home design Archives - Arrow Hill Cottage

WORKING WITH CLIQ STUDIOS | PART 2

In this post, I review the process of working with the online cabinet company Cliq Studios. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for my thoughts. I am in no way sponsored by or affiliated with the company.

Construction of our minimalist cottage has been moving along at a steady pace. With framing well underway, we are beginning to hit crunch time. Finish selections need to be made and ordered soon. In fact, we have already begun ordering the items that require a longer lead time. The cabinetry included.

We began our kitchen design over a year ago, as documented in this post. At the writing of Part 1, we were fairly confident that we would be using Cliq Studios for our cabinetry. And now that we have placed our order, I can confirm that I was right!

Today I want to share with you how the process of working with Cliq has gone for us so far.

WHY CLIQ STUDIOS?

I encourage you to go back and read Part 1 of this series for the full run-down. Essentially though, our decision to work with Cliq was primarily done because of budget constraints. Simply put – it isn’t cheap to build a house, and if you’re on a budget, something’s got to give!

We were confident that we would be able to attain a custom looking kitchen, for a fraction of the cost.

DESIGNING THE KITCHEN

When I first started the kitchen layout process with Cliq Studios, I was assigned a designer from the company. She was wonderfully patient and held my hand through a lot of revisions. And when I say a lot, I mean, A LOT. If you remember – our kitchen was in a completely different corner of the house at one point! This designer was very responsive, answered all of my questions, and gladly made any changes that I asked of her.

A few months ago, my designer took a job elsewhere and I was transitioned to someone new. This made me a bit nervous, wondering if the new designer would truly understand the ‘vision’ I had for the space.

The great news is – he totally got it!

Our Kitchen

I made a major last minute floor plan revision right around the time that he came on board. He was happy to start fresh with the new kitchen layout, while keeping in mind the design decisions that had already been made.

Our kitchen is roughly 10′-6″ x 13′-6″ and is a basic rectangular shape. It was always my intention to keep the design of the room extremely simple. The showcase of the space is the 1930’s era cast iron sink that we inherited. It will be centered on a large west facing window. Stainless steel appliances will complete the kitchen work triangle.

Because I personally don’t like the way upper cabinets tend to make a kitchen feel heavy and closed in, we opted for open shelving. These shelves will be custom made from trees harvested from our property, and hold the dishes we use on a daily basis. The one upper cabinet that is included in our kitchen design is located above the fridge. It’s depth will be perfect for large roasting pans and rarely used holiday platters.

Other Features

Another favorite thing in our future kitchen is the curved ‘artisian’ range hood. Though Cliq does offer this style, I have found another brand online at a better price. I’m all about finding the best deal.

Our microwave will be a smaller counter style. I would love to get one small enough that we can stash it in the cabinet below when it isn’t in use and keep the counters clear. We actually rarely use a microwave, and I value the counter space more.

As far as where the dishwasher will go… we won’t have one! There are a lot of strange looks when we tell people this. Truthfully though, we have never owned a dishwasher. This is another instance where we value the cabinet space over the appliance. Should we ever change our mind or sell the house, we have cabinets on either side of the sink that would accommodate a smaller model.

TIPS FOR WORKING WITH CLIQ STUDIOS

There are a few difference I have found between working with a custom cabinet maker and Cliq Studios. Should you choose to go the semi-custom route, keep these tips in mind.

Finish choices are limited

Though they offer quite a variety of wood grain and painted finishes, Cliq Studios can’t compete with a custom shop when it comes to selection. Certainly this is, in part, one of the reasons they are able to keep the consumer expenses down. I wanted simple, shaker style white cabinets for our kitchen. The ‘Rockford’ cabinet style, painted in ‘Cloud White’ was the perfect fit for us!

Size matters

Be aware that the more simple you can make the design of your kitchen, the less expensive it will be. Avoid having too many ‘custom’ sized items, which will drive up the cost. For example: The standard base cabinet is 2′-0″ deep. Requesting a cabinet that is 2′-6″ deep OR 1′-6″ deep will cost you more money.

Width of cabinets is another factor to keep in mind. Measurements need to be kept to an even inch, 24″ versus 24 1/2″, for example. I also found that there are max sizes on certain items, such as base drawer units, which don’t go over 3′-0″ wide.

Fillers are your friend

For those tricky spots where one of the standard sizes won’t fit, fillers are your friend. My designer was great about noting where fillers where going to be needed.

There is also the offer of larger side panels, such as those used to enclose a large fridge, for a more built-in look.

Add-on’s are extra

While Cliq studios does offer custom add-on’s such as garbage pull outs and drawer dividers, they are going to cost you extra. I did some research and found that the organization items I wanted could easily be added, after installation, for less. Another bonus of waiting is learning how the kitchen functions. After using it for a while, I may find that those upgraded features aren’t necessary.

Finally, your designer can assist you in selecting counter tops and hardware. Be advised though that the counters are only available through one company, Cambria, which sells a solid surface material. This limits your choices, and they may not have the look you are going for. Drawer pull selection is also limited, and a bit higher priced.

