Today has been a long day. I am beginning the process of converting my unattached garage into a salon. As part of the planning process I conferred with people who know a little about the process: My ex (the plumber), my mother (a groomer of 17 years), her fiance (a contractor), and another friend who just happened to stop by and offer his advice to add to the pool. Until today, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted to do. Now I'm being pulled in different directions.
I understand the need to keep things close together to minimize all the extra steps between cages, tub and table. I also know that I would get to feeling very claustrophobic in too small a space. Initially I wanted an open floor plan, something with plenty of room to move around in. But in taking all the advice I've recieved into account my work space has been effectively cut into a third. I'm just not sure how I'm feeling about it.
The placement of a toilet is the most difficult part of the design. Unless I put the enterance to it in the lobby, nothing is the modified floor plan flows efficiently. I think that is what I'm going to have to do. I suppose that will also keep clients out of my groom room if they have a toileting emergency.
At this point, my head hurts, but I feel like I'm reaching some sort of compromise. I'm still not completely happy with the design, and suppose I wont be sure of anything until I get out there and measure everything to see how it all fits together, and how much room is left over. I'll admit this is not my favorite part, and I'll be glad when it's all said and done, and the work begins. I'm just a tad overwhelmed by all the decisions to be made!
