We are surely beginning our third summer in Redbird Cottage in July. That means that we have done the majority of hard things, e.g. wiring, a new roof, floor joists,new windows, new doors, new plumbing, fresh hardie board siding and walls. Yes, remember, we moved in without floors you could walk on in three rooms and without a wall in two. Good times.
This year we begin making the pretty happen. We added a porch last year to the front of the cottage when we added the new roof. We have not poured or built the decking of the porch yet, but it’s on this year’s list.
Watching specials on streaming this weekend I am reminded that our goals are not complete in a three-episode series. It’s rather discouraging when you are left with the impression that in 45 minutes a whole project is completed. The reality for us is that often each project may be many projects to get to one outcome. Such is the joy of a renovation reality of a hundred-year-old cottage and a limited budget.
The improvement to our budget and overall outcomes is dramatic though when I take time to gather materials, plan carefully and use what we are able to afford. The cottage renovations are debt free, we’ve paid cash as we go, bartered, traded, or found what was needed.
Our kitchen cabinets, simple, box cabinets, were set number two we used. The first, yard sale finds that I loved, but after using in our temporary kitchen arrangements, they just were too heavy visually for our cottage feel.
By waiting until we were in the cottage a while, I knew the configurations I’d prefer, I was able to combine coupons and time of year buying from Lowe’s to buy new cabinets for 45% off for a six-piece set and free delivery. The remaining cabinets were gifted, found, or marketplace located for free as they are popular first cabinets in a high dollar area near us and often scrapped in upgrades in brand new home neighborhoods. Worth it to us. Our kitchen renovations included a new gas stove and new washer and dryer. Both were scouted for and ultimately purchased for under $1200 total on special sales, the stove alone was over $1300 new, but purchased for under $600 new with a warranty.
Outside I’d love to walk out and see the front yard fenced off, planted like an English garden, and pavers between above-ground garden boxes. The truth is, it’s tacky right now, we have just begun the fence, and just begun adding plants we’ve purchased from other growers and those who have shared with us. (peonies for $3 apiece anyone? Yes! We purchased 9 from another grower!) Hostas from our last home in Alabama were planted last spring as well as new ones we purchased this year from Marketplace for $4 apiece. This won’t be their year for lovely, but by next year they will be wonderful.
Fencing is on this year’s list. Currently, we’ve found a source for 4×4 x 10-foot posts for $6 apiece. We purchased them last fall and Feller has the front yard fencing now concrete posts in. Soon we’ll purchase the fencing roll, then the boards for the trim and we’ve have Bitty a new garden space to romp and play and an outdoor room area for us to enjoy.
The table and chairs are already in the outline and though no pavers exist, we’re enjoying meals after work outside on cooler days.
What are your garden and project dreams this year? One of mine is to build in shelving in the family room to provide shelving and hidden storage as you walk in. We have treasures I do want to display but I also need the cabinets for china storage. We’ll see how the plans come along, I consider that idea my birthday gift to me in August, so I’m on the hunt for the right look and prices to do the work. I regularly have to go back to these two pictures to remember where it was when we opened the front door and where it is today…not perfect, certainly not polished, but so much more the cottage I imagined.
We began this work with a five-year plan for the basic necessities to be built and added. This is the end of year two, and we’re rolling along. Slower than I’d like some days, but to be fair, the time has allowed us to know the cottage better, to reimagine how we’ll use the space as a family.
It’s been a good journey even if it doesn’t close the episode with a perfect ending each effort. My friend Crow and her husband Art said we’d love the adventure of knowing every square inch of a cottage rebuilt by our hands…they were right, and yet the hardship has given us so much more than the work, it gave us heart for this space and for creating home within it.
With every nail driven, floor laid and door hung…you are helping create the welcoming warmth of that cottage.
Leslie,
With each step taken, another layer of my heart grows. We love hospitality and have since week one, fed people here, even in the shambles. I think providing ourselves sanctuary in small ways, brings us to peace. Hopefully hospitality shares that peace. xo ~ Sweetie!