Tiny House (continued)

[Zuzu's Garden]

Hubby and I are building a tiny house in the Colorado mountains, and I've been writing about it at the Cottage Living forums (which will be closing soon). This is a copy/paste from the Cottage Living forum to share with the C&B members who might be interested...

I fell in love with tiny houses when I was a child. My Great-Grandmother's cabin was my favorite. But like most everyone else, I worked my way into owning a large home, expensive and time consuming to maintain.

Here at the CL forums we talked about Tumbleweed Homes (http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/), Katrina Cottages (http://www.katrinacottages.com/index.html), and cottage communities like The Cottages at Cabot Cove (http://www.cabotcovecottages.com/). After many talks and a great deal of planning, Hubby and I jumped into turning the tiny home dream into a reality.


We started designing the house almost 2 years ago. It has taken us this long to build it. But, for us, yesterday was a BIG day. We passed the final building inspection and, per the County Building Department, can move in.

TOWANDA!!!!

Only... there is a table saw in the middle of the house, boards on the floor, and sawdust everywhere. Hubby wants to make some more cupboards for the kitchen, and then maybe we will be ready to move in.

We're getting closer!
Zu

[Lynzee]

Oh Zu!!! That is so awesome! How proud you must be!

I am sooooooooo happy for you. :D

TOWANDA!!!!!!

[Lisa S]

Wow ~ I'm so proud of you! I can't wait to see pictures and you'd better take lots!

[chyna]

Have you come up with an answer to the elephant in your livingroom yet? Ooooo so close you could just piddle on the floor! Are you figuring on being in there by Christmas or aiming for beginning of the New Year?

[Breezy]

Zuzu - how exciting for you and your hubby! Congratulations on a job well done.:) Please post pics

[RoseMary]

Congratulations, Zu~you're on the home stretch!

We moved in long before our house was finished and there are still places that are, technically, unfinished.

[memmey]

YEA!!!!!! We are ready to help decorate. You did ask us didn't you;);)
Christmas on the side of that mountain how perfect will that be. I could stand with coffee in the morning and look out on that view and know that it is heaven. We are all so proud of us and your husband.:)

[Gigi]

Zuzu---this is so very cool~ I agree with Lisa---LOTS of pictures! ;)

[Zuzu's Garden]

You are all so sweet. If someone had told me that we'd be building a house in our fifties, I would have laughed. Life has many twists and turns, and sometimes it pushes us kicking and screaming in the RIGHT direction! :D

RoseMary knows that just because we can move in, it doesn't mean that the house is technically finished (it's more like Hubby and I are technically finished). Over the winter months, I'll be sanding, caulking and painting. Best guess, if it doesn't snow and we can get up to Denver, we'll start moving in before Christmas. We'll probably move in slowly - my beautiful French Armoire is in my brother's basement and we practically flung it down the stairs to get it there - it's entirely a different matter to bring it UP the stairs. Oooof.

Yes, Memmy, I need all your help and advice to decorate the Tiny House! There will be pics coming. Chyna, the elephant in the room (a wall heater) has been named "Ugh", and may get a make-over next summer.

Today we will continue making kitchen cupboards. But I'm feeling a lot happier know there actually is light at the end of the tunnel (and it isn't the train coming).

:D
Zu

[Zuzu's Garden]

A little update...

Hubby and I have been working on the kitchen cabinets. The drawers and doors are made and have been set aside for me to prime & paint after we move in. We made one cabinet above the range, which also houses Hubby's off-grid control panel (gee, what every girl wants in her kitchen :p). But then we ran into a design dilemma. How to finish the upper cabinets. :confused: This is not a really exciting picture, but a "during" pic...


I knew I wanted a combination of cabinets and open shelves, but we were having trouble coming up with a way to have it all come out symmetrical. We came up with a solution to make open shelves above the sink, and then next summer we'll add a corner cupboard (perhaps with an old window for a door) and more open shelves.

I don't have pics of the open shelves yet, but I really love how they came out. We'll attach them to the wall today, and maybe grab a pic after they are mounted.

ETMI (estimated time to move in) Christmas week. :D

Zu

[Zuzu's Garden]

Oops, the 'during' pic wasn't included. I'll try again...

[Lisa S]

Everything looks so precisely done. I can't believe you did this with your own two hands. Very, very cool!

[Lynzee]

You're moving right along, Zu! You must be so excited about moving in soon.

I'm so happy for you!:D

[Zuzu's Garden]

Thanks Lisa and Lynz - you two have been so very supportive through all this. :)

This pic is of the tiny house's tiny kitchen. We mounted the open shelves yesterday. There's room to hang cups on hooks underneath. I need to get ready for work, but wanted to share this with my cottage friends. Have a great day, everyone!

Zu

[Lisa S]

It looks like a work of art! Will you hang a curtain or a cabinet under the sink? Doesn't the lighting make the wood shine?

[memmey]

Awwhhh I can see plates stacked and cups of hooks. I love the light over the sink. You and your husband have so much to be proud of. I love the little kichen, it is like a doll house.
I'm sending you something from my home for your new home...Hope you like white..LOL :rolleyes:;) Really I want to be the first to start sending you things you don't need...LOL LOL

[Breezy]

Zu ~ it looks wonderful! :)

[RoseMary]

It's coming right along, Zu! I love your idea of a corner cabinet with an old window. I have several old windows and I'd love to incorporate them into my kitchen, but they just won't work.

[Zuzu's Garden]

Oh, my dear cottage friends. I feel like we're talking over the fence instead of over the internet!

Lisa - the sides of the cabinets are beadboard, and we made doors with beadboard inserts for the under-the-cabinet doors.

I will be painting the cabinets cream, but am toying with the idea of painting the open shelves a color (maybe robin's egg blue). You all are my decorating gurus. What do you think? If the corner cabinet has an old window, would this be too much going on?

In addition, the kitchen was designed to allow room for my French Baker's Rack to the left of the range. I won't know until we try it if it will work proportionally. :eek: Unfortunately for Hubby, I now know that he can make furniture too. Last night he said "I have quite a honey-do list but right now honey is just near done in." :p I'm thinking he'd like to stop building things and get back to being a computer geek.

We also made a wall coat rack and I think I'll paint that a cottagey (cottagey is a word now since we've used it so often) seafoam green. The bathroom sink cabinet will have an under-the-sink curtain.

Memmy, you are so sweet. Anything you might want to send (so long as it's small! ;) ) will have a special place.

RoseMary, I've seen so many fun ideas using old windows. Cabinet doors, windows hung from chains to make a room divider, or used as frames for pics or art, or used to make a greenhouse. Some day a great idea will come along and be a perfect match for your windows!

Well, I'm off to get ready for work. You all have a wonderful day.
Zu

[Lisa S]

I'm very partial to robin's egg blue but maybe you want to wait until you have your furnishings in place.

