Fourteen years ago, when we were beginning to plan our move to the country, I had a very short -- but specific -- list of things I wanted for our new home: a willow tree, a big vegetable garden, an outdoor shower, a table to seat 12, and a guest cottage, which was at the very top on my list. I had hoped that it would be a place of connection and comfort for anyone venturing out to visit us in the country... a place for quiet reflection and peaceful rest.
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It has been that, and more. Over the years, friends, family, and visiting artists, have bunkered down in the cottage, which feels a bit like summer-camp living. It primarily serves as Jack and Kasia's landing spot when they visit from Berlin. While they were here in November, they suggested that it was time that we finished the loft in the cottage. (The loft floor was put in during the original construction in 2010, but we never got around to adding a way to get up there -- or a railing to keep one from falling over the ledge.)
So a month ago, I called Jeremy Esposito, home-builder extraordinaire and the builder of our house, and asked him to come look at the space and give me an idea of how to best finish it. I was worried that he would not be interested in taking on this project as it was a very small project, for a very small space, with a very small budget. But without hesitating he and his project manager, Jeff Austerman, showed up, full of good ideas.
The plan was to cut a 30" hole in the ceiling of the closet and place a ladder up to the loft. They reconfigured the closet to feature some cubbies, a deep shelf for extra bedding, and a short rod for hanging clothes. The railing was fashioned from cattle wire (from Tractor Supply) encased in a simple wood frame.
The finished space is nest-like and cozy. There is only room for a double mattress and a small stool, that serves as a night stand. Hazel and Norbert have already conquered the steep ladder and are trying to talk me into putting their collection of 1990-era Beanie Babies up there. They have been dreaming up all kinds of cousin sleepovers for the space.
This past Thanksgiving, when all our children, their partners, grandchildren and grand-dogs, came to visit, we were maxed out on available beds -- and that was before Roscoe was born! Hopefully this space will allow us all to comfortably rendezvous at Farm Dover, even as our family continues to grow.
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Here are some views from the new loft space...
It is my hope that this new space is used often and enjoyed by many. xxx
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