There are spaces in this house I still haven’t showed you yet.
Mostly because at the writing of this post—they aren’t cute.
They are trying so hard.
They are chasing after cute as hard as they can.
They are thinking about changing it all up for the cute.
But right now?
Umm.
Not so much.
One of those spaces is a mini-hallway/entrance/laundry area/landing just off the door to the right.
If you are facing the new built-ins and look to the left through that five-paneled door you’d see this.
And the mystery I need help solving.
I’m not even sure what to call it?
A landing?
A room with four doors?
A laundry area?
Let’s go all 360 degrees on this space.
When you walk into the mini room from the upstairs landing the doorway that leads to the navy bedroom is on the right.
You can see the rest of this room here.
It’s made the cute list.
Next to that door is a laundry chute with a linen closet.
The door that’s straight ahead goes into the bathroom.
You can see that bathroom makeover here.
That door is going to be walled off to create the en-suite bath for the master bedroom.
The master bedroom door is to the left.
You can see the bedroom before and after here.
If you continued on around—you are back where you started.
This is the view of the space looking out into the upstairs landing with the built-ins.
Does this all make sense?
Are you a little confused?
Oh, good.
Me, too.
Here’s where the mystery comes in.
This flooring.
(total decorating aside: does anyone recognize it from the butler’s pantry at the farmhouse?)
It’s a peel and stick tile.
I like it.
I just want something a little softer. A little more original to the house. So we want to pull it up. And that brings us to two questions.
1. How many layers of flooring do you think are under this peel and stick tile?
2. Do you think there is wood at the very bottom of the layers of flooring?
I’d love to hear your guess. But before you do—here are a few facts.
1. Look at the height of that threshold. It’s at least 2 1/2 inches thick.
2. There are NOT wood floors under the main bedroom carpet. It’s just plywood.
3. There is wood floor in two of the rooms next to this mini room—the navy bedroom and the landing.
4. When I was growing up here there was a layer of laminate on this floor.
I’ll help with the guessing.
There’s at least one layer of floor under the peel and stick tile.
We started this past weekend and found this.
It’s the layer of laminate that was here when I was growing up.
So what do you think?
I’d love to hear your opinion.
How many layers of flooring?
Is there wood underneath?
Inquiring project minds want to know.
PS I should have an answer for all of us next week. I’ll let you know when our mystery is solved.
My guess is you have Wood floors under 2 layers. Eager to know what you find.
I’m guess there’s plywood under everything, like in your bedroom! First move...take off that door to the upstairs landing. No need since every space has a privacy door! I looked at the photos and tried to see if the threshold into the navy room was as thick, but couldn’t see the threshold in any of these or previous photos. So, I’ll stick with my original guess!
Oops...I’m guessing...(in the previous comment)!
That is quirky! Saying that , I am also hoping it is hardwood. But if it is not I know you will swing Into action and make it wonderful ! Can’t wait to see your findings.
I am sure there are hard wood floors under all four layers of the floor. I am not sure why People want to cover up hardwood flooring but back in the day they were harder to maintain than they are today. Love your house and your blog. Do you and your sweet husband do a lot of the work on the house or do you hire it out to be done?
I’m being optimistic and saying wood flooring. Best case scenario :). I love a good mystery!! I really like the idea of taking off the door to the “entry hall space” to the bedrooms. Maybe a fun wallpaper application to jazz it up?!?
I'm guessing 3 layers total - with plywood at the bottom. I don't think anyone would have covered the wood floors here if they didn't in the other rooms. Plus the plywood elsewhere brings me to that sad conclusion, But I will be so happy for you if I am wrong!!!
I’m with Dianne.
I'm thinking plywood as well. It's possible that someone covered up hardwood if it was damaged, but since it's even with the other floors I don't think so. I'd lay new hardwood and stain to match the main hall giving it consistency with the navy bedroom and to calm down the confluence of different floorings. It's a sweet little alcove -- maybe something transportation related, or bus stop signs, etc., to play with all the directions of the doors! Good luck!