[memmey]

Why not paint the inside of the cabinet. It will accent your dishes and it won't make the room too busy. I would think that using soft colors that are within the same palette would not make your eye stop everytime the color changes.
Zu when the new wears off your home and you have accumulated "things" you might want to keep it kinda serene colors and edit every once in a while.
I have been collecting for years and I have too much stuff. I need to organize the things I can't live without and give away the things I don't really need.
I think that collectors like me find treasures all the time BUT I don't need to bring them all home, no matter how good the deal is.
There was alot of things made during the 40's and 50's and I can't put every last thing from that era in my home. TOO MUCH STUFF.

I still dream of a homemade breakfront in my dining room. I keep looking for french doors for the front of it but lately I think I can just have the shelves now and find the doors later. The only drawback is that the dishes get dusty.
Who wants to have to wash them before you use them...not me!
I have found many cabinets but they are not strong enough to hold much. I need strudy strong shelves.
Anyway I am off topic, this is about your wonderful tiny home. I wll be proud to send you something when the time comes. Do you like vintage?????:p

[Zuzu's Garden]

Great advice, Lisa. Move in and let "the room" tell me what will work. ;)

Memmey, I saw this shelf from Cox & Cox and I too thought of just doing something inside the shelf. If I were to paper the back of the open shelves, then I could change the paper out when I change the dishes. You said "I would think that using soft colors that are within the same palette would not make your eye stop everytime the color changes." Two great minds thinking alike. :p This is why I painted the walls and sloped ceiling creamy-white and want to use pastels on accent pieces.

When it comes to vintage goodies, I have inherited a few wonderful things from family, and occasionally run into a little something special that I'd like to have. A couple weeks ago I purchased a blue antique canning jar, reasoning that it was not only pretty but useful. But, at 56, I have this peaceful feeling that I don't really need anything more. Funny thing happened at Home Depot. I was standing next to a young couple, and she asked him "Do you really need this? You know, there is a difference between needing something and wanting something." Wise young lady. If I'd been asking myself that question all along, I wouldn't need to get rid of so much stuff. :p

You know, Lisa has had some beautiful things made for her home by a cabinetmaker. Perhaps you could look into having a homemade breakfront made. You never know. There may be a lady cabinetmaker out there who would really love to barter for a few trips to your beauty shop?

And, BTW, there are no off-topic conversations here. It's all on-topic!

Zu

[Lynzee]

I love it, Zu! Y'all have done such a wonderful job!

I agree with Lisa--move in and let the room tell you what will work. I didn't do that when we bought this place and I wish I had. I was far too impatient--now I'm stuck with the changes I made until I can afford what I really want.

I think the Robin's Egg blue would be stunning. And I love the idea of using the old window. Can't wait to see the pictures!

[RachelB]

Wow, Zuzu! I can't wait to see your cottage finished! I have been interested in small houses since I saw that article on the Katrina Cottages in CL.

[Zuzu's Garden]

Hi RachelB,

Happy to meet you! I can't wait to see the cottage finished either! ;)

I haven't written anything in this thread for awhile. We took a couple weeks "off" around Christmas to rest and spent some time getting familiar with our little Jøtul wood stove. It has a glass front which is great for enjoying and monitoring the fire.

I just started priming the kitchen cabinets. I have a couple days off from work, so I hope to get that moving along. Hubby is in charge of cleaning the glass on the wood stove.

Lynz - I'll probably prime the open shelves today, but I'm really having trouble with waiting on whether or not to paint them a color. :o Maybe I'm catching the Chyna Syndrome and I'll be painting things different colors for the rest of my life. :eek: But hey, if I were to paint the shelves robin's egg blue and it didn't work out, then I could put another color over it, distress it a little, and have a more realistic cottage look. (At least, "That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.") :p

Zu

[Lisa S]

I like the idea of painting the cabinets blue and then distressing later if you don't like it. Sounds like you're getting excited. Go for it!

[chyna]

Chyna Syndrome! :D I love it. I don't know how I missed all the posts on this topic, feel like I'm coming in at the end of a conversation. This probably won't help in the least but that piece above the sink reminds me of a bird house. So the robin's egg blue would be perfect. :)

[Lynzee]

Well, Zu...I, for one, love the story you're sticking to!

Paint is so easy to change. It's the major things that I wish I'd lived with a bit before deciding.

I love the idea of distressing the shelves! The picture you posted is my idea of perfection! ;)

[Zuzu's Garden]

Yep, Lisa, I'm getting excited. I want this house finished! :p

Chyna, actually I've been painting and tiling and re-finishing since I was 14. My Dad took the time to show me how to do it right, and then I just kept asking what else I could do. The piece above the sink is a light w/ a bell shaped glass shade - love the light it puts out!

Lynz - I agree, thank goodness paint is easy to change! :D

Zu

[Lynzee]

I want this house finished! :p

Are they ever really finished, Zu? Or is it just me? :confused:

:D

[SusiesQs]

Zuzu~

Wowza. I'm really impressed with what you have done-- especially the 'going off the grid' part. I would love to do that someday. Keep us posted- it looks wonderful so far :)

[Zuzu's Garden]

Awwww, thanks SusiesQs. I'm working on painting the kitchen right now, and promise to post a pic when it's finished.

Which brings me to Lynzee's comment... when I typed the word finished in that post I kinda laughed to myself and wondered when I've ever lived in a house that was finished. Oh well, you know what I mean. Kitchen cupboards that are painted with the doors on.

Wouldn't it be loverly? :D

Zuzu

[Lynzee]

I'm glad it isn't just me. I always wonder how it is that I can finish a room, step back and say, "Ahhh, perfect!", then a month later think that it needs "something". :confused:

You're in the home stretch now, Zu, and I am so excited and happy for you! :D

[RoseMary]

You girls made me laugh:D. Just this morning, my husband and I were looking at the places we still need trim and I commented that the bathroom would be 'completely finished' as soon as he had the rest of the trim up and I painted. He kind of narrowed his eyes and said, "Right". I think he knows me very well:p.

There is an old Chinese proverb that says: Man who finish house, die. It's a proverb to live by, I think:) I figure it was originally said by some poor Chinese man that had a wife with a decorating bug.

[Gigi]

Rosemary- Great Chinese proverb...looks like my husband and I will live forever!!!!

[Lynzee]

I'm love that proverb, Rosemary! We certainly live by it at our house. My husband drags his feet and seems to take forever and a day to complete a project. :D I, on the other hand, try to finish a project because there are always many more to tackle. :eek: :D Guess we will be here for the long haul, as well. :D

[Zuzu's Garden]

Man who finish house, die.

Ha, ha. Woman who finish house, wishful thinking.

Good to know I will have my dear cottage friends around to chat with for a long, long time!

:D
Zu

[RoseMary]

Zuzu's Garden[/B];1199]Ha, ha. Woman who finish house, wishful thinking.
Good to know I will have my dear cottage friends around to chat with for a long, long time!

:D
Zu

Oh, I like that proverb even better:D

[chyna]

Woman who finish house, bored. :p

[Zuzu's Garden]

The two words put together - finished house - is an oxymoron. See, I was paying attention in Mrs. Wintherpool's 7th grade English class.

