Living Large In Small Spaces - Norwegian Cottage

A traditional cottage in Norway is this week's feature on Living Large In Small Spaces.

Welcome to the eighty-eighth post in the series

"Living Large in Small Spaces".

This vacation home began life as a humble 409 sq ft cabin built in the 70's. In 2007 the cabin was sold to the current owners, and three years later they built a 721 sq ft addition bringing the total square footage to 1,130.

Decorating the interior was accomplished over a three year period as the owners scoured magazines, books and museums for ideas that matched their vision for a cottage that would reflect their love of tradition and nature. 


A bench purchased at a local auction is located at the front entrance.

Here contemporary furniture mixes with traditional Norwegian pieces and accessories to create a comfortable as well as stylish space. The coffee table came from the basement of the cottage owner's grandparents, where it was used to cut fish. Its legs were shortened to better suit the new use. The floor lamp's base is made from stacked stones.

The antique cabinet was purchased by the cottage owner's father at an auction when she was 13 years old. Before the remodel the wall behind the cabinet was an outside wall. The owners chose to leave the little window in the wall as it was. A gorgeous 40 year-old carpet covers the floor. 

Two wingback chairs face the windows to capture the views. Everywhere you look you'll see candles in stunning holders.

Green plants and tulips brighten the interior.

The new fireplace, inspired by those found on old farms, was designed by the cottage owner.

There is space for four overnight guests in the loft.

The French country kitchen was designed so that views of the mountains could be enjoyed while preparing meals.

The long dining table was purchased in an antique shop, the sofa has been with the family through three homes. Pin chairs were bought from a demolished company cabin. Every morning the working wood stove is fired up to warm the kitchen.

Cushions hung from an old ski make a simple, unusual headboard.

There are many things I love about this cottage, but the one decor take-away for me that I can implement in my own cottage immediately, at very little cost, is the candles. Not only to have them, but to actually burn them. They really are a beautiful addition to a room.

What's your take-away from this Norwegian cottage?

Sources:
klikk.no
minoase.no

Photos: Erik Jaeger

Join me next Saturday for another post 
in the special series

 Living Large in Small Spaces

See more home tours in the 
Living Large In Small Spaces Series here.

Cottage Life - Thriving in a Very Real Winter

When we moved into our Oregon cottage 18 months ago the locals asked us if we would be able to stand the winters. Coming from the Rocky Mountains where we lived at 7,500 feet and experienced snow storms that dropped four feet of snow at a time in April and May, we were pretty certain that the winters they talked about would seem mild in comparison.

Outdoor Seating - Allenspark, Colorado

After all, average snowfall in these parts never amounted to more than a few inches at a time, and daytime temps hovered in the mid to high 20's. And, in fact, when we broke ground for our cottage in February 2015 there had been no snowfall and there wouldn't be for the rest of the winter. The construction team often worked in their shirt sleeves.

Holy cow, is our cottage really that small?

Last year we experienced more ice than snow, and I invested in a pair of grippers to wear over my shoes so I could walk without fear of slipping

Very stylish, don't you think?

Which brings us to this year's weather. Yesterday I took these photos of our town's maintenance crew removing snow from the neighborhood and transporting it out of the area.

We've received several feet of snow over the past month and more is expected. When it finally warms up enough to melt it could be problematic. Consequently, the relocation of 5' - 7' mounds from concentrated areas to help ease the runoff.

Temperatures have been in the single digits during the day and below zero at night, and that's on good days. I hear some griping and complaining, when I go out, but really, what good does that do? It is what it is, and I believe in making the best of it. This, too, shall pass.

If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
~ Dr. Wayne Dyer

In the meantime, I appreciate the pristine beauty of fresh snow. It's so much prettier than brown lawns and bare trees. I'm blessed to live in a warm, cozy cottage and so thankful for my husband who designed it.

Photo taken before the "real" snow came.

And then there's comfort food. Homemade stews and hearty soups are my favorite dishes and this is the best time of year to make them. Last night we dined on Vegetable Beef soup. Over the weekend I made Chili with Black Beans, only this time I added a chopped sweet potato. Oh my, was it delicious. I don't think I'll ever make it any other way from now on.

My Chili with Black Beans and Sweet Potatoes. Yum!

Hot drinks, warm quilts and the promise of spring keep my spirits up.

For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. 
The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, 
and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. 
Song of Solomon 2:11-12

Believe it or not, spring will be here before we know it.

