Flat Woe #4

So I figure I may as well generate my LAST post on the topic of my gripes with my flat (as if my masculinity was not already irreparably damaged). This is something that came up again when I was hanging out front with one of my first floor neighbors on Monday. She was talking about possibly having another party sometime between now and the end of the year; she and her roommate had one a couple months ago which was quite fun. Their flat is perfect for having parties. It has two common areas separated by double sliding doors that connect them into one large open space. Perfect for holding a nice amount of people as well as modest furnishings. And to boot, the connecting kitchen is right in line and also quite spacious. The second floor has virtually the same layout, wide connecting common areas with kitchen and two smallish but adequate rooms. The only difference is the location of the bathroom.

My flat SHOULD have had the same general floorplans as the bottom two floors. The only potential obstructions are some pillars that must go through due to the downstairs chimneys. However, the locations of these things would not have interfered too much since, when you think about it logically, the actual floor area should be a perfect match as we share all the walls and the flats are right on top of each other. Instead, and in addition to the absolutely ridiculous walls added to seal off the slants in the ceiling, they re-arranged the locations of the rooms in a dreadful configuration. I don't have the nice large connected common areas, they are separated into completely individual rooms, one being a bedroom, the other being a bedroom OR a living room. The kitchen, instead of being in the back is on the side, not enclosed, and away from back stairwell door. This creates an awkward L-shaped living area joined with the kitchen, with a hide-the-slant-closet at the joint. The back door is the piece de resistance: A mini corridor with a door connecting to the back stairwell juts out into the small living-room-ish space creating two awkward alcoves. Trust me, it's worse to see than what I describe. If at least the kitchen were in the back, those alcoves could have served as pantries or one of them as a kitchenette and the side of the house could have been a nice functional open area appropriate for creature comforts and guests. Right now I'm almost embarrassed about the layout (even too ashamed to post a pic). I don't have many guests, much less a party. Of course I'm more embarrassed that I'm actually bugged about this. But maybe one of the good folks from TLC will see this and take pity.