So, sweet Memmey and Gigi asked how living in the Tiny House was going. I LOVE it! We are so happy. It is very warm and cozy. We don't have curtains on the windows (no close neighbors to scare), and two nights ago I woke up in the middle of the night and the moon was really bright and it was reflecting on the snow - it looked just like the Christmas card my brother sent me with the glitter on it.

On work days, I get up and grab a shower, make some coffee, and sit in front of the wood stove w/ Hubby until I need to leave. On non-work days, I get online and visit with you all. :D So, yes, we are very cozy and happy here. Thank you, dear friends, for asking me how it is going.

:)
Zu

[RoseMary]

What a beautiful post, Zu! Your life sounds so peaceful and happy. People just think they need a lot of 'things' for a wonderful life. I hope you are keeping notes and will write a book about your little mountain house and how your life changed when you moved up there and built your own piece of heaven on earth:).

[Gigi]

It sounds amazingly peaceful...the night, the moon reflecting on the snow...yes what a beautiful card that could be! It all must be so inspiring. I just love the sound of it all.

The two words put together - finished house - is an oxymoron. See, I was paying attention in Mrs. Wintherpool's 7th grade English class.

So, sweet Memmey and Gigi asked how living in the Tiny House was going. I LOVE it! We are so happy. It is very warm and cozy. We don't have curtains on the windows (no close neighbors to scare), and two nights ago I woke up in the middle of the night and the moon was really bright and it was reflecting on the snow - it looked just like the Christmas card my brother sent me with the glitter on it.

On work days, I get up and grab a shower, make some coffee, and sit in front of the wood stove w/ Hubby until I need to leave. On non-work days, I get online and visit with you all. :D So, yes, we are very cozy and happy here. Thank you, dear friends, for asking me how it is going.

:)
Zu

[Lisa S]

Your life and your home do sound lovely! Rosemary's right ~ you should keep a record of your life.

[cheapdiva]

Zu -
We need pictures!

[Zuzu's Garden]

More pictures? About all I could give you today is a pic of the ladder in the room and me doing dishes. :rolleyes: Today I will put the second coat of primer on the bottom kitchen cabinets, so it will still be awhile before there is something "picture worthy" to post.

Next time I can get a good pic of morning sunrise against the mountains, I'll post that for you all.

Zu

[Lynzee]

Remember, Zu..."durings" are always "picture worthy"! ;)

Honestly, I am so happy that you are settling in and loving your new home. You dreamed it and you did it! :)

[Zuzu's Garden]

RoseMary wrote: What a beautiful post, Zu! Your life sounds so peaceful and happy. People just think they need a lot of 'things' for a wonderful life. I hope you are keeping notes and will write a book about your little mountain house and how your life changed when you moved up there and built your own piece of heaven on earth.

Actually, RoseMary, I read your posts and think that you have a beautiful life. I have so much to learn still! But yes, 'things' don't mean much to me anymore. When I was a little girl, my parents used to take us all (7 of us) up to the mountains on the weekends and on vacations to hike and camp. We all fit into a little pink jeep with all of our camping gear and always had such a wonderful time. I remember riding through an Aspen forest when I was about 9 and telling myself "someday I want to live in the mountains". Honestly, I always knew I wanted this but didn't have a clue how it would turn out.

So I am going to continue to ask you and others here to help me along my journey. I made my first quilt top 6 years ago but never quilted it. It will be one of my treasures that I bring with me into this new house. When time allows, I'll be asking for help on how to finish it!!!

It is funny. People ask me about the Tiny House and are very interested, but at the same time they think it wouldn't be very comfortable. I tell them, think of the most beautiful place you could ever wish to be... bring your sweetie with you... stay in a small cottage that is private and peaceful... then ask yourself if you could live there for the rest of your life.

;)
Zuzu

[Lisa S]

I'm always treasure the things both of you write. You two are living the life I want to live when the hustle and bustle of raising young kids is finished.

Zu ~ I'm the same way about being outside. We camped for one month every summer when I was a kid. I'm happiest when I'm outdoors.

[RoseMary]

I do love my life, Zu and Lisa~but it is not as 'simple' as what we are striving for it to be. We are still on our journey, too!

What a wonderful summers you both had as children, getting to camp for so long! My mom is not a camper, so that was out for us. My best friend's family used to camp for a week or two at a time and they were gracious enough to take me with them~and I loved it!

Zu, what a perfect way you describe your life:

I tell them, think of the most beautiful place you could ever wish to be... bring your sweetie with you... stay in a small cottage that is private and peaceful... then ask yourself if you could live there for the rest of your life. Zuzu

[memmey]

What a sweet thread. It's funny but I totally "get" the moon shining through the window. I put some sheets over a tension rod in my window for extra insulation and I didn't put them all the way to the top and one warmer night I left the curatins open and there was the moon. I swear I felt like a little kid staring at it from my bed.
Zu you can't spoil the dream for us when we think of your little house. I have a mental picture of it and how it smells with the new wood and the fresh mountain air outside.
I can see me living there with Norm from the NEw yAnkEE workshop...LOL dreamy *L*

[Lisa S]

Okay ladies... we're getting older when we think of Norm as sexy! But I'm totally with you. The sexiest aspect of him is his talent. (At first I thought you meant Norm on Cheers and I just didn't "get" that!)

[RoseMary]

I can't help but think of memmy's and Norm's accent in the same conversation:D!

[Lisa S]

heheh...

speaking of Memmey and where she's from... I went our for dessert with some friends last night and saw King Cake. I wouldn't have known what it was except for our conversations.

[Lynzee]

What is it, Lisa?

[Lisa S]

It was a cake with a crown on top of it. The sign describing the ingredients said that a charm was hidden inside.

[Gigi]

One of my best friends is from LA~ so I have heard about the cake with the charm in it...the cake I saw had a little plastic baby ornament...


It's funny reading through comments about homes and where you end up...this year my brother, sister and myself all bought homes stemming from our roots, vacation, etc... my brother is building a real log cabin on the side of mountain, my sister bought a home lakefront, and I just purchased a waterfront home on the Eastern shore.

This is part of the reason I love Maryland~ a bit of everything---mountains, lakes and the shore....;)

[memmey]

King cake- a large pastry like filled circle with green purple and gold icing. Bavarian cream filled was/is my favorite. Was, cause I am dieting and going to the gym again.
If you get the slice with the baby in it then you buy the next cake.
Don't swallow the baby ;)

[Lisa S]

Memmey ~ that's the description I was looking for! I don't think the king cake I saw here is anything close to the real thing.

Gigi ~ That's one of the reason I love Maryland too. It's beautiful.

[LindaLK]

Good Morning Everyone, :)


I LOL! about Memmey`s comment on Norm from The Old Yankee Workshop. Too funny. Well the good thing about getting older is, we don`t see things as well as we use to. So everything looks great in our eyes. :p


I never heard of King Cake before. Do they bake that baby into the cake, or put it in after? Lordy, that sounds morbid doesn`t it? :eek:


Enjoy your day ladies. Take care.



