The Master Suite/ Playroom/ GuestRoom

People often wonder how we have been living while being the "Basement Howards''. When we tell them that while in school were are staying in Brandon's parents basement, we usually get that "poor you face". I think that they think that we are in some tiny little corner, with no bathroom or kitchen. While the basement hasn't been my 'dream home', it is amazing what we have done with the place!

The basement is about 1250 square feet. It does only have one official bedroom, a complete bathroom, with a shower, and a kitchenette. Did I mention that I have a 200 sq foot walk in closet, that is in addition to the 1250 sq/ft?! I LOVE MY CLOSET!

Here are a couple of before pics of the basement. Mind you we cleaned all of Brandon's parents stuff out...

Where the brown entertainment center with t.v., is the exact place that we had ours. Where Jeff's movie collection is where we also had our pre kids. As the boys got older was replaced with two mini leather chairs and a bookcase for them.

This is the boys play room. When we first moved in it served as Carol's sewing room, and a work out room. Right before the twins were born it became a guest room with a full size bed for my mom to stay in. While she was here she gave us the idea to move our bed in this room for some privacy, and so that while one of us was taking care of the twins the other could get some sleep. So for a while it became our bedroom. This room held a king size bed and our two night stands and a huge tv stand. The closet that you see on the left, is the boys closet. It has two rows of shelving, so I never have to rotate out seasonal wear. Spring and summer get the top shelf and fall and winter get the bottom.

They book shelves haved stayed in here regardless of what the room has become. That is Jeff and Carol's book collection. Most of the shelves are two rows deep in books. Why go to the library when you got it at home?! Directly to the left of the book shelf is where our desk and computer is.

You can't really tell in the pics, but the walls are a light mauve color. After cleaning it all out, we painted them a khaki color and replaced the pink mini blinds with white ones. Where the lamp is, is where we put our couch. At the lower left corner would be where we had our recliner and glider and at the lower right is where we had the couch.

This is the kitchenette. Don't worry the green frigde didn't last long. Brandon's parents fridge went out shortly after we moved in, and this one was replaced by a tan side by side. My parents gave us a convection toaster oven and a portable burner tray, so I could cook. So while not having a fully functioning kitchen, I was still able to cook 99.9% of all of the meals downstairs. My electric skillet did become my best friend though! To the right of the fridge was an understairs store room lined with shelves, that we would put tons of baby formula and food in. It was great!

Between the movies and the kitchen is a little hallway where the boys bedroom and bathroom are. There is also an entry way into the playroom. So the boys have a ton of fun chasing each other around the giant circle.

At the right of the wooden thingy is where our "bedroom" was. We have a king size bed and huge night stands. It's a tight fit but it works.

The closet above was in the living room, and was a lifesaver! Brandon's parents stuff is in it in the picture, but we had is just as full. With anything from car seats, to board games, to extra bathroom soap! It was so nice to have that much storage.

So, while it wasn't perfect, we made it work! We are very grateful to Jeff and Carol for all that they have done for us. Without them, we wouldn't have made it thus far!