A Master Suite — The Before Pictures

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Before I reveal the new Master Suite, let's take a quick trip down memory lane to remember what we were dealing with on the 2nd floor, pre-renovation.

In the old configuration, when you reached the top of the stairs on the 2nd floor, you had this weird 5ft. x 5ft. space that opened up to the floor below. You had a kitchen to your right and a tiny bathroom and dining room to your left. This is the area I would claim as my Master Suite.

I remember before I moved in, I thought the open space was there to provide a way to move big objects easily up to the second floor (rather than try to use the windy stairs), but when I moved in, I didn't find it helpful in moving my bog things like my box springs. 

Obviously it was an architectural element that somebody at some point in time thought important and it did have a lovely light on the 4th floor that shone down all the way to the Parlor.

However, in the end, 25 sq. ft of air, in a house that is only 13'8" wide, is a luxury I could not afford.

The weird open space to the floor below.

The weird open space to the floor below.

The old kitchen to the right of the stairs.

The old kitchen to the right of the stairs.

The old bath right off the landing.

The old bath right off the landing.

So we began by closing up the space between the two floors and opening up the area where the old bath had been. We encroached slightly on the old kitchen area to give us as much space as possible and to put the "Master" back in Master Bath.

Here is a peek into the new bath as you come up the stairs.

Walking inside the bath and looking toward the end where the full width shower would go — you can see the shower pan for its base. You can also see where the door used to come into that bath - way back when. We had considered having the door go there, but ruled it out when we discovered that the space wasn't wide enough for both a bathtub and a shower. Early plans even considered a bathing area - with an open shower next to the tub - but they were ruled out in lieu of putting a shower on one end and a tub on the other.  

When we demoed the kitchen area, we were hoping that the fireplace that had peaked out behind the kitchen cupboards was still there. Alas, it had been bricked up probably 40 some years ago. So this would be my new sitting room — complete with a full wall closet, and TV viewing area. 

Once we were down to the bones, it was time for the rebuilding to start. It would take us awhile to finish, but the results were well worth the effort.

—Laurie