Hugs,
Linda :)

[Lisa S]

Oh poor Norm!

[Lynzee]

The King Cake certainly sounds interesting. I'd never heard of it before.

I love to watch Norm. He is so talented!

[memmey]

Zu, I was reading Country Living and on page 64 it is all about tiny houses. There is a small house society, resourcesforlife.com and a book called Little house on a Samll planet by Shay Salomon with advice on small-house living.
:)

[Zuzu's Garden]

OMGosh! Sexy Norm and King Cake! Together! :p

Thanks, Mem, I'll look for the magazine and check out the .com site.

I've got five days off from work starting today, so we're going to Denver to start sifting through our stored furnishings. Two piles. One to give away. The other to bring up to the Tiny House. We don't know how much we'll be bringing back this first trip, but at least we are getting started! :D

Zu

[Zuzu's Garden]

A lil' update.

It took us all five days, but we've sorted through our furnishings, donated what wouldn't fit, and moved what was left up to the Tiny House.

I have a great tip for you all when it comes to moving. We rented a U-haul truck, and while finishing up the paperwork I saw a business card for e-move.com (http://emove.com/) We selected Need Moving Help?, entered the date of the move, from and to info, etc. and the website brought up a list of movers that were available that same day. We selected a mover and they arrived within a couple hours to help us move furniture and boxes and load the truck. Without their help, I don't know how we would have moved the armoire & couches, and it didn't cost very much at all.

Hubby and I drove home Saturday and moved everything out of the truck into the house. I have a lot of work to do and I'm pretty sure I'll be donating more items, but I'm so excited to see things starting to come together!

:D
Zu

[LindaLK]

Good Morning Everyone, :)

Zu, congratulations everything seems to be falling into place nicely for you. I would be excited too!
I never heard of that web~site, thanks for sharing.


Enjoy your day!



Hugs,
Linda :)

[Lisa S]

Very exciting! You're going to have so much fun moving things around and decorating.

Man, I wish I lived near your Salvation Army!

[chyna]

That is so exciting and will be so much fun to move your furniture into the new house. Don't you find that your furniture looks different in a new home? Great tip, hope I never have to use it. :p

[RoseMary]

Congratulations, Zu! I know it's feeling even more like home with all your furniture moved in:).

[Gigi]

Zuzu- I'm doing the happy dance for you! This must be sooo exciting for you and your husband~ especially all the hard work it took to get to this point...

Share pics when you can! I'm thinkin' about that view....;):)

[Breezy]

Zu - Congratulations!!! This is such an exciting time for you. Best wishes & please post some pics.:)

[Lynzee]

Congratulations, my friend! This is so exciting! I am just so happy for you that it has all come together. What a journey, eh? :)

[Zuzu's Garden]

Oh, yes, what a journey! :D

I am not working today, so there will be more unpacking fun. I found my bouquet of white silk roses and plunked them (errr, arranged them with care) in a vase, and suddenly I felt like I was home even though there are boxes everywhere. :)

Oh, and I have decided to use my good china and my Grandparent's silverware for everyday. Why should we store the pretty things away?

Zu

[Lisa S]

You betcha! Do you have a dishwasher? If you do, just make sure that your silver and the other metals don't touch. Other than that, you can wash your good silver in the dishwasher.

It's sounding like home. Please, please share pictures of your progress.

[Zuzu's Garden]

Yes, of course I have a dishwasher. Me! Get this, I actually enjoy washing dishes by hand, drying them and putting them away. I've copied my parent's idea of storing rinsed dishes in a dishpan under the sink and then once a day I wash them all. The sink stays clear of dishes and the kitchen looks tidy.

Another thing I'd like to do when there is more time is embroider some pretty dishtowels.

Zu

[Lisa S]

My friend made me the cutest dishtowel. She appliqued a heart to the towel and then embroidered inside the heart. Every time I use it, I think of her.

[Gigi]

Zuzu~ That is such a wonderful idea of using the china and silver for everyday...just wonderful!:)

[annielinz]

Zuzu, I agree about using the china and the silver, treat everyday like it is special because you're worth it!.....now I need to follow my own advice-LOL :D


Congratulations and enjoy making your cottage your own little haven.
Can't wait to see pics!

[CohenCottage]

My grandmother used her silver everyday, and that's the only reason it wasn't stolen when her house was broken into...they never thought to look in the kitchen drawers for the good silver!

[Lynzee]

Zu! I have the exact same brand of dishwasher as you! :D

I started using my "good" china and silver many years ago after my youngest son asked if we weren't "good enough for the good dishes". :rolleyes:

[Zuzu's Garden]

Too funny, CohenCottage! I guess we should put all the good stuff out and hide the plasticware. :p

Come on, annielinz, do follow your own advice! It's excellent!

You know, I remember drying dishes while my Great-grandmother washed them, using her embroidered dishtowels and chatting away about nothing in particular. What sweet memories. To me, it beats the sound of the dishwasher any day! I bet you have a little one helping you wash dishes too, Lynz.

I think the embroidered dishtowels were made by friends and relatives and given as gifts. Like Lisa mentioned, every time they were used, thoughts of loved ones came to mind.

Zu

[Lisa S]

Zu ~ I've been using my good silver for years. It has such a nice heft to it when you pick it up. I can honestly say that (almost) nothing is too good around here. My husband has a special fondness for a quilt that his great grandma made. It sits over the handrail upstairs. Sometimes when he and I are sitting on the couch together, we'll grab the quilt and cover up. That's the only thing that the kids aren't allowed to use any time they want.

[memmey]

Ther is a lady who specializes in silver at the anitque mall here and her things are always so bright and pretty. SHe said no dish liquid with lemon in it. She is right, I turned some of the vintage silver I bought dark with lemon dish liguid.
I want to send you some dish towels Zu, can we exchange addresses on a PM?

[RoseMary]

I have one of those dishwashers, too:D. I don't have much that I don't use. I don't have any good silverware, so nothing much for the thieves when they break in~they'll have to settle for stainless:p.

Zu, I love washing dishes, too! It's on of the many simple pleasures in my life! I'm not so crazy about the pans, but I love the glasses and dishes~they always look so pretty and clean when the suds rinse off.

[anneandkita]

RoseMary, you're welcome at my house ANYTIME to do dishes! :D

[Lynzee]

I bet you have a little one helping you wash dishes too, Lynz.

I have a little one splashing water all over the kitchen and saying she's helping wash dishes. :D

My kitchen is so tiny--it's really pretty comical when the three of us get in there to clean up after meals.

[Zuzu's Garden]

Lisa - I love that you and your sweetie cuddle up in the quilt. I'm sure that when she made the quilt, she wondered who might also get to use it and enjoy the love she stitched into it.

Mem - I'll PM you. :) Thanks for the tip on dish soap - I'm an Ivory fan, so it should be fine. I unpacked the silver yesterday, and it is so pretty. My parents bought it for my Grandparent's for their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

RoseMary and Lynz - I'm glad I'm not the only one who enjoys washing dishes. :cool: It may be crowded in your kitchen, Lynz, but it's great family time.

