May 2018 - Arrow Hill Cottage

AROUND HERE: MAY 2018

Around here we have been…

FINISHING SCHOOL. It is hard to believe that the end of the school year has already arrived! All five kids have worked very hard in their studies and are ready to move onto the next grade level. The end of school year activities – school softball games, class field trips, and programs have been keeping us very busy.

RUNNING AND JUMPING at track meets. May also kept the kids in good shape. There was a 5th grade District meet, in which {D} participated. All of the kids, besides {M} were also able to take part in a track and field day for Lutheran Schools in Perham. Angela helped with the school track club and was able to assist in the track meet that Zion school put on for 5th – 8th grade Christian schools in our area.

As parents we are very happy with how hard our kids tried at their events – and even that they were able to come in in first place in some of them; But more importantly, we are proud of the sportsmanship that they displayed with their teammates and other athletes.

CELEBRATING Mother’s Day. Each year, Angela requests only one thing – pictures with her clan. This year the weather was absolutely gorgeous, and so we set the timer on the camera and lined up. The pictures turned out better than we ever imagined – in fact, we love them so much that we are considering having them printed to hang on our gallery wall!

GETTING the yard summer ready. After a long winter of shoveling snow and avoiding ice patches in the yard, we were excited to get the lawn mowers out, trim the bushes, and to plant a few flowers. Angela is happy that have the landscaping project from last summer behind her. It feels great to be able to enjoy the outdoors without being all bundled up! Soon there will be beach trips and water balloon fights!

This is just a glimpse at what our family has been up to. If you’d like a closer look, be sure to check out our weekly ‘mini vlogs’ on our YouTube channel ARROW HILL FAMILY. Be well everyone!

THE 8 MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF BATHROOM DESIGN

They aren’t glamorous. In fact, they are quite possibly the most forgotten – while at the same time, most useful – room in the house. The bathroom.

Every house needs one; But when it comes to design, homeowners tend to spend very little time contemplating what makes a bathroom perform to the best of it’s ability. Whether you are planning a brand new bathroom or are wanting to spruce up one that is existing – these eight aspects are the ones you should focus on first.

1. LOCATION

The common Real Estate motto should echo when deciding where to place a bathroom: location, location, location. Generally speaking, bathrooms are places where people want privacy. With that being said – the first guideline of positioning a bathroom is that it should not be directly adjacent, or open into, to a very public space in your home – such as the living room.

Secondly, there should be a bathroom accessible to everyone who uses the home – from those who live in it, to the guests that visit. If the only bathroom on the main level is the master bath, for example, your guests will have to travel through your master bedroom to access it. Consider a powder room or larger hall bathroom that is easily found.

Bathrooms are also in prime position near bedrooms on other levels of a home. Searching for one in the middle of the night, when needed, can be a dangerous adventure.

2. FIXTURES NEEDED

The next major aspect to consider is in regards to the function of the bathroom itself – by indicating which fixtures the room will require. The most common fixtures include the toilet, sink, shower, and bathtub; But custom fixtures, such as a bidet, may also be requested.

The bathroom count of a home relies more on the number and types of fixtures that each one has than the square footage allocated. Generally, a bathroom is considered a ‘half bath‘ or ‘powder room’ if it contains two fixtures: A sink and a toilet.

A ‘three quarter bathroom‘ will contain these basic fixtures plus a shower; and a ‘full bathroom‘ contains all four fixtures: sink, toilet, shower, and bath-tub. (The bath-tub/ shower can be a combo unit).

3. SIZE

There is definitely a comfort factor when it comes to bathroom size. There needs to be enough space so that each fixture can be accessed and used properly. However, an overly large room can create an uncomfortable atmosphere.The user may feel awkward when using a too large room.

Think carefully about how much space is needed to comfortably use each fixture in the bathroom. You may be surprised to learn that the room can be much smaller than you initially thought!

As you can see from this graphic, the bathroom on the left is quite cramped. The bathroom on the right, containing the same three fixtures, is too large – with a large amount of wasted space in the center.

4. VIEWS INTO ROOM

Although the door is typically closed when a bathroom is in use, there are also plenty of times during the day when the door will be left open. Be thinking about what you will be able to see through that open door. Surely it is more pleasing to have a view of the sink, rather than the toilet, for example.

