Better Renovations: Koala Room, After

The Koala Room will probably forever go by its former title as the Lilac Room, so called for obvious reasons. This room was pretty structurally sound to start, so it was just a matter of taking care of a few basics. Nils, Cigir, Tyler, and I got in there over Memorial Day for the first coat of paint. From there, it was a matter of tying up some loose ends:

• Clearing out a lot of unused items
• Slapping on a fresh coat of eco-friendly paint
• Patching a few holes in the floor
  
• Stitching curtains out of a pile of long-forgotten fabric and screwing in hooks for the curtain rods
  
• Reappropriating the steamer trunk we found underneath a defunct television. Upon turning it on its side, we discovered it was actually a mini bureau!
• Bringing the gem of a koala lamp in here (traded for the owl lamp, now in the Owl Room)
• Installing energy-efficient bulbs
• Installing bunk beds
• Tracking down some fresh linens from storage
• A thorough dusting, sweeping, and floor washing

Better Renovations: Lilac Room, Before

The Lilac Room (as Lana so-named it) will soon be renamed as soon as we redesign everything to match this owl lamp. Just kidding. Sort of.

The room itself is in the best condition of any room on the second floor - nice walls, good structure, big. This also means it could hold lots of bedding for the days when we're running workshops throughout the summer. That should be a consideration for our updates and renovations.

• De-clutter
• Bureau in above-left photo needs new handles, a good sanding and refurbishing, or should be replaced entirely
• Paint is pretty good, but we'll check for smudges and disrepair
• The ceiling droops a little near the door
• Speaking of the door, it's no good. Window slots are empty so there's not really any privacy; and the fabric over the holes is old and musty
• Curtain rods should replace the tacks holding the fabric up at the windows; new curtains should be brought in
• Mattress is old and way soft - definitely room for at least one bunk bed and a single bed
• Filled hole at top of brick near door was the chimney point for a wood-burning stove that used to live up here. Maybe we can cover it...?