However, if you are fine with fewer options, and like the idea of a ‘one stop shop’ for the entire kitchen design, Cliq Studios can make it happen!

CABINETRY COSTS

After working through the redesign for a few weeks, I finally felt settled and ready to order. I had been given cost updates all along during the process, so the final numbers weren’t any huge surprise to me. Because I know that it might be helpful for someone reading this review to see the actual costs associated with ordering cabinets, I am sharing the break down of expenses.

Included in the kitchen

(2) 3′-0″ x 3′-0″ corner lazy susan cabinets

(2) 1′-9″ x 2′-0″ drawer bases

(1) 3′-0″ x 2′-0″ standard base cabinet

(3) 1′-6″ x 2′-0″ standard base cabinets

(1) 3′-0″ x 2′-0″ upper cabinet

(1) tall side panel for fridge

(2) cabinet doors + pieces to make a custom cabinet for under the farmhouse sink

Various filler pieces

TOTAL COST: $5,242

As a result of this wonderful cost savings, we were able to add a few additional cabinets. Both for the mud/laundry room and a small snack station for the basement family room.

Included in the laundry room

(2) 2′-6″ x 2′-0″ standard base cabinets

(2) 2′-6″ x 3′-0″ upper cabinets

side panels for both

TOTAL COST: $1,555

Included in the snack station

(1) 2′-0″ x 2′-0″ standard base cabinet

(2) 2′-0″ x 3′-6″ upper cabinets

side panels and filler piece

TOTAL COST: $913

OVERALL COST for our Cliq Studios cabinet order: $7,710. When ordering, the taxes for our zip code were calculated. This added an additional $500 to our cost. Being able to get such a large number of plywood construction cabinets, with soft close drawers, for that price was a steal!

NEXT STEPS

Because I wanted to make sure that we didn’t hold up the process at all, I ordered our cabinets well in advance. Notice came just the other day that the cabinets are in production and should be shipped mid August! Unfortunately we won’t be quite ready for them yet. They need to be delivered to a climate controlled house, and I can’t guarantee that at this point.

Worried that this could cause a problem, I contacted our designer and asked if there was any way to delay shipment. He asked around and was able to confirm that the shipping company can offer us a 30 day extension should we not be ready to receive the cabinets. After that point we would be charged a rate of $50 per month for them to store the shipment. Certainly, this gives us peace of mind!

Overall, so far we have been very pleased with Cliq Studios! Be sure to check back for Part 3 – when I discuss delivery, installation, and my thoughts about the overall quality of the cabinetry!

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Minimalist Cottage | Virtual Tour

Join me today as I give a virtual tour of our minimalist cottage! This is the home we hope to spend the rest of our lives in, and we have worked diligently to design it to meet all of our needs, now and in the future.

With framing in full swing, I thought it might be a good idea to do a quick virtual tour. This could prove helpful for anyone following along with our real life progress updates. I share day to day on Instagram Stories. And also give detailed updates every couple weeks on Youtube. It will be fun to look back and see how close to the original design intent the house ends up.

When this blog was originally started, about two years ago, we were under the impression that the house would be built within the first year. But, as you know, that wasn’t the case. And, though the delays were frustrating, I am able to look back with gratefulness for the extra design time.

DESIGN CHANGES

For reference, THIS is my very first post regarding the design of the house. It was quite a bit larger then. We realized fairly early on that we needed to make major square footage cuts to keep the budget in check.

In fact, it seemed that as time went on we continued to simplify the design MORE and MORE. But with each revision we became increasingly satisfied with the house. There hasn’t been a single change, or simplification, that we have regretted – including THIS surprise last minute revision that created a more open concept main level. Every single change has led us to where we are today.

And where exactly are we? Home. A structure so perfectly suited for our family of seven that I hesitate to call it a house. It genuinely already feels like home, and we can’t wait to move in!

OUR MINIMALIST COTTAGE

The design of Arrow Hill Cottage has forced us to look closely at the way our family lives. And to explore our spacial needs both now and in the future. We realized during this process that, in many ways, we are quite minimal. It is more important for us to have time together within the same spaces, rather than retreat to our own rooms. And the storing of rarely used items is not a priority for us either.

We were able to settle on a comfortable floor plan that is just over 2,000 finished square feet. This includes the basement, main and upper levels. It should meet our needs now, with five growing children, and also accommodate my husband and I with main floor living, as we age. There is even potential, when all the kids are grown and moved out, to rent out the lower level for additional income.

TAKE THE VIRTUAL TOUR

I encourage you to watch the video of our cottage. It is quite a bit longer than the typical video I put out, but there is a ton of information! And, I think it gives great insight into why certain design decisions were made. I hope you enjoy!

Be sure to keep checking back for more house progress updates in the near future!

Site Work | House Building Update No. 3

Though not as glamorous as other portions of the project, site work is an important step in new home construction. Since we now have the okay to build, I plan to write an update every couple of weeks to document this process. I hope that you will follow along from wherever you are reading!