When determining sight lines into a space, take a string or pencil mark and draw straight lines from each fixture to the other side of the door. If these lines pass through a wall (or the door), the view to that particular fixture is private. If the line has no obstruction, the fixture is in view.

5. PROPER VENTILATION

While a window can provide a natural and cost effective form of ventilation – it is not always possible to position one in the bathroom. In those situations, a vent fan is a definite must. In fact, it would be a smart idea to include a vent fan even if the room does have a window. Not only will it allow you to contain unpleasant smells and eliminate them quickly, it will also help with to avoid moisture accumulation – which can cause mold if not dealt with properly.

6. POSITION OF THE FIXTURES

The shape and size of the bathroom will help you determine the placement of each fixture. If you are starting from scratch, locating the plumbing along one wall can help reduce the cost of installation.

As discussed in topic #4, consider the more private fixtures, such as the toilet and shower, to be out of view when the door is opened.

7. LIGHTING & COLOR

Lighting is absolutely essential for bathrooms, especially near the sink/ vanity. Natural daylight is desirable, as is soft overhead lighting. Avoid fixtures that cast shadows on your face.

As mentioned in this post, the colors used in a bathroom can affect mood. If you want to create a peaceful and calm atmosphere, consider blues or greens. Yellow is a good option if you want your bathroom to invigorate you.

8. SHARING

Though bathrooms are typically a private space, there are times when two or more people will need to use it at the same time. If that is going to be the case for your family – whether it will be a husband + wife, or siblings using the bathroom at the same time – be thinking about ways that will allow the space to remain private and shared at the same time.

One common solution that designers have adopted is called the ‘Jack and Jill’ bathroom. In this layout, the bathroom is accessed from two entry points (many times, two bedrooms). The sinks are in a public zone of the overall bathroom, and can be accessed at any time, but the toilet and shower/bathtub are positioned behind another door.

Another popular layout option is to give the toilet it’s own ‘closet’ within the overall bathroom – allowing it to be used in privacy, while keeping the rest of the room open.

Of course, there are many more decisions that will need to be made when designing your bathroom. Likely the fun ones – such as choosing flooring and accessories – are more exciting; But if you take the time to consider the eight important groundwork aspects outlined here, your bathroom will be functional and serve the occupants of your home well.

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MY FAVORITE INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS THAT FEATURE COLOR

I recently added a post about color theory – and how the shades of color you use in your home can affect the mood of the spaces. Since that post went live, I have been particularly aware of how different homeowners and designers use colors. Photo above by theartwerks. Instagram is my favorite place to look for new inspiration; And I have come to realize that there seems to be three main schools of thought in regards to decorating with color:

ONE: Neutrals Prevail

TWO: Pops of Color

THREE: Color Explosion

I thought it might be fun to share a few of the Instagram Accounts that feature the use of color in each of these school’s of thought. Today, I will start with the ‘Color Explosion’ accounts that caught my eye.

@sararaak

Nobody does color quite like Sara. I love the cheerfulness of her feed and how she is unafraid to use color and pattern in each and every room of her home!

@blueberrylivingco

Fun and floral. That is the way I would describe the Instagram feed of Ju De Paula. She uses the tagline ‘feel the joy’ – and it is certainly possible while looking at how she decorates her space!

@katepearcevintage

The deep, rusty hues in Kate’s squares are bold yet sophisticated. Her home puts out a retro and ultra comfortable vibe, and color plays a major role in that.

I hope you get a chance to visit the links to these fabulous accounts. They truly are inspiring! Be watching for future posts that focus on the other two main ways homeowners and designers tend to use color.

HOW TO CREATE A COMFORTABLE OUTDOOR ROOM

With Summer right around the corner, you may be anticipating enjoying the outdoors – listening to the birds sing, sipping lemonade on the porch or grilling steaks on the patio. You may be wondering what steps to take to make the perfect summer outdoor space of your own.

The truth is that not all rooms in nature are created equal. There are six key elements that will help you make an outdoor room as pulled together and comfortable as possible – one that you, and your potential party guests, will want to linger in all summer long.

1. DEFINE A SPACE, AND MAKE IT PRIVATE

Intimate spaces are inviting spaces. Instead of trying to figure out a way to make your entire yard an oasis, start small. Begin by locating a portion of your yard that is relatively convenient in relation to your home. A spot directly outside a dining room or kitchen, for example, might be a good choice.

