Storybook Cottage - The Renovation Plan

After spending way too much time with my trusty CAD program, I've finally come up with a design for the cottage.  I tried several different approaches, because this house had some challenges.  It's a bit like working with a jigsaw puzzle - you do the outlines first and then work your way in.  And after a few false starts,  I'm pretty excited about the final design.  It should be lovely!

Let's take a look at the starting point.  This house has had very few updates over the years and while that has a certain charm, it also makes it less livable for a modern family.  The in-your-face refrigerator as you walk in the door, the cramped kitchen and vintage cabinetry are ready for an update.  And most buyers want an open floor plan - one that blends the living spaces seamlessly so the family can spend time together.

Kitchen - Before - walls block sunlight from the south/west exposure

But it also has some fabulous features.  The first floor ceilings are high, which is a huge plus.  There are a lot of windows and with a south/west exposure in the living spaces, it's bright and cheery.

3 Season Porch

The three season porch and entry porch can become living space - which will be a great addition.  The previous owner used to spend time on this porch every day, even in winter it's such a pleasant room with the sun shining through the windows!

So what's the plan?  We'll eliminate the old, seldom used entrance to the house. That makes the living room bigger and brings in lots of sunlight.  The new entrance will be on the porch - which is also right next to the big 2 car garage.  Much more convenient when you're coming home with arms full of groceries!

The porch will also provide space for a new home office.  Since so many people work from home these days, that's a feature that many buyers want.

As you can see, the main living space will be completely open.  With all the walls removed, sunlight will come flooding into the space.  (as an aside - I tried switching up the kitchen and dining room - but the space just seemed awkward, so we'll be leaving the rooms in their current locations)

1st floor bedroom & bath with interior walls removed

All the walls in the bedroom/bath are being removed and we're starting from scratch.  We've torn out the ceiling and both rooms will now have a beautiful cathedral ceiling.  The bedroom will be larger, so there is plenty of room for a double or queen sized bed.  And the new bathroom will have a large shower.





2nd Floor:

In an unusual move, I'm changing this house from a 4 bedroom down to a 3 bedroom.  As I played with the second story, I just couldn't come up with a workable solution for 3 bedrooms.  I didn't want to have to walk through one room to get to another - and those two rooms were tiny. And if I added a hallway, it made all the rooms even smaller.  So instead, we will have 2 nice, large rooms.

I love the clawfoot tub in the bathroom, so we'll have it resurfaced and add a faucet set with a hand held shower.  Charming!!

Source:  Andraya1123farmhouse

And what about decorating style?  While it was fun to do a mid-century modern home, I'm going back to my cottage roots for this one.  We'll mix vintage elements with modern amenities.  Here are a few inspiration pics that I've been noodling over.

Source:  Concrete Cottage

I'm always a sucker for reclaimed lumber, so I'll wrap the new structural beams in the living room and 1st floor bedroom.



I'd love to do a built in mud bench and shelving in the entryway, just off of the kitchen.  It would provide space for winter boots - and sandy shoes when summer finally gets here!

Photo by Venegas and Company - Search kitchen pictures

The upstairs bedrooms have sloped ceilings, so I want to highlight them!   I'd like to do a vintage style room, maybe with handmade linens.  This one from Miss Mustard Seed is lovely!

But before we get to all this fun stuff, we need to get some work done!!  Stay tuned for all the updates!

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