LAW 82: Floating Empire gets an extreme makeover

We have lived aboard the Floating Empire for almost two years now. In that time we have learned, the hard way, just what design errors we built into her. Oh yes, of course that sounds like a great idea, lets do that! It will provide us with……. Well now that we are really clear about what works and what doesn't we have started on what amounts to an EXTREME MAKEOVER of the space. Hey, that's what's great about living in a place that you designed and built all by yourself, you only have yourself to blame and can make any changes that you want to.

The first to go, we're going with the open plan

So we are two days into the project and have made some awesomely amazing changes. She feels like a new boat already and if we did nothing more, but we will, we would be much happier with the space.

Look no walls/no privacy

The biggest improvement we have made is in the galley/living area of the boat. We built in a very frustrating choke point with the fore king posts. Yes, they did provide us with a great deal of privacy, as they were just aft of the door. But whoever was working in the galley had to move for the other coming and going with things from outside or even from the breakfront. The solution was to remove the bookcase, the panel that backed it and one of the two king posts. Since the walls are not weight bearing we felt we had to keep, sister and brace the remaining king post. The result? Well we can't quite hold a dance, but instead of two foot space we have closer to five feet of waltzing room. Even if the cat gets into the mix there is plenty of room.

Yes, i know i'll hit my head

So far we have open up the space, removing the bathroom walls in preparation for flipping my studio space and the bathroom as well as opening up enough room to elevate our tiny refrigerator to eye level. This was of particular importance to Mungo, as he really dislikes getting down on his knees t rummage through the frig. I was unconvinced of the importance of this move until it actually happened. After all i was losing art display space. But i do have to say it is far more convenient.

The project for Day Two of Extreme Makeover was building the settee. As you can see it is roughed in. It still needs to be finished. Routed, stained and upholstered. But it is already proving to be more comfortable and more generous in its seating. Not to mention the cat thinks it is pretty cool as well. Speaking of the cat; Magellan is not at all pleased with all the change that is happening in his only home. Nope, he does not like the sound of power tools and is convinced that the world is likely coming to an end.

Really? Get back to work!

Tomorrow we will start moving things around in my studio. Sunday, which promise to be a beautiful day will see us moving my drafting table into position, taking down part of the stern wall of the boat so we can take our 'bathtub' out. It is too big to move out through our door, so down comes a wall and out it goes.

Okay, we're done for the day

Stay tuned, many more adventures in Extreme Makeover are coming. Don't forget to check out The Floating Empire for more technical information about the Extreme Makeover.

More later,
Morgainne