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REFLECTIONS OF HOME
Creative Study Spaces
by Lisa Jensen
I’m a fan of Sarah Susanka’s innovative
book, The Not So Big House, because it shows you don’t
have to have a huge budget or expansive square footage to
craft spaces that enhance the way you live. In fact, the coziest
nooks and crannies often become the most popular spots in
a home.
So it goes without saying that study spaces are designed
to be just such places and a new home with these areas can
nurture a love of learning in children – and make doing
adult work almost a treat (almost).
As a freelance writer with two grade-schoolers, a preschooler
and a computer-oriented husband, I spent a good deal of time
ensuring that our new 2,500 square-foot home includes interesting
and comfortable spaces for study.
First, a two-way fireplace shared by the family room and
kitchen opens to an 11-foot island that splits into a food
preparation workspace and table-style seating for five. The
sitting area angles toward the hearth, offering a friendly
gathering spot for after-school homework. My husband and I
can help the kids while we get dinner ready.
An archway supported by columns connects the kitchen and
hearth area to our dining room, which offers a larger, quieter
space for homework. A tray ceiling gives it a nestled feel
and a sliding door provides a view of the woods behind our
home.
There’s a den in the front of our home that we use as
a home office. It’s a basic square room. To add interest,
we added bookcases around the window – an idea I “stole”
from my new neighbor. Her den has two windows surrounded by
shelving (above, below and along the sides of each window).
French doors provide the finishing touch to her library.
On our home’s second floor, we enclosed an 8’
x 6’loft area with a bookcase. A kid can escape there
to work on the computer or read in a large, overstuffed chair.
When we finish our lower level, we will build a cozy booth
beneath the stairs for coloring, game playing and homework.
The slanted “ceiling” from the overhead stairs
will make it the type of interesting space kids enjoy.
Teens and older children often appreciate more privacy for
reading and studying, according to Marc Behrens, home plan
designer for Design Basics. “Whether they want to study
in peace and quiet – or with their stereo blasting –
they appreciate their own spaces. It could be a built-in desk
or window seat in their room…or a real get-away such
as a finished attic space or a finished room over the garage
(F.R.O.G.).”
To look at home plans with F.R.O.G.s, dens, computer areas,
or bonus rooms, go to HerHome.com/homeplans
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