Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Cottage Cabin Project #1: Lose That Loft!


There are elements of intrinsic beauty 
in the simplification of a house...
-Gustav Stickley

Work on the cabin is underway! Project Number One? Remove one of two lofts- the one over what will be the living room area- to take advantage of those 12-foot ceilings.

And what a difference that made!

With that extra loft cleared away, plans are to build the walls for the bathroom this week. It's taken me awhile to settle on an arrangement for the cabin. Non-negotiable? A full bathroom, a full kitchen (with my I-will-never-part-with-this-awesome-thing! oven), and room for my books. 

Some girls are all about the closets. Me? I'm all about the bookshelves. *wink*

I'm still trying to decide exactly where I want my windows- and what style/size. And where in the world am I going to stash a water heater? I'm working with 360 square feet, so options are limited. So many decisions! I wish I could throw open the doors and walk you through and collect the many suggestions and ideas. Part of me is concerned that once I cut holes in the outer wall, decide on room placement, etc.,, some shockingly brilliant and perfect idea will come along and then what will I do?

Wonderful, happy worries!

Your New Year is off to a pleasant start, right? Hope so.  -Brin

28 comments:

Shelley in SC said...

What fun!! Thanks for taking us on this journey with you!

Lady Laura said...

How exciting! It's going to be wonderful to see all the decisions and changes you make with this adorable little space.
You didn't solicit opinions, but I can't help but offer one, hope you don't mind! Since you're working with such small square footage and need to add a hot water tank--you could consider a lean-to addition outside which wouldn't take up any floor space--or a small "on supply" type system can be wall mounted under the kitchen sink or in the bathroom. Again, the wall mounted systems won't subtract from your square footage.
Good luck with your project and thank you so much for sharing it with us all.

Brin said...

Thank y'all! Lady Laura- wonderful! I so appreciate the suggestions. I am SERIOUSLY considering a tankless hot water heater. Everyone here is trying to convince me that it won't keep up, will be a hassle, etc., but I'm stubborn and really want one anyway! I would really like to hear from people who have one. Have you ever used one before? -B

vintage girl at heart said...

So excited about your new hOME! I love to look at all of the articles about people living in small homes and how they manage to make it all work and look so cozy!
Happy New year!

Anonymous said...

I'm so excited for you! Can't wait to see what you do with your new space.

Unknown said...

I was gonna suggest a tankless water heater too, heard great reviews! And I also was gonna say, put the water heater outside in it's own closet, if you must go with one. One of my first homes was a moblie home that had the water heater outside the trailer in it's own closet built on the outside? Just a thought!! Maybe you can give us a video tour? I'm so excited for you and wish I lived closer to help!

Lulu said...

how thrilling to be making plans for your new home..I am so giddy to see it as much as you want to share..
good luck...

shirleybarstool said...

We have a tankless hot water heater and it works great! It is very small. We have it mounted high on the wall in our kitchen inside a cabinet. It also has absolutely no trouble keeping up with the hot water needs of our family of four. We can run the dishwasher, washing machine, and fill our claw foot tub all at the same time with absolutely no problems. And, my husband installed it himself. I would highly recommend going that route.

Christine said...

Like the others, I would suggest a tankless water heater. My pen pal/friend in The Netherlands has had them (she's an architect) for years. She specifies them in all her projects and according to her, much less energy is used vs. heating a 40 gallon tank all the time. Can't wait to see all the projects and progress! Happy home-making!

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

I love taking this journey with you!

I thought you'd appreciate a conversation I overheard between my son and his new wife recently.

She was looking at all of his books in his former room and telling him he had to get rid of half of them so they would have room for hers.

He looked at her in astonishment and said, "My mother has always taught me that you don't get rid of books, you just buy more bookshelves!" Such truth...

Katherine Regier said...

One of the purposes of joists like those is to hold the roof up and prevent the walls from collapsing. I hope you made provisions for the support they used to provide.

Rebecca said...

I'm just so excited for you, Brin, and looking forward to seeing what all you do with your cabin. Tankless water heaters can be great, if you get the right one. Just do a bit of research before you decide which one you want. We have an itty bitty cabin on the lake, and like Sue said, we have a small hot water heater just outside the cabin, in its own little "closet." Its really more like a lean-to with three walls.
Good luck as you make decisions on all these things. Your space will be perfect for you, I just know it.

Susan said...

WOW ! cannot wait for the next update Brin. Hope you are documenting, every thought & idea with tons of images for "the book". Please update often. xo Susan

Anonymous said...

I've stayed at rustic resorts in Central America that have only had tankless/flash hot water heaters and they worked really well. Seems like a great idea to me.

So you have running water to the house? Do you have a well or are you on city water? Your photo didn't much look like you'd be on city water, but wells on the other hand are not cheap to drill.

Can't wait to see what you do with the space. Will your bed be in the other loft?

Patsy from Illinois said...

Brin, I just found your blog again! I used to read it daily when you were at Freeman House and for a bit after you left. But then you got busy and I got busy and things got lost. Glad I found you again and so happy you are finally getting your little cabin. What are you going to name it? It has to have a name you know. Not some cutsie name but something simple, elegant, Thoreaulike. Think about it.

Betty said...

Fun to watch the new happenings in your little cabin..it will be so cozy!

Betty said...

Fun to watch the new happenings in your little cabin..it will be so cozy!

Kimberly said...

We had a tankless in our last home, and it served our family of five without any problems whatsoever. Can't wait to walk with you on this journey!

Erin said...

Best wishes in making your cottage cabin home, Brin! I *highly* recommend the tankless hot water heater. Have had one in my home for 5 years now and it's the way to go for efficiency in regards to heating your water and the little space it takes up.

Karen Deborah said...

check out some of the instant hot water options. They are more expenisve initally but no water heater, cheaper monthly bills and hardly use any space. Looks like wiring red ofr hot and blue for cold. The water gets heated instantly when you use it so less waste of water too.

Unknown said...

Hey Brin, me again~ I just wanted to ask you if you sent me and a few others a mass email? I think it was spam and didn't open it but thought you should know!! Ready for another post!! lol

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Brin--
stepped away from the internet and missed this post.
Exciting things are happening there for you!
Our part of E.Texas has been experiencing lots of rain the past 2 days...hoping you are staying dry and warm. Looking forward to reading as much as you are looking forward to sharing... I know all these decisions are minor...but all at once..exhilarating. Enjoy the moments! Pat

Katherine said...

Brin,

I have used tankless heaters in my last two homes and LOVE them! We have not had problems with them. Our's are Rinnai brand. I can't imagine having any other kind of hot water heater now.

And definitely a space saver!

Katherine

Anonymous said...

I've seen people put the hot water heater up on a platform to keep the floor space open

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Michelle said...

I just came across your page . My Husband and I are doing the same thing you are doing, with the same type of building . We are downsizing from 1300 sq ft to 480 sq feet . We went with the High Wall utility building . We have ran all the plumbing , electrical , all the wall studs are up . Just a few days ago we insulated the walls and ceiling . This weeks project is finishing the ceiling . I cant wait to see the progress you make on your new home . We are looking forward to getting ours done and getting back to the simple things in life minus alot of bills .