Another remodeling project is taking shape. It’s like being in the early days of training for a marathon; you choose a training plan, and begin to work your way through the program that will culminate in a magical place – although finding yourself at the finish line seems so far away that it’s impossible to believe it will ever happen at all.
Most of the remodeling of our little cottage was completed in 2018. The kitchen finally escaped the 1970s, the master bath stole enough square footage from the center hall for a shower and two sink cabinets, and we converted the 2nd bedroom into a proper walk-in closet.
The next projects on our list include the addition of a 300 square foot conservatory (with all its required excavation), remodeling the hall bath, updating kitchen appliances, adding an attached carport and a she-shed for yours truly.
If you’ve tuned into The Fartlek for these occasional design and renovating stories, this could be a plentiful year. And if you’re a runner, please don’t despair. The year will be more about running than it may currently appear!
Conservatory
The 19th century was the golden age of conservatory building, primarily in England. In a residence, a conservatory would typically be attached to the house on only one side, and by definition must have more than 50% of its wall surface glazed. Our new room does not technically meet the ‘conservatory’ standard, but it’s the aesthetic we’re going for.
The conservatory will connect to the rear of the cottage through an existing closet. A vaulted ceiling, 6’ windows, a wall of bookshelves and two closets make it the most functional 300 square feet we’ve ever added to a home (a third new closet is accessible from the master bath). It will lack the feel of a full conservatory because of the wall of bookshelves, however, that side of the room only looks onto the neighbor’s house. Bookshelves are more practical. French doors at the back of the room lead to the she-shed and a view of the back garden.
Carport
originating from the French term “porte-cochère“, referring to a covered portal, renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright coined the term when he used a carport in the first of his “Usonian” home designs: the house of Herbert Jacobs, built in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1936 (Wikipedia).
The driveway encroaches the property’s setback restrictions on our left side, which precludes the construction of a garage. A carport complements the little cottage perfectly anyway.
Excavation
In the early 1900s, Lake Junaluska’s Epworth Lodge was built where our house now resides. I admit that I’m secretly hoping a buried treasure or rare artifact from our property’s historic past will be unearthed during excavation.
Another dozen trees were removed a few weeks ago and the excavator is scheduled for the first of the year. The plan is to tear out the tree stumps and dig out the hill to render the whole area level (i.e., flat/perfect/divine).
A french drain will probably be required near the conservatory, but the excavator has promised to fill in with gravel throughout the yard to prevent any issues in the meantime. . . my husband was completely unsympathetic to the plight of my future garden being full of gravel.
She-Shed
We’ve decided on a combination greenhouse/shed that provides enough space for my bicycle(s) and a Kung Fu wooden dummy. We prepare the foundation and the prefabricated structure comes ready to assemble, supposedly in just two days – given the right amount of help I assume.
I have big plans for this little building.
The Kitchen
As fate would have it, Paul has helped us install tile every November for the past three years in whatever house we were remodeling at the time. This November he installed a marble backsplash in the cottage kitchen. We’re choosing black appliances to finish things off.
Space is limited so we decided to use dishwasher drawers to avoid a door that drops down into the room. The Fisher Paykel version is about the only one on the market, except they don’t come with a certified installer in our area. We’re waiting on an installer to drop by from Asheville after the holidays. Once we see the true ‘black’ of the dishwasher finish, we’ll choose the most exotic matching stove and refrigerator.
We’ve decided on the Hallman stove in either glossy or matte black to go with the Fisher Paykel double-drawer dishwasher. My new favorite refrigerator is a Gaggenau unit with antique finishes added by Italian firm, Restart Srl. . . although at a starting price of $10,000 USD, maybe we’ll keep shopping. 🙂
The Fartlek 
You are gifted in dreaming, planning, carrying out and shopping smartly. This should be your business to help others!
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Thanks so much Maria. We’ll see how it all turns out!
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