Ah…Finally. The Plans & The Look.

April 21, 2014 by Cynthia Leave a Comment

The Look. Besides the natural light…the most striking thing about this picture is the extraordinary use of the batten board walls. I will be using the batten board sheeted material which is generally used for exterior siding.

White and Light. While this design shows white walls and ceilings, my walls will be white but the ceilings and the floor will be anchored with raw pine. Much to think about!

Folks, my posting has been pretty spotty lately. It’s mostly because I have packed up a lot of my DIY tools and supplies in anticipation of my upcoming renovation. To that end, we have a ta-dah moment. We have two things: The Look and The Plans.

The Plans are completed and embedded below. My wish list is about a page and a half long, but here is a condensed version:

Add a fireplace
Change the front door from two French style doors to a single door
Deck the back yard
Gut the kitchen
Insulate all the exterior walls
Update electrical
Add a bathroom upstairs
Add a dormer to the upstairs bedroom bringing it to code and allowing it to be counted as square footage
Build out the garage
Replace all sheetrock with horizontal wood planking
Update bathroom fixtures in current bathroom
Interior/Exterior Paint
Etcetera, Etcetera, Etcetera

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

Here are the drawings:

Main Living Floor Plan

Second Level Floor Plan

Filed Under: My Home, Projects, Uncategorized Tagged With: antiques, batten, beadboard, board, coastal, cottage, remodel, siding, white

It’s All About the Front Door

February 3, 2014 by Cynthia Leave a Comment

My renovation has got me thinking I want to change the entrance to my home. Right now, I have two French doors for my front entrance and I think I would like to have a single door point of entry. I intend to set the tone with the curb view of my house. My dream cottage would be on Nantucket, so it seems that would be a good place to start. Looking at these pictures, there is definitely a theme emerging. I am leaning toward removing the planking just on the front porch and replacing it with cedar shingling. Coupled with the bright white trim and some old lanterns flanking the door. I would love to find a really old plank door that originated on a house in the North East. It all depends on budget and availability. To that end, here are some of the options I have found:

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

xoxo.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: antiques, cedar, coastal, cottage, country, door, front, lanterns, nantucket, porch, renovation, shingles

Summer’s Last Hurrah.

September 3, 2013 by Cynthia Leave a Comment

Some end of summer Hydrangeas add the personal touch for the end of summer visit.

Mother Nature had the last word this weekend. The warmest days of the summer were upon us. My hope is that it will segue into a fine, fine fall. I am already thinking about my fall décor and the Round Top Antique Show…two things that bring me an incredible amount of joy this time of year.

Just one last summer post before we all move on. My house re-design that I have blogged about previously included completely changing my guest room. As I transition my home to a lighter, coastal feel…this room was a great opportunity to showcase the simplicity of my style.

I’ll be the first to say the room isn’t particularly refined…but that is what I like about it. It sort of feels like a room you would find in a beach cottage.

Here are the before and after photos.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always.

Cindy

Before.

A collection of architectural objects.

Guest Room.

After.

Late summer guests are greeted by lavender infused water, ocean scented candles and simple surroundings.

With an antique table, heirloom cotton towels and a vintage enamel pitcher and basin, why not create a modern day wash stand? Still every bit as beautiful and useful as it would have been when my old cottage was built.

Simple white is my philosophy when it comes to dressing beds. Seasonal quilts, pillows and lampshades are the opportunity for color and change when you want something new and different. These light weight quilts were a steal from Kohl’s at $32 each.

A mostly soothing, white room, I can’t resist well placed doses of my favorite color, red.

The room formerly had a single queen bed. Now using two twin beds with white cotton sheets and a light, summer quilt for when the ceiling fan makes the room a little chilled, this room has a simple and quiet countenance.

Direct from local lavender farms, this essential oil is a treat for my guests.

Lavender pods along with Lavender essential oil in a vintage basin ready for summer time guests.

My grandmother’s vintage towels, lavender infused water with thick terry washcloths for a soothing sleep time compress on a warm summer night.

What used to house a television in another room, now stores quilts for cold winter nights and a small flat screen for guests who wish to squire themselves away to relax and watch Pride and Prejudice.

Imported Soap, Burt’s Bees Balm and a lovely Ocean scented candle for pampered guests.

Bedside refreshments for overnite guests. A glass and carafe are left bedside for guests and refreshed every evening.

Filed Under: Before 'n After, My Home, Uncategorized Tagged With: antique, bedroom, coastal, cottage, guest, room, vintage

Pretty Holders

September 21, 2012 by Cynthia Leave a Comment

End of season flowers in a miniature, vintage glass pitcher.

‘

I am always on the hunt for pretty little things that can be used in very practical ways for home keeping and organizing. These lovely little shells do the trick as soap and sponge holders in my cottage kitchen. As my style has evolved into a more coastal style (see a previous blog article, Coastal Leanings) they fit right in.

I picked up these two little shells from my good friend, Vince at GOOD LOOK, Inc. around the corner in Princeton, Texas. I am grateful to know him, as he reminds me and helps me every day to see the beauty in simple things. He has recently opened an online shop where he offers his beautiful antiquities at secondshoutout.com. His wonderful eye and great style are available to the masses since he now ships. Please give him a look, you’ll be glad you did.

What pretty little things can you use to organize your home?

I hope you find some inspiration.

xoxo.

Cindy

Faint hues from faded flowers and handmade lavender and oat soap.

Vintage bottle for soap, vintage pitcher for flowers and lovely little shells for soap and sponge caddies.

[hana-code-insert name=’cottagesbungalos’ /]

Filed Under: My Home, Uncategorized Tagged With: coastal, cottage, homekeeping, kitchen, organization, rosemary, shell, soap, sponge

Coastal Leanings

June 11, 2012 by Cynthia 3 Comments

The Simple Joy.

To the Sea, to the Sea.

I must go down to the seas again,

for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call

that may not be denied.

My style has slowly evolved from Early American Primitive into New England Coastal Cottage. Throughout my little shangri la are small references to the place that I long to be, all against a coastal inspired light palette.