Defining a space could be as simple as building a fence around the area, or changing the ground cover. Patios made of bricks or slabs of stone are popular, as are wooden decks. This defined space will be even more enjoyable if it is hidden from public view. Potted plants of varied heights could make a natural ‘green wall’ or a privacy screen might be created with chicken wire and vines.

Fun privacy ideas for your outdoor room: 1 | 2 | 3

2. BRING THE INDOORS OUT

You’ve heard of bringing the outdoors in – now think about that concept in reverse. Make it feel like an extension of the home you love, by drawing elements from the inside – outdoors. Perhaps there is a certain color or theme that your interior is decorated with. Using those same elements outdoors will create a unified look.

3. ADD CONVENIENCE

For an outdoor room to be comfortable, it also needs to be functional – so that once you are in the space, you won’t need to leave it to grab a convenience item.

If you have a grill in your space, make sure that all the grilling tools are handy. If it is a place you plan to nap in, have pillows and blankets nearby. A cart to hold beverages and snacks would be welcome in just about any outdoor room!

These conveniences are clever and useful! 1 | 2 | 3

4. PROVIDE VARIED SEATING

Think about your outdoor room being used by various group sizes. You may want enough seating to accommodate small group conversation, a place to dine, or even a one person seat – such as a hammock. You can include multiple seating options, which can be rearranged as needed.

Various seating options for outdoor rooms: 1 | 2 | 3

5. KEEP IT SHADY AND PROTECTED

A shady and protected outdoor room is essential for use in the warm summer months. Shade options can range from a simple draped canvas overhead, to a detailed pergola. A full roof will offer a more protected feel, and possibly a longer season of use for your outdoor room.

If you want to extend the use of your space into the cooler months, you may consider adding operable screens/ windows and a heating source such as an outdoor gas fireplace or wood burning fire pit.

6. LAYER THE AMBIANCE

Your outdoor room will come to life if you consider all five senses, and how they can be connected to nature, when pulling it together.

Sight: What will you see when you are in your outdoor room? A pleasant view will allow you to relax and let your other senses to be engaged. At night, solar lights or strands of lights above create a magical feeling that will make you and your guests want to stay up past bedtime.

Smell: This sense can make or break an outdoor room. Take care to ensure that items which could produce unpleasant smells, such as a garbage can, aren’t close by. Using flowers and other sweet foliage can help you connect with nature. A fire feature can also create ambiance and a pleasant, familiar smell that is sure to be enjoyed.

Hearing: Often this sense is overlooked, yet it has a huge impact on the enjoyment of a space – especially outside. If your home is in a loud neighborhood, consider a white noise machine to cancel out some of the noise. Add in pleasant sounds, such as a water feature, for comfort and tranquility.

Taste: The pleasure of preparing food outdoors is multiplied when you can pick fresh food and spices. The installation of a raised-bed garden nearby, or pots with herbs, adds an interactive element to an outdoor room.

Touch: Tactile elements such as pillows, rugs, and even the furniture that is selected to fill your outdoor room can engage the user of the space in a way that no other sense can. Take care to ensure that these items are not only pleasant, but interesting to touch.

By following these six key elements of design, you can create an outdoor room that is not only comfortable – but also engaging and interesting. Put them to work for you, then sit back, relax, and enjoy the summer!

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HOW ROOM COLOR CAN AFFECT MOOD

Imagine your favorite color. What about that specific shade makes it stand out in your mind? Have you ever thought about how it makes you feel?

Though preferences vary – science has taught us that colors evoke similar feelings in the majority of people. How then, do the colors you choose to use in the rooms of your home affect your mood?

Generally speaking, all colors stem from the three main PRIMARY COLORS – Red, Blue, and Yellow.

They are further divided into three main categories: Warm, Cool, and Neutral.

WARM COLORS: Located on one side of the color wheel – Reds, Yellows, and Oranges – these shades evoke feelings of warmth because they remind us of things such as fire and the sun.

COOL COLORS: Located on the opposite side of the color wheel – Blues, Greens, and Purples – evoke cool feelings because they remind us of grass and water.