Update number three is all about the site work that has gone into preparing our land for a new home.

DEALING WITH THE TREES

As I mentioned previously, We had begun the site preparation ourselves by cutting down quite a few of the huge oak trees on our property. Craig’s parents were willing to help us with the tree removal in trade for firewood, which they use as a winter heat source.

We reserved quite a few of the straight log pieces. Asking around, we were able to find someone willing to mill them into lumber. With this lumber we hope to add some special accents to our home, including our dining room table.

The man who is going to do the milling for us collected the logs and brought them to his shop. We are hoping to have the kiln dried lumber from him by the end of the summer.

EROSION CONTROL MEASURES

With all the trees removed from the building area, the excavating crew set to work. First, the crew added some environmental protection measures. Our city has in place ordinances to prevent erosion during the construction process.

One measure is to add large gravel rocks to the portion of the driveway closest to the street. Because large trucks are in and out of a seemingly muddy construction site many times per day, these rocks help to loosen the mud before it is tracked onto the road.

Another way to prevent erosion is by adding a temporary silt fence around the portion of the site where the work will take place. In the event that sediment becomes loose on our building site, this fence will stop it from reaching the nearby pond. This will protect the pond’s water quality.

SCRAPING THE SITE

Approximately six inches of topsoil was scraped and pushed aside on the site, for future use. Because this topsoil contains quite a bit of organic material, it is not stable to build on top of. Small plants or brush might grow into the concrete foundation if the topsoil is not removed. In addition, topsoil holds in moisture. If pressed onto a concrete foundation, it may hinder it from curing properly.

This soil is, however, a wonderful material that will be spread back into place once the house is finished. It will be the perfect base in which to plant grass seed.

PLANNING THE EXACT HOUSE LOCATION

The excavation crew called me to the site to determine where exactly the house would be positioned. Although we had a basic idea of the location previously, the site looked a lot different with fewer trees. I have to say that, to date, this has been the most stressful part of the building process for me. It just seemed like the first real permanent decision. And that decision can’t be changed further on in the process if we are unhappy.

Our site is not a standard city lot where all houses are facing in the same direction toward the street. Because of this, we had quite a bit more flexibility on how to orient the house. Factors such as natural daylight, slope, views, and sight-lines all came into play and eventually we settled on what we think will be a good location.

Tape measures were run, laser levels were activated, and the crew was able to stake out the corners of the house and garage. I think it is pretty amazing how these modern day tools speed up the process.

DIGGING THE HOLE

Finally, the entire site was prepared and the crew could begin digging the hole for the basement. Above all, this is the portion of site work that I was most looking forward to. Seeing the large machinery in action was truly incredible.

We found that our site has quite sandy soil, with a bit of gravel content. This is actually favorable for house building. It basically ensures that, as long as the ground is graded properly, we will never have water issues in our basement. Compacted sand also provides a great base to build upon.

A portion of the soil was taken off site. The rest was left, to fill in around the footings and foundation.

SITE WORK COMPLETE

After hours of digging, and packing down the soil, the site started to take shape. And oh was it ever exciting!

This picture shows the outline of the house, marked in orange. It will be easier to see once the footings and foundation are set up. We are really excited for that next step! I have heard that once the foundation is complete, the rest of the building process seems to go very quickly!

SITE WORK | HOUSE BUILDING UPDATE NO. 3

This video shows the crew working hard to prepare our site for construction!

It’s pretty excited to finally be seeing a bit more progress, and things will really start to go quickly once the foundation gets started. We hope to be able to share that update next! Be sure to subscribe to the Arrow Hill Cottage YouTube channel, where I will be posting an entire video series on our new house build.

Porch Essentials | Create a welcoming outdoor space

There is something special about a covered front porch. Today I am sharing the front porch essentials that can help you create a welcoming outdoor room.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclosure here

Most people who see a home with a front porch will have a fond memory fill their minds. Perhaps the sight of a porch brings back feelings of family and gathering. Maybe it is a bit of nostalgia – longing for simpler times.

With summer right around the corner, and the anticipation of Arrow Hill Cottage being built, I have found myself really looking forward to spending time on the front porch. Though we won’t be able to enjoy the space until this time next year, I did a bit of research trying to figure out how we can make it as comfortable and relaxing as possible.

Below are the front porch essentials I believe make them special. I also share the products that can enhance each of these elements.

A SENSE OF WELCOME

To their very core purpose, porches provide a sense of welcome. They are the gateways from the hustle and bustle of the roadway to the peacefulness of indoors.

The most connected neighborhoods likely have homes that are outfitted with front porches. Sadly, it is rare for homes to be built with front porches nowadays. It is much more typical to find a garage positioned closest to the street, with a rather small front door set back.

We were very careful, during the design of our cottage, to include a large covered front porch. Not only do we believe it improves the look of the house itself (see for yourself in this post), we also feel that it will make our home feel more welcoming to our friends and neighbors. Porches have a way of encouraging face to face conversations with neighbors.

Adding a welcome sign to a front porch is a great sentiment, as is a cherry welcome mat.

