Monday, May 13, 2013

Befores and Afters



Over the past couple of years, my little cottage has been undergoing some needed transformations.

The roof leaked so a new one was put on.



The old wooden door was warped and drafty and the windows needed replacing. The paint was peeling so a new steel door was installed, and the entire cottage got new windows and a fresh coat of paint.


Even the patio I built a few years ago...


is being updated. Next on the outdoor project list is to lift all the stones, level the dirt, and replace the pavers so everything is again level.



Now that the outside is so spiffy, the inside needs attention. I'm not a red person so down came the cabbage rose valences (catch a glimpse in upper left of photo),


and up went new ones made of pale blue, cream, and cocoa stripes.


Out went the old red countertop...



in favor of a subtle greeny-blue one,


and the old red and blue cupboard curtains...



were replaced with a green-blue check.



Now, off with the red, on with the cocoa brown as the walls and some of the furniture get a facelift with paint.



It's a work still in progress, sandwiched between babysitting and traveling. But, by summer's end I hope to be finished with all the work so I can finally sit down and enjoy it all!



14 comments:

Brian Miller said...

very cool....i like the new counters and doesnt those little touches just make all the difference as well...have a list for the summer of my own updates to get done...

Friko said...

Brian is right, very cool, and not just colloquially.

Are you saying that you did all the work yourself, including windows and door? And roof?
Surely not.

Whoever did it, it al looks very attractive.

Kerry said...

That's a lot of work. What a darling little house. We 're in the midst of an ever-expanding house remodel too. At the moment there is a concrete truck idling in front. Been here all morning.

Pauline said...

Brian, the little touches do indeed have a large impact

Friko - I did not repair or re-shingle the roof, nor did I put in the new windows or paint the exterior. I did, however, build the patio and paint the chairs, install the fence, paint the interior walls and furniture, and make the curtains :)

Kerry - no sooner does one thing get completed than 70 others vie for attention but it's one thing I love about living here. I need never be complacent and I always have something to do!

molly said...

Why am I not surprised that you prefer the softer, subtler colours of nature!? Love all your improvements! You must have boundless energy...Been eating your Wheaties?

Hilary said...

Your colour choices are very much in keeping with what I like. I am not fond of red either. I love how these touches make such a big difference in your surroundings. I'm up to my eyeballs in renovations here also so I get how long it can take to complete them.

Out on the prairie said...

All done very nicely, it is fun to have some change. I tire of a lot and enjoy redoing my homes.I have two to play with.

Joanna Jenkins said...

You are good and your home is lovely!!! All your hard work and personal touches make your house an inviting home. High five.

Anonymous said...

Gosh, you have been busy. Well done, you. I have a list of things to do as long as my arm but I have been prevaricating....

Pauline said...

Molly - I take my time doing it all, but this lovely spring weather motivates me. I am constantly rushing either in or out, trying to do everything (interior painting and outdoor gardening) at the same time! I NEED Wheaties lol.

Hilary - did you and Frank find a house?

OOTP - two! One is quite enough, thank you! Where is your second home located?

JJ - - I love to paint walls - it's very satisfying to see a large area changed with just a touch of color. This little cottage felt like mine from the beginning but with my own personal touches it's even better!

rjchery - it's taken me all winter to talk myself into this lol

Stella Jones said...

It's looking beautiful Pauline. I love your cottage. It's gorgeous!

Judith said...

Do you feel like Martha Stewart?
The place looks mighty fine!
(When do you kick off the shoes, put up the feet, and settle in with a book????)

Pauline said...

Star - thanks. It's is surely a little piece of heaven.

lol J - I do that every afternoon, before and after my nap. But when I work, I WORK!

Anonymous said...

Wow, you've gotten a lot done! Love everything! I wish I had some of your energy!