Zu

[Evelyn]

I used my mom's silver and then later my grandmother's for everyday use too. I had the same thought....why let this beautiful suff sit in a box. I have swapped back to stainless steel for the time-being. I also use the good china for every day along with the good china that I have purchased 2nd hand.

Evelyn

[annielinz]

Regarding using the china, I inherited my mom's (no one wanted it and I love it) also have my own and then my grandfather gave me some--so I have china runneth over. Told my DD do not even think of getting it when she marries I have aplenty :). I also have a full set of everyday. What's a girl to do? I have a small home and its tucked all over the house. I also have plates that I buy because I just love them, they're even hanging on the walls.
Plates anonymous here I come.
But I must say nothing tastes better than a cup of tea or coffee in a real china cup...it is divine.
Now regarding the silver, also inherited that recently and it is lovely but there are pieces I would never use...oyster forks(?) it was my grandmothers set. I do have a couple of place setting out that I will start using on a more daily basis along with some china. You all have inspired me.:o

[Lisa S]

I don't have much in the way of china. I eloped and missed out on wedding gifts! I do have a few tea cups that my inlaws gave me. You're right ~ I love drinking out of them. Every little kid that comes to my house gets to have milk out of a fancy tea cup. It's so cute to watch them behave so carefully. They feel special!

[memmey]

I LOVE dishes.....*L*

[Lisa S]

what was that ~ I couldn't hear you!:D

[memmey]

smarty pants.....;)

[ChapterTwo]

Told my DD do not even think of getting it when she marries I have aplenty :)

Do you mean to say that she would actually LIKE what you have? My daughter's taste runs just about opposite from mine. HATES anything antique/vintage. Zheesh, I'd better find someone who appreciates that stuff so I can will them my treasures! Now there's a happy thought...:eek:

[LindaLK]

Good Evening Everyone, :)


ChapterTwo, I love vintage and antiques. Let me give you my address and phone number. :D


I don`t have china or silver. I never wanted it when I got married. I do have good dishes that I use on special occasions. I always feared if I had the good stuff, someone would accidentally break it, and I would get upset. You don`t miss what you don`t have.


I think our childrens taste change once they get older. I know my taste have changed several times over the years. Things I thought were hideous and ugly back when I was in my twenties, I love today!
Life`s about changing, nothing stays the same. Lord..... I sound like a country song. :D


Have a good evening ladies. Take care.



Hugs,
Linda :)

[Hillary Black]

Okay, it's official. We must all be from the same tribe.;)

I love faded fabrics.
I love, love, love doing dishes by hand.
I buy Ivory (the white bottle) but have been known to use Mrs. Meyer's lavender (when I couldn't find Ivory for a few months).
I love doing laundry and hanging it on the line to dry (refer to #1 :)).
I love making the bed with sun-drenched, line-dried sheets. Now that's luxury!
I bought a set of silver and a lovely china set for a song. I love using them!
I love vintage, antiques, well-worn, well-loved stuff.
And finally, I have more bowls, plates and dishes (yes, Fiestaware included) than my little place can hold. Bauer, McCoy, Pyrex, Fire King, thrift store gems, glass, unknown ceramic, all colors -- oh my!
Ah, but I love using them -- having the variety to choose from is bliss.
(Fitting them back into the cupboard is not!)

What fun you all are!

Thanks for being here for each other.

Have a great weekend!

You faithful and adoring editor,
Hillary

[Lisa S]

Hillary ~ can you still find Mrs. Meyer's lavender? I've looked in all the usual spots here in Oregon and it's missing in action.

Funny about Pyrex... my friend adored the stuff before it came back into favor. She uses it when she goes camping. A very classy camper!

[Hillary Black]

Hi Lisa!

It's funny -- I haven't looked for it for awhile (I first found it at a Green Expo) but I am featuring it in the magazine (April/May) issue so it was back on my radar. They have quite a bit on their Web site, including a "thrifty times call for thrifty prices" $3.99 deal going. I admit I rarely buy anything online myself, but this one was making me consider it! (I love anything lavender. It really is calming aromatherapy.) Maybe you can find a retailer: www.mrsmeyers.com.

[Zuzu's Garden]

Hi Hillary!

In another thread, someone asked if this community was going in the direction that you hoped for. After reading your "official tribe" post, I am so HAPPY to see that we're all talking the same language! :D

We are all so thankful for this community, and we LOVE when you pop in and join us!

Zuzu

[annielinz]

Chapter Two, regarding DD she is a pink shabby kind of gal at 21 already. She has loved pink since she was a wee one. I already have some pink dishes I've collected for her and some pink stemware from my grandmother. She's already warned her BF if they marry he'd better love pink! OMG she would covet a pink kitchen.
I've always adored things a bit tarnished or "well loved". New and shiny was never for me! I prefer my silver tarnished and dents don't bother me. I like the lived in look where things are touchable and not off limits. I do draw the line at hand washing dishes:rolleyes:. ..had a bad experience washing a glass once, suffice it to say a rush to the emergency room and stitches made me a bit leery, altho I don't mind it, I do appreciate my dishwasher.
My DM had a side yard where she would hang the laundry. Sheets hung on a line, yes; bliss is the word. If I strung a clothesline in my small yard my DH would think I've lost it. The hardest part is trying to blend my style with his. He came from an angular, everything in its place, new and shiny, if its broke throw it out kind of household, me not so much.
So glad to have found this place, nice to be surrounded by kinfolk ;)

[Evelyn]

I have a friend that changes her dishes seasonally......

And Lisa, I too have served the wee ones drinks in china tea cups. And yes, they hold the cup so carefully!! Very cute.

I found some beautiful royal doulten-tintern pattern plates at a 2nd hand store yesterday. They are exquisite. Cheap too.

Evelyn

[Lisa S]

Good for you! I love a good find.

[Lynzee]

I have a friend that changes her dishes seasonally......



Doesn't everyone? :eek: :confused::confused::confused:

[chyna]

For my wee ones bday I did a tea party type of thing and the little kids got to use real tea cups. the kids weren't half as worried about them as the parents. ::D We also do tea parties outside or in depending on how many kids there are and I do bring out some of the cups/saucer sets I've picked up at auctions and garage sales along with real table clothes and napkins. the kids seem to enjoy it. Along with real tea (or Kool-aid, not all kids like tea like my kid does.:o:) )

By the way washing dishes is done by the dishwasher at my house and I use the dryer to dry my clothes. Let's just say that my mom's edict that no one use the dryer in the winter pretty much ruined it for me. :rolleyes: Freeze dried clothing is a fantasy.