A PLACE TO CONVERSE

Once a person has stepped onto a front porch, they are going to want to stay a while. Almost guaranteed. Give yourself and your visitors that opportunity by providing plenty of seating.

A porch swing is classic, and a staple for most front porches. We will definitely be incorporating one!

Be sure to offer a variety of seating options. Placing a matching set of chairs opposite the porch swing, for example, can create a wonderful conversation spot. Provide a mix of rocking and stationary seating.

Large ottomans or plush outdoor pillows are great for little ones. They can easily be moved around, perhaps even serving as a small table for a snack, or to hold a book.

A SPOT TO RELAX

Your front porch should be an extension of your home’s interior. Soften it’s hard lines by adding cozy elements such as layered rugs and pillows. Don’t be afraid to have fun with color and pattern. These elements can also infuse a bit of excitement and playfulness to the porch space.

AN ENTERTAINING SPACE

Porches also make great entertaining spaces. The purchase of a small beverage and snack cart can make a statement. Find one with wheels, so that it can easily be moved in and out of the house to be reloaded with snacks and drinks. An antique buffet or dresser can be set up in the milder weather months of the year, offering a more permanent entertainment solution.

A large drink dispenser allows guests to help themselves. You may even choose to refill the dispenser daily and keep it on the porch during the hot summer months, for family members to access when working and playing outdoors.

With proper seating provided, it is important to also include small tables where drinks can be placed. Nestle a table in between a set of chairs, or offer small serving trays that can be held on laps.

A CONNECTION TO NATURE

Another element that makes a front porch special is the connection it has to nature. Covered porches have a sheltering aspect, while also allowing users to feel the soft Summer breeze and smell the crispness of Fall air.

Try adding potted plants and small trees to the space. Hanging flower baskets are very popular among front porch owners.

One way we are planning to further connect the porch at Arrow Hill Cottage to nature is by incorporating a large planter. This project was the topic of much debate between myself and my husband. I think that I have won the battle, at least for now, and am very excited to see the planter come to life!

A SHELTER FROM OUTDOOR ELEMENTS

The outdoor experience can be enhanced by adding a bit of climate control to your front porch. This can be as simple as choosing appropriate lighting, to extend the usefulness of the space.

For the stuffy, hot summer afternoons, consider including a ceiling fan on the front porch. They can be found in a wide variety of styles.

Though the ceiling of a covered porch will add some protection from the sun’s overhead rays, a set of sheer curtains can help filter light further. They may also have the added benefit of deterring bugs and proving privacy when closed fully.

I hope that these porch essentials and product suggestions were useful to you, and give you insight into some ways to make your space really shine! If you have a front porch that you love, I want to hear what you do to make it a go-to space. Please comment below with your tips!

PIN THESE PORCH ESSENTIAL IDEAS

Click the links below for product information of all items in this post

FRONT PORCH ESSENTIALS VIDEO

THE IMPACT OF FRONT PORCH DESIGN

A covered front porch is considered a major asset to a home – one that many buyers would be willing to pay more for. The indoor/outdoor and public/private qualities that a front porch provides can add to the overall enjoyment of a home.

The detailing of a porch can also greatly impact the look of a home’s exterior. The combination of the porch’s roof-line, rails, and columns are of great importance; And determining the right proportions and styles of each of these elements can be tricky, especially if you are starting from scratch.

If you have an older home that has since lost it’s porch, you may simply need to see some historical photographs of similar homes to get a good grasp of what the proper detailing should look like. You can also take cues from these historic examples if you are designing a new home – but you may have more leeway on what might be deemed appropriate. You may need to play with a few different ideas before you land on the styling you prefer.

VISUAL EXAMPLES OF FRONT PORCH DESIGN

I will use the porch of our home, Arrow Hill Cottage, as an example of how a front porch can greatly impact the look of a home’s exterior.

Obviously, I have been going more for a ‘cottage’ look while designing the exterior – But the truth of the matter is that our home is basically a simple rectangular shape. It’s the porch that helps it come to life.

Because our porch is only 14″ off of grade, we will not be required to install a railing around it. Instead we will incorporate a large planter box to help define the space. I can’t wait for my husband to build it for me (wink, wink). The columns are doubled up and positioned on stone bases that match the height of the window sill.

I would like to show you some other examples of what the house might look like with different porch detailing. First, lets take a look at this same house WITHOUT it’s porch.

THAT’S A VISUAL SHOCK!

Insert all of the sad emoji’s here. Can you see how much character was lost with the elimination of the porch? The entire facade looks flat and uninviting. The entryway is not defined and the windows seem to have little balance. I think it’s clear that this house needs it’s porch!

The use of thinner columns and the elimination of the stone bases would have created a look that has a bit more of a Colonial styling. This set up might have looked more appropriate with a railing. For us, it wasn’t the right fit.

A thicker column profile atop brick bases might have given the house more of a Craftsman/Bungalow look. I personally love craftsman detailing; But I felt that with the steep pitch of the roof, they wouldn’t complement the house correctly either.