This reminds me of my parents home. I will say plywood as well or some type of presswood made back in the day. Reason for my thoughts, is that this was not a show room, just a walkthrough and because of traffic, no scuffing up wood floors. I don't know of anyone back then that would put tile on a hardwood floor. I also won't be surprised if you find another layer of tile. My Mom had three. Good luck!
I'm guessing tile too
I saw two more layers and no wood floors
I am with everyone else who thinks there is hard wood underneath. And if we are wrong, you definitely need to install some. I would also suggest removing the entry door to this area and just have a finished entrance to help incorporate the space into the adjacent landing. Smart move in closing off the Master bath door! Have fun remodeling!
5 layers, no wood, but a great beginning!
I am thinking three layers and no wood but more linoleum. but I hope I am wrong and it is hardwood. Can't wait to see what you do with it!
Fingers crossed for hardwood!
Ooooooh, love a good mystery. :) Maybe you could start a new series called "Mystery Monday" Lisa
This is really silly but fun. Hang antique game boards on each wall and paint a game board on the floor. I know stupid, but it was a thought.
Recently, I have discovered how much I look forward to your posts! Thank you!
I want to know the answer to the other mystery....What is the little room used for?
My guess is that there are 3 layers of linoleum/tiles and 7nder all that is plywood. Hope I’m wrong and you find hardwoods! 🤞🤞
I vote for wood floors. Love the idea of doing something fun with this area.... Can’t wait to see the final results!
I think it is not hardwood …. maybe linoleum. Taking off the door sound like a good ides. Is there room for a bookcase. How about one of those old telephone chairs or maybe just some great photos or framed sayings. you have a great style. It will be interesting to find out the mystery! God bless, Elaine
I have a terrible “room” like this with four doors and a 6 x 6 floor. I can’t wait to see what you do with yours so I can copy you, lol!
I'm going to say 4, just because nobody else has said it. And I'm guessing plywood underneath. Oh what a fun quirky mini room, I Know you'll make it beautiful!!
3 layers of vinyl or other stuff on top of plywood. I remember how you painted the plywood floor in the old master before carpeting.
Just be careful, most really old flooring has asbestos in it. And you don’t want to disturb the fibers. Good luck...
My guess is two layers of laminate (1/4" each), leaving 2 inches, 3/4" wood flooring, 3/4" plywood subfloor? Can't wait to find out.
okay, I believe I understand the layout of the area. I wonder if it was not originally used as an entrance to maid's quarters or the children's area of the bedrooms. Maybe it was set up to offer additional privacy to the bedrooms. Any chance the house was ever divided for apartments or a boarding house. (say after WWII?) that might explain the raised threshold. I don't recall the age of your home. Do you have a preservation society in the area that might help you research the building patterns when the house was built? Maybe the master bedroom was an addition or improvement after the house was built. that might explain flooring differences. I'm guessing 3-5 layers of linoleum. I'd suggest taking the door off and calling it the upstairs hall.
Beware of asbestos.
I had a similar situation and it was 3 layers, lol, so that is my guess. Fingers crossed it’s hardwood!! I agree with everyone saying be careful of asbestos. Just an extra tip , If you run into the mastic used to glue down those tiles, use a spray bottle with a mixture of hot water and white vinegar. Spray on, let it sit, then use a putty knife to scrape it off. It’s messy, but it works! Good luck!!
I vote,Plywood.. and I also think it was originally used as Housekeeping/Maid’s pass through.. used for laundry and maybe even ironing
Don’t know on what’s underneath but thinking about what I’d do with a space like that...maybe a sitting room, a quiet place to read a good book when the hubby is asleep and you can’t...
I'm guessing no but I hope I'm wrong! What an interesting space. Can't wait to see what you do with it.
Plywood. You have a lot of space!
