Whenever people work on my house, they always start suggesting things that I could do to upgrade it. One of the plumbers thought that I should add a paved driveway and get new curtains. Several people have urged me to replace the windows. One neighbor thought I should add on an upstairs. I like it this way. My mother taught me that the details of an older home are what give it charm and character. When people remodel little houses like these, they just end up looking like basic, nondescript apartments. There's nothing special about them anymore.
Today I cooked up some more of the round steak. The first one I forgot to tenderize. It still tasted delicious. The second one I pounded into a cube steak. I beat it on both sides with a wooden mallet, and then marinated it in some frozen lemon juice that I had saved from my neighbor's Meyer lemon tree. I will cook it tomorrow. I also baked a few potatoes in my vintage toaster oven, and boiled some fresh artichokes from the garden. They are so tender and flavorful.
My vintage washing machine and dryer are also in the kitchen. I remember the days when I had to go to the laundromat, so I really appreciate having them. I line dry my clothes to save energy and money. I think this kitchen is very spacious for a 567 square foot home. The bathroom is quite large, too. I love the layout. I really lucked out, finding this little cottage when I did. It's so much fun to restore. My friend Mark phoned me the other day and told me that his mother remarked out of the blue, "Stephenie's little house is so cute; I hope that I get to see it someday." I was so flattered and touched. She is the lady that ordered a cashmere hat and scarf from my Etsy shop last year.
Do you spend much time in your kitchen? Does the design work for you?
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Your little cottage is so sweet, and I agree, there is such charm in older buildings. As long as its functional for you, and you love it that's really all that matters.
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That's true, Emma. I also love to save money! I do not want to go into debt again. Once you start remodeling, that's very easy to do.
DeleteI love your kitchen. Just perfect for your cottage Stephanie! Don't change a thing!!
ReplyDeleteI do spend quite a bit more time in our current kitchen compared to our other homes. We designed this house so it fits our lifestyle much better and looks out over our nook and our family room. So we can always be together while cooking or baking. If we had to do it again, I wouldn't change anything. Maybe the pantry could be bigger but I also have empty cupboards!! X Chy
Thanks Chy. I love it, too. How wonderful that you have empty cupboards. Mine are packed.
DeleteYour home always looks warm and inviting to me.
ReplyDeleteMy kitchen is tiny, so even though I spend a lot of my time in there, it isn't always enjoyable. On a positive note, it does mean everything I need is close at hand! X
Hi Jules, Thank you. Many of the homes have smaller kitchens now. I was relieved when I saw how much space this one had. My mom noticed it immediately. It has a view of the backyard orchard, too.
DeleteGratitude is the way! If your kitchen makes you happy, there is no reason to change just because it is not like other people's kitchens. I did remodel my kitchen but we had lived here for over 29 years with it, and we knew what would work for our future as 'senior' cooks. We also had the funds to do it, thanks to a wonderful bequest.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds perfect for you, EMW. I think remodeling is great, but I only do it if I have the cash. Glad to hear that you attracted the funds for your new kitchen.
DeleteYou have a charming kitchen! I love your coffee pot full of knitting needles, too! :D As long as you are satisfied with your house, that's all that matters, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI remodeled my house a few years after I bought it and the kitchen got new cabinets, etc. My kitchen is fairly small, though, and I really wish I had enough room in there for a kitchen table.
Hi Bless, My mom and I found a breakfast nook that fits perfectly in this room. I have always loved those; my grandma had one. Do you have a place to sit and eat in your kitchen? Where do you have your meals?
DeleteNo, there is no place to sit and eat in the kitchen. But the dining area is right next to it and there is also a small dining table in the family room. Most of the time, I serve to a plate and eat in the living room while I am online or in the family room, while watching TV!
DeleteHi Stephanie, thank you for another great blog. I am a fan of your enthusiasm for your life, home and interests. I love your kitchen and share your passion for the warm, fuzzy feeling a lovely, characterful kitchen can give you. My kitchen is truly my 'happy place' and I am glad to have found a kindred spirit. Thanks again for sharing. I hope you continue to enjoy your kitchen for many years to come. Take care, Tracy (Australia)
ReplyDeleteHi Tracy, Welcome. Thank you for your kind post. You sound like a very happy and positive cook. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteI'm with you Stephenie. I don't want an identikit box which looks exactly the same as everyone else's. Give me cute and characterful every time
ReplyDeleteHi Cherie, For some reason, when I see older homes after they have been remodeled to look modern, I feel sad. It's like the spirit is gone. I have always loved and preferred older houses, though. Same with hotels. I choose the boutique ones; I don't need all of the new stuff. I like the furniture, bedding, and artistic details.
DeleteSo pretty...your kitchen warms my heart. My one grandma (the one who was a great cook) had a tiny kitchen with cabinets like yours. I just loved it. If you start thinking of replacing/remodeling, the list never ends. You are fortunate that your house was made well, and made to last! Andrea
ReplyDeleteHi Andrea, Yes, I am. I will probably have these cabinets fixed, and I'd like to add some 1950's subway tiles here and there. That's down the line, though. This house is very well made, and I am fortunate. Some of them around here aren't.
