Do you have a space in your house that is more awkward than a 13 year old boy at a school dance? With knobby elbows, legs too long, and feet he hasn’t grown into yet- once that music starts, you can’t help but stare. You get the picture. It’s a train wreck. These are the awkward spaces my friends.
The awkward spaces in my house? The. Kitchen. Table. It has literally, been a pain in my arse since we moved in. I have tried every kind of table. I have pinned a million “inspiration” ideas. We even went through a whole kitchen remodel.
Is it better? Yes.
Is it just right? No.And it drives me nuts!
Awkward spaces
I’m talking looney bin, tie straps, cart me off kind of nuts. Not only that, my constant changing, planning, and buying different tables, is driving Darling Hubby nuts. {and to be fair, he is usually super patient with my crazy table schemes}. Here is the current area in question:
Do you see those back windows? Those used to be sliding doors. Yep, some brilliant architect decided that you should put doors to go outside right behind a seating area. Duh. So, our kitchen remodel included changing the doors to windows and moving the doors {which were also changed from sliders to French} to the far end of the kitchen. Check.
Here is a pic of the giant hole in the back of my house during Phase II {along with Darling Hubby and Little Miss} Awkward space is now a tiny bit less awkward.
Now, look up. Do you see the GIANT table? Well, not only are we a family of 5 who eats every meal, every night, together around the table, keep in mind that 3 of us are 5 years old and under. Insert wriggling, poking, spilling, flinging images here…needless to say, everyone needs their “space.”
Also, we often have anywhere from 1-5 extra guests for parties or Sunday night dinners. We are blessed with a large, close family. That usually ends up with a small, close area to eat.
Then there is the beloved half wall.
Technically the half wall contains duct work for the cold air return. Really, it’s true and apparent purpose is two fold. First it functions as a magnet to draw to it every loose paper, random pen, and occasional toy. Secondly, it effectively traps every unwitting victim in a table-wall-sandwich from which you will never escape.
So…to recap, here is a summary of the total awkwardness of this space:
- Right in the path outside, through the kitchen, and just about everywhere else
- Squishy, squashy, squeezy
- Don’t move too quickly around the counter, you’ll earn a pretty sweet bruise on your side
- I hope you are patient if you are in the corner, you aren’t going anywhere anytime soon
So, now we are in the process of installing phase three of Operation Awkward Space. Stay tuned!
Do you have any awkward spaces in your house? Do you live with it or knock out walls?
What is your project going to be next Sunday?
~Leanne
Find me on: Web
We have a man made awkward space at the moment – we have two doors in the living room, one leading in from the hall, the other leading out into the dining room. My partner decided we totally had to get a huge sofa that makes getting in and out of both doors awkward… sigh. 🙂 #anythinggoes
Author
Ahhh…the age old question of comfort vs functionality. To be fair, I tend to pick comfort too. I can just image two people trying to get by a tiny path and a huge sofa {bump, crash}…?
We have a sliding glass door right next to our kitchen table also. Luckily, we have enough room around ours. Our awkward space is where the recliner is in the great room. It’s right next to the kitchen, and if you walk by the recliner when someone gets out of it, you’re likely to get hit!
Author
What in the world makes people think a table and a door make a good combination?!?! Geez. Ohhh, bruise to the hip from the corner of a recliner, now that’s fun on a Friday!!! Always nice to have you by for a visit Brenda. Hope the end of the school year is treating you well! ?
I can’t wait to see the end result! Thanks for sharing at Family Joy Blog Link Up!
Author
Thanks! It seems to be the never ending work in progress. At least now I have the incentive to post each stage and actually finish it! I always enjoy the Family Joy Blog Link Up ?
Our dining area is like this Leanne. It drives me bonkers too but there’s no other scope to fix it other than buy a different table (narrower) or get a bench which can sit against the wall rather than chairs, but a bench isn’t as comfy…
Small things eh?! But sooooo annoying!x
Author
That’s what’s in the works- a bench which will hopefully seat a million tiny butt cheeks…but then, there’s the table- I think I’ve bought like 5 different ones, all trying to make something work. I know I shouldn’t be quite so worked up about it but geez. A woman can only take so much! Always a pleasure Miss Gemma?
It’s so frustrating when you can’t get a space exactly how you would like it! Good luck with the next stage of the remodel
Thanks for linking up to #AnythingGoes
Debbie
Author
Thanks!! I think it is going to be a life time work in progress! Thanks for hosting a great linkup!
Since opening our studio, all of our house seems to feel a little awkward, as we have had to fit all the stuff that was in there everywhere else.
Its something I will have to get used to I guess, as it is a necessity, and there is no way I am getting rid of any of my stuff!!
Leah xx
We have a corner that’s just filled with an exercise bike. It’s annoying and pointless x