I'm with those who think you should check out the area for asbestos. I have no idea about the floor underneath but I know you will come up with something amazing! I love the idea about wallpaper for this area. I like the idea of a sitting area if there is space. A chaise lounge would look awesome!
First off maybe have it checked for asbestos. I’m going to be really positive and say there is hardwood floors under there!
I am guessing layers of linoleum too. As to the function or purpose back in the thirties and forties many homes had a boarder who rented rooms, particularly bachelors. The a layout of the rooms with the door to the main house would be very private and allow both the boarder and home owner privacy. Happy reveal
Seeing the built-ins in your little room, I think it was used as a linen press, you know walk in storage for towels, sheets and such along with a place to do the ironing. If that's the case, I'm afraid I would guess no wood flooring, but one can only be hopeful. Do you plan on removing the built-in's? I love old houses and all the quirky spaces they have. Back in the day, it was functional however and you sure could do a ton of things with it!
I'm going to guess plywood but hope that its hardwood :-) Excited to see!!
I'm guessing there's a lot of hard work about to go into this project! My money is on hardwoods. :)
In this case I'd call it a "Side Hall" to the bedrooms. Or "Bedroom Entry." If there's any way to give it a purpose, that would be ideal. My first thought as you were talking was to incorporate the small side hall into another space off the hallway, making that space more open and larger. But since there will be only two bedroom doors and from here it looks like there's no other way to access those doors or to reposition one of them -- perhaps moving the navy bedroom door to the main landing and incoporating the side hall into the master bedroom? -- then I think the best bet is to make it a very nice side hall. If you're closing off that bathroom door, then do something. Build in a niche in the wall cavity. It could be a focal point as you're passing thru. A niche of some type to display something, might also distract a bit from the laundry chute. You could make it with glass doors and lighting. Or could use a solid door to hide something very useful that you need to access there. (Do you have a fire extinguisher up there? I'm going to put mine in a recessed cabinet and hang artwork in front of it to disguise it. Maybe something like pop art with a fire extinguisher in the mix. Or how about a vacuum hose in a recessed cabinet in the wall? ) Or something you want to access there -- hide your stash of something. Build it into the wall where the door was. Another thought that comes to me is a small round tubular skylight to give you a different experience passing thru to the bedrooms. Next time, sketch up a floor plan for us! What fun. :)
My guess is there is hardwood under that floor... at least I hope so!
2 layers of tile, then wood!!!!
4 layers, and then plywood...though I am really hoping it's hardwood, but somehow I feel no. Can't wait to find out.
yes I noticed your floor first thing and thought that's the floor that was in the butler's pantry in The Farmhouse. Hoping for an easy remodel. If there is such s thing! And wonderful surprises underneath.
Oh, KariAnne, I so hope it is hardwood underneath those layers. I do not envy you that task of pulling up layers.
I can't wait to see what you discover! PS. The built-ins are amazing!!!
Well, I was excited to notice that you seem to have a whole house fan (I want one) and then I was worried that about the laminate you are pulling up. Please check to make sure that it does not contain asbestos. We have had to deal with that issue and I want to make sure that y'all stay safe.
It shall be called "the axis of the upstairs"! And haveth 3 layers. That's my guess. :)
Probably 3 layers of flooring to remove, and here’s hoping you find hardwood flooring under that. I love your built-ins so much, I am stealing that idea for my top of staircase. xo Pat
Hope there's hardwood, but I would guess there is 3 layers under.
I once sold residential real estate and am totally unfamiliar with your reference of laminate; however, with the age of your home, my guess is at least 3 layers of linoleum. If that's the case, do yourself a favor and leave the removal to the pros. I look forward to seeing the reveal.
The space could be an anteroom "a room that admits to a larger room". I read the definition and saw an area where ladies in ball gowns taking a final look before gracing the stairs down to a ball room. No blessed clue about the flooring.
Hi KariAnne, I would say the peel and stick tile, plywood, linoleum and another layer of plywood.