The Basement - Part Three

Last up is the rest of the basement.  This is still a work-in-progress, mainly because we have not painted the concrete walls yet.  We had hoped to do that last summer, but didn't get around to it.  Now we have to wait until this summer, when the walls warm up. :)



















This side of the main area has all the kids' toys:  the Geotrax set, the train table, Connor's work bench, and the baby dolls.  Basically, it's the stuff that won't fit upstairs.  The other side (the big rectangular space between the classroom and hobby room and storage room) is home to the "Pobst Arcade".  We have ping pong, air hockey, and electronic darts.  We're going to add some artwork and signs as well as painting the gray walls.  And the patio furniture that's down there now will be going out on the porch this spring.  The stereo has already been installed, so the room is coming along nicely.  We love spending winter evenings down there!

The Basement - Part Two

I took photos of Jas' new work/hobby room that we completed last weekend, but for some reason I cannot find them.  So I was forced to take new photos today, but Jas was working on a project so the room is being "used" in the pictures.  In other words, not everything is put away. :) 
His first task last Friday (after going to Lowe's with Connor to buy lumber and supplies) was to empty the room.  There was A LOT of stuff in there, and most of it has been sitting since we moved in last December.  He had already built a work table, so his next order of business was to build and install a work bench.  He added his shop light over the top, plus a shelf to hold his most used items and a couple of hooks on the end for his air hose.  Then he hung his levels above it as well.  It's a nice long area to work on!


















Next up was to build and install an 8' shelving unit, similar to the one he installed in the storage room.  After we sorted through everything he organized the shelves with his r/c stuff and projects.


















He added a display shelf on the side to hold some of his Mark Martin racing collectibles.  The most valuable items are packed away in boxes in the storage room.  The work table he had built last winter when he worked on the door frames and crown moulding is now on the east wall, and it holds his r/c tools.


















On the west wall (between his room and our classroom) he added some modular bins, which hold all his fasteners, nails, screws, etc.  His table saw, miter saw, band saw, and spare wood are also along that wall, along with all the extension cords (Well, the heavier duty ones anyway -- the household ones are up in the laundry room.).


















In all our years of marriage, Jas has never had a space like this.  In the old house he had a couple of smaller work tables in the basement along with some shelves, but nothing like this.  I am so glad he has such an amazing space to work!  He deserves it!

**In part three, I'll showcase the rest of the basement . . .

The Basement

Part one of our three part basement series will focus on the classroom/arts and crafts room.  We were in major need of a redesign in this room, because the arts and crafts area was getting really junky.  Plus, it was hard to find what you were looking for because the supplies were not very organized.  On Friday, the kids and I bought two new bookcases ($15 apiece at Walmart) to match the one we already had.  Jas put them together for me yesterday while I was out of town, and today I worked on the room. 


The only thing that stayed put was the computer desk, as seen in this photo.  Note the abnormally large 32" lcd tv that we're using as a computer monitor.  Love it!
 
















The first thing I did was to move everything out of the space, so that I could move our work table to the west wall.  There's more light over there, plus both kids will have a direct view of the whiteboard. 

















Jas attached a clothesline for me across this wall, and we bought some brightly colored clothespins for the kids to hang up their artwork.  The cool thing is, they can change their artwork out anytime they want -- it's super easy!

















 The wall with the board and calendar, etc. did not change much, except the two rolling carts with their art supplies were moved to that wall.




















The north wall now has all the school books, supplies, and all the other arts and crafts supplies (including all the paper).  Everything has its own designated space, and the kids have been taking advantage of this to do lots of artwork this afternoon.  The space turned out great if I do say so myself!  We can't wait to use it tomorrow morning for school!


**Stay tuned for a post on Jason's room, plus the rest of the basement.