Color can also play a role. Stained brown columns may have given the house more of a Modern Farmhouse vibe. Lovely, but not what we were going for.

All of these options are unique and none would be considered ‘wrong’ in this situation. Our choice came down to a matter of a styling preference.

If you have a home that could benefit from a front porch, but aren’t sure what it might look like – please contact me about doing a MAKEOVER TAKEOVER for you! I would be happy to offer up some options that could really make your house shine!

HOME DESIGN PLOT TWIST!

Just two weeks ago I wrote about how our home design has evolved. I saw it as a bookend to the design – a way to finish off the chapter of floor plan configuration, and usher in the next phase of material selection.

And then, well… life has a funny way of sending you twists and turns when you least expect them! Today I will be writing about some major house changes that have happened – changes we didn’t even see coming!

I have written in previous posts how we have had to make some sacrifices for our house design – based primarily on site constraints and financial limitations. Most of the things that haven’t ‘made the cut’ have been no big deal. I can live without an extra window, or the specific roofing material I was hoping to use.

There are other house elements though, that we have been bummed about not being able to include. One of the most difficult to accept was the idea that our main floor master bedroom would not have an attached bath. An attached bathroom was high on both of our wish lists, but ultimately we decided that we could live without it. After all, we have never had a true master suite in all the years we have been married.

But after working through the design of the upstairs bathroom that our kids will share, I started to think more about the bathroom situation for the rest of the house. That led me to begin feeling sad once again that I had not been able to work in the master bathroom we had been dreaming of.

And so, since our build is on hold until Spring of 2019, I figured I had some time to tinker with the home design & floor plan layout a bit more

Much to Craig’s annoyance. The blessing and the curse of loving home design is that it is probably never fully DONE. Craig is ready for things to be set in stone now. He may not understand that even after the house is built I will be tinkering, with paint colors and accessories! Ha!

During one of these mini design sessions, I realized something about the main level plan that I hadn’t before. It is essentially split into four quadrants: Living room, Kitchen/Dining, Bedroom, Utility. Maybe it is because the plan has evolved for such a long time and my eyes have been looking at it for so long, but I had never noticed that aspect before.

I also hadn’t really given much thought to the fact that the main floor was also divided in half in terms of the public and private spaces. The kitchen/living/dining half (public) and the master bedroom/bathroom/utility spaces (private).

THE BIG IDEA

Then suddenly, I had an idea. I tried to swap the kitchen/dining quadrant with the master bedroom quadrant. Things suddenly started to make sense! By making this one simple swap the front half of the house would then be public, and the back private. But best of all? You guessed it. The master bedroom could finally have that attached bathroom! And just like that, we were headed in a new home design direction. PLOT TWIST!

OTHER HOME DESIGN BONUSES

There were other fun surprises from this room swap.

I had never been super keen on the idea of having the kitchen immediately visible to people who visit. Visitors are likely to come through the front porch entryway. Although I do try to keep my home tidy, the kitchen is ALWAYS the messiest. I think that’s normal. With the new layout, the kitchen is easily accessible – yet in a more visually private location. It will have a very similar cabinet setup as before. The biggest change is the movement of the dining table so that it in it’s own little space.

When entering the front door now, the view will be of the wall of windows to the right and the fireplace directly in front. The beautiful wood french doors that we will bring with us from Craig’s grandparents homestead farmhouse will also be visible. This prominent living room location is the perfect spot for them! Previously they had been designed in as doors to our bedroom closet. The doors will likely be open most of the time. But it is nice to have the option to close off the laundry room/ mudroom space if we want.

Also, we will be able to reuse the antique cabinets we own as room. They will act as dividers between the living and entry spaces. These cabinets have so much character, and Craig has already begun the process of refinishing them!

The improved sight lines are possibly my favorite aspect of this plan change. The openness will allow for more natural daylight to flood the common/ public spaces in the house. From this kitchen corner, we will have views to the west, east and south!

NEW CHALLENGES

Of course, not all things magically fell into place. I did ended up pushing part of the house out two feet, to give the kitchen/dining more space. This added about 50 square feet to the overall plan, but also simplified the exterior shape of the house. We are hoping that the changes offset each other cost-wise.

I wonder what our contractor will think of all this – He will probably be as surprised as we were!

What do you think friends? Do you think this change is for the better like we do?

SATURDAY SKETCHBOOK: EVOLUTION OF OUR DESIGN

It’s interesting, now that I have been blogging for over a year, to look back and see some of the things that I have written – particularly as it relates to our house design process.

I am actually really thankful that I started documenting the process when I did. At the time, I had no idea that our floor plans would change as dramatically as they have. I believe it might be encouraging to others reading this blog, who might be considering the design of their future dream home – to see that even someone who is seasoned in design can begin in one place – and end in another.

When we first started out, before our budget was completely realized, our house plans included special features such as a large vaulted living room, a small built in elevator/lift, and an endless pool in the basement.

