the pros

The pool house, with all its minor character flaws and slight aroma of mildew, has some undeniably amazing pros (first of which is location, location, location). Here you see Alex and Catcher embracing the "bringing the outdoors in" concept of mid-century modern architecture. I'll take my morning coffee on the deck overlooking the pool, please...

If you look past the wood paneling (and the pumpkin-colored ceiling), you'll see great floors and classic built-in bookshelves that add to the character of the room. We have plenty to fill the shelves, and I've already come up with a few ideas to make the fireplace more presentable.

The windows and the natural light that shines through them is a treasure (please ignore the crumbling venetian blinds and cesspool in the background).

If I can't convince Alex to go along with my crazy plan of renovating the ugliest house on the block, perhaps the yard can. The house sits on 1.2 acres of playtime bliss--there's no better way to wear out the kids than have them run up and down the hill in between several times a day.