The construction project, in the midst of adding a hearthroom

Things are coming along with the new room.  There it is on the right, without the siding and door yet.

This is the view from the road. Our cottage started out as a tiny, 4 room shack almost 100 years ago.  When we bought it, we added an upstairs, then rooms in the existing attic.  Over the years, the kitchen has been redone  a few times, as we could afford it.  Twice, we have taken out interior walls to open it up, and now we are ripping off the exterior wall and adding an addition on the side of it, to make a hearth room.

You can see some previous incarnations of the kitchen here.

Ten years ago, we added my studio and a garage (on the left) with an office for my husband and an apartment for my son, above it.  This is a very weird layout for a home, it is starting to look like a crooked caterpillar, isn't it? 

As we have made our changes over the last 25 or so years, I've tried to keep the feeling of the old farmhouse in the new pieces we've slapped onto it.  While keeping things as affordable as I could, which worked well because the original house was kinda plain and simple.  But even while making efforts to have it all the new blend in with the old, I know that I was fooling myself, the odd ball, meandering shape we had created was nothing like a house built in that era.  

Still, we love it. It is over customized and unusual, but it is exactly what we need.  It has taken us a couple decades to get to this point, but I think we just might.... maybe... be all finished with remodeling after this last build on?

Last week, the contractor hung some plastic to protect the kitchen from some of the dust (there is NO WAY to avoid all of it), and within a matter of an hour, the two walls were gone, while I sipped my morning coffee and enjoyed the show.

We got a great preview of what to expect when the job was finished and the area would be one, big open space.  

Then, some plywood was screwed up to block off the construction from our living space until a lot of the messy parts are finished.

Here is a view from our living room before the temporary plywood went up.

And here is a drawing from the plans.  See what I mean about the weird shape?  Good thing that we love our cottage, because I think we'd be stuck with it if we ever tried to sell it...

 

Comments

[yvonne]

Thanks for sharing your plans! Your house is perfect for you and that's the great thing. I love your decorating and have gotten great ideas from you. Have a happy day !

P.S. I'm still enjoying looking through my Downton Journal. I am trying to decide how to use it. Love it!

[sharon morrison]

You have done an amazing job making your house a home. I admire your resilience to life's kinks, and heartache. You are like the EverReady Battery!! You are amazing. I would have been kicking and screaming with some of the changes you have had to accept.
I check in around Bird Song time, to see what is happening. Maybe someday I will attend another one. Best wishes and love. Sharon

[Karla Nathan]

Thanks, Yvonne!

I have actually attended Downton themed art events, and am using my journal as a scrap book for those photos. But some pages are just for creating something pretty, which is always nice to have.

[Karla Nathan]

I hope to see you again here, too, Sharon!

[Terri W.]

I love your house and think anyone would be lucky to live there! As my husband always tells me, one shouldn't plan their house for resale (unless you KNOW you'll be moving soon) but should plan it for the way one likes to live. Sounds like just what you're doing. Enjoy your new space!

[Karla Nathan]

Thank you, Terri! Your husband is right. Unless youre a flipper, which we sure arent. Weve been her over 25 years and have no plans to leave here.

[lorraine bell]

as usual I love everything you do to your home...

[Karla Nathan]

Thanks, please wish us luck, Lorraine. I hope it all comes out well and worth it!