NEUTRAL COLORS: The standard neutrals – White, Gray, Black, and Brown- are considered ‘non-colors’. In reality there are wide varieties of neutral hues, with a range of warm or cool undertones. Black and brown are considered to lean toward the warm side, while white and gray tend toward cool.

WARM COLORS IN YOUR HOME

Warm colors are stimulating and fun. In your home, warm colors work well in the public and social rooms of the house such as the living room, dining room and kitchen.

RED

Red is a very intense color, and tends to liven a room. Because of it’s intense hue, it is the perfect color to use when looking to add interest and excitement to a space. The eye will naturally be drawn to it, and even a small pop of red will raise a room’s energy level. It has been said that red stimulates conversation and increases appetites – making it a popular choice for living and dining rooms.

YELLOW

Yellow is considered a happy color. It can make people feel energetic and cheerful, and yet large amounts of the brighter shades of yellow may evoke feelings of anxiety, frustration, and even anger. The softer yellows are a better bet for whole room coverage, as they tend to be easier on the eyes and reflect light well. Rooms that can benefit from uplifting yellow hues include entry spaces, kitchens, and bathrooms.

ORANGE

Orange is a highly energetic color that represents happiness and innovation. Though it has a reputation of being overwhelming, the more subtle shades (such as apricot and terracotta) have become more popular in modern day interior design. Color experts warn that the brighter the shade of orange you use, the less you need.

COOL COLORS IN YOUR HOME

Cool colors tend to be calming. They evoke feelings of restfulness and peace – and therefore are wonderful choices for private rooms where concentration and quietness are important, such as bedrooms, offices and bathrooms.

BLUE

Blue is considered relaxing and serene. It has been said to bring down blood pressure and slow respiration – making it a popular choice for bedrooms and bathrooms, especially in the softer shades. Dark blue may evoke feelings of contemplation and in large amounts, even sadness.

GREEN

Green is considered the most restful color for the eye, as it combines the refreshing quality of blue and the cheerfulness of yellow. When used as the main color for decorating, it is said to relieve stress and help people relax. Because of it’s overall pleasant feel, green is suited for almost any room in the house.

PURPLE

Purple is associated with luxury and creativity. Though rarely used as the main color in decor schemes, it does lend itself well as an accent or secondary color, by adding depth. Darker hues of purple – such as eggplant – can make a space feel rich and sophisticated, while lighter versions – such as lavender or lilac – can bring a restful quality to a space.

NEUTRAL COLORS IN YOUR HOME

The neutral shades are considered the building blocks in a decorator’s tool kit. Because of their flexibility they are useful as either the base/main color for a room, or a grounding accent color. When decorating, it is recommended that 80% of a room is composed of neutral colors, and 20% of the remaining space filled with strong accent colors – pulled from either the warm or cool tones of the color wheel.

WHITE

Because of it’s light reflecting abilities, White is considered airy, peaceful, and clean. Designers often use white to make roomss feel more spacious, or as a blank slate to build upon. Be careful not to whitewash everything though – too much white in one space can make it feel stark, cold and bland.

GRAY

Gray is considered the most unresponsive color – emotionless, neutral, and safe. Lighter shades of gray will feel cool and serene – with just a bit more warmth than white. Darker shades of gray can feel solid and steady. In any shade, this color blends well with others – allowing them to take center stage.

BLACK

Black is a ‘grounding’ color. It can be used as an accent to virtually any other color. In fact, some experts in the color field argue that a bit of black should be incorporated in every room to ground the color scheme. But remember, a little bit of black can go a long way!

BROWN

Brown is an earthy color that invites you to reconnect to your roots and embrace nature. It is a reliable color that makes you feel safe and warm. Brown is a popular choice as an accent color, primarily in the use of wood furnishings and cabinetry.

COMPLEMENTARY COLORS

When determining which colors will look best together in a space, you can find some great clues by going back to the basic color wheel. Colors that are opposite each other on the wheel are thought to work together well. Blue and Orange, for example, are considered complementary colors.

I find the theory of color fascinating! Do you agree with the scientific studies? Does your favorite color evoke the same feelings written in this post? I would love to know if the colors you favor tend to make their way into your home decor – comment below!

And feel free to visit my Pinterest page – for boards showcasing Hues of Home!

