FLY

YUP, in all ways!

Letting go, 

remaining calm

and keeping the faith

on bardwell-fairy land!

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

Here's version 1 of the floor plan we designed for the upstairs.  We're trying to be super smart about every inch of space--we need storage (we don't have an attic, basement or garage!)  Does anyone out there want to chime in with any brilliant ideas to make the plan even better?

The gray section at the bottom is the existing structure, the yellow upper section is the new:  a large master bedroom and a small bedroom for S, both bedrooms need to have access to the bathroom (with a real grown-up sized soaker tub!)

MOVE MOUNTAINS

Our adventures begin!

We have been pre-approved by a local bank for a construction loan, which then rolls over to one big re-fi.  But there are limits, many limits.  The two most challenging ones are:  1.  We have 12 months to build the addition (the term of the construction loan).  At the end of 12 months we must receive a 'certificate of occupancy' from the building inspector (more specifically all the certificates of approval).  2.  Banks really don't want the home-owner to be the general contractor.  Hmmm, we understand some of their reasons, but folks in our income bracket can't afford a general contractor.  So it turns out we gave the bank a strong enough argument about economic injustice and a good tootin' of my own horn and ability to move mountains and get shit done -- because between us, our family and friends who are pretty darn handy and creative, the bank is allowing us (with lots of help) to be a part-time GC; they accepted our hybrid-GC proposal!   Is that a small town bank for you or what!?   Once we receive the loan we'll tell you who the bank is! 

Today I met with the building inspector to find out exactly what we need to have completed in order to get the certificates of approval (the key thing the bank requires).  Though it's no walk in the park, there are several things we don't need to worry about  - like all interior finish work - PHEW, 'cuz that helps with the bottom line and the time-line.

v1

WABI-SABI

"Wabi-Sabi represents a comprehensive Japanese world view or aesthetic centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete."

WOW what a gorgeous New England fall day. Even though at this very moment I'm feeling very overwhelmed with everything we have to prepare for the demo in March, I only have to look out the window at the Meadows to feel a sense of relief and certainty that this is where I belong.

Our little yellow house as it is right now is CLUTTERED! And ya know it's not even like we have a ton of stuff but we lack any real storage. Two small closets, that's it; no basement or attic or garage so what you see is EVERYTHING we own! And really it's not that much. That said the little we do have there is NO space for and it's driving me a little crazy. S is seven, close to eight and it amazes me how much stuff we've acquired in those years.  My goal today is to make a dent. I'm starting on ONE area. Every inch of our home needs organizing and if I focus on it all, I'm stopped in my tracks and I can't move forward! I've always loved the idea of less is more and I really want to embody that in our new space, along with the wabi-sabi aesthetics we've always embraced. In just the very small amount of de-cluttering I just did, I can't tell you how much better I feel.

THE MEADOWS

For 18 years this has been the view from our kitchen, and now it will FOREVER be our view.  Thanks to the Franklin Land Trust and the hard work of many of our neighbors, this 10 acres of meadow-lands is in conservation!
                                           Just in time for our big-little plans!
We're staying small but our home addition plans include big & exciting ideas. We're building a 20' x 28' two-story addition, designed by Noble Home LLC of Buckland!  (These guys are amazing and they really know how to do simple aesthetics, green building & space saving all bundled into one great living space.)
The two BIGGEST things about this project  -  we moms will have our own room AND we'll eliminate the nasty wet pathetic little basement - we'll replace it with a concrete slab with radiant floor heat!

preliminary first floor drawing