[Lynzee]

I definitely use a dryer for my clothes. Hanging them out would be a nightmare. They'd be covered with pine sap long before they dried! :eek:

[WannaBHomemaker]

my line-dried linens would be brown from the West Texas Dirt!! Not to mention, they'd probably smell like manure. (We live south of a chicken farm and southwest of a dairy) We all love our dryers and dishwashers here. My dishwasher doesn't always like to work so I end up doing a lot of it by hand. I usually loathe it but lately if I can just manage to get a few done at a time it's not so bad. Pan scrapers are by far the best thing I've found for cleaning baked-on food!!

I don't think there's a speck of silver in our house that isn't jewelry... I got several crystal things for my wedding that I'm still wondering what I'll ever do with them! China? what's that? lol, just kidding. Our nice dishes are just colorful everyday dishes. I think we've used them once in the 2 years we've been married. Not too bad I guess. I have one hung on the wall because the colors match my kitchen.

I found a book of stencils - the pretty kind - is that kinda out of date or not? I kindof want to try doing it on my kitchen cabinets. There's like little checkered patterns, hearts, farm animals, flowers, etc. My mom had stenciled borders all over one of the houses I grew up in.

[RoseMary]

RoseMary, you're welcome at my house ANYTIME to do dishes! :D

If only I could find the time, anneandkita:D

I was also glad to find that several of you enjoy washing dishes!

[Lynzee]

I found a book of stencils - the pretty kind - is that kinda out of date or not?

I think stencils are lovely! I'm not an "in or out of date" sort of person, so I wouldn't know if the "decorating experts" think they are out of date or not. I just think that if you love something and want to use it in your home, you should definitely use it!

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, my friends, but I think there are a lot of us here who have decorated rooms--our entire homes even--in a style that might be considered "outdated" by those who prefer a more modern, even traditional, approach but, for me, it is a lifestyle that I am choosing--not a decorating style.

If you choose to do it, I hope you will share pictures of your work. We like befores, durings and afters. :D

[memmey]

I know my stuff is outdated but it took me forever to gather some of it up so, ta dah..... it's my style now.
I think that if you change everytime something new comes out in a magazine ( if there are any magazines left) then what is YOUR style. I just love vintage. One day, and I believe it will happen ONE day, I will find an old sofa and love seat from the 40's. I check craigslist everyday. At that point I will ditch the sloppy slipcovers.

Down here there are some older homes that look like they are frozen in time with the precious treasures that were passed down through the families.

I actually for 10 cents found a bottle of Hadacol. Cou-zan Leblanc sold that old snake oil back in the day. It was a tonic for whatever ails you. Riiggghhhtt it was mostly alcohol. That is an item that would have surely been on the kitchen window sill in the 1930's. I love the old, I don't want anything new. Sometimes I feel like I am buying props for a movie set....LOL:D

[Breezy]

Memmy - I love the old stuff too. New just doesn't have the character & history that the old stuff has.
New is ok but it's good to remember where we came from and when we have something old it's like owning a piece of history. I love going through house museums - it's like stepping back in time.

[RoseMary]

I'm sure that everything in my house would be considered 'out of style'--but that's the way I like it.

I don't like going in to a home that makes me feel like I can't touch anything, or sit anywhere. I don't think anyone feels like that in my house. Everything a little shabby and well loved.

[Lisa S]

Whenenever I look at new construction, new household items or even the latest trends in clothes, I wonder how long until it looks dated? I prefer old or classic because I feel like I get more bang for my buck. I know it's a dated look I like.

[ChapterTwo]

I'm with all of you (of course, I am!)...I march to my own drummer, not what's in or out of style. I think that's what makes a house a home...all the little touches that reflect our personalities.

I never could understand how people could have decorators "do" their houses. I'd feel like I was living in somebody else's house!

[Lisa S]

I totally agree! I think some designers can help you find your decorating path, but I could never have someone pick out impersonal stuff to fill my house.

I had fun one day... I was helping a friend decorate her house and I decided to go through some of her cabinets. I found beautiful pottery that just screamed her personality. We pulled it out of the cupboard and used it for a jumping off point for her paint colors. It was a world better than anything new we could have found in a store.

[ChapterTwo]

Lisa...your friend was lucky to have you help her with the colors...sometimes it just takes "new eyes" to see the possibilities. And meanwhile, you had fun helping! :)

[Lisa S]

It's one of my favorite things.

I could use some help today. I'm trying to dress up our very worn baby grand piano. I've been keeping my eye out when I see pianos on tv. Now I'm just trying to work with what I have. It's not working! Any suggestions?

[chyna]

Are you against painting it? I'm thinking of (Jennifer??) the one girl who used to be in this group who had painted her upright piano red or maybe it was bright blue. Anyway it was pretty funky and cool but totally her. Oh wait her name was Lucille????? named after her car (a fishtail Caddy).

If you don't want to go funky you could paint it black or dark brown, heck a tannish-white would be pretty. Also you could get some gel stain and refresh the finish that way too.

Other than that I'd doily it up, put a candlabra on it, some silver framed photos, maybe some flowers. Mine has a vase with peacock feathers in it on top of a candle holder. Hard to describe what all is on there, I haven't really seen it for at least a month now with the Christmas tree in the way and stuff up there. :o Mine is just a low upright piano. Nothing like a baby grand.

[chyna]

I've also seen old area rugs draped across the pianos too. Would have to be a smaller rug, more like a blanket size and really soft. Or maybe a shawl? You better stop me pretty soon or I'll be tossing ideas out there forever. :D

[annielinz]

I have a mix of old family stuff and some new. Even its its new I like it to look aged.
Regarding the stencils, to a point they can date a house, especially if its geese and bunnies ;). But you have to do what you like. I recently stenciled my entry way wall with a harlequin design. I like it and that's all that matters.

[Lisa S]

We have an upright that I plan to paint bright red and put it in the lake house. Our baby grand is anything but. I've gotten as far as closing it and placing a table runner on top by the keys. I've got some flowers in a vase on the table runner... I think it might be time to take a trip to the dollar store for some white candles.

[annielinz]

Lisa what are you trying to do with the piano? I love the look of a piano scarf draped over it. My friends mom had one with long fringe, it was was beautiful.Do you have a picture of the piano in the room?

[Lynzee]

I love the idea of the scarf or a soft throw of some sort just kind of draped across it! And a candlabra and some pictures! And some sheet music! I love the idea of a huge flower arrangement too. Gosh...I think I need to see a picture of it in the room to help me narrow down my list. :o

[Zuzu's Garden]

Wow. My job is really getting in the way with keeping up with the new posts. Let's see...

Stencils - the pretty kind - is that kinda out of date or not? Go for it. People have been stenciling their walls and furniture for hundreds of years. Do what you love!

Out of Style - what's that? Do what you love! (Did someone already say that?)

Old vs. New - I prefer new and old mixed together.

Baby grand piano - hop on top w/ a bottle of champagne and two glasses? Or, I love the look of framed family pictures on the top of a piano. Classic!

Zu

[WannaBHomemaker]

Wow gals - I should have known that yall would say that! My mom and dad are coming up this weekend and I'm going to see what Mom suggests. I'll let yall know what I decide!

