Our New Cottage - Progress Report #5



Hi Cottage Friends, 

I've got another construction update for you. Unfortunately, right in the middle of writing this post my laptop decided to flip out. It's now in the repair shop, along with all the photos I had loaded of the construction progress. 

Consequently, I only got as far as April 16 in this report.  I'm now using Dennis' Mac to finish this post, and as soon as I get my computer back with all the pictures I'll publish another update to fill in the blanks. 

(Have I mentioned I have a love/hate relationship with technology?)

April 13, 2015

Ryan works on the electrical outlet rough-in.




Scott  and Will get the back porch ceiling completed, including the attic access.



April 14, 2015

The guys install small trim around soffit.



Ryan installs the lighting boxes.

Halo lights will spotlight artwork

Bathroom vanity lights

Meanwhile Dennis and I discover old windows outside a neighbor's 1912 farmhouse and after a little purchasing negotiation they're loaded up in the Suburban and we take them to the job site.



What are we going to do with these?

The same thing we're going to do with this free door Dennis scored.



They're all going to be repurposed into a garden shed that we're going to build ourselves.

This will be a fun, super budget-friendly project, using as much reclaimed and left-over construction material, as possible.

April 15, 2015

Ryan finished up the electrical rough-in and the inspector signed off on the work.


Our flat screen TV will hang on the wall.
We'll design and build a wall cabinet to disguise it.

April 16, 2015

The guys pull off to work on another job and we work on staining the decking before its installed.


My job is to sand the redwood.





Then Dennis applies the stain.




And sets up the decking to dry.





And this is where my computer stopped computing.  

I hate to leave you hanging, so we'll fast forward to last night (April 29). Here's a photo I snapped on my iPhone.




You can see from the photo that Dennis and I painted some of the exterior while the guys were off working on another construction project. We wanted to get the porch walls and ceilings painted before they started installing the decking.

We also have been working on re-sculpting the landscape.

I'm pretty bummed that I can't show you more photos of the progress, but at least you can see that the studio windows are now in, as well as the front door. The other two doors (cottage side door and studio) are in as well; all single french doors, which I adore.

And now I want to put a plug in for my weekly Living Large In Small Spaces series.  I hope you'll join me this Saturday, and my very special guest from San Diego, California. I can't wait for you to meet her and see the charming cottage she shares with her family.

Warmest regards and thanks to all of you for your amazing support and the joy you give me in this journey.



If you missed previous progress reports, you can find them here:

Progress Report #1
Progress Report #2
Progress Report #3
Progress Report #4


You can find our awesome builder at their website:
BLH Construction.

35 comments

  1. Wow you are making great process. Love the french door, hubs won't let me have one? Can't wait to see more photos!

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  2. Wow Nancy! it's going to be an amazing and beautiful cottage! You are certainly making progress! Keep enjoying the awesome journey!

    Nancy

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  3. Love the door! and the whole place is looking so awesome! bet you can't wait to get in!

    xox

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  4. Loving this journey you are sharing with us.

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  5. I've been waiting to see the next report. I love seeing the progress and it's pretty amazing. You inspire me to keep dreaming of the day we may be able to do the same. I can't wait to see more!
    ~Adrienne~

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  6. Nancy, I am so excited for the two of you. Your cottage is going to be perfect and what a lovely place to live. I love driving through the Blue Mountains and Hell's Canyon. Oh, you won't believe this, but on my drive home somewhere before I reached the summit, a cougar jumped out onto the road, stood for a moment and then leaped into the woods on the other side where he stopped and stood in the trees as I slowly drove by. My heart was pounding. Maybe you have seen them around where you live, but this was my first time seeing one in the wild. Pretty awesome!

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  7. I'm sure that gorgeous door is just like the one I admired in one of your Living Large in Small Spaces series.......what a score, you're going to have a great looking shed.
    Love the red, it's going to be such a pretty home.

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  8. The cottage is coming along great, and you already trying the red paint on! I love how you are getting involved in the prep for stain, and I can't wait to see what you are going to do inside! Our house has a side room (it's my spouse's office and a potting shed) attached in a similar manner to the main house, but it's only a hallway wide, not a porch in between, and the hallway leads to the carport. xoxo Su

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  9. The cottage is looking great! Loving the colour. Those windows and door were some good finds, looking forward to seeing what you do with them.

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  10. I get so excited to see your updates.
    Looking forward to more.

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  11. I'm always excited to see your updates too! I'm so sorry to hear about your computer woes, but I'm glad you had some photos to show us. I absolutely love your red paint!!

