Ever since building our little cottage in the big woods, I've wanted to do a tour of each room. We've now lived here for 8 years and I still haven't done this. Reality is I've been waiting until it's completely "finished" but realized the other day, it will likely never truly be completely "finished!" I have curtains to sort, pictures to hang, landscaping to tackle, decks to stain, furniture to refinish, our walk in closet to redo with sturdier built ins .... the list gets shorter, then we add another item or two on. Now we've decided that though it appears we have ample cupboard space in our kitchen, we have small appliances and extra dishes that we'll likely never use being stored on the counter and in cupboards in our laundry room. Our plan, to be confirmed by a designer, would be to take out the window seat that spans the nook and instead, tuck a wall of lower cabinets under the windows. No uppers, as the 3 windows take up the the wall. Perhaps a small sink for quick clean up, as I can see this spot being used mostly for baking, and for repotting plants. A glass fronted cabinet on both ends to store pretty vases and extra dishes, and the rest for the small appliances that take up too much space in the laundry room. We'll get a quote and see if it's worth the cost but I'm so keen on this idea with the stress of the mess in the other space that I'm sure we can make it work! The window seat is lovely but no one ever sits there. Truly its wasted space in our beautiful nook.
For the 2024 Cottage Tour, I'll start with a peek at our front foyer. I'm planning a short video of each space as well as still shots. I'll share the purpose of each space and what we love, or do not love, about it. Likely I'll also share what may still need to be done in the space. It may inspire to get the last bits done. Working and living, while designing, constructing, then moving in to and settling in to a new house took a lot of energy. I don't think we've done anything wrong by still having projects. To be honest, the list of tasks is far less than if we had stayed in town as our home was in a constant state of renovation. At least here, it's just figuring out what works the best, and adding to our original plans. And curtains! It's been tempting to leave the windows bare so we can see our landscape all around us all the time. But we do need cover from the hot sun in the Summer and to hold the warmth in in the Winter. As well as a bit of privacy. You can't see our cottage from the lane during the Summer when the trees are in full bloom. But in the Winter, with no leaves on the trees, you can see our windows and that's where lovely curtains are key as well.
I'm off for a quick treadmill and some yoga.
Have an amazing Sunday! Be well. Stay safe.
~ Chy
