Minimalism

My mother-in-law and I connect on many levels, including family and cooking. But design? This is a passion for her, as I believe she designs houses while she sleeps. She is gifted.

I always thought I read floorplans well and even sent her some as we were looking. No. We chose the view.

The floorplan forces minimalism, which is great for single male athletes who live here and have a leather sofa and and Eames chair and some random art on the walls.

We have a life to live, a story to play out. We have stuff. OK, I have stuff. My husband has every electrical cord and tool he’s ever met. I have photos and papers.

As m-i-l said, our space is awkward. It demands minimalism from someone who has three dog beds (two in the house, an orthopedic one in my car). I like to think I read floorplans well, in this case we liked the view.

We have to leave 5-8 feet around the living area, and 10′ in the bedroom so I’m trying to use the place to meet our needs despite the configuration, and maximize views.

OK, I’ll fess up. I’m living in a Man Cave. I didn’t know it because it’s bright, very bright starting at 4 a.m., but a man cave nonetheless. I’m a middle-aged woman about to celebrate ten years of marriage with my prince and I chose a man cave in the rust belt.

I thought I saved my husband from man caves! Well, at least we don’t have string cheese wrappers on the floor from the frig to the computer. He says I made him a “food snob.” Yes, he now does care what kind of cheese goes on his grilled cheese sandwich and tells me when a bread is “too wheaty.”

Please bear with me as I actually take a day off and come back next week to make this minimalist place a reality. First we need to hang the 100 year-old quilt! Dee