Our New Cottage - Progress Report #6



Hello Cottage Friends,

I had to cut my last update short because my laptop hard drive crashed with all my construction photos. My efficient and very accommodating computer repairman Marcus downloaded the photos I needed to a flash drive, so although my computer is still in his hands while he installs a new hard drive, I do have the photos to give you a proper construction update using Dennis' Mac.  Thank you, Marcus and Dennis!

Okay, here we go. . .


April 17, 2015

I tested two red paint samples on siding remnants: Vermilion by Sherwin Williams and Barn Red by Behr.  



I wanted a red to replicate the Falu red (or Falu rödfärg in Swedish) paint used on Sweden's classic wooden houses and cottages. 


Source: http://www.swedishdesign.org/Classic/Products/Swedens-Own-Colour/

In the winter I want our cottage to look as inviting as my inspiration photo. . .


Source: http://www.planete-deco.fr/2013/12/21/noel-au-chalet/


I bought a Behr Barn Red sample after discovering it was used on a local farm house I like. It looked pretty close to Falu red. After a lot of online research I found an article that named SW Vermilion a 99% match to Falu red paint.  99%?  Good enough for me, so I bought a sample of it also. 
(Tip:  Spend the money on a sample or quart of paint and try it on.  It's worth the extra dollars spent to get it right.)

April 18, 2015

We make a decision to go with Vermilion. Our local hardware store-- whose line of paint is manufactured by Sherwin Williams-- is having a major paint sale: buy one gallon at regular price, get the second gallon for $5.  We break into our happy dance and buy as much of our paint as we're allowed. 

April 19, 2015

Let the painting begin.



April 20-21, 2015

Our goal is to get the porch walls and ceilings painted before the crew puts up the window and door trim and begins floor construction.









Our neighbors refresh us with iced tea.


April 22, 2015

Painting goal met.



April 23, 2015

I continue to paint the exterior while Dennis works on the landscape.




Years ago our lot was the location of a logging truck repair shop, and there are remnants of that enterprise buried in our excavated soil.





Along with a lot of rocks.




(Just keeping it real, folks.)

Dennis builds a screen to sift the soil.



He shovels dirt into the screen and filters out the junk and rocks. 




Then he moves the filtered dirt to various areas of the yard, creating natural drainage and landscape interest.





Later we'll have 6" - 8" of good quality top soil brought in for gardens and grass seed.

April 24, 2015

Matt with Stove Works installs the heating stove vent in the fireplace.





April 27, 2015

I take the morning off to meet a blogger friend for the first time; she's visiting her daughter and granddaughters who live in a nearby town.

This is Connie of the blog Crafty Home Cottage and me.


Connie is the first blogger friend I've met in person.

Do you know Connie?  If not, you need to hop over to her blog here and introduce yourself.  She's a sweetheart and has a very fun blog. 

Connie is the first blogger friend I've met in person.

Meanwhile, Dennis starts to create walkways around the cottage.




The crew is back to install studio windows and entry doors. 







April 28, 2015

Framing is added around new studio windows and door.




Scott installs blocking in the interior walls.






Here you see the blocking for the mantel.

Charlie helps Dennis unload the landscape timber we purchased.




April 29, 2015

Our garden window gets the rest of her trim.




And construction of the front porch floor begins.





More trim is added to the back porch.





April 30, 2015

Installation of the back porch floor is happening.



While I'm gawking at the floor Dennis yells, "Hey Nancy! Will has installed the brackets!"

And I hightail it around the studio to see this beautiful sight.



How can something so small generate such large excitement?



Miss Garden Window feels very romantic.

I want to kiss Will for doing such a beautiful job, but I don't want to scare him off. So, I just give him a lot of "atta boys".

The front porch floor is finished and Ram Board has been placed over it for protection.




The insulation contractor is onsite.




The team blankets the walls, and then blows in the insulation.



We continue to paint the exterior.



May 1, 2015

The job site is a hive of activity today. . .and I'm not talking about the bees.

Dennis continues to establish paths. This is a portion of the main path from the street to his studio. 




I continue to paint.




It's Poppy Day in our community and Dennis takes time out to hang our flag in remembrance of our veterans who have scarified so much for our freedom.


Thank you Vets for your service to our country!

Scott and Charlie are building the back porch railing.



La Grande Drywall has arrived.



After dinner Dennis and I walk to the job site to see the work that's been completed.

