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
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I had a friend who (very carefully) applied contact paper to an old refrigerator and it looked GREAT (just an idea)!
You will have to let Mark know what kind of furniture you need and he can start “trolling” his sources. Two days ago, he helped a friend clean out an office – you can ask him if that person is willing to give away/sell some items. Also, we need to go to a couple of auctions this summer! Girls Day Out!
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Yes, it’s hard when the kids leave home.. are we ever “ready?” I wasn’t. But ya know, when you do a great job as a parent (as you obviously have..) those kids go out into the world and make great lives for themselves.. LEAVING US WITH BEDROOMS AND BASEMENTS AVAILABLE TO REMODEL!!!! LOL.
I LOVE the FARMHOUSE B and B idea.
Your adventures will never be over, because YOU are a go getter, a dreamer, a DO-er and have the Spirit it takes to make lemonade out of lemons. (And bedrooms out of basements..)
YOU GO GIRL! I’ll be tuning in!
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You have the perfect place for a small extra kitchen for canning, cheese making, etc. Also to store crocks and jars, canners, juicers, as well as the products of your labor, etc. A good old second hand stove, fridge and sink, etc..and you are good to go…
This would take the heat and mess out of your (company) kitchen, and also it would be a cooler work area in the basement…
I would love to have a canning room…Lucky You!
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Do the best you know how and are able; and don’t beat your self up over the “if onlys”.
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If you have time, check out my website. We did pretty much what you are planning, except we moved down the road 1/2 mile. The really great part is that you already have bathroom and laundry facilities, just need some kind of kitchen or efficiency area.
When we checked into zoning, we couldn’t be an official B&B unless we lived in the same residence, so you shouldn’t have much problem there…(ours became a “rental retreat”, which was wonderful since no zoning or conditional use permits were necessary).
I filled my retreat with Goodwill treasures, attic treasures, and auction finds, just as I’m sure you will. People love my place and I know they will love yours, especially when connected to a class or workshop.
It sounds so FUN too!!
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I think the rooms should look just like the bedroom you showed us at Mammy Jane’s. (LOL) And I love the idea of painting the floors – you can tape it off and make a quilt pattern on the floor in paint!!! I am so excited for you!
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Sue M.
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I dream of building a small cottage in our lower lot for a B&B/Guesthouse and for us to live in when we are too old to climb the stairs in our house. We would live in the cottage (perhaps with a caregiver) and rent the main house. A dream, but one that I hope comes true someday.
I would love to visit your Chickens in the Road B&B someday! Keep us posted!
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Mary
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I love your vision.
BTW How are your afghans coming along?
Pam
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We have a basement that is 3/4 finished, with a family room, 2 bedrooms, laundry room, bath, and combo craft-homeschooling room. The two children who occupied those rooms are gone and the family room hasn’t been redone for over 10 years. I tore out a wall and enlarged the craft area, and we are in the process putting ceramic tile throughout.. ourselves, any one got any knee pads? lol
Oh and on the barn thing.. we have 150 beef cows, and they started calving this week in sw mo. We have NO barn!!! not for the cows anyway. We are in the same boat as the pioneer woman.. except for the rich thing ha. I know a LOT of other people with similar cattle operations, that have NO barns.
I have to imagine all the people complaining that you should set up your barn before your home, live in a city.
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I love the idea of the cheese and soap making classes. Great thinking! See, we women are super!!!!
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Basically we kept the saddles and riding equipment in the barn, and it was only used for milking and for a couple of orphaned calves who used the milk cows!
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I am currently planning on redoing my kitchen with my tax refund, and spend countless hours on these “decorating on a dime” blogs. There are some amazing ideas out there… with an imagination on some people that astounds me. Kind of like our own CindyP! She took what I saw as a old tool box and made it into a spice cupboard… or her dresser turned kitchen island. Cindy is the Queen of Repurposing!
Beadboard seems to be the most popular wall covering right now, and I understand it isn’t hard to work with.
We got a great deal on wood laminate flooring for less than $1 a square foot and installed that in out living room. It came out beautiful, has a 30 year warranty, and was not nearly as hard as we thought it would be to install.
So, there are LOTS of options out there… and I am sure it will be a great adventure living your dreams.
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Go to it girl, you’ve already got bookings, just waiting to know when we can come.
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I think it is very doable. I actually think you have the right idea about keeping it very simple and frugal. Paint the walls (insulation does sound good in the long run), paint the floor. Use old country decor. Give the people what they want…..the animals, the crafts and the simple life!
Later, when the money is there, do the rustic wood floors, a different wall finish, etc. Get some feedback from your guests.
You are headed in the right direction and I wish you great success.
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Suzanne, what a wonderful plan. Dreams do come true, but a good plan is essential as you well know, they take a lot of hard work and I am sure you will be sucessful. I dont think there will be a lack of guests wanting to book a stay at your B&B I certainly wish you the best of luck and am anxious to watch the transformation.
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We were at the kids leaving spot about 5 years ago too. WE found ourselves with three bedrooms, a full basement and a full garage ( and I mean FULL of stuff!). We unloaded just about eveything we owned in about a year’s time. It took that long. We had lots of yard sales, sold stuff in the “buy and sell” rag and gave things away to anyone who wanted them. A lot went to the dump too!
It takes time to let go of some things, emotionally, and to realize that you really don’t need that. You don’t need three heavay duty winter farm coats, for instance. One is really enough with another stored away for back up. Those unfinished projects and raw material for possible future projects went too, most of them, anyway. I took a serious look at what I was actually going to get done and what I was not really going to do.
A lot of stuff with sentimental and no practical value went too. Those are the hardest to let go of but if your kids don’t want them and you are not ever going to use them, what good are they? I gave a lot to other family members who wanted them.
Unloading all your material possessions and their hold on you is so liberating!! I have to be careful now not to collect a lot of stuff again.
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I love your blog! I have shared your link with my readers. I think they will enjoy it too!
Thanks!
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You will feel so much better when all that STUFF is gone from your home and your life. It will free up a logjam in your mental energy levels!
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Perhaps someone else that lives in an area where the climate changes a lot has had a better experience with painting cement floors and can tell you what they used that worked long-term – several years vs a few months. Otherwise, I’d recommend not using the paint on them.
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One of the comments above mentioned beadboard. Fabulous idea, as long as you insulate all the walls and sheet rock above the beadboard.If you paint those blocks, it’s always going to look like a bunker basement…not the ambiance I think you’re going for. Good luck..it’s a great idea. Just don’t cut corners and have to go back and wish you hadn’t.
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You are an inspiration and a wonderful source of vicarious farm living for me, so it would be a blast to have a long talk on the porch w/someone who has been a good friend (at least in my head, lol!) for a long time. Best of luck on your new endeavour.
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I knew I wasn’t alone !!!!! Only problem is I don’t have a downstairs basement…. I use one of our big unused bathrooms.
FIlled the tub and shower, now I am working on the surrounding area.. Feels so good to know I have my STUFF when I need or want it.. I do wish I too had a third freezer.. Love your nutcake recipes.. You should see what I do to a fruitcake !!!!.
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