T’is true, I am a water girl. Born a Pisces, don’t ya know. M & I have often taken long drives in search of that dream of owning a second home – something small and in a location where our family could rest and relax and enjoy the beauty of nature without the crowds, away from the pressures of work and farm and Hillary vs. Trump OMG WILL IT EVER END.
*Ahem.
Anyway…. over the years we’ve researched a lakefront cabin in Vermont, a small house on Martha’s Vineyard, a Florida Condo right on the ocean, gulf side. We’ve scanned real estate brochures when on vacation and even spoke with a few realtors in various locations. We looked at properties along our shores just miles from here in several different towns. The problem with all those options is there is no such thing as a bargain even if the place is falling apart, because the taxes will kill you if the purchase price doesn’t. The Vineyard has always been my first choice, but the price of homes has skyrocketed as the island has become more popular with Presidents and celebrities and people like you and me. If we were going to do that, we should have done it 20 years ago. Another factor is the commute. I don’t want to have to drive hours on end to get to that peaceful relaxation place. M is Type A all the way, and he would want to keep his watchful eye on it and do any maintenance himself. We’ve got this farm and animals to care for and he runs a very busy company. Getting away -ain’t easy- so long rides (or flights!) to check up on a place would be hard to accomplish.
My mom has rented a little cottage for the past five years in a little community on the shore just a hop in the car and 20 minutes from here. The beauty of that community is it’s right on the water and the cottages, when purchased, are AFFORDABLE. The hitch is… they are on land owned by an old old family dating back to the 1600’s. AND.. they rarely come available for sale. AND.. if you ever get the urge to rebuild or expand that 1930’s cottage, you can’t do it. These cottages have to remain as they are, seasonal, and within their current footprint. Meaning you can’t go up or out or live there year round. AND.. there’s a waiting list.
For five years we’ve watched the market, asked around, looked and listened for a possible availability. A little bird told us there was an older gentleman who owned one of these cottages and although he loved the place dearly, his wife wasn’t feeling the love. I thought… Hmmm… what harm would it do to write him a letter. So I did. And he responded. Had to think on it. (OMG he’s thinking on it!) So we waited. And waited. Until finally he returned with a “why don’t you come look at the place and we’ll talk”.
Long story a little shorter, we are now the proud owners of a little 700 sq ft. rustic ( and I mean RUSTIC) cottage tucked in a cove off Long Island Sound. Mike has begun doing what he does best, I’ll share the transformation here. Keep in mind, we cannot alter the footprint of the cottage, can’t go up or out, nor can we winterize it.
Ready for the tour?….
Roadside…. the “neighborhood” is basically a giant rock outcropping consisting mostly of woods and ledge with a small one-lane road that meanders along it’s coast. The speed limit is 15 miles an hour and in summer the road is populated by dog walkers and bicycle riders and pedestrians of all ages.
Our cottage is a 1935 model. This is the before shot. There is no foundation. Notice the sagging roof lines. Last week all the cedar posts that were holding it up underneath were replaced. Talk about a dirty job.
Below photo is the view from the water…
UNRELATED: we have a tiny family dispute going, help us with the argument. Some of us say the front of the house is the street side with the front door, porch and garage. Some of us say the front of a waterfront house is always the WATER side. What say you?
We have removed all that latticework and the deck is next. The plan is to replace the lattice and the deck, porch (with the same footprint) and reside with cedar shingle, replace windows and doors and possibly roof. A new garage door is coming as well.
It starts………….
Front porch – screens removed, about to undergo a face-lift. Notice the bunnies next to the bench. Quite a few little creatures where left behind by the previous owner. They’ll continue to live here with us.
Bedroom
Living Room
Bedroom – one of the few things we kept from the previous owner was this awesome bed frame.
Kitchen – the cabinets and that awesome farm house sink will stay.
The wall behind the stove/fridge will be removed – the view will be the living room out to the water, opening up the living space quite a bit.
The bathroom, also about to get a facelift.
The deck – will be replaced but maintain same “footprint”.
Gas stove in living room, the only heat source.
Some lovely onion lights will remain.
as will all these critters…..
Our stairway to the water..
our platform at the base of the stairs… will make kayak entry a breeze.
A panoramic view from the yard.. distorted because of the angle but you get the idea
This picture was taken at very low tide, and revealed we have two oyster beds right in front of the cottage –
Coming and going from the community, these are our views… amazing.
SO.. off we go. Once Upon A Tide.. there was a little cottage in need of a little TLC….
