We are at the stage of 101 decisions, each one affecting something down the road, and leading to another decision. Going through kitchen layouts, storage issue solutions, flooring, tile, fixtures, hardware, and colors can be overwhelming, but it is also the enjoyment of renovation, to those of us that love to play amateur architect and interior designer. As a graphic designer, and an amateur landscape designer / gardener – I figure I am not that far off. I know enough, and am bold enough, to be dangerous. But that is the thrill.
The great thing, among many, about a shotgun cottage is the flexibility of what you can do with the rooms. Having essentially a row of “parlor” type rooms, shotguns can be configured and reconfigured into many layouts. Traditionally bedrooms are often in the front, behind pocket doors, kitchen in the back (because they were hot and dirty). In modern times, kitchens have been brought to the front, so one doesn’t have to walk through bedrooms to reach the kitchen. My shotgun has three original “parlors” to the house, before you get to the main bathroom and bedroom. Front parlor with a front door, and half walls on the opposite side leading to the heart of the house which is two parlors with a floor to ceiling fireplace running in the middle. The previous owner removed the walls separating these rooms. The parlor behind the fireplace is smaller and has a side exterior door.
So, the big decisions this week: the kitchen and solving storage issues.
Kitchen The previous kitchen was in the third room, behind the fireplace with a side exterior door. The mission: To wedge a small, functional L-shaped kitchen in a corner behind the fireplace (as is), which will require moving the side door, and thus leaving the middle parlor for super flexibility where one or the other can be used as living room or dining room, and the front parlor as a flexible living room / spare bedroom – OR take the leap – and take up the entire middle parlor with a large open double galley with island in front of the fireplace, thus fixing the front parlor for mainly living room usage, and less possibility as a second bedroom. Third room would then become dining room / office space.
Storage The challenging thing about old shotguns is the lack of storage Did I say lack? I meant the nonexistent storage. There are no closets. These houses were built at time where personal storage was fullfilled by beautiful and/or functional and original pieces of furniture. Chifforobes were the common piece of furniture used. They were usually made of regional cypress and sometimes had cedar linings. They had drawers on one side and hanging space on the other. Laundry was done outside with a bucket, a washboard and a clothes line. I am fortunate to have a small hallway closet deep enough for a broom and vacuum cleaner ant not much else. Figuring out how to store things is a fun and challenging puzzle.
This house style by its very nature encourages simple living, which is a good thing. It is a lifestyle. More about that later.
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