Bungalow Upstairs Attic Remodel-Exterior Inspiration

 Before & after roofline views

All these pictures via pinterest.

Here are some photos taken while out and about walking.  So sorry for the very poor quality.  That is what happens with such short daylight hours :)

Steve really thinks that this idea for a dormer addition may work for our home

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013!!!

Bungalow Upstairs Attic Remodel-Interior Inspiration

Steve and I think that we have figured out our finances enough to go through with starting to remodel our upstairs before the new baby comes.  So of course, this means that the research begins.  Of course, I have been "researching"/dabbling in pictures/dreaming about this remodel for the past 6 years.  However, now it is crunch time and I have spent a considerable amount of time researching interior and exterior pictures over the last few weeks.
Now I really need to start calling contractors/architects/figuring out the process so if any of you have any advice, I would love it.  This is all a new frontier for me.  It is scary.  For some reason the bathroom and kitchen weren't a big deal to me as they just involved interior work and one room.  A dormer addition just seems like a lot to take on.
Anyways, here are a bunch of pinterest pictures I have gathered.  They all are gorgeous to me and help me form ideas in my head as to how I would like our upstairs interior to look. 

 Love the use of space!  We surely have enough books to fill a wall!

Love all the beds tucked into little nooks and crannies, the built-ins and use of window space!  I hope we can make something like on of these work somewhere upstairs.

Such a great way to add storage/safety rail at the top of a staircase.  Although I do love the open look of most bungalow railings.

Lusting for a murphy bed!

Storage! Need lots of this.  What a great way to make the most of the small spaces and interesting ceiling lines.

Just love these ceiling lines and the decorating

Probably all of these built-ins would have to be added far after the actual remodel due to cost, I would love to have them planned into the initial design!

No room at the Inn

But, maybe some of you are wondering where we are going to put this babe?  Well, good question.  We have no idea. 

Could share a room with Ben, however that would be hard until the babe is sleeping through the night.  I am not crazy about sharing a room with babe as I like my sleep and don't feel like I would sleep as well with the babe in our room.  Hearing every turn of the babe would make me worry all night long.  We found that having Ben about 10' from our room (in his own room) worked great for us-I could hear him when he woke for feedings, however, I didn't wake each time he tossed in his sleep.  And Steve could still sleep while I did feedings as he was working and by the time I went back to work, Ben was sleeping through the night well.

Anyways, here is where we get all crazy.  We are actually (if we can figure out the financial part) considering trying to start remodeling our upstairs before the babe comes.  Babe comes early June.  Probably late May as Ben was 10 days early and usually second babies come earlier than first.  I know, crazy. 

Currently, we use our upstairs as our guest room and storage.  We have a big 'ol hoard upstairs (and in the basement too).  I think I have talked about our hoard before.  Steve's parents have passed and his dad was a collector, so even though it has been 4 years this month since he passed, we still have a ton to sell/find other homes for.  Have I mentioned that the upstairs has drywall falling down, paneling and no heat-it's fabulous.  I know, we treat our house guests so well. :)  It's really not that bad but not a place to live year around.  It is freezing in the winter and hotter than he** in the summer as the insulation is poor. 

Now that the kitchen remodel is almost complete, I am going to dive head first into the hoard.  Ebay and amazon and Goodwill are going to become my good friends.  I need to tackle this part so that we can get an architect even into the space to plan.  I also need to dive into (I have just day dreamed thus far) researching what this space should look like.  I think that it will largely depend on the best layout that the architect can come up with. 

Anyways, here is where I need your help.  Are we totally crazy? (I can probably answer that question) Any thoughts on the best way to execute this project?  Any great pictures or drawings that you would be willing to share?  AND, most of all, does anyone in the Portland area have the names of good residential architects that specialize in bungalows/period appropriate remodel that don't cost as much a house?  I am also looking for good general contractors as I don't think I can be the general contractor when exterior framing work is involved.

Kitchen Before

Here are a few pictures of our kitchen from before we moved in and when we started the transformation. As you can see, the colors, wallpaper and hardware were less than desireable