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Friends.... Hello! Bonjour! Salut!
It's been a hot minute, hasn't it? I am sorry I have been so absent and a little late on our new (quarterly) newsletter. I have been going through some changes in my personal life that I'm happy to share with you.
My husband and I did a thing.... We bought a Cabin that we are going to gut and completely transform. So that's been taking up a lot of my time and attention. Before I really get into the nitty-gritty of that project, let's talk about the back story:
When I met Gary (Husband and Good guy) I was in my last year of university and he had a very good steady job in a trade he really loved. I finished school and we travelled for months through Europe experiencing culinary delights and culture. We came home and I got "a real job". It was a good on-paper job that paid really well and I really liked the folks I worked with so it did the trick for a while. I found myself constantly daydreaming about food and design. I thought to myself I either want to buy a food truck and live my life on the road or start an interior design business. I chose the latter. It was a very scary leap of faith into the universe. I had many doubters...I would hear things like "I wouldn't count on it" or " I wouldn't hire anyone without a degree in that field". But I felt a strong pull towards design that I couldn't ignore.
I also had many supporters. People close to me said, "do it". Just do it. It's your calling. Gary was one of those people. In fact, he supported me emotionally, financially, and spiritually during a very uncertain time. Every time I wanted to quit or worried it was the wrong decision he would just say keep going. Just keep going no matter what. During that time his role in his trade moved from the field to the office. I think he too felt the job pays well, and I love the people I work with but knew it was no longer his calling. The little voice inside of his head was pulling him elsewhere. He missed working with his hands and having those days where your whole body tingles almost in pain from a hard day's work but it's not stress, it's joy. Not every job is well suited for the individual and I think it's ok to admit that and choose happiness in your life.
I knew it was my time to return the favour. I knew it was time for Gary to find joy in his work again. He took the massive leap out of an industry he has devoted his days and nights to for over 20 years. It's my turn to be the support system. The "keep going" when the doubtful thoughts enter the mind. That's the thing about the big leap of faith and everyone wants to know what the big secret is. Honestly, there is no secret. Just. Keep. Going. Listen to the little voices in your head. Stop ignoring them because it seems scary or out of your comfort zone.
Innovation is created in the uncomfortable "I'm going to fail" zone. Every time you get knocked down get back up. That's the best advice I can give.
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So off we go on our next adventure towards happiness and working hard, and doing what we do which is making beautiful spaces to be enjoyed both during the transformative phase and well into the after shots.
The Project: The Curated Cabin
Follow us on Instagram @mbdthecuratedcabin for progress pics, bloopers, sunsets, culinary adventures, and fun.
The Before Pics:
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There are three buildings on this waterfront property on Upper Stoney Lake in Ontario.
Here's our plan:
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The top building you see is a 2 car garage with a bunkie bedroom and bathroom attached to it. We feel it's the perfect spot for guests to stay at the Cabin so we want to do it up properly.
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Spoiler Alert : We have already run into our first unknown/unaccounted for surprises. After the demo, we found all of the floorboards rotten and several critters living in the walls.
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So, we shall rebuild the floors and trusses and re-insulate and replace the doors and windows with ones that keep the critters out.
Moving along to the main building: This is the view from the garage bunkie down to the Main Cabin.
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See that entryway door? She's gone! See that rickety old staircase? Also gone! We will make a new staircase and close off that door so that we can take this Cabin from a 2+1 bedroom 1+1 bath into a 3+2 bedroom 2+1 bath building.
Here's the design plan:
Farley (our foreman and bestie) has lovingly named this Cabin "The Thunderbird".
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Farley named the Cabin The Thunderbird for the following reasons: First, it is one block away from the petroglyphs.
https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/petroglyphs
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We were greeted on our inaugural May 24th weekend with one of the most epic storms from the thunder gods we have ever seen. We plan to paint the exterior all black, and finally, every time you look up from the sun deck you will spot a magnificent bird.
Do you think we should change the design of this kitchen...? It looks custom...no? Look at that built-in stove. Tres chic.
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Our friends at Hartley Built are going to help us bring this vision to life!
All of the doors and windows will be replaced with sleek new oversized black ones. That little window in the kitchen will become a long linear modern black transom window so you can look out at the lake as you cook your Cabin breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The fireplace will mostly remain as is but we will stain it black and square off the top half and clad in charred black wood planks.
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Two cozy chairs will sit pretty in front of it for cozy nights with a glass of wine or chilly fall/winter morning with a freshly brewed coffee
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The old family room will become the dining room:
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The existing sunroom will become the new entryway and family room. A large custom bench made out of reclaimed wood will greet you at the front door and provide a landing spot for Cabin essentials like overnight bags, groceries, and coolers.
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A big part of this project is tearing off the existing sun deck and extending it (fingers crossed 🤞 we get the permit). This is the prime viewing area and it really is a million-dollar view. I feel instantly relaxed and at ease the minute I stand on that deck. Isn't that what everyone wants in a Cabin escape? Being reminded of the absolute beauty that surrounds us in northern Ontario? A reminder that whatever big stressful problem you dealt with that day is actually quite minuscule and that we are mere specs on this big beautiful planet.
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We've been working with our friends at Stamp and Hammer on a concept for the deck. Here's what we are thinking.
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The upper part of the main cottage will have 3 bedrooms and two bathrooms, and we will be moving the laundry to a stackable full sized unit that will be accessed from the hallway.
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Bedroom #2 (Bunkie Room):
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As if that wasn't enough Cabin for you....let's get to the piece de resistance:
The Boathouse/Bunkie. The only way you can have a structure built over top of the lake is if it was grandfathered in and likely built in the 60s before the modern-day building codes prevented it. We feel very lucky to have this little gem. The bottom level will be used for storage and we will likely have a little bar for beverages. We are deciding between a games table in there or completely hollowing out the floor and creating a catamaran hammock situation. What are your thoughts?
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The upper part will become a bedroom and frankly where I am most excited to have a snooze. We will replace the little window and door to the sundeck with big oversized slider to maximize that view and have a beautiful breeze at night. A king-size bed will sit pretty surrounded by shiplap and we will take this room from plywood to a luxury lake house.
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The sun deck will also be completely re-imagined. New deck boards, a new glass railing that will have a little peek-a-boo door that can be opened for cannonballs off the deck into 15 feet of water.
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Well, I think that's all to share for now. I can tell you that the days are long and full of hard work. We've already encountered things like a screw in someone's hand and a tick bite on someone's chest. This type of work is not for the faint of heart. But the evenings are for fishing, campfires, steaks on the grill and all of those Magical things we come to the Cabin for that fill your soul with joy.
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I wanted to take a moment to give a big shout-out to all of you... Many of you have supported me for years and are constantly cheering me on. On those days where things feel bleak, you keep me going. You keep me strong. Keep me believing in myself and I wanted to share a sincere THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU!
Until next time
Happy Decorating/Renovating
xoxoxo,
Michelle
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