ROOM SPOTLIGHT: THE LIVING ROOM AT THE MANOR COTTAGE
What we think they did a few decades ago was close in a single car garage and then add this living room space on to the original home. The space had a large wall closing it off and had 8 foot ceilings and literally no light. Other than the two windows on either side of the fireplace, this space didn’t even have recessed lighting!
The first thing we did was take this wall out! And the new floor plan fit beautifully, moving the kitchen into the old powder/laundry/storage area just on the other side of the wall pictured above. We immediately got more light into the living room just by removing this wall, but we knew we needed more so we added two sets of French doors and two huge windows!
And as if that wasn’t enough, we vaulted the ceilings with panel detail to accentuate the height and bring your eyes up a bit. Just like Haverford Manor, this space is the same size as it was before, but with a few alterations (like windows and higher ceilings) it makes it feel so much bigger.
The fireplace needed a bit of an upgrade as well, but we kept it simple. With a layer of paint and a premade mantel, we then accentuated the existing windows with tall and soft drapery.
We did in fact replace the fake wood flooring in here with new hardwood flooring in a Dark Walnut stain.
And while this space is rather long, I really love the idea of a small breakfast table under this window. I’d had this pictured in my head since we set the floor plans and think it would be a perfect use of the space. Either that or putting two love seats over there for a little coffee corner. I did add extra seating around the kitchen island so if you’re like us and super casual with most of your meals, that’s still a spacious place to eat.
We took in the old side door entry, and powder room/laundry room and turned that into a larger, open floor plan kitchen and living room. Now this old space where the kitchen used to be is a walk-in pantry and laundry + mudroom so not only were we able to update the kitchen but also add more function to the first floor in its entirety.
THE OLD KITCHEN
The designs for the new kitchen came together really quickly and were easy to visualize. Not because it’s a smaller house or a smaller kitchen than I’ve designed in the past, but because I had in my mind exactly how I wanted it to look right from the beginning. This designs as a whole came together quickly but I felt like this kitchen and living room space was an easy space to accentuate the overall style and feel of the home: luxury coastal cottage. With v-groove trim on the ceiling and soft taupe cabinetry, I wanted the space to feel open and light, but with a touch of warmth and texture.
Like other projects I went with a contrasting island in a stain, but added extra seating on one end of the island. So if you don’t have room for a kitchen table, you have more seating available here. While it’s not a huge island (unlike the 10 footer we had in Woodvale Manor), it still has a good amount of storage with a built in microwave, plus some beautiful posts to support the extra counter overhang and add character.
I think I have a new favorite countertop material! I went back and forth, but ended up choosing Starlight Quartz because of the taupe-like hues and beautiful grains that emulated real stone. I love how it looks on the island by itself, but cannot believe how well the range backsplash turned out. I really went for it here because I wanted to do something different than just a plain full backsplash across the entire wall. I love how the shape adds a touch of character and dimension as well as how it keeps this space feeling lighter. While I’m not a huge fan of tile backsplash in a kitchen, I am warming up to it. But if I had to choose between something like this, and tile? I’d choose this beauty all day long
Anchoring the range and this perimeter cabinetry is the kitchen hood that I got from Hoodsly. The second time I’ve used them and just like Haverford Manor, they did not disappoint. I went with the Sloped Hood Without Trim so that it could blend into the cabinetry seamlessly. I loved the sloped with trim that we used last time because it could stand alone and felt that it needed the trim to not get lost in the design, but this design’s simplicity blended beautifully with the whole kitchen while featuring a beautiful slope detail. They have loads of beautiful styles to choose from and you can use code MANOR15 for a discount if you choose Hoodsly for your next kitchen project!
One aspect I knew I wanted to include was a counter to ceiling cabinet in the corner to anchor the space. With the fridge on the left I didn’t want the space to feel unbalanced, plus I love having different layers of upper cabinets and we were able to include an outlet in the bottom shelf so you can use this as a coffee cabinet and keep those small appliances off your countertop. We had something similar in our kitchen in Minneapolis and that’s where my beloved Keurig machine would go, and I loved not having to look at it everyday but knowing it was easily accessible.
And you all know I love “a moment”. This sink vignette above was one I was really looking forward to. This is actually the first non-island sink that I designed and I kind of love it! We added this window set to not only give loads more natural light, but also give you a lookout from the sink, and I wanted the window to be prettier than just a normal window. I wanted to add more light above the sink as well as give it a designer touch, so I added a portrait light in a warm brass finish, as well as a custom linen Roman shade. This isn’t just for function but also to add a softness in the textiles in an otherwise cold and hard space like a kitchen.