Living Large In Small Spaces - The Stack

The Stack, a 19th century historically preserved engine house in mid-Cornwall is this week's featured small space.

Welcome to the eighty-seventh post in the series
"Living Large in Small Spaces".

Located in over half an acre of natural beauty, the stacked stone structure -- named "The Castle" by the locals in the twentieth century -- once housed a beam engine necessary to the mining industry.



Now it serves as a 1,200 sq ft rough luxe retreat, spread over five floors.

The stunning dine-in kitchen comprises the whole of the ground floor.

A pet-approved wood burner keeps the kitchen warm and cozy in winter. Imagine relaxing in that lovely window seat with a good book and a cuppa.

The deck, accessed from the kitchen,  boasts a hot tub, cushy seating and al fresco dining.

Not to mention breathtaking views of Fal Valley.

A wood-fired pizza oven is a nice culinary touch.

Back in the kitchen, a staircase leads to three more levels.

On the first level the grand bathroom steals the show. The floor-length mirror was sourced from a 1920's London parlour. The clawfoot tub was reclaimed.

Beautiful crown molding and a big arched window make my pulse race.

Across the hall a double bedroom gives off a Moroccan vibe with its shutter headboard and distressed walls. 

Interior walls were stripped to reveal layers of history.

Each bedroom has its own personality. The second level bedroom speaks to the home's industrial past.

The velvet covered chaise is a lovely surprise against all the rustic wood.

Exposed beams, deep well window with shutters -- everything we love in historic Cornish structures.

An old cattle trough is recycled as a sink in the en suite bath.

The eclectic living room is located on the same floor. I love the log burner nestled in the exposed stone.

The third bedroom on the top floor is dedicated to star gazing. Skylights bring in loads of daylight, and a view of the night sky.

The zip and link twin beds can be made up into a king size.

The lower level (basement) houses a cinema room and den.

Another very cozy spot.

Tranquil gardens surround The Stack.

Remains of the old stamp house and a play area add visual interest and invite exploration.

The Stack is a vacation home available for rent from Unique Home Stays, www.uniquehomestays.com +44(0) 1637 881183.
Images © Unique Home Stays www.uniquehomestays.com +44 (0) 1637 881183

All images are owned by Unique Home Stays and were used with their permission.

What do you think of this unique home?

Join me next Saturday for another post in the special series

 Living Large in Small Spaces

See more home tours in the 
Living Large In Small Spaces Series here.

Cottage Life - Time Well Spent

The holidays are over and the Christmas decorations have been packed away. (Well, mostly packed away. I can't get to the box that holds my Nativity scene because there's two feet of snow in front of the shed where the box is stored. So for now the Nativity is still on display in the cottage. C'est la vie.)

I'm always ready to get back to my everyday cottage decor after  Christmas.

Happy to have a more streamlined, simple winter mantel.

The storage boxes I mentioned in last week's studio update arrived and I organized everything under my work table into neat, stacked containers. 

I even have a small space above the stacks for odds and ends, such as a tin or a small box.

Now everything is in order and kept out of sight behind the skirt.

Thanks for all your encouraging comments on my studio reorganization and rearrangement. They spur me to action!

The colors in the new rug I'm twining remind me of a spring garden. I'm using a heavyweight cotton that tends to fray, but I rather like the rustic appearance. It reminds me of farmhouse rugs of the past. The strings you see are loose, and I'll brush those off.

This is the fabric I'm using.

One of the things I enjoy most about twining rugs is choosing a particular fabric and pondering how it will appear in its new form,then seeing it as it comes together and thinking, "Yes! That's exactly how I imagined it."

It seems to be the tradition of many bloggers to share thoughts going into the New Year. A word for the year, goals they've set, and so on. I've chosen a word for the new year in the past and shared it on my blog, and last year at the advent of the New Year I wrote a post entitled Finish Well. You can read it here. I re-read it yesterday and found it means as much to me now as it did when I wrote it. Maybe more. 

So, I won't be sharing a word this year, although I have plenty of them rolling around in my head. Instead, I'll share a quote that I wrote in my journal during my blogging break last summer. A quote that sums up what I learned during that time and what has become most important in my life.

"If you find that you're simply too busy for a daily chat with your heavenly Father, it's an indicator that you probably need to take a long, hard look at your values and how you're spending your time." ~ Hugs Daily Inspirations for Women, August 27

No matter what my plans are for the New Year, having time for a daily chat with my heavenly Father will be at the top of my list.

May 2017 bring blessings from God meant only for you.