Friday, April 16, 2010

Cottage Dreams

Cusato Cottage KC 1200
Every day, most of the day, I dream about my cottage. This is the one I've chosen. This is the one I hope to build soon. Picture it, though, as a white cottage with a stone path. And picture it sitting in a field of wildflowers, not up on some hurricane-force foundation. Imagine it, too, with an ivy-covered chimney and a rocking chair on the porch that creaks as the wind blows through. Pretend you're peeking through the screen door and see wood floors swept clean. A pie just out of the oven. Candles flickering, Yes, you're almost there. That's almost it.

I'm looking everywhere for salvaged, up-cycled materials. I want an old farmhouse sink. Reclaimed stone or brick for the chimney and hearth. A wood-burning stove. I'd like old doors and latches and a claw foot tub. Like Freeman House. Hello, do I ever miss that house.

In the evenings I pour over catalogues. Solar panels enthrall me right now. As do rain barrels. I'm the only girl I know who converses intelligently - excitedly, even - about tankless hot water heaters. The obsession is, however, a means to an end: buying some land, building this cottage, piecing it together to be as energy efficient as possible... it all means I can afford to do what I love: write. Garden. Create. Volunteer.

But for now it's just pictures. Catalogues, tear sheets and paint swatches.

It won't be forever.

24 comments:

SECPumpkin said...

makes me want to come visit you in your lovely cottage! : ) isn't it so important to dream!!!

Susan said...

dream it ... and it will come

Vintage Girl said...

No it won't be forever! I love the cottage you've chosen to dream and create! It will happen and while you wait you can make "her" just right with all the special touches. Looking forward to reading about your journey towards your dream. It'll be the biggest housewarming party ever with all of us "there"! I'll bring the iced tea, lemonade and potato salad! Heather

Missy K said...

I love this blog-- I can hear the creak of that rocking chair-- smell the pie aroma wafting in from the kitchen. Some wildflowers gathered and crammed into a Mason jar. . . this dream will take form and function, wood and stone.

Thanks for bringing us along for the journey toward it.

Unknown said...

The picture you paint sounds like heaven to me, you had me at cottage! I miss Freeman House too, but dreams change and your cottage will be your forever home! Hugs!

Terri Steffes said...

Squeal! How fun! You are doing great to even have a concrete dream like that. I still don't know what I want and I am 51~

debbie bailey said...

A very charming cottage you've chosen. I did the same thing with my own. I collected bathroom fixtures, old wood for walls, floor, and ceilings, doorknobs, hinges, light fixtures, sinks, etc. It only took a year to gather everything together and six more months to build. I hope you get it very soon!

Lulu said...

thats beautiful..Would love to live in a little one story cottage by the sea or a river..Good luck, hope you can build it soon..

Sharon said...

Sounds like home and a haven for your heart....
A heart beat from heaven!
God knows your desires and he brings it together for us in perfect time and the right season. Although his plans for us are often much bigger and better then we could hope or imagine and often when we have forgotten our dream he brings it to pass right under our nose and in ways we would never consider.
You are keeping your faith strong and God will be your provider in every possible way.
Stay strong Stay connected..

Cathy said...

Hi Brin, I have often thought if you plan was to still build the cottage. Are you still going to build it on your property you told us about before? I am so excited for you. It will happen soon. : )

Monique said...

That sounds like an amazing home!

Anita said...

Hi Brin, I love the cottage, it is just so delicious. I live in a cottage myself, it is called a Workers Cottage, pressed tin ceilings, high ceilings and a charm all of its own. I wonder if you have ever seen any of Randy Florké's books one in particular Ýour house, your home'. Lots of great ideas in their. All the best for your cottage. Kind regards, Anita.

Vee said...

It's a lovely dream. Thank you for explaining it so well that I could see it as well. You mention that you miss Freeman House, would you believe that your readers do, too? You made Freeman House that real for us.

Elenka said...

I have been following your dreams for so long...can't wait to follow this one, too! Good luck with it.
Any new decorating ideas going on in the place you are living now??

Carissa Anne said...

Just love your choice in cottage!! Can't wait to see what colors you use, I'm sure it will ooze with sweet charm!
~Carissa

It will be here before you know it!

Anonymous said...

Hello Brin, This would be wonderful. It is e very big project though. Could we have a Douwe Egberts koffie ( Dutch ) together and talk about LIFE ? Have an great week end.
Lieve groeten
Godeliva van Ariadone

Sami Jo said...

What a cutey! I love it! & I can SO picture it! Thanks for letting us in on the fun and can't wait to see what other fabulous design ideas you've got up those sleeves. Till then, I'll pray about it for ya!

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

How exciting...you're in the planning stages already in your heart and in your mind.
God gives us the desires of our heart,Brin. He put that desire there-- Lord willing, it will happen for you.

ps. I'm always in the planning stages...he he he. And I miss Freeman House as well.

Shelley in SC said...

Oooh, so very beautiful. Isn't it nice to have something to hope for, wish for and work toward!

Unknown said...

Brin, I 've been waiting to hear about the choices you were pondering. As for the house, I see a big housewarming party when it finally becomes reality!

Shann said...

I remembered when you shared with us your dream of this cottage. I can not wait for you to get it!!! Washing dishes in an old farmhouse sink seems lovely...doesn't it? :)

Amy said...

Hey Brin,
I know you're so creative and I ran across this blog with such a cool idea. I was actually looking to turn some of my boyfriends dress shirts into a dress or skirt for myself. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did!
http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-shirt-dress.html

Adrienne said...

Hi, Brin - I haven't stopped by for awhile but I've thought about you and wondered how you're doing. I've been busy helping my eighty-seven-year-old mother through a torn rotator cuff and other health issues, helping my daughter who was on total bedrest for over two months while waiting for my new granddaughter to be born and, finally, being there for the birth of that beautiful granddaughter whose live God surprised us with when we first heard she was coming.

You have chosen the right home to plan for and dream about. It seems to be exactly what I would picture for you. I, too, miss Freeman House but I can picture you in a newer version of home without all the work and redoing you enjoyed with her. I can't wait to hear how it all comes together and all the wonderful surprises God has for you when He opens the way for your dream to come true. ~Adrienne~

Vickie said...

Brin, I hope you get your cottage! Never give up on your dreams! I've dreamed of our cottage farmhouse and land since I was in elementary school. Now, I have it. It's been such a blessing to us! And we didn't do anything for it. It fell out of heaven above into our laps. I'll tell ya that story when I see you in June! Keep on dreamin'!