The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Built In Cabinets And Storage Walls

Space-Saving Extra Room In Ship's Cabin Style

ANYONE, MAN OR BOY, WHO HAS EVER THRILLED AT THE THOUGHT OF SHIPS AND THE SEA, WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO HAVE SUCH A ROOM AS THIS. ASIDE FROM THE ROMANCE THAT attaches to it, this is meant to solve in a practical manner a problem that faces many families. As children grow up, the sorting out of girls and boys and the providing of separate rooms for those who are old enough to feel the urge for privacy and independence usually causes a shortage of bedrooms.

Apart from the drastic solution of building an extension on the house, there are three other possibilities for finding additional room. Unfinished attics or the end of a hallway might provide the space, or a large bedroom might be divided in two. In most cases the resulting room will be quite small and any attempt to furnish it with conventional furniture—chest of drawers, bed, table and chairs—results in a crowded and uncomfortable arrangement. In addition, closet space will be needed and often the only way it can be supplied is by an awkward and unsightly wardrobe or an extension into the room.

A floor area of less than three by nine feet is all that is required for the berth, drawer space, closet and additional storage accommodation of this built-in. Only enough additional space is needed to provide room for passage or for any other furniture such as table, chair or bookcase. Unless you are building a new partition wall, the length of 1 06" will most likeiy have to be varied to suit the available space. This can be done by increasing or decreasing the width of the closet or by adding another closet at the other end of the berth. The berth itself was designed to take a cot spring and mattress 30" x 74", but if another size of single spring and mattress is preferred, there is no reason why adjustment cannot be made for it.

This built-in will also fit nicely into an alcove in a hallway, game room, library or other place where it will be handy for putting up an unexpected overnight guest.

It should be remembered that much of the nautical atmosphere of this setting comes from the decorative accessories that are used with it. None of these things are hard to find or expensive.