Progress has been slow, but in most cases, really good. Just one major hiccup – our very expensive windows. Unfortunately, not having windows dictates the timing of many other things. While we wait, we’ve picked out a ton of finishes, had most of our carpentry and trim work done, cabinets installed, and Cody has painted pretty much everything that can be painted until the windows return. While the window situation has been very frustrating, we’ve worked with some incredibly talented tradesmen on other projects. Because of that, I want to give some major kudos where kudos are due before giving a peek at the future finishes and overall design of each room.
These Guys…
This father-and-son trio can literally do anything. We’ve been so impressed with how they’ve faced every single project and challenge we’ve thrown at them in this 90+ year-old cottage – and with such excellence.
Bonus! I’ve even gotten rose garden growing tips, “slap-your-mama-good” recipes, watched a little Uncle TurtleTok, and thoroughly enjoyed hearing them talk about being husbands and dads while they work. Congratulations to Blaze and Holly on their brand new baby girl! Can’t wait to see photos.
I also have to mention our cabinet builder, who more than understood the assignment and built us the most gorgeous set of galley kitchen cabinets I’ve ever seen.
They’re like magic – this tiny kitchen somehow looks even bigger with the cabinets than before, and they were designed to match my 1933 cabinets in the main house. I’m dying to see them painted and topped with our gorgeous marble.
Thank you, Don Dodson (Designs by Dodson, LLC), for doing your thing! It makes me want cabinets in every room of the main house. If only my budget would allow.
Now On to Future Us - Hopefully Very Soon!
The Living Room
Inspiration
But to be completely honest, my dreams of this space began years before there even was a space. The first time I watched The Holiday, (first out of 100) I was hooked on that tiny country home in Surrey – it made me completely obsessed with cozy cottage spaces. Before I even knew the “Nancy Meyers aesthetic” was a thing, every little detail of Iris’s home lived rent-free in my head.
Ultimately, I want our guests to feel like they are on a European, cottage holiday in Nuggett Hill. I just can’t promise Jude Law will show up at the door.
Colors
My goal with the entire cottage is to make sure it feels warm and welcoming, with color schemes that honor her 1930s beginnings. I also searched for Tudor-specific color palettes. While these aren’t the exact colors I chose, they’re a good general reference for what we’re going for.
I settled on Blustery Sky by Sherwin Williams for the living walls, trim, and even the ceiling.
Billy – our trim master extraordinaire – cringed at the thought of color-drenching all that detail, but I assured him it was a “method to my madness” kind of situation. I also felt the need to balance out my pink tub with some masculine tones. Go big or go home, right?
Floors
To keep the space warm, I really wanted to go with hardwood floors in the living room and bedroom. I am 1,000,000,000% against carpet, and since Tudor on Sixth is our forever home, I want to do it right. We’re immensely blessed that a large portion of the main house still has its original hardwood floors, so I wanted to match those in color as closely as possible. Our guys at Phillips Flooring hit the nail on the head with Elk Mountain Fontana, a classic warm golden hand-scraped hickory.
Styling
We have a somewhat modern/traditional sectional that will be mixed with tons of art, antiques, and historic photographs of Longview, the Martins, and their Coca-Cola history. Over the last few months, we’ve scoured estate sales, Canton, my favorite antique stores, and even Facebook Marketplace to find quirky, fun, historic, cottage-esque pieces to complete the space. When we finish the house and the cottage becomes its intended space as an Airbnb, we want our guests to feel at home away from home.
My antique French hand-painted gas chandelier will be the focal point – and it’s been my favorite find to date.
If you go to Canton, be sure to check out my friends at Le Vie L Junk – but save me some good stuff, because I’ll be heading back soon! On our last visit, we also picked up this antique settee for the breakfast nook and this adorable chair.
Next to the fireplace and my amazing mantle (that Billy and the boys built for me), we’ll be adding a custom bookshelf to give us extra storage for games, books, and more of my fun little estate sale finds for guests to enjoy.
I’m still unsure about window treatments at the moment. Our windows have been such a huge ordeal – and they’re truly beautiful – so I want them to be visible but also provide privacy for guests. That’ll be a work in progress once we move in.
Same for rugs. Why are rugs so hard? TBC.
Overall, here’s an idea of how I envision this space coming together in the next few weeks:
Next Up
Through the arch and into the cottage kitchen…