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SATURDAY SKETCHBOOK: MASTER BEDROOM

I hesitate to call this room the ‘Master Bedroom’, since it lacks some of what would be considered standard features. There will be no on-suite bathroom or walk-in closet. But it is the bedroom that Craig and I will use – and since we are the ‘masters’ of the property, per se’, I guess the phrase will work. Ha!

As I mentioned in this recent post – the room is not at all large. When dividing up square footage in the floor plan, we made the decision to give more to the shared/ public spaces in the house (such as the living room and kitchen) and to make the private spaces (such as bathrooms and bedrooms) a bit smaller. This is a decision that we are 100% okay with, as the members of our family tend to rarely spend time in the bedrooms.

The location of the bedroom itself was something I thought about for a very long time. Because we intend to live in Arrow Hill Cottage for as long as life allows, I wanted to be sure and include at least one bedroom on the main level. Our kids are old enough now that it works for our family to have their bedrooms upstairs – giving them (and us) a bit of separation and privacy. Besides the bedroom, the rest of the main level is shared/ public space – In order to make the room feel as private as possible, I used the stairway as a ‘buffer’ and also located the closets, fireplace, and built-ins between the living room and bedroom – which should help to reduce noise transfer.

The Master Bedroom is 10′-4″ wide by 12′-5″ long, 128 square feet. But even with it’s small size, it should be able to pack a good design punch – with a few key features.

NATURAL LIGHT

I have said before that I love natural daylight. The Master Bedroom will have three large South facing windows that overlook the front porch. They are sure to let in some great light, which I am very excited about! And because they are across from the bedroom door, the view out of these large windows is likely to be the first thing you notice when you walk in. For privacy and light filtration, these windows will likely have some sort of covering.

I like the look of a simple natural roman shade.

TRAY CEILING

We have a large amount of tongue and groove barn-wood, which was removed from an old summer kitchen on Craig’s parent’s property. I am hoping to re-purpose some of the wood in the trayed portion of the Master Bedroom ceiling. I think it will add a bit of warmth to the room, as well as sentimental/ personal appeal.

I also love sleeping with the white noise of a fan, and want to find a pretty ceiling fan to replace the chunky box fan that we are currently using.

FRENCH DOORS

The closet, though not the walk-in variety, is a decent size. We plan to use a set of vintage french doors (from the farmhouse we are currently living in) to access the closet space. Of course, the glass on the doors will need to be frosted in some way so that our clothes and shoes aren’t on display!

The doors have such a great patina, but I may need to sand and stain them to mix a bit better with the other wood tones.

TUFTED HEADBOARD

We have a queen size bed with the world’s most comfortable mattress. Although it has probably outlasted it’s life expectancy at this point, we are not ready to part with it. I have wanted a diamond tufted headboard for a very long time. The thought of aqua velvet keeps popping up in my mind, but I think a more neutral fabric choice would better suit the room – without overpowering it.

There are a ton of great DIY tutorials for tufting, such as this one from Homeade by Carmona. It looks pretty straightforward and the directions are detailed enough that I may just get brave enough to tackle this project, and save a few dollars.

A nightstand and reading lamp with an operable arm will be situated on either side of the bed – giving the bed wall a very balanced and symmetrical look.

At the foot of the bed, I plan to position a special pine chest that my uncle built for me as a seventh birthday present. It is full of memories and keepsake items – and I cherish it!

READING NOOK

A few years ago I found this cute chair through a local online ad. It’s in a bit of rough condition currently, but it has a great shape and I can see a lot of potential! I am thinking of reupholstering it and maybe painting the frame, or staining it a different color.

There will be a series of shallow shelves behind the door, where I plan to house our book collection, as well as a few mementos and collectibles.

And of course, there will be baskets. No room is complete without baskets.

The rest of the accessories and art for the room are a bit sketchy in my mind at the moment – but I know that I want the vibe to be calm and relaxing, yet not too stuffy or formal. I am envisioning pops of color to add interest, and lots of visual texture. I love textiles such as rugs, pillows and bedding – and will surely have plenty of fun making each of those choices. Here are a few that have already caught my eye.

These pretty embroidered floral accent pillows are simply gorgeous. From Say It With Pillows on Etsy

Fun navy blue and white patterned pillow from Hayneedle

Grey and white striped sheet set from Target

This jute rug from Overstock would be a perfect natural accent to the room.