DeleteI agree, our kitchen (our whole home) should be exactly how it suits us. :-) Why would anyone want their home, any other way????
ReplyDeleteYour whole cottage must be charming, and your kitchen certainly is.
And why-in-the-world, would you ever want to add a 2nd story??!!??!! Banish the thought! So happy here, that we have finally done what was needed, to no longer use our upstairs.
For years, I tried to talk myself into the idea, that the few rooms we _now_ use, were actually, a one floor cottage. Now! It's so!!!
Why do we stay, in a 2 story family house? Because we have family living next door. And a move, at this time in life, would be very, very hard to do. :-)
Bravo for you! Living exactly as you choose.
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I know what you mean, wisps of words. Whenever I think of moving, it just sounds like such a pain. I think people often imagine what they would do when they are in the presence of someone who is creative. The energy stimulates them.
DeleteI always enjoy seeing photos of your home. I, too, would love to see it sometime. I spend significant time in my kitchen. I love the layout-the basic triangle shape which is very convenient. Plenty of storage. In fact, about half the cabinets are empty. One thing I plan to do someday is have those roll out shelves put in some of the cabinets to make reaching for things a bit easier on my old back.
ReplyDeleteHi Anita, I would love to see yours, too. I've seen those shelves. I hope that you come for a knitting visit one day.
DeletePleasing, comfortable surroundings are the best formula for a happy life. A wee home, a loving dog and a garden patch. What more can one ask for? I love that your washer can be used as added counter space ~ perfect!
ReplyDeleteThat's true, Lacy. I do sometimes put the cutting board on top of the washing machine. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteI always love to see your home and garden. Your little cottage looks so comfy and cozy.
ReplyDeleteI love my kitchen. When I was looking for a house, I wanted one with a separate kitchen (not an open floor plan) and I wanted a window near the sink. My kitchen is not open to the living room, but its window is on the opposite wall facing the backyard. I placed a small table there and now I enjoy watching birds and squirrels while having my breakfast. :)
That sounds wonderful, Nil. I love to gaze at the alpacas from my porch. I dine in the front garden, al fresco. They seem to like watching me, too. It's funny.
DeleteI would love a little cottage just like yours Stephenie. They do have so much character and charm, and remind me of simpler times spent at my grandparents little cottage.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your pretty little house.
Love Tania xx
Stephanie, your kitchen reminds me of the homes we lived in when I was a child and young adult--but with charm! That contribution is all yours! Our homes were built from about 1920 through WWII. The kitchens tended to be functional without frills; some with space for a table and chairs, some not. Some had a utility closet, others a built-in ironing center. All had a window above the sink! Good times! We always made the available space work for us. Remodeling/renovating was not an option. Sanding, cleaning the hardware and painting the kitchen (entire house, actually) always was part of the home purchase/moving process. Real estate was my parents path to the American dream.
ReplyDeleteCurrently, I have a typical apartment galley kitchen. Nothing grand, just clean and reasonably functional. I don't spend a lot of time in it. Air circulation is atrocious, with a fixed-pane window. I turn on a Vornado fan when I am in there for any length of time.
I wish I had discovered your blog about two years ago when I was looking for a small house! There were three that were 650 to 725 sq.ft. Very overpriced, unfortunately. All in good condition, but one had fencing issues--with a lot of fencing! Owners would not consider lower selling prices at the time. When the prices finally were reduced, I was in too much pain to care. :-( Hoping to resume my search in the next year or so. Now I know it is not only possible to live in a smaller home, it also is possible to enjoy it!
I'm loving your new fencing! It's great that your neighbor is able to work with you to replace it affordably in sections. Contractors can do a great job, but it isn't economically feasible for them to divide jobs into smaller segments. And for those of us who do not borrow money, it takes forever to save!
Whatever changes you make to your pink cottage will be what works in your life. Adding a second storey would defeat your plan to age in place. Paving your driveway might be an option in the future if drainage becomes an issue. You will know what you need as your life unfolds. :-)
Good grief! I wrote a book again!
Thanks Tania. It does have the look of a grandma's cottage, doesn't it? I am so glad that I found it and bought it. I was only 33 at the time, but retirement sure comes quickly! I love your garden...
ReplyDeleteyour little cottage is lovely & it has character plus you are slowly putting your own fixes in place, don't listen to other peoples ideas, 2nd storey? good grief! love your kitchen, it is very functional.
ReplyDeletei also hate it when they try renovating cottages to be modern, it just doesn't suit & totally ruins the effect the cottage had; mine was butchered, they tried to go for open planning; so ugly! i love old kitchen cupboards, they are made of wood! not these horrible mdf things that are just an upgraded chipboard cupboard that doesn't last!
i have to make the most of what i have here, my place was cheap; slowly but surely i might be able to fix some of the 'openness' at least the centre of the house is still solid :))
lovely post
thanx for sharing
Hi Selina, Thank you. I like to keep as much of the original in place. I loved living in Europe, because there were so many old buildings. I have a soft spot for those styles. I'm not a fan of the modern look. It just doesn't appeal to me.
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