03 December, 2010

New Cottage Project

Well, not being one to pass up a good bargain, Marc and I took the real estate plunge and bought this!


Well, we're in the process of buying it.
We have to get an inspection, but unless there's a huge problem, it'll be ours by the end of December!
We bought it as a rental, but I plan on updating it and adding a little character to it.
I figured if I'm going to tweak it some, I might as well enjoy the process and make it look good .
Plus, I'd also like to make it an asset to our little vintage neighborhood.
It's a small, 2 bedroom, 1 bath cottage.
It's on a double lot, probably about 50'x130'.
Here's some of our before pictures.




Both bedrooms have these built ins.
There's an awful lot of storage for such a tiny home.
There's a lot of beautiful, natural light throughout.


Under the carpeting in the bedrooms, hallway and living room there's 2 1/2"  oak flooring original to the house.  It was built the same year as ours-1951.
The kitchen has built ins which give it a little character.
It also has fluorescent lighting, which does not.
The cabinets are new-but they'll have to be painted.
White seems the obvious choice.
Hardware will help pull it all together.





The bathroom has a wonderful cast iron tub that is also probably original to the house.



The fiberglass tub surround will come out.
I'll put subway tile in, maybe with a herringbone pattern as a highlight of sorts.
The lighting has to go.  A sink skirt might be a nice detail to soften things up in here, and it'll add some color.


Oh, a new mirror too.
And we'll lose the towel bar.
Another neat detail in this house is the linen closet.


It's right outside the bathroom.
The door you see to the right is to the bathroom.
The linen closet makes the most out of an awkward corner.
The door at the bottom tilts out-
it's a hamper.
This house used to have a small 1 car garage attached.
Previous owners converted it to a family room.


The truly beautiful detail I didn't get a close-up of was the ceiling.
Gorgeous popcorn texture with, of all things, glitter to sprinkle-sparkle.
The exterior will get new colors, we're just not sure what those colors will be.


There's a need for some landscaping too.
The shutters are not working for me either.
The back of the house is even better!



This should make for one heck of a before & after project!
Wish us luck.
ann marie






12 comments:

  1. That's the first time I have heard anyone say "gorgeous popcorn texture" when referring to a ceiling. My parents house had the same ceiling with the sparkle--never really understood why people hate it so much. Maybe has something to do with repainting?
    Can't wait to see you work your magic on this cottage-maybe I can absorb some inspiration.

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  2. Oh my, looks like a project. It has great bones and I am sure it will be stunning when you are done. Good luck. Hugs, Marty

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  3. Uhhh...I think maybe you were kidding about the "gorgeous" popcorn ceiling? Anyway...looks like your little house has great bones...and I can't believe the storage..plus it looks to be in really good shape. It just needs a bit of stage magic to make it beautiful. Good luck. We have done 14 houses over the years- total rehabs-every one of them...and we lived in all but one of them. Hugs- Diana

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  4. I guess your plate is full for awhile can't wait to see after.
    Cathy

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  5. Now that's a project to take you through the winter!

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  6. It looks like the house has good bones, so you can really cutify it! Can't wait to see the progress!

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  7. What fun! Can't wait to see what you do. Don't you just love all the plans you can dream up?

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  8. Oh it'll be so exciting to read more about your project! I'm sure it will be amazing when you're done! Maybe you'll need a new door sign then? I've recently bought one from http://www.ramsign.com , maybe they've got something for you as well.

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  9. Love it. How exciting for you. Have fun with it.

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  10. Oh wow, I own 2 such houses. One might be a little better and the other was way, way worse but it was fun getting them into shape. Yours has loads of potential. Can't wait to see what you do with it!

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  11. ....and, your house is adorable so this new one has to be great, too!

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  12. Good luck on your new project! It will be adorable when you're done with it!

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