There may be enough room to have a tall and shallow dresser on the long wall.

Shallow dressers can be somewhat difficult to come by, but I did find some nice options from Wayfair, including this gorgeous piece.

On top of the dresser, I will layer art and possibly a mirror and other accessories. I love this sign from Rooted & Grounded Home (on Etsy)

I’m excited for this beautiful, clean and relaxing bedroom!

A FARMHOUSE SINK FOR OUR COTTAGE

They say that the kitchen is the heart of the home; And a beautiful kitchen is high on the priority list of many homeowners. I am in agreement with these sentiments. After all, if my family is going to be spending a lot of time in one room, it should function well AND look nice.

The kitchen for Arrow Hill Cottage will have a classic look, with clean materials and tons of natural light. But I have to say, in all honesty, the feature I am most excited about is the kitchen sink.

Time for a little story:

About eight years ago, when my husband Craig’s family was helping his grandparents clean out their farmhouse (the very one we are living in at the moment), I spotted a cast iron sink laying in the weeds on their property – ready to be hauled away by a scrap metal collector who was paying by the pound. I am pretty sure I let out an audible shriek, then quietly and as calmly as possible, asked Craig to please find out more about it.

Turns out that it was the farmhouse’s original 1920’s kitchen sink that was removed (and tossed outside) in the late 60’s, when the room was remodeled to a more modern style.

It didn’t take too much begging for his grandparents to agree that we could save it from the pile. Craig though, needed a bit more convincing. Mostly because the thing was a beast, and hauling things around is low on his list of favorite things to do. He loves me though, and eventually gave in to my desire. We had absolutely no place to store the relic of a sink, and so we asked Craig’s parents if we could keep it in one of the sheds on their property until we built our house. And that is exactly where it has been ever since.

Craig was there last weekend, and I asked him to get a few measurements for me so that I could fine tune the kitchen design a bit more. He took pictures of the sink – in all her muddy, rusty glory – and seeing them made me fall in love all over again.

We will need to look into getting it refinished – probably at a body shop – but even with that expense I believe we are sitting on a great deal. I saw a very similar model on Etsy selling for $1,800! Another sink, on Ebay is listed for close to $1,000. Even reproduction models are over $700!

There are a couple of challenges that this farmhouse/apron sink will present. One is finding wall mounted faucet hardware. They aren’t quite as common as the counter mounted variety.

I like the look of this bronze faucet from Wayfair.

I have a feeling that lever handles might be a bit easier to operate though – so this option from American Standard might do the trick.

This one with a pull out spray faucet would be very functional – but I’m afraid it might not quite be in the budget. Maybe I can find something similar for less when the time comes to make a decision.

Another challenge will be determining how to lay the counter material. This sink style was originally designed to be a free standing unit. It probably had matching legs at some point. Kitchen design & style has changed quite a bit since the 20’s.

I am still pretty set on using a quartz counter-top material. I love the clean look. The sink will will either need to be set a bit lower than the counter height, so that the counter material can overlap the edges – to ensure that no water slips onto the cabinet below – similar to this:

OR possibly more likely, because of it’s integral back-splash, we will need to set the sink up higher and butt the counter-top material into the sides, like this:

The final design challenge that I can foresee, and perhaps the largest, is the placement of the sink itself. Because it is a single bowl sink, the placement of the faucet will be further to the right (and not in the center of the overall unit. There will be three large windows on the wall where the sink will be located, and I am unsure if I want the entire sink to be centered on the middle window (and hence, the faucet offset), or the faucet / sink basin portion centered on the middle window. Maybe you can all help me out. Tell me which you prefer!

SINK UNIT CENTERED ON MIDDLE WINDOW

FAUCET CENTERED ON MIDDLE WINDOW

I should note that the dishwasher will likely have a cabinet panel front, so that it blends with the rest of the cabinetry. I feel like it seems to have more space on the right of the sink. Thoughts? Maybe I should take another look at the window placement and series?

Please comment below or via social media. Would love some help!

UNDERSTANDING WHAT MAKES HOME ‘YOURS’

We are in waiting mode, as three local contractors are pouring over our house plans in an effort to get us accurate bid numbers. They have seen plenty of house designs in their day – and no two exactly alike I’m sure.