As far as the piano dilemma, my mom has a large old upright that is BEAUTIFUL. She has the whole top covered with a lace runner with lots of old familly photos on top - like baby pics of her and her sisters and my grandparents and great-grandparents. I always hated dusting the top of that! So I say put stuff you love on top of it. Or several white candles would be pretty too! Whatever you want!

[Zuzu's Garden]

This morning's Tiny House update...

The boxes are gone and the warehouse look is just now starting to give way to the possibility of looking like a little home. Geeeeez, I had a lot of stuff, and I'm still giving more away.

It doesn't matter where I move to, the old stuff doesn't quite make it in the new place. Goodbye to city life and the software career and Hello to a part-time job at the State Park and the simple life. Goodbye to the silver candlesticks and Hello to candles in jars. Goodbye to large prints in fancy frames and Hello to handmade shelves. Goodbye to (most of) the silk plants and Hello to real plants. This is going to take me awhile. :rolleyes: :p

Zu

[annielinz]

Kudos to you Zuzu. Can you remind me how big the ''Little House" is?

I've been tossing all the silk plants too and will add only live, hopefully I won't destroy them with my black thumb.
Downsizing and getting rid of excess sounds so nice but boy it would be quite the process here, I tend to hold onto things. You will be my inspiration to weed out.

[Lisa S]

Simple sounds like heaven right about now. The kids have been sick, one right after another, for the past two weeks. I've spent that time cleaning the house. It makes no sense for anyone to clean a house for two weeks. I want to toss everything out in the yard and bring what I love back in.

Zu ~ take pictures of your progress. We are vicariously living your fresh start. It sounds so peaceful and wonderful. I'm excited for you.

[Lynzee]

Sounds like you have really been busy! It will be home before you know it!

I have a lot of homemade shelves! They're the best, aren't they? :D

[RoseMary]

Sounds like everything is going great, Zu!

Lisa, I love your idea of tossing everything out in the yard and only bringing back in what you love! I'm not sure it would work for me, though--I'd probably bring it all back in plus some other things I found out in the yard:p. Like the little table on my porch that I love, but there's just no room in here for it.

[Gigi]

Zuzu- Oh how I envy you...I want/NEED a simpler life. Our house on the hill is filled of memories, but too much to take care of with working, etc...

I can't wait to hear more- it sounds like a piece of heaven.

[memmey]

Awwwh?????? what dumpster did you throw the silver candlesticks in!!! Are you crazy, dumpster dive and get them backkkkkkkkk.:eek:








;)

[Zuzu's Garden]

Memmey - no dumpsters!!! :eek: I have donated everything to three different groups. Disabled American Veterans, Healing Minds (they help people who have suffered brain damage), and Goodwill. No trash - it's all useful stuff. I even recycled the packing paper. :)

Annie - The Tiny House is 375 square feet. The Building Dept. used the rules&regs under "Efficiency Dwelling". I think of it like a vacation cottage, with 360 degree views - this way, we're always on vacation. :)

Here is my sorting method. I keep things that:
1) will be used often
2) fit in the 375 square foot space
3) I have a sentimental attachment to
4) are easy to care for
5) fit my definition of "cottage"

Funny that Lisa and RoseMary mentioned putting everything outside and only bring in what you love. My favorite outdoor garden containers & birdbath are inside. I had a glass top made for the birdbath years ago. When I bring it in for the winter (to prevent cracking), I put the glass top on it and use it as a side-table. ;)

While putting books away, I found the book my sister gave me just before she passed away. It is called Everyday Sacred by Sue Bender. I sat down immediately and started reading it, and cried when I got to the end. In every person we meet, in every event that takes place (even those we may not like or understand immediately), there is a gift. I cry because it is beautiful. I smile because my sister shared it with me. Life is good.

Zu

[annielinz]

Zuzu, all I can say is WOW. I can't wrap my mind around 375 feet. I'm sitting here looking at my space (which is not large) and trying to picture your home. Everything you bring in must have the utmost importance and function.
I do hope you share lots of pictures and you should really write a book about your experience!
And I bet that book your sister gave you has a very special place in your home.
To the simple life!
Mary Ann

[Breezy]

Zu ~ your home sounds wonderful! Please post pics after you get everything where you want it.:)

[Zuzu's Garden]

I know, Mary Ann, 375 square feet does sound small!

I've been fortunate to be invited into many different homes. I've been in mansions in La Jolla, CA and in a tiny adobe home in Mexico (the most gracious home I've ever been in). I've been in row houses in San Francisco and London and in homesteads and ultra modern homes in CO. I thought about the miner's homes in the ghost towns I visited when I was a little girl, and my Great-Grandmother's and Grandparent's homes built at the turn of the century and in the 20s. I've lived in 16 different homes myself.

From all this, I came to the conclusion that a home should fit the people that live there - not the other way around. I am an outdoors person, and the Tiny House includes several acres of 'outdoor rooms'. Hubby is happy anywhere, so long as there is internet access. ;) So, 375 square feet seems to be working out just fine.

I met a woman that doesn't live far from here and she and her husband raised their three children in a 500 square foot home. She has some great storage ideas!!! The oldest daughter is a Dr., the son is in software, and the youngest daughter is working on her Masters. The best thing about their story is that although the children are grown and live apart, they call each other everyday and remain very close.

Hi Breezy,

Things are now in an 'organized chaos' state. :p I took a pic of the birdbath side-table and will post it as soon as Hubby emails a copy to me (my computer doesn't have the software to do it myself).

Anyway, I'm going to have to log off and get ready for work. You all have a great day!

Zu

[Zuzu's Garden]

pic of the birdbath table

[Gigi]

Just beautiful and quite charming. I love the 2 birds on the top---

[RoseMary]

What a great idea, Zu. It makes such a sweet table:). I love anything with birds on it!

[annielinz]

Zuzu, I love the way you repurposed the birdbath into a table.

[Lisa S]

Lovely vignette! Is that in your new house? I'm dying to see EVERYTHING!

[Breezy]

Zu the table is so pretty - what a great idea!

[Zuzu's Garden]

Thank you! :) Yes, this is in the Tiny House. It's the side-table next to my side of the bed - at least until spring, and then it will become a birdbath again. I love getting to see the birds and butterflies as they come by for a drink of water.

Zu

[annielinz]

Many of you are living the life I can only imagine.
Do you remember the line from the movie Field of Dreams?
The baseball player looks around and sees this incredible baseball diamond in the middle of the corn field and asks Kevin Costner if this is heaven and he says no-its-Iowa.I think some of you are living in a little slice of heaven, I'll have to live vicariously thru you all. :)

[Lisa S]

I love that movie and I especially remember that phrase!

[Lynzee]

Beautiful, Zu! What a great idea!

[Zuzu's Garden]

The last couple of weeks have been crazy-busy, but I did snap a picture of the Kitchen/Dining Room to share. I've already changed what is on the Baker's Rack (so this pic is already history :rolleyes:) and am planning to add some plants on the top shelf.

