IDEAS? all of the problems of a 1920’s house none of the charm

2 years ago

This space is doing my head in with its ALMOST symmetry. I want symmetry or not . Not this weird in between ness. Why this wall on the left? It’s not load bearing. The banisters are different lengths, the spindles don’t line up. There’s an exposed roof beam protruding out of one side of the weird curved ceiling. I can either do major structural work to make it symmetrical or something weird to make each side more different so it doesn’t ping my OCD. And the plaster keeps falling off the crumbling breeze block walls. 1920s house with none of the charm and all of the sherbet walls 👍 Ideas? 🤷‍♀️ (other than knocking it down and starting again - tempted)

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Comments (10)

Vicky Pow
2 years ago
Oh dear I hear you on the almost symmetry!! I think you are going to have to embrace some of it. I’d see if there’s any easy bits to change or that could be sorted with decor changes, focus on those and learn to love the rest! I used to live in a Victorian end terrace which had no period features and all the downsides due to its age, it was also built on a corner and not a single room was square, drove me bonkers 😂
Good luck with the Reno
Susy Q
2 years ago
Where does the door on the left in the first picture go to? Can you bring it forward at all so it doesn’t just look like an extra odd bit? And then change the spindles to matching ones?
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Chris Morgan-Jones
2 years ago
Tricky. I think I’d move the door on the left forwards and put a large mirror above the stairs to reflect natural light on to the stairs and create a sort of symmetry illusion (if that makes sense).
C D
2 years ago
Agree with previous comments. I would bring the left door forward and replace the banister to aligned (but thy is almost secondary). Then paint the whole thing in one color: ceiling and walls to unify and hide the slopping ceiling area. Good luck! Seem a big job!
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Pearl Interiors
2 years ago
Hi HU-131422928 - I can appreciate the struggle with trying to create symmetry! Looking at the photos youve put I would say bringing the door on the left forward slightly would create the symmetry that you're after but would obviously decrease the space on the landing so it really depends on where you want to prioritise that space.

I would also consider changing the spindles here for something like glass? Looking at this I can see that one side is slightly longer than the other but taking out the spindles it wouldnt be as obvious that one side is longer than the other - Unless you wanted to do some more structural work of course and move the door on the other side as well to match up perfectly.

Looks like you have some lovely natural light coming in through that window, I would think about moving that light fitting over the stairs as well just to create some light in what otherwise looks like quite a dark space directly over the stairs - Perhaps a lower hanging pendant light? There are some beautiful and very affordible ones out there!

Good luck - Danielle xx
Jonathan
2 years ago
The spindles are not likely to be original so if you want to replace them you can. You could also move the left door. Most likely the house has been altered over the years which is why it has quirks.

However the sloped ceiling is charming and it’s nice to have a landing with natural light and plenty of room.

I think you are looking at this critically perhaps because you are battle weary from being in the middle of a bigger project (?)

Perhaps you should try to be pragmatic and concede that all houses have quirks, it’s a room that you pass through so shouldn’t break the bank, and when the decorating and carpet unifies the look it will be less noticeable. Furthermore favourite pictures on the wall will grab attention from minor issues of the spindles.

So my advice is to not knock this room around but instead concentrate your efforts on rooms you spend your time in.
Sue S
2 years ago
Why does it need to be symmetrical? Knock down that crumbling wall, replace the banisters with something sleeker, maybe glass as suggested elswhere, and enjoy the light and space it will bring to the landing and stairs. That narrow "corridor" is unnecessary, either on the landing or as part of the room.
HU-131422928
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you for comments so far, excellent balanced opinions to drag me out of my pedantism. I do spend a lot of time in this space getting my daughter ready for school/bed. She has ADHD so needs constant prompting. I sit on the top step, usually with a cat on my knee. I also sit here when I’m upset/uncertain/anxious/procrastinating. Or I just sit with my cats for a breather. They enjoy the warm pipes under the landing floor. So this space is a lot more important than you might think. It doesn’t have to be symmetrical, I agree it will be better anyway with decorating, mirrors, pictures, plants, pendant lights. But I’m going to get a quote for moving the door , shortening the wall and replacing the banisters. If I don’t, I’ll always wonder.
rinked
2 years ago
"I also sit here when I’m upset/uncertain/anxious/procrastinating. Or I just sit with my cats for a breather. "

There you have part of the issue. Your negative energies might have anchored here. And it tells me you might be overwhelmed and need to step back a bit emotionally and give that ocd a moment to relax. Like, for example, a good plasterer will know what to do to fix those walls before plastering them. And find another spot to unwind, as you will most likely only notice the spindles spacing when sitting right in front of (or inbetween?) them.

The other commenters are right. When renovating it's a bit of give and take. Be realistic to what you can change (and doesn't break the bank) and what simply is the house's (hi-)story. I actually like a bit of quirk, it reminds us on how we're not perfect and that is perfectly ok.

Leave some wonder in. Leave some questions unanswered. Marvel over the why and accept you will never know. But also move that doorway forward, that would indeed look better. ;)
arc3d
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Take out the breeze block wall completely. Add a fake beam(s) to make a feature of it along the window wall.

IDEAS? all of the problems of a 1920’s house none of the charm

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Vicky Pow

Susy Q

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Chris Morgan-Jones

C D

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IDEAS? all of the problems of a 1920’s house none of the charm

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