There were some questions when we had our meetings with the contractors – and some comments made by friends and family, regarding the design choices we have made that make our home what it is. And I have been thinking a lot lately about how tailor fit this house is for OUR family.

I just wanted to take a little time today to encourage each of you to understand the home that YOU want to live in. What works for you and your family may not be the norm. It might not be what the real estate market expects, or trending on Pinterest. And guess what? That’s okay!

This is a list of a few of the unconventional features that have been incorporated into our new house design, and why we are happy with our choices:

LACK OF SQUARE FOOTAGE:

We understand that our house is on the small side. The primary dimensions of our house are 28 feet by 32 feet, making a rectangular footprint about the size of a standard two car garage. The smaller footprint was a function of both our challenging site, and also for monetary purposes.

We have said all along that we do not wish to live in a large house; but rather one that can accommodate today’s needs while we raise our five children, and won’t seem too spacious when they are all grown and gone. All told, the finished square footage of the cottage, including lower level and upstairs half-story, will be just over 2,000 square feet.

NO MASTER SUITE:

Most newly built homes feature a main level bedroom, complete with a large walk in closet and attached on-suite bathroom. Though our cottage will indeed have a main floor bedroom, so that we can age in place, the room will not have the features to make it a ‘suite’.

We have instead opted to have a large shared bathroom on the main level, near the mudroom/ back entry. It is only a short, accessible, distance from the bedroom; But it’s location through a public shared space will make it convenient for guests as well.

The closet for the main level bedroom is large – about 5 feet in length – but it is not a walk in style. We have justified the smaller closet space by realizing that we try not to keep items that are not useful to us. In fact, the only other closet on the main level is a small broom closet near the bedroom door.

SHARED KID BEDROOMS:

This design item seems to get a lot of attention. The idea that we can fit five children into two bedrooms gets a few raised eyebrows. For us though, it is the perfect set up. The kids will have the entire second level, which simply features two bedrooms (one for the girls, and one for the boys), and a hall bathroom to serve both rooms.

To be honest, our kids have always shared bedrooms and I think they would be a bit lost having a room all to themselves. We do, however, anticipate that as the teen years approach (our oldest son is 11) – they will want more privacy. The sleeping nooks in the boys room will aide in that regard – while still keeping them close.

Fewer bedrooms mean less nagging from mom and dad to get the rooms in order, and hopefully will develop some shared responsibility among the siblings to do their part in keeping things clean.

COMBINED KITCHEN/DINING:

While this design decision was driven primarily by the budget, during the simplification process, I have to admit that I am actually looking forward to the combined kitchen and dining space. The table, though standard height, will serve somewhat as an island if need-be.

I have been tinkering with the plan, and was careful to maintain a functional kitchen work triangle – with the table slightly offset from it. The large area of open shelving, with shallow cabinets below, almost mimics a hutch – which signifies a ‘dining’ space ever so slightly

RELATIVELY LITTLE STORAGE:

Because we know that, for us, items stored behind doors rarely get used, we have opted to have very few storage/closet spaces in the cottage. There is one small broom closet incorporated in the plans for the main level, but no coat closets. Instead we will use cubbies or hooks in the mudroom to house our outerwear. Upstairs, each bedroom will have a closet, and there are a couple of small unfinished storage areas in the eaves which will be useful for Christmas decor and other seasonal items.

It is standard to build three stall garages for new homes. Most families now have two vehicles, and will use the third stall for either an accessory item such as a boat/ ATV, or as storage space. Though we have been told that garage square footage is cheap and we should consider making ours larger – perhaps with a bonus space above – we have decided that a two car garage will be just fine for our needs. We are hoping that by setting the garage back from the house and making it only one story, it’s appearance will be minimized from the curb view. The fact that the garage will be attached is a huge bonus for our family, as we have never owned a home with that luxury. It will especially be appreciated during the cold winter months!

There you have it! Though these design choices may not be popular in today’s market – we aren’t looking to ever sell our house (instead hoping it will passed down through the generations) – and so feel no hesitation in making these changes that will allow the cottage to function in the best way possible for our family.

What makes your home personal? A unique shade of color on your walls? No formal entry space? Mix-matched cabinetry? I would love to hear, in the comments below!