Q & A : All About The Cottage + More!
I’ve had so many great questions come my way regarding our cottage renovation process. I’ve learned so much during the last 8 months regarding budgeting, design, renovation, and so much more since buying the cottage. I wanted to highlight on some of the most frequently asked questions PLUS answers a few other fun questions about myself.
Where do you start when you’re doing research for work you need done? Can you walk us through the process? GOOGLE! Whenever I encounter a problem, I figure out how to properly verbalize it, lol, and then I just search it. I also figure out how things were made then research how to make them better. A great example is with the windows. I figured them out like puzzle and then I learned ways to improve them and make them energy efficient. So I start with google and then my parents, lol.
How do you stick to one design style? That is a tough one! I think what’s helped me is I found a few inspiration pictures that I absolutely loved and I keep them handy on my phone in my mood boards so that I can refer back to them constantly. And I am reassured because since I loved them 7 months ago when I got this house and I love them still, so I know those are really core to what I want the overall feeling to be.
How much money did you save demoing? Was it worth the work? I sent my contractor a text asking him, approximately, how much it would have cost me to demo all the rooms AND salvage everything. He said it would have been about 10-15k. This ballpark isn’t even including all of the rooms that we took down so I think it would have been a little more than that. Bottom line, we saved so much money on salvaging the wood and it was a project that we totally could have done ourselves so, yes, 1000% think it was worth it.
Did you feel pressure about choosing permanent thins in the house? YES! There will always be those doubts and uncertainty but at the end of the day I just had to go with my gut, especially when it came to plumbing and appliances. I went back to the showroom 5 times before making my final decisions. At the end of the end of the day, you just have to move forward and not hinder the process. Watch me finalize my plumbing and appliances, here
What countertops are you planning on putting in your kitchen? I am pretty confident that I want a mix of 2 different counters tops. I definitely want soapstone, which is a charcoal grey. I want that along the back part of the kitchen and in smaller areas that we may need. I want the island, however, to be different and lighter which will likely be a quartz of some kind.
How did your contractors react to your level of involvement and planning? I have shocked every one with the ability to do things myself and the knowledge that I’ve gained since starting this process. I mean, I can frame a wall! I think I can be incredibly underestimated but in some weird way it makes me so happy to do things that that people thought I couldn’t do. Just goes to show the you can do anything you set your mind to!
What would be the paint color of the inside walls at the cottage? I’m not quite sure yet! But the vibe of this entire cottage renovation is very much true to more period correct things, 1910 cottage with antiques and vintage pieces. Just all pieces I love! At the same time, I want to bring in a very light and cozy feeling.
How long do you expect until the main cottage is finished? Expected completion date? We are a tad bit behind schedule due to unforeseen circumstances. I thought we would’ve been a little further along by August but I do anticipate to finish all the major demo and contractor work by the end of September. So, I think we’re still on track to finish the majority of the rook makeovers and different things by Christmas. Which, by the way, is going o be major. Can’t wait for that!
Do you have any advice for future DIY’ers who want to renovate their house? Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty if you want to salvage and save money. I know this may to be for everyone but, to me, it’s so much fun and I love learning how things are built and how to do things on my own. It’s incredibly rewarding just be safe along the way!
Do you have any regrets concerning the entire renovation at the moment? Or something you wish you had done differently? I think i regret not diving into this process quicker. I was really scared to demo myself and be alone while doing so but once I demo’d the laundry room and kitchen, I knew I got this and dove in! Once I figured out how to remove things safely, I was on a roll. Other than that I have no regrets this has been an amazing and rewarding process.
When are you most inspired? When I wake up at 3am with an amazing idea from a dream I had and have to write it down
If you could live in anyone’s home, who’s would it be? Athena Calderone’s
If you could have a home anywhere in the world, where would it be? Europe
What your biggest guilty pleasure? Reality tv
How do you manage to deal with the stress that comes with renovating a home? I don’t think I’ve done all that well at managing the stress (because it’s very stressful) but I just remind myself that it progress is progress no matter if it’s a little!
You could only choose one: vintage glassware or vases? Vintage glassware
Who’s been your biggest design inspiration for the cottage? Not really a who but a feeling - calm! The layout, decor & details all have to give me a sense of calmness so that’s really the inspiration.
How do usually start your day? Coffee and morning snuggles with Kinsley
How do you and Romeo stay connected while you’ve bee apart for so long? (A: 24:50 HOME RENO Q&A) it’s been hard being away from each other for extended periods of time, but FaceTime helps and knowing that our time apart is only temporary.
What’s been your worst interior design phase? 2010 - yikes!!! When my color palette was black, white & RED!
What’s the best thing that’s happened so far this year? Buying our first home!
What room at the cottage are you most excited to decorate? Kitchen!
What was your dream job when you were 12? I wanted to be a gemologist
Worst fear when it’s come to the house renovation? That my vision won’t manifest as amazing as it is in my head
What is inspiring you at the moment? Rippled texture
How do you decompress after a long day? No technology and a warm bath
Whats your favorite scent? Bergamot
What are you most excited for this week? Finally getting the concrete poured for our addition at the cottage
How did you create the best layout for the cottage? I wish I had a simple answer haha but i actually had 5 different floor plans for the cottage but ultimately the one with the least sq footage and still all the rooms I wanted ultimately was the best.
What do you think are the most important elements to complete a room? Lighting, functionality and feeling.
What’s been your most memorable moment since starting your YT channel? When my first room makeover I ever shared got over 100,000 views. It gave me the confidence to tackle more makeovers
One thing you’ll always buy at a flea market? Vintage books when they are under $5
What are the things you’re willing to splurge on for the cottage? appliances!! (see the final selections for the cottage, here)
Do you find a piece of vintage decor or furniture you regret not buying? A vintage wicker floor lamp .. but fortunately for me it was still at the flea market the next time I went and I bought it!
What do you consider to be an essential decor item? candles!! - provides soft light, calmness and makes you home smell amazing!
Have you ever had to get out of your comfort zone? If so, how? Yes! Renovating this house is COMPLETELY out of my comfort zone as I’ve never done any of these projects before - but I just went for it and I’m learning as I go.
How do you deal with decision paralysis? I go with my gut (but then sometimes still feel like I could be making the wrong choice)
How do you manage to prioritize so many projects at once? I’m a planner by nature!! I make todo lists, prioritize and tackle.
What’s been the biggest unexpected cost you’ve had during the cottage renovation? Having to hire an engineer to create a drainage plan for the guest cottages ($3500 just for an opinion YIKES)
Has your mom had any influence on you as a designer? My mom has always had a love for interior design so I definitely think so, although we have very different styles.
What’s next? What can we expect from you in 2022? Hopefully my first pop up shop and maybe even buying a home in LA