Chloe's new digs

**Daisygirl** · 07-19-2007, 05:39 AM

Well, my daughter is now a very adult 12 years old and wants to claim the basement as her room. So when they return from visiting my mom and dad in the states, we'll be doing the big switcheroo.

An ideas for blocking her area from the stairs? I am thinking some floor to ceiling bookshelves, an old armoire I have (if it fits down the stairs) and some curtains. What would be the best way to secure them so they are stead, keeping in mind they will be in the middle of the room, not agains the wall?

Ideas welcome.

Oh and for a great mental image, I wanted to make sure she could escape out the window in case of (heaven forbid) fire, and I decided to do it myself. Picture me painstakingl crawling out that little window, squishing through one boob at a time. I think the neighbors will make $$$$$ if they coaught that bit of dignity on film!

**Darlene** · 07-19-2007, 07:19 AM

You really need an egress window in most states for an basement bedroom to be legal & safe. A fireman needs to be able to fit thruto get in and people need to fit to get out. It'll be more expense & trouble but worth the effort.
Dd just moved into a nice basement apt and it needed one of those. Here's a link for more info. Another bonus is it will bring more light in and you won't have to call the fire dept to get you and your um top self unstuck from trying to crawl out of the small window.

http://www.rd.com/content/openConten...ontentId=18117

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home...t/1275596.html

How exciting for her, happy planning!

**Darlene** · 07-19-2007, 07:57 PM

I've never done it but someone else must have some hints. Like you said, bookshelves are a great "wall" and using hang down brackets from the joists & secured to the back of the book cases should secure them well enough. She have a favorite color or theme she'd like?

**Daisygirl** · 07-20-2007, 08:36 AM

Thanks for the link! I will look into that egress window.

She has a funky fake fur comforter in aqua and black tiger strips, so that is our jumping off point. We are going to paint the front of the armoire and her dresser drawers with black chalkboard paint, with the rest of the units being white - thought that sounded fun. I am also making her a big floor to ceiling ribbon board for photos, etc, just looking for a cool cheap fabric - I may end up stiching some wild remnants together.

She also has a big black fake fur rug for the floor and some big cushions for the back of her day bed that we need to recover in some coordinating fabrics. Girls are so much fun. I am letting her keep the blue fuzzy chairs that we already have in the rec room (which is what that room is now.) I have to find an inexpensive window treatment next.

Chloe is chipping in $100 of her savings for the redo, so we are on a tight budget. I told her if it was worthwhile to her to move down there, then she would have to show me how worthwhile it was and that is what she offered to chip in. She makes me proud!