Hello Cottage Friends,
We've been having a heat wave here. In the 90's. Blech.
Here's what's happened since the last update.
June 3, 2015
The hardwood floors are finished and the interior doors installed.
June 4, 2015
The guys have pulled off to work on another project.
Dennis and I do landscape work. He's moving dirt and I'm preparing the terrace flower beds for planting. They need a lot of soil amendment.
June 5, 2015
I make a trip to one of our local nurseries to buy some annual flowers for instant color. While I'm there I check out some trees and shrubs. These are just a few of my favorites.
Clockwise from top left: Norway Maple, Rosy Glow Barberry, Climbing Roses, Boxwood, Blue Colorado Spruce
June 6, 2015
I plant the newly purchased annuals in the terrace flower beds, and though they look rather anemic in this photo because the sun's very bright and they're still small, they're really very pretty. It won't be long before they fill the beds.
After planting, I drive the back roads to a friend's home in a nearby town to check out some perennials she wants to give me. It's a drive-with-the-windows-down day and I'm overwhelmed with the beauty around me. I pull over and take this photo to share with you.
This is Big Sky Country. So gorgeous.
June 7, 2015
Dennis works on setting up his new tile saw and I continue working on preparing soil for planting. It's so hot, and with no shade I can only work in the morning hours.
June 8, 2015
Scott is back to roof the garden shed.
And build the porch steps and hand rails.
North Breezeway Step |
Dennis starts laying out the tile.
June 9, 2015
Dennis begins the tile installation, starting with the garden window. We're using the same tile throughout the cottage: garden window, fireplace surround, butler's pantry and the bathroom.
The photo doesn't do this tile justice. It's very reasonably priced porcelain tile that has the look of slate. Dennis found it at a local flooring store and I couldn't be happier with his discovery. I love it.
Scott finishes all the steps and most of the hand rails. Dean puts the vertical rails on the hand rails.
And Dean installs the garden shed door.
I took this photo in the afternoon. You can see we still have a lot more landscaping to do. All in good time.
Someone asked if we planned to paint the porch railing. The answer is "yes". All the rails will be the same white as the trim.
The electrician should be here today to start the finish work. We're told the kitchen cabinets won't be delivered until next week.
Today I meet with Chuck at BLH to look at wood for the fireplace mantel he'll be building.
Thanks for hanging with me. I hope you're not bored to tears.
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
Progress Report #6
Progress Report #7
Progress Report #8
Progress Report #9
You can find our awesome builder at their website:
I am anything but bored to tears! I am fascinated to watch your darling cottage home coming together. It's pretty exciting to see how close you are to living there. Seeing your little home become reality is such a wonderful adventure. Thank you for sharing it with us.
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~
Love your updates, Nancy. We're also building, almost ready to move in a couple of weeks and we have chosen some very similar items, like the interior doors. So nice to see how your new home is progressing!
ReplyDeleteI love all your updates.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you both.
Keep Cool I think this hot weather is going to be the main topic this Summer.
It is finally getting Summer like for us here in Northern Michigan.
If I where down the road I would bring you Lemonade.
Not bored a bit . . . love watching the progress . . .
ReplyDeleteSweet, sweet cottage!
Hi Nancy, well, the two of you have been busy . . . it is coming along wonderfully. I'm so excited for you. Good bye motel room and hello home . . . it won't be long now:)
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week.
Connie :)
Were you SINGING when those windows were rolled down on that perfect weather day? :)
ReplyDeleteLove the view!!!
ReplyDeleteYour house is a slice of heaven in heaven...look at those mountains!
Never bored!! I am always so excited when I see you pop up in my feed! The house looks great, Nancy, and all of your choices are just perfect. I can't wait for the next update. Take it easy in that heat and enjoy that sky. Wow. What a view!
ReplyDeleteOh no, not at all. I am enjoying the journey :)
ReplyDeletepost and post some more!!! :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks like many of us are living vicariously through you, Nancy! We're having so much fun watching the progress, and we don't have to do the work, haha ;)
ReplyDeleteLooking fantastic!
ReplyDeleteNot Barberry! It has thorns the older it grows. It's a pretty plant but I gleefully gave mine to a Bonsai gardener. Not my business though but thought you might want to check that before you buy it.
So lovely to see your update today Nancy... we are struggling with the heat here too! It was 97 degrees on Sunday -- WHAT! Whew. Too hot this early. Anyway, I know what you mean about only being out in the mornings... and what you have done is amazing, just loved your little flower bed, and how awesome is that tile! Very exciting things going on... the kitchen cabinets will really make the place feel like it is coming together! So happy for you!!! :)
ReplyDeleteYour sweet cottage is looking amazing, it won't be long now. Hugs, Jo
ReplyDeleteNancy I love your updates! Your annuals look pretty, the photo of the view divine and the progress impressive!
ReplyDeletexoxo
I'm so enjoying seeing your home come to life, Nancy.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Never bored with your updates! I am so into HGTV home shows that this is exciting to me. Keep the updates coming!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Nancy! Oh the progress you have made is outstanding! THE COLOR IS PERFECT! I thought of you yesterday on our morning walk along the beach. There is a darling little RED and white cottage with a pickett fence. I had never thought of a red house until your project, and seeing one in person really makes a statement. Soon you will be in!
ReplyDeleteHi..it's looking Beautiful..and that drive..wow what a nice view to have while heading to a friends..the red you picked for the cottage looks much darker then i had expected..very nice i might add..looking forward to seeing the rest of the landscaping..and the finished house..guess it's going to be a long weekend/week waiting on those cabinets..til next time..hope you 2 have a WonderFul weekend....
ReplyDeleteGorgeous view. I have only been west one time and that was in the 70s. I went to Wyoming to help a friend move back to Florida. The views were spectacular and so different from Florida but I did not care for the dry heat in the flat lands.
ReplyDeleteI like your tile. I thought it was slate until I read further. Can't wait to see your cabinets and your finished cabin. Oh and pretty flowers. I too am replanting a bed out front but have to wait until evenings because it faces east and is very hot in the mornings, shade in evenings. Debbie
You are making such delightful progress... but it's the cottage door that stole my heart! So happy things are moving along well.
ReplyDeleteWow, you are doing great. Keep the updates coming.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for sharing the view of BIG SKY COUNTRY :-)) LOVE IT!
It's so cute. I thought the tile was slate!
ReplyDeleteYeah. It is coming along so fine.
ReplyDeleteI love the tile you chose and I think it's a great idea to use it throughout the Cottage: it'll give a sense of unity.
ReplyDeleteA thought on the Barberry. The deer on this island won't eat it. Your little place looks so cute and homey. I bet your so looking forwards to moving in.
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy :)
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed at all the progress! I thought the tile was slate too.
xo,
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