How important is a toilet… really?
Day by Day September 20th, 2007Yesterday I decided it was time to do something constructive.
To be more precise, do something destructive. I need a bathroom upstairs, because it’s a long and dangerous walk in the middle of the night to the main floor for a pee. The obvious place (and the only place) is in the closet / hallway.
The fact that there is a couple of walls to remove can be remedied with a sledge hammer, a pry bar,a little ambition and lots and lots of dust.
Now, my original idea was that I would remove the walls, and (remember, there’s no real blueprint here) build a wall about 3 feet from the stairs and install a bathroom on the other side of the wall. I suspect it’s easier to say than it is to do. But, I do need a tentative plan. After all, you can’t just knock down a wall for no reason at all.
Well, you can. It IS sort of fun. Moving on…
As soon as the wall started to come down, I realized that there was a lot more light upstairs, (from the window at the end of the hallway) and I liked the look of the open space at the top of the stairs. In fact, I had suspected that would happen before I broke out the first chunk of plaster.
Reality check.
I need a bathroom upstairs.
The new effect is good too, though…
The dog was no help. He had no opinion except that there was a mess on the stairs that someone needed to clean up.
The more lathe and plaster I removed, the more I questioned my need for a bathroom upstairs.
Finally, the walls were gone. I REALLY like the open feeling.
Reality check #2.
You need a bathroom.
Okay, I need a bathroom. However, upon consideration, that business about privacy is kind of over-rated isn’t it?
To confirm my suspicion, I called my brother. Being clear headed, logical, and the most down to earth, practical guy I know, I knew his view would be valuable, and the only opinion I could trust and respect.
Naturally, he agreed. To a point. He suggested that a room containing a toilet should have a degree of privacy. An easy solution would be a couple of plants on each side of the toilet.
Reality check #3
I need a bathroom upstairs.
It’s probably going to be a whole lot smaller than the original plan, though.
September 26th, 2007 at 1:03 am
I really like the “open” feel and the natural light too, Lee . . . perhaps you could skip your brother’s “down to earth”, “practical” opinion and just go with the plants???!!! After all, really, who’ll be using that upstairs bathroom other than you??!!!!
Good luck with your final decision,
Love, Lois