You can see our original floor plans and my own personal thoughts about our dream home (as we believed it to be at that time) by linking to the following blog posts:

Main Level (original plan)

Upper Level (original plan)

Lower Level (original plan)

Through time, as we began to understand the true costs of what it would take to make these dreams a reality, the restrictions became more clear – and the designs began the process of fine tuning. Essentially, we had to determine which features of the design were most important to us, and which we could live without.

I wrote about how we made the decision to eliminate the large living room, and opted for a combined kitchen & dining space – to save on square footage – in this post.

And later, I documented in this post the fact that we would need to simplify even more – reducing the amount of windows, specifically in the living room, and also rotating the garage so that there would be a shorter driveway.

These changes didn’t come easily. I’ll admit it was hard for us to see some of the features we were most excited about slip away. But here’s the thing…

It’s still our dream house

With each change, the concept of the design was maintained, yet simplified. You could say that, essentially, we ‘cut the fat’.

In fact, as each modification has occurred, Craig and I have both looked back and realized that we prefer the more simple idea over it’s more complicated counterpart.

The fine tuning hasn’t been all elimination either. We have also been able to justify fun surprises, such as the rec room/ home gym in the lower level, and the nicely laid out upstairs bathroom with a large walk in shower. Both features that we know our family will greatly enjoy!

The newer floor plans, and hopefully plans that are VERY close to what will actually be built, are as follows:

Main Level (refined design)

Upper Level (refined design)

Lower Level (refined design)

The exterior has changed quite a bit too – in response to the interior changes.

This is how the exterior design looked last summer, before we began fine tuning.

And this is how it looks now. The most notable changes include the elimination of the living room ‘wing’, the reduction to one gable over the entry door, the change in orientation of the garage, the switch from a metal roof material to asphalt, and the elimination of the transom windows. The refined exterior is more simple and balanced, I think. I especially like that the entry door is centered on the gable and framed by the columns. Also, please note that the large planter box is still there. 😉

I will be taking some time this weekend or early next week to update the slideshow images on the website itself, so that it can reflect these changes.

Hopefully this post, and the overall blog – which will eventually capture our cottage from design, through building, and into interior decorating – will be a useful reference for people who are considering a new build of their own. It isn’t necessary to have it all perfect on paper starting out. The design will evolve and allow you to love it more along the way!

SATURDAY SKETCHBOOK: GIRL’S SHARED BEDROOM

The upstairs of the cottage is very simply laid out. It will contain two bedrooms (one for the boys, and one for the girls), plus a bathroom accessed from a small hallway.

I previously introduced the boy’s shared bedroom, and the hall bathroom. Today I would like to share the details of the final upstairs space – the girl’s room.

The room is 140 square feet total, with basic overall dimensions of 10′-4″ deep x 14′-4″ wide. A small portion of the rectangular area is used by the bathroom shower – giving the girl’s bedroom a bit of an irregular shape.

Though it is not a large room, the feature that will make it seem more spacious is the tall vaulted ceilings. At the very top, the ceiling is 11′-5″ high. It will be finished in the same way that we will finish the boy’s room ceiling – with pine tongue and groove boards, painted white. I am looking forward to this simple yet elegant look.

I mentioned the amazing cast iron metal beds that I got for FREE in this post. They still need some TLC, but they will be showstoppers once they are finished! As of right now I am planning on painting them black, to balance out the amount of white used on the walls and ceiling. The bedding will be simple, with aqua and pink accents – similar to what they have in their current shared bedroom.

In fact, besides the beds, the rest of the furniture and finishing accents that I plan to add to the space will come from their current set up. The pieces work perfectly and have sentimental value.

Their dresser will sit on the short wall behind the door. It was a gift to me as a little girl, from my grandparents. It will provide two drawers for each girl and house their shirts and pants.

On the wall behind the dresser will be a small accent mirror. I imagine the girls might at some point fight over bathroom space getting ready – so this will make for a convenient ‘overflow’ spot.

In the smaller ‘nook’ space of the room will sit a glider rocker, which used to belong to Craig’s grandpa. We had it reupholstered before our oldest child was born, and used it in the nursery for each of them. It’s a very special piece.

Couple the chair with a few floating shelves filled with books, and the girls will have a perfect little spot to cozy up and read.

The birdcages above are also from the girl’s current space. Each of the paper cranes, which symbolize peace and longevity in Asian culture, were hand folded by me – during the months we waited to complete the girl’s adoptions from China.

Their closet will be accessed through two sliding barn doors, which were found in a small barn/shed on the property of the very first home that Craig and I purchased as a married couple. They are rough right now; But as part of my Summer Project Bucket List, they should be whipped into shape soon.

Inside the closet, the ceiling slopes quite dramatically, from 6′-6″ at the doors, all the way down to the floor. There is just enough head space though for each girl to have her own hanging rack (one on each side) , plus a shared cabinet with baskets to hold socks and undergarments. The extra space in the closet has a pretty low ceiling height, but will be useful for shallow bins holding rarely used items, such as Christmas decorations.

So that’s it! Now the entire second level of the cottage has been designed and drawn up in 3D! Designing with the third dimension has really been key for me throughout this entire process.

