Attic: Tear Sheets

Attics conjure up romantic images; ballgowns stored in old trunks, old treasures waiting to be rediscovered, somewhere to hide with a good book and an afternoon nap. The realities of modern life are such that space is at a premium, and who has the luxury of time to escape with a good book and a snooze.

A friend acquired ancient attic space with the recent purchase of a heritage home. The space sits unused, never finished. Yet, with limited room in an older home, it seems a waste to let it sit there. The brief for this attic room is: guest room, storage space and yes, a place where the owner can sit and read a book on a free, rainy afternoon.

I've been acquiring tear sheets and ideas for this space. I love the idea of the open rafters painted white - though living in a cold climate such as BC, this idea may be nixed in favor of insulating and drywalling the ceiling. Espresso bamboo flooring provides a nice anchor for the room. A queen size bed would fit in the center of the room. Low, built-in cabinetry along the side walls would accommodate storage, and the top could be used by guests as a place to put laptops, small bags and other items. Chairs would provide a double use as night stands and somewhere to sit while working on a laptop. An armoir in the corner would provide additional storage. And if there's still space... a comfy chair for reading in...