Blue-Plate Special

Lynn and Dave Waller lovingly restored an 1896 firehouse for their home and have turned the first floor into a colorful entertainment area that's much more than a garage. Besides housing the family car (an antique ambulance), the space houses the couple's neon sign collection and a full-size diner (figure A).

Dave's grandfather operated a diner for his entire life, so when a friend saw a picture of Waller's grandfather's diner and said he had one just like it for sale at an inexpensive price, Waller couldn't resist. The 1929 diner was delivered by truck and inched into the firehouse by cranes (figure B).

Waller initially thought he'd use the diner as the home's kitchen, but instead turned it into a playhouse for his son and daughter (figure C).

Waller used a chainsaw to cut away part of the home's second floor, opening up the garage and creating 30-foot ceilings, making an ideal place to display some of his vintage neon signs (figure D).