We had another weekend looking for houses in Connecticut. From all the 8 houses we visited there was one that called my attention. It was not a perfect house, but it has so many nice features that I think I could make that works… The first amazing feature about the house is the fact that it is an antique (circa 1780s) house still in very good shape, and of course, full of charm. It needs a little of love and good decorating skills to make it a perfect retreat weekend home. Mike (my hubby) was not totally convinced about that one was the one... which is pretty normal for him. He might have hard time visualizing what the empty place and in careless condition could turn to be. He might not be able to look at the potential of the raw gems. (Well, I am going to give him a chance because he was able to find ME!) Anyway, I find out that lot of people have difficulties to see the potential of neglected houses that are for sale. One of the ways that I use to not loose the hope is to be positive, look at the good side of things, and try to find a lot of inspirations. First, I take lot of pictures of the exiting conditions, and then carefully I study it later. Find inspiration images of decorating spaces and architectural features that you like (that matchs to the style of the house). It is simple to do… but it can be a challenging work because you would find a lot of beautiful ideas and then you would not to know what really works for you and your budget. If you have the patience and time to develop the ideas it’s great and you can have a lot of fun; otherwise it's better to hire a designer who would really help you to "see" and possibily would help you making a decision when shopping for a house.
Here I would like the share with you some pictures that I took of my adorable antique cottage that I saw so much potential. And at the same time I want share some inspiration images that would be very helpful when and if the time comes to polish the gem.
POOR THING! It needs somebody with a hat, garden boots and tools!!!
That's the living room. Little funny layout... for sure.
Below just some living rooms that I love... and I think I could some how create a style similiar to these amazing living rooms to the "funny layout" living room above. I am not sure how my designs would come up. I would have to take measurments, draw a the floor plan of the area, and try to understand the space better... and then find the right sizes and right pieces for the area. The photos below are just inspiration images for what kind of style that I want approach.
Design by Lisa Sherry Interiours
Via House of Fifty Blog
Via House to Home
The image below is part of the kitchen... another kind of award layout...
I would have to really think about it!
I would might considered opening the space a little bit more... breaking one wall that separates the kitchen and dining area right now.
Design by Kelly Hoppen (one of my favorite interior designers)
The dining area is really nice. I like that is filled with light and I can use the space to put a long dining table. I love skinny and long dining tables!
I am using this beautiful photo taken by Michael J. Lee to inspire me to design the guest bedroom:
"Sweet and simple"
This is the space downstairs that I would have the guest bedroom.
Let's go upstairs!
Let me introduce you to the exiting master bathroom:
It's quite big for a cottage house!
Do you see the pontential?!?
Inspiration....
Source Unknown.
Inspiration...
And here is the general view of the master bedroom.
That's how I visualized it "to be"! I mean, the bed "to be"!
Via Paper Mulberry Blog
And don't forget the sweet details...
For me... "G" for Gross.
The interior has some many weird rooms, when you see for the first time you ask?
"What is the room for?" But then I think... and think... we could explore these areas and create unxepected inviting vingettes like these beautiful ones below.
For the outdoors I would like to add some bright color.
Some really purple blue! And for materials: some metal, some wood, some cotton.
And that blues would complement the blowing of the summer lavender flowers that I would plant all around the short stone wall.
THE END.
