20.11.2022 Part 2: New lounge/dining area layout

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 The lounge always felt rather cool for three seasons of the year. Certainly compared with the attic. Now I have brightened the room with white paint. More will certainly follow. Probably including painting the dark, pine ceiling white ASAP. The lounge floor is now clear enough for relaxed freedom of movement. Or soon will be. After I have redistributed all the storage boxes of books.

 17.15 I have just been sitting in each of the three Stouby armchairs. Purely as an experiment. It suddenly feels warm [now at 69F!] and remarkably spacious. 

 Image showing a potential new layout. The dining table moved to the north window.

 The long leg of the L-shaped lounge has previously had no useful purpose. Except for access and storage. Because of the existing furniture it could not previously have accepted the dining table. [80x135cm] 

 Moving the present [2] chests of drawers would allow the table to replace them. With hardly any more projection. The table would easily seat four when required. One on each end and two on the long side.

 With fresh insight I am really beginning to see that space as an offset, dining area. There is a rather cluttered window just there. Which could easily be cleared of ornament and decoration. To become a relaxed focal point for the table. Allowing a view to the north. Of the garden and background trees beyond the parking space. Depending on which seat is taken.

 Freeing the main lounge area of the dining table. Would open it up to a far more spacious and practical layout. The lounge might even become a TV watching room. With the TV screen on the blank northern wall. Where the end of the cluttered table is pointing blindly at present.

 Removal of the large, double storage unit and bookshelves has really made the lounge far more useful. I just wasn't seeing it until now. Due to it having had a rigidly fixed layout for so very long. [26 years!] The room filling unit was there when we moved in. We filled it up to the brim. With books above and the cupboards and drawers below stuffed to the gills. Access was all but impossible due to the dining table and chairs in front. A three seater settee along the brick wall only added to the rigidity of the layout.

The new wood stove adds the living flame for a cosy feeling. Thanks to its large glass door and enough warmth for real comfort. Provided the internal doors are close during frosts.

 Talking of dining: Time to think about dinner. Of the top of my head: I have potatoes, chips, pasta, chicken, five kinds of fish, peas, mushrooms, beans, tomatoes, soup, toast, cheese, rolls, tinned tomatoes and... ? It is eight days since I had chips. So, chips with fried diced chicken, mushrooms and halved tomatoes. Adventurous? Me? No. 🙄

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