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  12. Nancy,
    I can relate, I too have the same love/hate relationship with technology! I'm very fornuate to be married to a geek in digital media. Progress report completion of this post I will look forward to seeing the photos.
    I'm loving the Red exterior.
    xoxo,
    Vera

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  13. Nancy, I know how aggravating that is to lose your computer! My son is techy so can usually fix things for me. I love all the pictures and Connie gave you a bit of a shout out today with a picture of you two-which wouldn't open for me for some reason.
    I love the color- it is going to be beautiful against that backdrop.
    Can't wait to see more- xo Diana

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  14. Love the door and Windows.. curious about that project and so thankful things are coming together so well for your little home.

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    1. I'm curious about it, too, Sherry. It's an evolving idea. :)

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  15. Hooray! Looking good. Looks like you've got some good weather to keep you working too! Thanks for the update, always exciting!

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    1. We've been very fortunate to have good weather throughout the project. There were a few cold and rainy days, but the guys worked around them.

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  16. Love watching your progress, and the garden shed concept - woohoo!

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  17. I look forward to each installment following your progress. I like the idea of building a garden shed, how exciting, look forward to following that too. I would be lost without my computer, hope you will be re-united with yours soon :-)

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    1. Thanks, Polly. My computer needs a new hard drive, which has to be ordered, so it will be about a week before the two of us are re-united. The worst part is not having my photos. :(

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  18. I love seeing your updates.
    It looks so charming . . .
    The garden house sounds like a fun project too!

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  19. I'm so sorry to hear about your computer. I hope that you will be able to get all your files rescued! I just loved your progress report, and to see things coming together. The red paint looks wonderful! And I know you are going to have a great looking shed with those windows and that lovely door! So thankful that all is coming together quickly, and hope the computer issue resolves for you too!

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  20. Great progress Nancy. I am loving everything. It is really looking so sweet. Ohhhhhhh I love the idea of a shed made out of the old door and windows. I cannot wait for you to get that project going. Sorry about your computer. I cannot wait to see more pictures soon. Looking so great.
    Kris

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  21. Good morning Nancy!!!!! I am thrilled to see you back, and even more thrilled that you will come back with more. I am with you here - I too have a love/hate relationship with technology (just ask my colleagues! HAHAHAHHA)

    The house is looking good and it will be like seeing a movie star because your header drawing has been all that we've known of this homestead, and to finally see it getting it's signature red coat of paint is very exciting. I wish you and Dennis many happy years there!

    Spring is finally here and I'm going outside this morning to do some cleaning! I am so happy; the moon is full and has energized my morning. LOVE! Anita

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  22. I think maybe all of us baby boomers born in the 50's have that love/hate for technology..seems to me the more updating/upgrading...it goes back 2 steps..it drives me nuts...........can't wait til you get your computer back either..looks fabulous..an the greenhouse does sound like fun..hope you find some more windows..can't imagine how anxious you 2 are to be moving in..looks like it won't be long now..hope your weekend is beautiful like ours here on Maryland's eastern shore...

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  23. I am loving the red on the house. I would love to find just one old window for a decorating project I have. Been looking for over two years. Another blogger made a garden shed out of old doors that came out so cute. I am interested to see your creation. I think garden sheds are so cute but I am not a gardener, my husband was and my daughter and step-daughter are avid gardeners. I have a love hate with my computer too. Looking forward to next report. Debbie

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  24. Great progress! I love that last picture! And the garden shed project is exciting.

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  25. Hi Nancy, your cottage is looking amazing! Looks like you guys are doing a lot of work on your own, how fun. Dennis looked like he new what he was doing with that paint brush. lol Have a beautiful day! Hugs, Jo

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  26. Hi,
    I am excited to learn more about how you designed your boxed in Flat Screen. That is something I would like to do.
    Great find with your windows and doors. So many fun things going on. :-)
    Carla

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  27. Technology is a fickle friend, Nancy, I totally get it and I hope you get your laptop back soon! In the meantime, you guys are really making progress and it all looks great! I can't wait to see your other photos. Looks like you're enjoying the process!! :)

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  28. Nancy I enjoy watching you and your husbands journey with building the cottage. I am putting my house up for sale in a couple weeks. My son is building his forever home in about a month and I will have a 750 sq foot apartment added on while they are building. I can't wait and have so enjoyed the pics of your progress.

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    1. Al, I hope your house sells quickly, and that your move into your new home will be a happy experience. I think it's wonderful that you will be so close to your son. I think add-on apartments is something we'll see more and more. Thanks for visiting, commenting, and joining us on our journey. :)

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