Create a Personal Retreat of Cottage Style Comfort

A man was walking in the woods and came to a cottage where the walls were covered with clocks. He asked the woman who owned the cottage what all the clocks were for. She replied that everyone in the world had a clock, and every time you told a lie your clock advanced a second. He saw a clock that was hardly moving and when he remarked about it he was told that it was Mother Terisia’s. He then asked where Bill Clinton’s clock was. The woman replied "It’s in the kitchen, we’re using it as a ceiling fan."

{ 11 comments }

My boyfriend and I live in our first house together, as first time buyers we had hoped to sell the house for a small profit once we moved and try to work our way up property ladder slightly. We have a large stone outbuilding behind our house, and are unsure what to do with it. We plan to get the house valuated after we’ve finish current work, and enquire as to what wold be most beneficial to the houses value to do with it, but for now I just wanted to get some opinions on it.

The outbuilding is 21 ft x 8ft. Solid stone, and with it’s own chimney. At the moment it is just stone with a concrete floor - no walls etc.

Our house is a 1 bedroom cottage, and has a long galley kitchen, there isn’t enough room for a single fridge, single freezer and washing machine (unless you have a fridge freezer). So we currently have our freezer in the outbuilding. We planning to turn it into a utility type room, where we had the washing machine, maybe a sink and some work surfaces for laundry/storage purposes. But weren’t sure how much this would appeal to a buyer. Many people have said to apply for planning permission to extend the house onto the outbuilding, but we only have a small courtyard and shared area of garden, so all of owned garden space would be taken if we did this. Surely less outside space would be unappealing? We also thought about knocking it down entirely and having a larger garden area, but were unsure whether it would be best to put it to some use.

I was just wondering what you would do with it (ie. utility room, knock it down, extend), and what you would see as appealing if you saw one with a house?

Many thanks.

{ 1 comment }

I live in Atlanta and I am currently not single but not married and I have no kids but look forward to having 2-3. Also, my mother may move in with me one day so I need to consider that as well.
I found two homes and I’m having a very hard time deciding which I like best. Both homes cost 1.2 million dollars and are in a nice Buckhead neighborhood.

The first house is a five bedroom, 4 full and two half bath home. It has 4955 square feet. It is very executive looking and it has a lovely front porch. When you first walk in, it is very open with a formal dining and living room with a cute fireplace a a cute study nook with a nice built in desk. The kitchen and family room is right around the corner. The family room is spacious with room for a large tv and fireplace. Off the family room and breakfast nook is a nice balcony with a grill. The kitchen is very large and it has a 6 burner cooktop with a grill and griddle and seperate double ovens and a walk in pantry and it also has two islands. Upstairs is a nice reading loft, two bedrooms with a jack and jill bath and they share their own private balcony. The master suite is quite lovely with an expansive private, two sided fireplace looking into the master bathroom which has a jacuzzi tub for two, a steam shower, toilet and bidet, and separate vanities. There is a third level that has a gameroom and wet bar. There is also another very large bedroom suite with a separate tub and shower and a walk in closet. Next to the game room is a huge roof top deck with a jacuzzi and a another barbeque grill. On the basement level is a three car garage, a fitness room with a sauna and another bedroom suite. There is an elevator to access all for levels.

The second house is very, very lovely on the outside. It looks like a cute little European cottage. It also has five bedrooms and five and half baths. It is 4500 square feet. When you first enter, there is a beautiful staircase and a nice library with a two sided aquarium also seen by the dining room. The kitchen is absolutely fabulous. The refrigerator is huge and the freezer are integrated drawers next to it. They look like cabinetry! There is a convection oven and a steam oven and the microwave can function as a third oven. There is also a warming drawer. While there are only four cooktops, there is also a built in grill, steamer and fryer right next to it and there are two sinks and two dishwashers. The family room is absolutely incredible with a suspended fireplace near the center of the room and a gorgeous waterfall next to the tv. The kitchen, breakfast, and family room all have a wall of windows and doors that open into the deck. The master suite is also upstairs and it too has the suspended fireplace and the waterfall feature in addition to a nice breakfast bar. The bathroom is just as nice as the other house but without the fireplace and the closet is much larger. There are three secondary bedrooms on this level and they all have walk in closets and private baths with knee space. The basement level has a huge recreation room, a wet bar, a single car garage, a bedroom suite with separate jetted tub and steam shower and a fitness room with a sauna. This house also has an elevator to access all the levels.

Both of these homes are so wonderful. I really cant decide which is better. I love the kitchen, master and family room of the second but I love the balconies that the first offers. The first house has limited outdoor space but it is down the street from a park. The second house does have a nice large backyard with room for a pool.

{ 3 comments }

Does anyone know of a destination in Southern or Central California that has a similar set up to the Mar Vista Cottages in Gualala, CA (http://www.marvistamendocino.com/)? I love the look of this destination as I love to cook, but would want something closer to home (Los Angeles).

