AS THE BUILDING PROCESS UNFOLDS, YOUR BUILDER CAN HELP IDENTIFY POSSIBILITIES FOR UNPLANNED SPACES THAT WILL OFFER GREAT REWARDS.
Your home is drawn. The plans are perfect. You can start to visualize how your family will live the life of your dreams within the walls. Now, the fun really begins as construction gets underway and the home moves from a 2-dimensional concept to a 3-dimensional reality.
To many experienced builders, this is the most exciting time in the process. As the home unfolds during construction, so do possibilities for unexpected spaces. The creative eye, trained to look for opportunities, often uncovers found spaces that can add to the enjoyment of those living there. In some cases, these special spaces have already been planned by an experienced builder who knows where to find them.
For example, as the stairway is built, the possibility of hidden storage underneath may be revealed. A closet or drawers might easily be accommodated. If attic stairs or structure are modified slightly, the perfect place for a craft room or play area may emerge. Places for wine refrigerators, art niches, sitting areas, display shelves and open storage can often be seen and carved out of found space as the home takes shape.
Perhaps a door that can be hidden in a wall can lead to the perfect bunk room or grandkids’ hideaway. A hallway may be ideal for added bookshelves, a small desk or cozy seating. A small space accessed through a closet could offer the perfect location for a hidden safe. Bathrooms often offer multiple places for built-in drawers, shelves and niches.
The beauty of this whole process is that the space is already there. It just takes an experienced eye and a creative mind to discover its perfect use. It’s important then, that your contractor have experience in watching homes unfold on-site and that he visits the job-site often. During a walk- through in an unfinished home, a practiced eye can see opportunities that others simply do not. In too many cases, busy contractors leave construction to on-site supervisors or subcontractors.
During framing, an experienced eye can see the potential in opening up stairs or moving a railing in order to create more storage or closet space in an attic. Sometimes these unique spaces are planned, but in many cases, they are found as the building process proceeds. It’s an evolving and creative undertaking, requiring close collaboration between client, architect and builder.
It is these personal touches – the recessed shelves that showcase a special collection, a wine refrigerator tucked under the stairs with easy access, the storage niches in powder rooms, and the hidden shoe closet – that make the home truly yours.
Ron Boshaw has 25 years of premier home construction experience. Since establishing Boshaw Residential in 2012, Ron has built and renovated homes throughout the Lowcountry.
By Ron Boshaw
Photos provided By Boshaw Residential
