THE COTTAGE IN THE WOODS; Part III

Dear Olive,

Well, we didn't get the cottage.

I stood outdoors at the auction as a fairytale flurry of snow drifted down, knowing it was not to be.

Jason and I had crunched the numbers, interviewed roofers, and done a million walk throughs to make our decision.  In the end, it was the layers upon layers of lead paint that was the final straw.

We could have pulled the trigger and paid someone to take out the dangerous materials.  But the point was to do this ourselves as a family project.  And as we increased the list of things to outsource, the scales were tipped.  Ultimately, we realized it was not just a risky choice but also an irresponsible one.  The same week that we got the news of the paint, I evaluated a child with neurological damage due to lead exposure.  I took it as a sign.

So I stood amongst my neighbors and watched as our dream was sold to the highest bidder.  Perhaps the point of this journey was to underscore the gratitudes that I sometimes take for granted... a safe home, a husband who bands together with me to make my heart's desire a possibility.

I wore my hot pink tights, green coat, and chartreuse gloves to the event.  It was the outfit I had worn to work, but I realized how I stood out in the crowd of black wool coats.  My friend Robin attended with me out of solidarity.  I was struck by how in mourning my dream, I also felt relief for being exactly who I am, despite the things around me.  So many friends have asked the outcome of this adventure.  In it, I feel lucky to place emphasis on the friendship instead of the attainment. 

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!

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!

THE COTTAGE IN THE WOODS: Part I

Dear Olive,

Our street is one of the last brick roads in our town.  At the end of our road is a culdesac of two houses that look straight out of a Thomas Kinkade painting.  These homes, deemed "the cottages" by our family, are accessible down a narrow cobble stone drive and are nestled in a ravine flanked by trees.  There is a narrow brook circling the left-hand cottage, which my kids call, "the Snow White Cottage."  I've always coveted these homes.  I amble down the path often when walking alone after the kid's bedtime.

My fancy for these structures is so widely known that last week I received a call from a friend who is a relator alerting me that one of the cottages was going up for auction.

I swiftly did an acquaintanceship scan and plotted who I could solicit to be my neighbor with the secret agenda of designing the home's interior.  A mere day later, my lovely friend Amanda and I set out for a showing of the home.

"You'll be Miss Honey in Matilda," I cooed!  "You'll live in a fairy tale!"

We entered the house through crumbling stone stairs and a cracked hobbit door to an estate full of structural and aesthetic problems.  But all I could see was the potential.  Cupboards and nooks, and crannies, and character, I was falling hard.

A few days later, Amanda brought her mom to see the property.   Jason, the kids and I met her there.  The kids created chaos by hiding in all of the cupboards and trying to eat all of the lead paint.  Jason held my hand and listened to me gush.

Lying in bed that night, Jason listened to me wax poetic about the potential of the cottage.  By that time, Amanda's mother had  wisely talked her out of buying it, which any good mother would do.

"You want to buy it, don't you?"  He asked.

"Well, no"... I stammered.  "That wouldn't be very wise.  I mean, it would be amazing,"  I continued.  "We could rent it out while we fixed up the upstairs.  When my parents get older, they could move in so I could take care of them.  That would make me so happy."

"You know, we could probably swing it," He reasoned.

"Hmmm," I mumbled to sleep.  "Wouldn't that be lovely."

That night I had a dream that I found a fortune of war bonds in a purse that had been passed down to me by my grandmother.

Before I awoke, we promptly bought the house.

DREAMING OF: PINK TILED BATHROOMS

Dear Olive,

#savethepinkbathroom.  I've decided that I just can't let the pink tile go in our master bath.  It reminds me of my grandma and of the history of our house.  On doing some research, I realize that there are very few  pink bathrooms left in our world.  They were originally motivated by Mamie Eisenhower, who decorated the White House with so much pink, it was dubbed the "pink palace."  Who am I to destroy pink with such political prowess?

Fortunately, Jason is game for the challenge.  We are planning to start renovation next month.  So I am sculpting a plan to retain the pink but add some updated touches.  I've been pouring over photos of what the space originally featured.

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I wonder if our bathroom once had a tiny version of the pink sink pictured here:

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I've found few new designs that marry modern and post-war well.  Here are some of my favorites:

I loved Jordan's update to her San Francisco pink bath.  The labeled hooks are perfection.

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Maybe with this wallpaper?

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And here is our sink!  

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I'm excited to share with you my specs for our vision.  Phase 1 Leisure Suite!

PS: Check out the bath AFTER reveal here.