DREAMING OF: The Cottage in the Woods

Dear Olive,

We are circling in on the auction date for the cottage.  And my dreaming is running full force.  Here are my fantasies for the property:

I would love to add window boxes and an arbor of flowers over the door

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And thought about painting it a creamy white with black window panes

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I would definitely add English garden perennials throughout the property and perhaps extend the stone wall to add a picket gate

 

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I would do this to the stairs:

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And fashion an outdoor kitchen and pergola in the exterior

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I would extend the fireplace to the ceiling

And use cream and color throughout the living room with calm cozy furnishings:

 

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I would install these stair runners

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And take all of the curtains off in the sunroom, constructing bench seating, panes, and wall mounted lighting

 

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I would beam the kitchen ceilings and add open shelving, either with black cabinets... 

 

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Or white, with a custom range hood

 

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Surely, there would be a breakfast nook

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In the bedrooms, I would extend the built-ins and add mirrored inserts for light: 

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I would keep the period tile and add a mosaic floor in the bath

 

Upstairs, I would  turn the 3rd floor into a master suite with this laundry:

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And an attic closet:

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I would add sconces and a window seat to the room with the eyebrow windows.  And install bookshelves on the opposite wall, turning it into a library

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I would make the best use of the built-ins and angles for a luxurious master bedroom:

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I am daydreaming incessantly about fixing the property up as a family and living there through the summer while the kids play in the creek.

Wish us luck for the auction this week.  Maybe soon, it will be more than just a dream!

SYSTEMS FOR THE FAMILY SYSTEM: Toy Room

Dear Olive, 

I cleaned up our toy room in the basement.  It will never again be cleaned or organized, so I photographed it for posterity.

See how each busy bag is so carefully hung with consistent contents?

 

Yeah, it's going to be in a pile of toy soup in 2  days.

Enjoying the stacked bins and vacuumed floor?

There will be a plastic jungle of junk in there shortly.

See the painstakingly photographed and labeled contents?

These kids eat Montessori for breakfast.  The days of those laminated labels are numbered.

Shortly after this footage was taken, a sword fight ensued and the carnage was great.

THE COTTAGE IN THE WOODS: Part II

Dear Olive,

Remember the Snow White Cottage?  Throughout my workday, I could not shake my perseveration on this house.  I kept walking through it in my mind and rehashing Jason's optimistic reaction towards it.  "It wouldn't hurt to investigate further," I thought.

At the end of the day, my last appointment had cancelled and I found myself out of work at an unusually reasonable time.  "It's a sign," I thought.  I think I'll just wander over to the bank and see if there is someone there who would chat with me.

When I arrived, the bank traffic was low and I made eye contact with an executive who waived me over.  "I didn't make an appointment," I started.  "I'm not even sure if I know the correct questions to ask."

"Just tell me how I can help," She responded kindly.  In two minutes I blubbered out the details of my
scandalous scheme to pursue second home-ownership.  As I gave her my last name to enter into the computer, she stopped and gave me a big smile.  "Your husband was here at ten," she related.  "He already started the application.  He has all the details."

I stared at her, dumbfounded.  

"I hope I haven't spoiled the surprise," she cautioned.  

I thanked her profusely and returned to my car.  

Even if we don't decide to do this.  Even if try and are outbid, what a luxury it is to know that another human being understands your heart's desire and endeavors to make it his own as well. 

    

Stay tuned.  I can't wait to see what transpires!