All the sheetrock installation has been completed.



Dennis inspects the sitting room.


I stand in the kitchen and imagine it with cabinets
and flower pots in the garden window.

Suddenly we have real rooms.




Around the corner of the fireplace on the left is an alcove Dennis designed for storage and to hide wireless router, DVD player and so forth.



The back porch railing is complete.



Dennis tries out the magnetic sweeper.



Hey, this really works! Look at the nails it picked up.



May 2 - 3, 2015

Dennis creates a cover for the opening under the back porch and uses all those rocks we have to create proper drainage along the foundation.



I paint the west side of the cottage.


And the studio.

Dennis paints the trim, which, by the way, is Sherwin Williams Chalk.


May 4, 2015

More work on the front porch railing.




The drywall is taped.



I leave you with this view of the cottage last night.


And now I've got to go.  The job site is calling me. :)



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

Progress Report #1
Progress Report #2
Progress Report #3
Progress Report #4
Progress Report #5


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


36 comments

  1. Oh Nancy it is looking so awesome!!!! Loving all these updates. You and the team are rockin it out on this new cottage home. The deck looks great with the railings and I love the red you chose. So beautiful. I cannot wait to see more.
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lovin' the red a lot, and I've said it before, the guys are crazy fast - it's going to be stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It was worth waiting for this installment of your report! Your photos just make me excited for you. The red is perfect! And the decks and railings are beginning to add so much personality. I can't wait to see more - and I know you can't wait to sit quietly and delight in your wonderful, little cottage.
    ~Adrienne~

    ReplyDelete
  4. Amazing! It just looks great. I love the update. I love the red.
    Best Wishes ~ Carla

    ReplyDelete
  5. WOW! and WOW again! I love following as you build your cottage. I admire your imagination and work ethic!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Are you seeing "red" yet? LOL! Wow - I am loving the shade of red that you are painting your cottage, and all the innovative things that you are doing with the cool window decor to the nifty soil sifter Dennis built, to the hiding place for the wireless connections... wow - on the list goes! You guys are going to have a fantabulous place when it is all through, and I am just thrilled for you! Also - so awesome you got to meet up with a blogging friend! I hope someday we can meet too, since we aren't too far from each other! :) Thank you for taking the time to share with us your progress in this darling little cottage - it is amazing what you've gotten done so quickly already! Happy happy happy for you :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. All I can say is wowsey woo woo!! I'm excited for you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hola mi querida Nancy !,, que grandes avances de pintura en tu casa ! Me gusto mucho ese color

    ReplyDelete
  9. Nancy,
    I am just loving this cottage...love the color red! I can't wait to see it completed and furnished. Blessings as you continue your dream!!
    Hugs,
    Diane

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nancy,
    Wow oh wow! It's just so enjoyable scrolling through your progress reports and watching your cottage unfold into a home of warmth and comfort, I love the Red! I've never heard of a magnetic sweeper, how cool is that and while sifting I hope you and Dennis find Gold! Wow, wow, wow Nancy nearly home!
    xoxo,
    Vera

    ReplyDelete
  11. WoW it's really coming right along..you'll be having BLT's on the porch before you know it..an I'm sure come winter it's going to be so inviting in all it's red glory..speaking of which..I'm happy to see the flag hanging the correct way..blue on the left..hanging or flying that's how it should be..I'm guessing the final progress report shouldn't be too far away..I'm really looking forward to seeing how you place your furniture..as well as the kitchen layout..it must be so exciting to be living your dream.!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. You've come a long way, baby! Wow! That is looking fantastic...lots of work but so rewarding. It is going to be just beautiful when you are done with it. LOVE the color you picked. It is just pretty and vibrant. What a clean up job with all that old metal though. You will probably be finding bits and pieces of it for years....seems stuff works itself to the top over time.

    Hope you have some restful nights.

    OH- and I ADORE Connie! She is such a neat gal- talented and so sweet. Glad you were able to meet in person- xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh Nancy it is gorgeous!!!!!!! I'll bet that you and Dennis fall asleep as soon as you hit the pillow. Such rewarding work. Hugs, Jo

    ReplyDelete
  14. Nancy, I love the Swedish red that you chose. The entire place is so cute! xoxo Su

    ReplyDelete
  15. Nancy, I have no words! This is stunning! And boy, are you guys working fast :D
    It's so exciting to follow your updates and I love that I can FEEL your happiness when you write about your dreams for the kitchen window, the porch etc. It's simply amazing! :)
    Atta boy Will and the rest of the crew :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. NANCY! This is so exciting, and NOW I can see the inspiration from which you are drawing your ideas.....the SWEDISH barnhouse! I love this style and you are capturing it so beautifully! And I love seeing your beautiful face....and isn't it fun to meet blogger pals in person or at least talk with them on the phone?I have had the fun chance to do both and it's such a reunion of special hearts.

