A Cozy Spot To Write Your Resolution...An Unused Corner Gets A New Purpose!

The Bungalow is an iconic American house style that is full of charm and practicality, and, I have to admit, it is one of my favorite types of houses... Here is a typical ad for one that was sold in the Sears catalog from 1913-1929: 

You can only imagine how excited I was when I was contacted by a bungalow owner who wanted help making use of an awkward space in her home...

It was a small space that didn't have much purpose other than just being a walkway between the staircase and the front door, but she was wondering if I could help design a window seat that would create storage space as well as a nice place to curl up with a good book and a cup of tea. 

I loved the idea! --especially since bungalows are known for their cool built-in features. Adding such a neat-o, custom element would be the perfect solution that, if executed well, would look like it was always meant to be there.

You can see that original drawings for such houses showed quaint window seats....

and charming built-in benches perfectly placed so one could sit and talk on the phone.... tee hee

For the space I was to work on, I knew it was important to add a bit of definition so that the seating area would feel like its own area. A simple straight bench plunked along the wall would never feel like a place to sit and relax...it would always seem exposed and somewhat lost in the middle of the larger space.

I felt a half wall would do the trick...

Mimicking the paneling and details of the original woodwork of the house, the dividing wall was put in place. In addition to providing a back for the u-shaped bench, the half wall gives definition to the entryway....

it is a place to set down mail & keys upon entering, 

but still allows the area to be a part of the adjacent living room and dining room.

The carpenter did a beautiful job of incorporating the existing radiator into the design (nice and toasty!), and the space under the bench is ready to store boots, and other items the family needs by the door. 

The family has gained additional living space and storage space with the clever use of existing space. Another one of my favorite things!