I love the way it all flows, and the simplicity of the layout. I went into the design process with the hope that it would create very little ‘wasted space’ – and I succeeded! I think all five of the kids will enjoy hanging out here.

SCANDINAVIAN STYLED EXTERIOR: MAKEOVER TAKEOVER

The Makeover Takeover series focuses on helping my readers – whose own homes provide challenges that they are having a bit of trouble solving. Whether it is a room that they want guidance on styling, a floor plan that needs re-configuring, or they are stumbling with choosing an exterior color palette, I am happy to help. I offer solutions through virtual design and source links.

Today’s Takeover is the first in the series to feature an exterior remodel example. I was approached by a couple who had a unique situation. They purchased their country home a few years ago. It is nestled in an absolutely stunning setting, surrounded by nature and wildlife -giving them plenty of room to roam – something that is very appealing to them as a large, young family.

The house though, has a very interesting story. Originally built as a church, it was moved to it’s country location and set atop a new full basement by previous owners. The church, turned home, offers plenty of living space for this large family, but creates a bit of a challenge from an exterior design perspective.

THE EXTERIOR TODAY

As you can see, a large drive under canopy was part of what was inherited from the house’s church days. Though it offers plenty of shade, the primary function is questionable. Because the house now has an attached garage, the homeowners do not need the extra space to park their vehicles.

Removing the canopy would prove to be more than the family wishes to take on – as it is firmly tied into the structure of the house. And the columns, which provide additional support, are embedded in concrete.

To the left of the canopy is the attached garage, and to the right is another wing of the house that features a covered porch. The family enjoys this space and how it functions. It simply needs a bit of added detail, and probably a new set of steps.

The exterior is primarily covered in faux stucco panels. Though the material is quite durable, the application is not as pleasing to the eye as it could be – with visible seams showing between each panel.

I created a non-detailed, 3D representation of the existing house. In total, the front facade is over 130 feet long. This also creates a bit of a challenge, because your eye tries to take the whole thing in at once. The canopy is a natural place for eyes to focus, but as it is at the moment – it offers little visual interest that would make you want to pause and admire.

PROPOSED CHANGES

Primarily, the homeowners asked that the visual scale of the canopy be brought to a more comfortable level, and that details be added to the exterior to give it more personality and presence.

Being of Swedish lineage, the family has a special fondness for historic Scandinavian residential design – especially it’s clean, simple lines, and the fresh contrast that often exists between the main exterior paint color and trim.

example of a simple, historic Scandinavian home

In addition, they plan to take on this exterior refresh using their own sweat equity. For that reason, they asked that all design changes presented would be simple enough for them to tackle, and not include anything that would require special structural attention.

They plan to first focus on the front facade, and eventually bring the same detailing to the other sides of the home.

FINISH INSPIRATION

My inspiration for the exterior remodel is centered around the look of classic Scandinavian residential architecture – with classic vertical board and batten detailing, and white trim to accent the red overall color of the home. At the same time, I am proposing the use of low maintenance materials and plantings, which will help the house to look fresh for years to come.

AND NOW FOR THE BIG REVEAL!

I would say that is quite a transformation! In reality, the changes that will need to be executed are not extensive. Only a few key design elements were incorporated to achieve this stunning look.

The first area of detailing that I tackled was the canopy. The visual weight of the large overhead piece, being supported by four seemingly small columns, made the entire house look unbalanced. By giving each column a wider base, and adding 8×8 timber post accents at the top, the scale of the columns appears much more sturdy.

Though they will not be supporting any weight, the addition of two columns at the front face of the canopy will further add to the feeling of balance and stability. Because they line up to frame the windows on the house’s wall beyond, they will also contribute to the visual symmetry of the canopy element.

The smaller entry porch feature that currently exists is dwarfed by the size of the overhead canopy. I propose a raised deck area that extends the entire width of the canopy and projects eight feet, from the face of the house to the first set of columns. Integrating the deck with the column structure will give the sense that these elements were planned for a purpose – neither being an after-thought. The steps of this small porch extend the entire width, and lead to a ground level patio.

In order to hide the seams of the faux stucco panels, I am proposing the use of 1×2 batten pieces. These will cover the seams, and be spaced approximately 2′-0″ on center. Painted the same color as the house body, they will serve to add texture.

With this design, all of the windows will receive 1×4 trim. When painted white, this trim will contrast nicely with the bold house color. Framing the windows with this simple detail instantly adds visual interest to an otherwise flat facade.

Around the perimeter of the patio, I am proposing natural grasses and low maintenance flowering bushes that can aide in softening the entire structure, as well as defining the outdoor living space.

I am very happy with how the design came together, and can’t wait to see pictures of the finished project! The family hopes to get started very soon!

If you would like a digital home design consultation for your home, please email me using the contact information provided in the main menu above. Though this service is no longer offered free of charge, my prices are very reasonable and I am able to accommodate your design needs – whether it is a one hour consultation or an entire new house design!

This post contains affiliate links to products for your convenience. If you purchase via my links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting Arrow Hill Cottage!