I will be making valances for the windows. The kit/din room window looks out to the view - this pic was taken in the early morning. I was trying to capture the pink sunrise for you all to see.

More pics later.
Zu

[Breezy]

Zu ~ love the pics ~ your view is just breathtaking ~ what a pleasure it would be to watch the sunrise with a nice cup of tea/coffee/hot choccy!

[annielinz]

Beeee-u-ti-ful view!!

[WannaBHomemaker]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the view!! Makes me want to go to Colorado! I've been several times in the summer but never to ski or anything, but ohhh how I love all the mountains and trees and waterfalls.... you're so lucky to live there!

[Lynzee]

Your dining room is beautiful, Zu! And I love the view!

Gosh...I am so excited to see it all finally come together. :)

[Gigi]

Zuzu---it's wonderful! Love the kitchen and WOW WOW WOW the view! Oh my the seasons will be changing in front of your eyes...I'd plant myself at the table for hours... :)

[RoseMary]

Love the kitchen/dining area and the view is incredible!

[Evelyn]

ZuZu...wonderful kitchen and lovely view!! I can't wait to see more.

Evelyn

[shabbychick]

Zu,

I have a one-drawer version of that very same desk. In fact, I'm sitting at it right now. I love your baker's rack and the fact that you've got a wonderful big window in your kitchen and a superb view! I bet you never tire of looking at it!

[cheapdiva]

What's not to love about things that have been loved? When you own an "antique" it means it has passed through many hands that thought enough about the item to not destroy it. AND the item was sturdy enough to survive many years of use.

Isn't it nice to know that someone before you appreciated your special items and years from now, someone else will be the recipient of those things?

[Danske]

Your view is breathtaking! Great use of the birdbath during cold winter months!

[Zuzu's Garden]

I have taken your advice, my dear cottage friends, and am waiting for the house to tell me how to decorate it. I have not put pictures on the walls, I have not painted the open shelf in the kitchen, but little bit by little bit, I am arranging things until they have found their place.

It's funny that the things I cherish most are probably the things that another person would take to the Goodwill or throw into the landfill without a care. A rock my son gave me when he was little because it was pretty and he wanted me to have it. The red toolbox on the bottom shelf of the Baker's Rack that my brother gave me when I was 18 to hold my art supplies and still does. The cracked white mug that belonged to my sister. I think these are the things that make a house a home. Edited: I just realized that these items are Wabi sabi - "a beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete, a beauty of things modest and humble, a beauty of things unconventional.":)

You are right, Gigi. :) I do plant myself in front of the view for hours. There are more than four seasons here. There are seasons of pink sunrises, sparkling snow, butterflies and hummingbirds, golden leaves, dark clouds with rainbows... how I wish you could all come over to enjoy it together!

Zu

[One Woman]

Zuzu, I've enjoyed reading through this thread and am so excited for you! You are living the way I would love to live one day! Keep up the good work and I'm looking forward to following along with you in your journey:)

[One Woman]

Oh, and your Tiny House adventure reminded me of a playhouse I found on Craigslist the other day. It's 225 sf and is so adorable! I'm assuming that it's scaled for a child, but the pictures make it appear that it's just a regular little cottage!

From the listing: "It has running water & electricity. It is COMPLETELY FURNISHED down to the dishes & pots & pans (bed & bedding excluded) 225 sq. ft...Three rooms: living room with faux fireplace, bedroom, kitchen with working appliances: refrigerator/freezer, oven / cook top, sink with running water, lots of storage & cabinets, built-in closets and shelves, heat & air window unit."

I think I'd just need a little bathroom and a small dining table and I'd be set!

~Kim

[Zuzu's Garden]

Hi Kim - happy to meet you!

That playhouse is adorable! The kitchen looks a lot like mine! :p

Zuzu

Edited: OhMyGosh, Kim! You are Twilightmama! Really happy to see you again!

[annielinz]

Kim, that playhouse/cottage is just too cute for words!

[One Woman]

Isn't it sweet! It could be mine or yours for just $28,000! Lol!

[Lynzee]

I love, love, love that playhouse! It is just darling!

[oxide]

Ooh, tiny houses! I could gush forever about those!

I've been trying to follow the tiny house movement on tumbleweedhouses.com. I don't think I could live in a tiny tiny house under 500 sq ft. I need a little more room in the kitchen, and there's not much you can do with the architecture. But I love the "small" houses which are 500-1000 sq feet, which I think is closest to the original cottage size.

I've been a floor plan addict for 20 years, and I love looking at:
Jay Scheaffer's "small" house plans (tumbleweedhomes.com)
Sheldon Designs.com (I like the Microcottage)
Rosschapin.com (I love the pocket neighborhoods)
Or I'll go to coolhouseplans.com and sort by square footage. They have some darling tiny cottages.

I should really order the Storybook homes too -- they have some small ones. I remember finding them online, and I was so happy when they placed their ads in C&B! :)

[ChapterTwo]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/24/garden/24cottage.html?no_interstitial


(Hillary - I think your C & B readers would be thrilled to see THIS! It's the antithesis of the large homes that were being discussed on the July/August issue thread.)

[shabbychick]

That's a pretty amazing transformation. I don't think I could get too excited about a place that didn't have a bathroom, though. How come I can never find a beautiful chandelier for $15? I love her little sleeping loft (though I'd worry about rolling over and falling out of it). Their property is an interesting mix of his, hers, and theirs. I've never seen a story quite like this. I bet they are a lot of fun to spend time with.

[ChapterTwo]

I don't think I could get too excited about a place that didn't have a bathroom, though.

I really had to wonder about that too. There are priorities, and having a bathroom is pretty high on my list...let's say #1! ;)

It was just the spirit and ethereal quality of it all that I admired; I'm glad you felt it too.
The owners are definitely free spirits!

[RoseMary]

That's a very, very cute little house. Very impractical, too, but I'm assuming it's just sort of a 'playhouse'? And also, I just have to ask this, did the article mean that she was brushing her hair and the dog's hair with the same brush?

[Seattle Cottage Lover]

My cottage is 196 sq ft. I know small spaces and yes, I have a bathroom.
I have a purpose for everything in my place. It was built in 1929 and I love the character of it all. The one problem I have is trying to multi-purpose furniture that won't "cross over". My bedroom dresser looks out of place in my living area. So I'm in the process of finding a hutch or buffet that will function as a dresser and not look like one.

I'm looking forward to great conversations here on C&B!

[vintage girl]

I would love to see pics of your small cottage. I have a dresser in my livingroom that serves as a tv stand. I think in your case a buffet would be great. The top half of the buffet would serve as display storage for your dishes, etc and the bottom half would make a great dresser. I found both my dresser and buffet on craigslist. That is where I find all my furniture. You may want to give them a try. Great resource and a lot cheaper than buying new. Here is a pic of the dresser that I use as a tv stand, and the buffet I found on craigslist also:)

[katey]

Those cottages are cute. You can relocate anywhere with those tiny cottages. They're just like a playhouse for kids. Just wondering, how many people can live in one tiny house?