    This is good....this is so exciting to see. Get back to work! Anita

    ReplyDelete
  17. It's looking so awesome!!! Love the red! xoxox

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wonderful progress! Can't wait to see the inside painted and decorated!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Amazing to see it step by step. I love your inspiration photo and picked Vermillion as a good match (and just for fun) before I scrolled on to see which colour you chose. I'm especially loving the brackets under your garden window and the porches with the railings.
    You're both working so hard but you're getting to the really fun parts......can't wait to see what you do inside.

    ReplyDelete
  20. It is looking like a house now. Love the red, such a happy color. It is amazing how much was accomplished this mast month. I am excited for you to begin decorating but still a lot of work to do before that I am sure. It is great you were able to meet a blogging friend and take a break to visit. Looking forward to the next update. Blessings, Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  21. You are one hardworking lady!! Painting the house, yourself? You would get along great with my sister, who at 60 painted hers, all by herself, too! The progress is amazing, Nancy. You must be thrilled. I can't wait to see the decorating choices, because you know I love that exterior and the red...swoon worthy! So glad you met a blog friend. What a treat! xo

    ReplyDelete
  22. Such wonderful progress! What is your estimated move-in date? It will be here before you know it!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I watch this and I believe that it is possible for me to have a cottage some day. I don't need much since it is just me, but I couldn't visualize it until you shared your posts. I'm enjoying this so much.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I can't believe how adorable your home is! That back porch is just fantastic! I love all you are doing.
    Hugs,
    Patti

    ReplyDelete
  25. Such a great progress <3.I love how the exterior looks and such a wonderful red.Can´t wait to see how the inside will look once your done.I´m sure it will be absolutely beautiful.
    Hugs
    Caroline

    ReplyDelete
  26. NANCY!!! WoW!
    The progress you have made is amazing and it is coming together so beautifully! You must be truly overjoyed with how it is all going. I've been absent from blogland for a time and am just now seeing your update. I can't wait to see it finished! I imagine you can't either. Lol Take care and try not to work too, too hard.
    Wishing you a beautiful day,
    Linda at Beautiful Ideas

    ReplyDelete
  27. I think your Progrss Updates are soooo wonderful . . .
    Are you as excited as I am? (Smile)
    It is going to be so charming, delightful, perfect . . .
    I like the Vermilion . . .
    Love the porch between cottage and studio . . .
    Love the "flower pot" herb kitchen window . . .
    Ingenious the paths and recycling rock, stone, metal scrap . . .
    Great fun it is to meet a blogger friend in person, isn't it!
    I can't wait for the next installment . . . sooooo cool . . .

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi Nancy That Swedish red is a warm colour isn't it? I felt warm looking at it anyways through this tiny screen on my smart phone. I find that interesting how that red is a common colour for them. I'm curious to know more! I guess you can't lose your home in the snow. It's all very interesting to see it come together and I'm sure it's very exciting! I think that's neat you met a blogger friend- maybe someday I can meet you! Ronda

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love red barns, A wonderful color choice! And you are making progress!
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  30. Wow! I dearly love that you're chronicling this journey.. such a sweet cottage for two. Love the red, the brackets are SwOon worthy, and the red? Perfect. :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Love the progress you are making! I am so excited for you! Love love love the red you chose, it is perfect. You must be getting so excited! Drywall makes it all come together and soon you will be painting and decorating . Take care!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love the red you chose, so perfect with the white trim! It's looking more and more like a cosy cottage!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Nancy, your cottage is so pretty painted with the vermilion red-- it will look wonderful when it is all finished. You guys are making great progress! (unlike us!)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Your new home is coming along so wonderfully. Love the vermilion red with that barn house look. It really sets it off and reflects the look of your inspiration cottage. Looking forward to more updates!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Oh my goodness.... it's such a cute cottage, Nancy! I knew it would be though. I can't wait for the next installment :)

    xo,
    rue

    ReplyDelete

Your comments bring me joy! Thanks for stopping by.