Frivolous Living Situation Post! Please help

[bisous]

So we can only afford a two bedroom apartment. We've reviewed all of our options and that will save us over $500 a month. I only have two kids so no problem, right?

Wrong! I'm married to an artist who supports us on his salary and his freelance work and he needs a studio. In his studio he has a drafting table, computer table, extensive electronic equipment, extensive art supplies, paper storage, reference media etc. It is a seriously large outfit and for any of you that might be artists or married to artists it is usually a complete pigsty (at least to my non-artistic eyes!)

So, we have a slight problem. We really need three bedrooms but will only have two. So I've come up with four scenarios on how to "work this" out.

1. Combine master bedroom and studio. I've done this before. It is tougher than it seems because the kids can't really have free reign (too many toxic paints out and about and things to tear and ruin), plus it is sometimes hard to sleep when DH is up all night being "creative" not to mention the fact that it isn't terribly relaxing for me to sleep in such a messy space.

2. Combine master bedroom and kids bedroom. My DH is NOT terribly keen on this idea. Personally, it wouldn't bother me much since I like being close to the kids and would only really sleep in the room at night for like 5 hours a day but there wouldn't be much privacy if you know what I mean. On the other hand, because I control the kids bedroom, it is usually really clean and attractive which I like and I'd be closer to my baby and my D kid.

3. Put the office downstairs in the main living space. The down side to this is that it would likely be a giant mess on display for all of my guests and I would have to find gates and ways to curtail kids (mostly my nearly 1 year old) from getting into Daddy's dangerous and fragile art projects.

4. Put the master bedroom downstairs. Downside, it may look awkward--I mean we're talking about an apartment here. It would look more attractive than the office but its still a little bizarre. Also, I wouldn't be on the same floor as the kids and that would be a little unnerving, although not terribly so--we'd be awfully close.

So you may have noticed that I hadn't introduced two scenarios because I don't think they would work at all.

5. Kids bedroom and studio sharing space. Sleeping kids and working on art doesn't fly.

6. Kids sleeping downstairs. If it were a single level, I'd consider letting the kids sleep on the couch at night but I don't feel good about having them in the living room when I'm upstairs in the bedrooms.

Which option would you choose? Can you think of any others?

Thanks!

[kiwikid]

I think I would go with 1 or 2. You need to be able to shut the door on the studio so the kids don't get into things.
I think the studio should have its own space so probably 2.
Can you look a bit farther out of town for a cheaper 3 bed apartment?

[Kirsten]

I would go with #2. DH will just have to make sacrifices for his art.;)

Kirsten

[musicjunkie]

I'd go with number 1:)

[Lee]

#1 here - as much as I like #2, if your hubby is totally against it, then you should take that into consideration! Also, on those late night jam sessions when his creative juices are flowing, you can sleep with the kids or on the couch.

Another reason against having it in the living area is that he probably needs to have peace so he can concentrate on being creative, so having it in open living area would be tough and probably impact the quality of his work.

[Skyefire]

Another suggestion could be...my mom did this for years being a single mom with 3 kids, tight income.

Use the master bedroom for the kids and yours and hubby's personal belonging.
Use the other bedroom as office/studio space. As this is your income.
You and hubby get a really good pull out sofa, and use the livingroom as your sleeping space, then you would have it holded out of the way and not have to worry about having you bedroom in the open.

We lived in 2 bedrooms all of our lives, my sister and I shared a room, and mom and my brother shared his room, she kept her dressers in there and used his closet, and slept in the livingroom. during the day she folded the sofa up and you would never know she slept there.

[StillMamamia]

1. Combine master bedroom and studio. I've done this before. It is tougher than it seems because the kids can't really have free reign (too many toxic paints out and about and things to tear and ruin), plus it is sometimes hard to sleep when DH is up all night being "creative" not to mention the fact that it isn't terribly relaxing for me to sleep in such a messy space.


I would go for choice No. 1...just make sure to lock up all paints in the closet (if you have one) and getting some ear-plugs so you can sleep when your DH is up and get yourself a rail & curtain system so you can divide the bedroom into 3/4 bedroom and 1/4 studio. A dark couloured curtain would be best to drown out the lighting at night when your DH is up.

I think you need your space and, however, tempting it is to have your kids with you, IMO it will just add extra stress. And although you could get creative ;), the options do run out quickly.:D

[bisous]

Thanks guys. I think about my options all the time. I think I'm leaning towards #1 as well. Maybe I can make it better by taking one month of savings by living in a two bedroom and investing in some curtains or space dividers so the space is more attractive. :) I'll just make sure that there are plenty of sleeping options, maybe in the boys room as well so that I can actually sleep when he pulls those all nighters. :)

[andeefig]

I'm leaning towards #2. It'll keep you the most sane.

Hey, they do make kitchen counters, tables, chairs, etc...for other things, ya know!! (nudge, nudge, wink, wink) ;):);):)

[dbz2988]

Currently we live in a 2 bedroom apartment and own our own buisness. Our office is in our bedroom. I would go with Option #1.

[LizinTX]

We also have more family and office type needs than actual living space; here is what we did. I converted the dining room into my office, and the school room. We have a set of really nice wooden t.v. tray stands, and that is what we pull out every evening for dinner. Much easier to put away than a whole dining room table. Depending on how your dining room is situated you can even get one of those cute room dividers and *hide* the artsy stuff, while leaving it all out.