Any suggestions?

{ 2 comments }

1-10 If you think it needs more then copy the paragraph and add to the copied paragraph or take out.

Chapter 1

“Lugia we need to find Kim,” A boy of Sixteen screamed as he and his pokemon flew threw a storm. After twenty three minutes of flying they reached a small cottage in the mountains of Kanto.
“Daniel, where have you been?” A girl with red hair said opening the door.
“Misty I was locking the gym. Mom and Dad went to Sinnoh for the week and left me in charge of the gym,” Daniel said looking at his sister.
“Hey! Both of you just stop and unpack,” Another girl said. Daniel returned his pokemon and walked in.
“Hey Kim thanks for waiting for me,” He said as he walked in the other room.
“Don’t talk to me like that out of the three of us I am the oldest!” Kim said looking at her brother and sister.
“By two minutes!” Daniel exclaimed.
“Well actually you are older than me by three minutes Daniel and Kim you’re older than me by five minutes,” Misty said placing her Pokeballs on the mantle. After they cleaned the cabin they released their pokemon well the ones that could fit that is.
“Let’s just go to sleep and then we’ll discus what we are doing,” Kim said walking into her room.
“What is there to discus?” Misty called out as Daniel rolled his eyes and closed his door. “Fine. Good Night,” She called out angrily storming into her room. Around two A.M. Misty woke with a fright. “Who’s there!” She exclaimed sitting up quickly. There was a soft knock on the door. Misty turned the living room light on and opened the door.
“Hey Misty,” A boy said kissing her.
“Mark what are you doing here?” She asked with a slight blush.
“Well I saw your brother leave the gym last night and so I followed him. Nice cottage,” He said walking in the house.
“Babe, you’re not supposed to be here. If they find out they’ll….” Misty started. Mark put his finger over her lips.
“Shshsh, they won’t even know I’m here,” He said as they walked into her room. The next morning Kim and Daniel got up and went in the Kitchen.
“Morning sis,” Daniel said as they kissed each other on the cheek.
“Morning. What do you want for breakfast?” Kim asked.
“Actually I’m going on a walk then I’ll make me breakfast,” He said grabbing his coat.
“Can I come?” She asked.
“Sure,” He smiled as they ran out the door. After they left Misty woke up and saw her boyfriends arms wrapped tightly around her.
“Good morning,” She said kissing him.
“Good Morning,” He replied climbing out of bed.
“Where are you going?” She asked as she got out as well.
“You want breakfast don’t you?” He asked as they walked in the kitchen. “What do you want?” He asked.
“I’ll take eggs. With a beagle and toast,” She replied reaching for a glass. Mark grabbed Misty by the waist and hugged her. She kissed him and poured her self some orange Juice. After a few minutes they sat down and ate together when Daniel and Kim came back.
“Misty have you been cooking it smells good,” Kim called.
“Wow that’s a miracle and you cleaned up!” Daniel exclaimed looking around the kitchen. Kim walked in the dining room and saw Misty in her silk satin night gown and her boyfriend in his boxers. “Mark what are you doing here?” Kim asked softly pretty pissed.
“Can’t I hang out with my girl?” He asked looking at Kim.
“Yes but not here. If Daniel sees you he will kill both of you. It’s just supposed to be the three of us,” Kim whispered.
“Oh God babe, Kim is right we have got to sneak you out,” Misty said walking over to Mark.
“I don’t care I love you I’m staying, Plus your brother is my best friend.” Mark said looking at Misty.
“You do?” Misty asked stopping dead in her tracks.
“Yeah I do,” Mark said as Misty started to kiss him.
“Mark, Daniel doesn’t know you are dating his sister new ballpark,” Kim said.
“True we have got to…..” Misty froze as she saw her brother come around the corner.
“Misty! I leave for an Hour with Kim and you sneak Mark over,” Daniel said angrily.
“Actually he slept over,” Misty said.
“WHAT!” Kim and Daniel shouted. Kim backed up toward her brother.
“May I?” He asked looking at Kim.
“Go right ahead I’m not stopping you,” Kim said with a slight laugh. Daniel ran and jumped over the table tackling Mark. Daniel sat on Mark’s chest rapidly punching him in the face.
“Daniel, get off of him!” Misty screamed trying to pull her brother off of him. “Kim take control you’re the oldest,” Misty panicked.
“I’m on Daniel’s side,” Kim smirked. Mark lifted his legs and grabbed Daniel by the head and flipped him over. Mark stood up and grabbed Daniel by the hair. He kicked the chair over and smashed Daniel’s face into the glass plate on the table. The plate exploded from contact with his face. Daniel fell to the floor holding his face as blood seeped threw the fingers.
“Mark!” Misty ran over pulling her boyfriend away from her brother. Kim ran over to her brother and inspected his face.
“What the heck is wrong with you?” Kim shouted. Mark started walking t

