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The
Secret Clubhouse
Some time ago, the master staircase reached a point
where it was no longer safe. I might be brave taking on some
things, but in this case, I felt it was time to call in the
pros. When the staircase guy came he informed me the in order
to rebuild the staircase, he would need full access to it from
underneath. In our case there was a small bathroom there, so
out it came... (you can read more about the staircase fix here)
This picture shows what used to be the back wall of
the little bathroom. Notice the space behind the back wall (3
vertical boards). I needed to replace a cracked panel (which
would be behind the back wall on the right in this picture).
So, I removed the old one and made a copy using the original as a
template. When I was sitting in this little cubby space,
installing the panel, I thought about how much I would have loved
discovering a space like this, when I was a kid. So, I
installed spring loaded hinges on the panel and made a secret
door.
I left the panel closed for years. The idea was
that I would let my daughter discover it one day on her own.
And one day it happened. She was playing in the hallway when
she pressed on the secret door and it opened. She was
thrilled! It was a secret space all her own. Within
minutes she had moved a bunch of toys and other kid stuff in there
and had full intentions of claiming it as her own.
Well, it was dark and dingy in there, and I couldn't
see letting her play in there like that, so a good friend of mine
and I squeezed in there and went to work. We put in smooth
walls, moldings, rope lighting (wires all burried, with a big rubber
push button switch that is perfect for little hands) We went
on to paint it her favorite color (yellow) and put down some nice
wall to wall carpeting.
Much better and safer. It's actually very cozy
and comfortable. (if you are under three feet tall)
Once it was furnished, even the baby got in on the
act. Now they use the secret clubhouse every day. Makes
for a great game of Hide and Seek.
Close the door and it all disappears in plain sight!
Pretty cool eh?
If
you have any questions please e-mail us at:
AtLeastImStillFunny@gmail.com
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