SOURCES
Perimeter Cabinetry Color: Sherwin Williams Taupe of the Morning
This project has moved so quickly and that was something I didn’t anticipate! But I kinda love it. It’s half the size of other projects that I’ve had so it seems like a super manageable amount of work and designs and honestly, kinda powered through it. Now I’m just hoping that the actual renovation work goes as quickly.
Let’s start with the exterior.
We’re going to brighten the brick with some Sherwin Williams Swiss Coffee with an accent of Farrow & Ball French Gray on the doors and shutters. And the landscapers have come in and cleared out the plants in the front and that alone has improved the look! Not that I don’t love dead boxwoods but, she needed a clean-up. And the cherry on top?
A rendering of what it’ll look like
I wanted to find a way to upgrade the front without it hitting the budget too hard. The options were to add a third window nook upstairs, gable the front covered porch, or add a railing. Going with the railing is not only the most cost effective but in my opinion also the most updated. Because this is an older home I wanted to find little ways to bring her into the 21st century without going “modern”. I think that this is a great way to do that will be a great touch to the curbside appeal.
Now, let’s go inside. The kitchen/living room space is going to be the most “wow” in the after photos, because the view below is going to be a look into the new kitchen, WHICH will be featuring:
a 7 foot island, a 30 in farmhouse sink
a 30 inch range from Italy
a panel-ready dishwasher and fridge
extra seating area around the island to double as a kitchen table if you choose not to add one in the living room area (although you definitely have room for one).
THE KITCHEN
THE LIVING ROOM
Another big layout change that is for the better is the upstairs bathroom. While it was already a pretty okay size, it only had hallway access. With two large bedrooms upstairs I figured it would be nice to be able to have one en suite bedroom, so by moving the mechanical closet to the first floor and expanding that space into the bathroom we’re making a much bigger bathroom as well as some storage too! I’m thinking white hexagon mosaic tile with wood frame mirrors and a dark countertop!
Because this is such a small house I was able to get my head around the designs rather quickly, and put them together even quicker! I’m still working through details and specifics but we’re on the right track and I’m really excited about the direction it’s taking. After starting with the exterior, we’re going “elevated luxury cottage” throughout the interior. I was concerned in the beginning with our small budget but to be honest with a few small touches here and there we’re going to be able to make a big impact when it comes to the finishes. And two of those spaces that I’m excited about already are the powder room and the primary bathroom. I had this dream of the powder bathroom that I think is going to be a game-changer!
And while the primary bathroom is getting a major facelift, the thing I’m most excited about is brightening it up and making the counter space more efficient. We’re able to have two separate 36″ vanities, recessed medicine cabinets and even a 2 foot makeup counter (I can’t wait to stage that little area)! Take a look at the designs below and keep an eye out for more details on my social soon! Hopefully we’ll have loads of updates sooner rather than later and this project gets moving.
This all came together rather quickly. And thank goodness.
This 2,300 square foot house is such a special little house, nestled on .3 acres with a beautiful stone lined creek in the back yard. I could not wait to get my hands on this house, and while this project is going to be very different than our others, we’re still able to make a big impact.
The Manor Cottage will be our first quick-turn flip! That means we aren’t adding any square feet or anything structurally, merely giving her a major facelift, and she needs it.
This was the perfect house for our first quick-turn because while the original character is there on the exterior and the floor plan and footprint are super workable, she still needs lots of work. Not only is it super dated, has carpet on the second floor that I don’t even want to think about (gross), but also has loads of electrical issues due to some DIY project the last few decades.
We’re going to make this house feel completely different from the second you walk in, adding an entrance hallway and adding grand double doors into the new dining or office space! The biggest changes to the first floor? Moving the kitchen. We’re going to expand that space and move it closer to the living room so that we can get a bit more of an open floor plan as well as a nice sized laundry. The existing kitchen space will host the mudroom/laundry, and next to it a new powder room.
THE DINING ROOM
THE LIVING ROOM
THE KITCHEN
THE LIVING ROOM
I‘m hoping we can expand the primary bathroom and closet a bit, but this space will get absolutely gutted and redone along with the bathroom upstairs. I don’t even want to mention this nasty carpet again, but yes, that’s gotta go! We’ll do a new durable carpet up here with a slightly new layout to allow for one bedroom to have an en suite bathroom.
Now, what I’m really excited about? The exterior.
Like I said she’s already got so much character, which is a necessity when looking for flips. This adorable little fence in the back is absolutely going to stay, plus the old brick pathways. We might give them a little cleanup along with the yard which will already go a long way… I mean, some of the weeds are taller than I am! Adding a fresh coat of paint, accent shutters and maybe a modern railing above the front porch and you’ve got yourself some great curbside appeal.
I’m so excited for this new challenge in a different and quicker project and can’t wait to take you all on the journey with me! Stay tuned for loads of updates, because they’re going to come quickly on this one.