{ 1 comment }

I have been in love with a man (who is a bit older than I) for years, and have recently (within the past few months) started seeing him. We have been good friends for a long time and he has known about my feelings as long as I have had them. We recently found ourselves in a convenient place in our lives and have begun seeing each other. An on and off friend of mine (known her since I was very young) has recently come back into my life, and we’ve been on good terms. She has also known about my feelings for the man for as long as I have had them, and knows where our (mine and his) relationship stands. She knows the intensity of my feelings and has seen me hit rock bottom because of those feelings. Anyway, we all know each other’s families as we grew up (although he came later) at the same cottage resort. I work in the kitchen/at the bar at the "club house" during the summers when I’m off. In early May, she came to me and confessed that she has had a "crush" on him for several months and is hurt when she sees me with him. She strongly implied that she would like me to stop seeing him, and I let her know that I couldn’t do that but would try to tone things down when she is around. She seemed offended that I wouldn’t put her before him, and things have been a little awkward since. Soon after, she started seeking him out while I was working at the club house and he was alone. Before this year, he wouldn’t really hang out with her unless I was around because she annoyed him and he thinks she is immature. He tries to hang around the bar while I’m working, but she will approach him and invite herself over to his cottage to watch late night movies, and not "take hints" when he says he’s going to come see me or he wants her to leave him alone. She actively flirts with him in front of me, and he feels really awkward because he knows how she feels and he knows how I feel about the way she’s been acting toward him. When she’s drunk she’ll stroke his face and sit on his lap and whatnot.

Basically, I’ve been really patient and am trying to be understanding of her feelings, but I’m getting really ticked off and he is feeling very uncomfortable, and I’m trying to keep myself from telling her straight up to back the f___ off. Is it time?

{ 4 comments }

I live in Atlanta and I am currently not single but not married and I have no kids but look forward to having 2-3. Also, my mother may move in with me one day so I need to consider that as well.
I found two homes and I’m having a very hard time deciding which I like best. Both homes cost 1.2 million dollars and are in a nice Buckhead neighborhood.

The first house is a five bedroom, 4 full and two half bath home. It is very executive looking and it has a lovely front porch. When you first walk in, it is very open with a formal dining and living room with a cute fireplace a a cute study nook with a nice built in desk. The kitchen and family room is right around the corner. The family room is spacious with room for a large tv and fireplace. Of the family room and breakfast nook is a nice balcony with a grill. The kitchen is very large and it has a 6 burner cooktop with a grill and griddle and seperate double ovens and a walk in pantry and it also has two islands. Upstairs is a nice reading loft, two bedrooms with a jack and jill bath and they share their own private balcony. The master suite is quite lovely with an expansive private, two sided fireplace looking into the master bathroom which has a jacuzzi tub for two, a steam shower, toilet and bidet, and separate vanities. There is a third level that has a gameroom and wet bar. There is also another very large bedroom suite with a separate tub and shower and a walk in closet. Next to the game room is a huge roof top deck with a jacuzzi and a another barbeque grill. On the basement level is a three car garage, a fitness room with a sauna and another bedroom suite. There is an elevator to access all for levels.

The second house is very, very lovely on the outside. It looks like a cute little European cottage. When you first enter, there is a beautiful staircase and a nice library with a two sided aquarium also seen by the dining room. The kitchen is absolutely fabulous. The refrigerator is huge and the freezer are integrated drawers next to it. They look like cabinetry! There is a convection oven and a steam oven and the microwave can function as a third oven. There is also a warming drawer. While there are only four cooktops, there is also a built in grill, steamer and fryer right next to it and there are two sinks and two dishwashers. The family room is absolutely incredible with a suspended fireplace near the center of the room and a gorgeous waterfall next to the tv. The kitchen, breakfast, and family room all have a wall of windows and doors that open into the deck. The master suite is also upstairs and it too has the suspended fireplace and the waterfall feature in addition to a nice breakfast bar. The bathroom isnt as nice as the other house but the closet is much larger. There are three bedrooms on this level and they all have walk in closets and private baths with knee space. The basement level has a huge recreation room, a wet bar, a single car garage, a bedroom suite with s jetted tub and steam shower and a fitness room with a sauna. This house also has an elevator to access all the levels.

Both of these homes are so wonderful. I really cant decide which is better. I love the kitchen, master and family room of the second but I love the balconies that the first offers. The first house has limited outdoor space but it is down the street from a park. The second house does have a nice large backyard with room for a pool.
I can totally see myself in both homes. Neither home has a pool but in the second, there is room for one. I am a radiologist by the way.
Chris, we did all that in looking at the location. While I intend to send my kids to private school, the area we choose is very nice and has good schools. Both homes are within 5-10 minutes of each other. Before I even walked into house number two, I instantly fell in love with it’s charm and character. I then saw the first house and thought it was absolutely stunning. It is outstanding when you first walk in and if only you could see both homes, you’d understand the difficulty in choosing

{ 2 comments }