A SURPRISE ANNIVERSARY ROAD TRIP

We aren’t the type of people who go ‘all out’ with milestones. Sure, we celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and other special events – but it is never expected that we will give (or receive) any extravagant gifts or accolades. A simple acknowledgement is just fine, thank you very much.

However, it seems that Craig got a wild hair a few months ago. That wild hair put the wheels in motion on one of the best memories we have experienced during our time as a married couple. A ‘Sweet 16’ Surprise Anniversary Road Trip. He told me only this: “We will be driving for about ten and a half hours.” Not much of a clue, and I didn’t push for more. The element of surprise was part of the excitement!

After making arrangements with both sets of grandparents to care for our five young kiddos, we began our journey in our rusty 2002 Chrysler Town & Country van – on the cloudy drizzly afternoon of May 30th.

The halfway point brought us to Ames, Iowa. Craig had been there before on a work trip and he knew of a restaurant that served great food at a reasonable price. Hickory Park did not disappoint, with its awesome atmosphere and yummy barbecue.

Hickory Park Restaurant Co.

Cy the cardinal – Iowa State University’s Mascot

Finding a place to stay did prove to be a bit more of a challenge. We looked on Expedia and other hotel sites, and it seemed that there were not many rooms available. We even pulled into a unique B&B establishment, set in an old fraternity house – on the campus of Iowa State University. It too, was full.

Eventually, we were able to secure a room at Loya’s Little House Bed and Breakfast. Though we were initially a bit skeptical, as the location of the B&B was a ways outside of the city, we fell in love with the peace and quiet of the setting. The hosts were very friendly and personable, and the breakfast was second to none! We are considering bringing the entire family some day!

The interior of Loya’s B&B is peaceful and clean

and filled with fun art – all by local artists!

The property features a well manicured country setting with over 5 miles of private trails

From Ames, we headed South on the Interstate. I still had no idea where the end of the road would be – but that didn’t stop me from trying to guess. It turns out that I am a terrible guesser though, and I had no clue at all until we were literally pulling up to the town.

And that little town? It was Marion, KS – population 2,300.

Never heard of it? Neither had I! In fact, neither had Craig before he planned the trip. All sorts of questions were rolling through my head as we made our way through the brick paved streets. “What are we going to do here for two days?”, “I don’t see a single restaurant!”, and… probably the most important… “Where in the world are we going to SLEEP? Surely there is no hotel in this little town!”

And then we pulled up to it. The most stunning little hotel I have ever seen – with a beautiful stone facade and wrought iron veranda. The sign at the top read ‘Elgin Hotel: 1886’ and I was intrigued. Stepping inside was like being transported into the past. The elaborate lobby was beautifully decorated with red velvet chaises and crystal chandeliers. The intricate wood staircase in the corner of the room was inviting us to explore.

The hotel owner was friendly and welcomed us right away, giving us a brief tour and showing us to our room. Craig and I were both impressed that such an old building was in such great shape. And even though it was over 90 degrees and very humid outside, the interior of the hotel was a very comfortable temperature.

My hopes about this venture were improving, yet I still didn’t believe we would travel such a long distance to stay in a historic hotel.

And that is when Craig pulled out the ace in his sleeve – revealing that we would be attending a concert featuring my absolute favorite band, UNSPOKEN. Not only that, but we would be allowed to meet the band! My excitement then went through the roof!

this group is so full of energy

amazing acoustic performance!

Chatting with the band members was amazing. Everyone was so personable and welcoming. And the concert – despite the miserable, muggy weather the concert was incredible! They are one of those groups whose live performances sound just as good, if not better, than the recorded versions! The lead singer even gave us a shout out regarding our anniversary – which prompted a round of applause from the audience. We like to joke that we are now famous in Marion, KS.

Speaking of the town, we were very impressed with it as well! Despite it’s small size, there was plenty going on. It was easy to see that the citizens have pride in the place they call home. Everyone was very welcoming and kind to us. One of my favorite aspects of the town was the amount of incredible old buildings it has – many of which were constructed of stone. The courthouse is a real stunner. Isn’t she gorgeous?

The courthouse is an impressive stone structure constructed in 1906

This clock tower tolls on the hour

I had to laugh at this little stone detail

The library is situated in an old train depot. We went inside and were happy to see that they had photos on display of how the old building was configured and information posted about the history of the depot itself. We thought it was a clever reuse of a building whose original purpose was no longer necessary.

Train depot turned library

unique exposed structure

And of course, as a lover of all things house related, I convinced Craig to walk with me – street after street – to document the residential architecture. There were plenty of quaint bungalows!

The town also had antique stores and an architectural salvage yard. You KNOW that I had to check this place out! I ended up finding some turned table legs that I hope to incorporate into our future farmhouse table.

When it was time to say goodbye to Marion, we were both a little sad honestly. So many fun memories were made there.

We really hope to bring our entire family back again some day.

The drive home found us in Sioux City, IA and a couple other smaller towns along the way – once again checking out some interesting old houses. These are some of my favorites: