The Next Step.....

Exhausted.  Sore.  Poor.  These are the three adjectives I am using to describe myself after this week.  We (my parents, a dear friend of mine and her son) have done so much.  We have ripped out the kitchen cabinets and the flooring.  Taken down the loft that was above the kitchen (WOW! Did that open it up in there!).  My dad and I caused a small flood, which looking back ended up being a comedy of errors.

Then we bought, loaded and unloaded (down a hill) a 100 cinder blocks and mini blocks to use as bracing under the house.  I can honestly say that there is no need for me to workout this week.  Not with all the stuff I have been doing. 

What I love most about this whole process is...well, several things actually.

1. Finding out that things are not as bad as what they first appeared.
2. Being able to see in my mind how everything is going to look when all is said and done.
3. Knowing that if I buy one thing a paycheck to make the house presentable, that is way okay, because I still have two loving parents that aren't going to kick me out.
4. Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, even though there is a lot of fog between us.
5. Having wonderful family & friends to help turn my little do-it-yourselfer into a home.

Now, my mom has set me to an impossible task.  Come up with a name for my cottage.  I first thought of "Rose Cottage", but that is a retirement village in Fort Worth.  Ummmm....not so much.  My friend's son wants me to call it "The Burnsey Cave".  I love him dearly, but nah.  So I need help.

There are hills, cedars, a brook (yes, as in the babbling kind), and roses.  Inside there will be lots of books and a nautical theme, mixed up with decorative crosses and collector Barbies.  I know, I am very eclectic to say the least.  Mom has named theirs "Hillside Acres," so please nothing like that.  I need help!

The Cottage

Finally, here it is.  Pictures of the cottage.  I'll start with the outside.  The views really are spectacular here on the Brazos.


This is the front part of the house.  I love all the windows and all the light that can be let in.

Part of the wrap-around deck.  It needs some work, but one small step at a time.

The view off the back deck.  I told you it was beautiful, didn't I?

Looking up at after coming back up from the tree house.  Being built partially on a hill worries me some, but we are taking precautions.  We will be placing some additional bracing underneath the house.  It should be loads of fun!

Now to the inside....


The next 2 pictures are of the kitchen and breakfast nook.  The builder put in some neat little features, like the built-in shelves my mom is standing next to and the loft above the kitchen.  And what Karli at RockyBella has done to her countertops have given me a brilliant idea! (Thanks Karli!)

The next picture is of fluorescent green bathroom.  My plan is to paint everything of color white.  I'm not going to touch the natural wood right now.  Can't wait to see the transformation for myself, but first it has to be cleaned from top to bottom!

Here are pictures of the dining area, living area, and office area.

Finally, the stairwell and the bedroom.  It has the beginnings of a restroom.  I'm thinking about putting one of those composting toilets in the bathroom.  Even though they are pricey, in the long run I think it will pay off.

Stairway looking down....

I apologize for the blurriness of this picture.  My sister is the photographer of the family.  This is the bedroom and bath.

Door leading out to wrap-around deck.

Stairs going up.  There is a French Door at the top of the stairs that lets in a lot of light.

So now you have seen the before pictures of the cottage.  It is definitely a work in progress, but I can't wait to see what it will look like.  After my bill at Lowe's today, I definitely am not throwing in the towel!

Storage Shed...

We ( my mom and I) really didn't do much to this because we were in a hurry to get our things moved out of a rented storage building.  What we did do was paint whimsical flowers and a sun on the windows to keep people from looking in.  It really turned out cute.


This is the front of the storage shed.  For right now the reflecctors are still on the posts.  I still haven't had the electricity turned on, so it is very dark at night.

Here is the side view of the storage shed.  My mom painted the flowers.  We decided it looked very Bohemian and we were okay with that.  Don't know that dad was....

This is the back window that I painted.  Mom loves the sun, so this is my little tribute to her.

The paint on the outside needs to be spruced up on all the buildings, but that will come with time.

Embarking on a new challenge....

So one of my very dear friends, Jennifer Pacheco, has inspired me.  She has a blog about her cottage renovations that she is doing (mostly with furniture -- but boy, the ideas I have gotten).  And then I began looking at all the blogs she is connected to of people trying to bring a little bit of the cottage life to them and I have become so inspired. 


Before I post the pictures, I want to tell you a little bit about my Woodland Cottage by the river.  It consists of 4 buildings -- a storage unit, a bedroom bathroom combination, the actual cottage, and a treehouse.  The cottage adds up to about 1,000 sq. ft., which is just enough room for me (or will be once I finally get to move in).  There are things that have to be done to it, and it will be a process, but I am so excited about something that will be my little getaway.  I'm also very excited to be doing much of the work myself.  It is giving me a great sense of accomplishment.


As you read my blog and look at the pictures I post, suggestions and encouragement would be greatly appreciated.