Our Waterfront Cottage ~ 2 Years Later

What a crazy adventure the past two years have been!  On June 24, 2013 we closed on our 1980s waterfront cottage and on June 27th we rented a jack hammer to start work.  It has been non stop projects ever since.  Our house has transformed into a beautiful home and I can't wait to get it finished!


To read a detailed list of what we did the first year in the house read my post from last year.  Here are a few before and after pictures.

DIY Kitchen Makeover

Photo Credit: After picture taken my Ever & Anon

Friday Update ~ 06/19/2015

It is Friday.  I hope every one has a great weekend planned.  This girl will be working to make up for the weather delays that happened.


MISC

We had our first tropical storm experience at this house. But we kind of didn't.  Tropical storm Bill was on his way then stalled, then turned.  There was an influx in the tide on Tuesday (I am cautious to use the phrase storm surge since it was only a foot or so higher than normal) and we had some rain on Wednesday but thankfully, it was pretty much a non event.   We did spend the day at home in case the water started rising again and finished installing the floor in the bathroom.

Here is our dock at a normal tide.

My Current Kitchen & Dining Room Crush

Y'all.  I have found a new favorite kitchen and dining room.    

Many of you know, I have an unhealthy strong obsession with the beach and water and the NEED to live there.  I love where we live now, but my dream is to live on a small, sleepy island with gorgeous blue water and white sand.  Blittle hears it all the time.  Running a bed and breakfast is part of that dream.  He can be a fishing guide and I can run the B&B and the dogs can have free run of the property and greet all the guests (in a perfect world)  I have it all figured out.  :)

I came across the show, Bloodline, several months ago and it is set in the Florida Keys (yes, please) and the family runs a pretty B&B (yes, again).  As usual, I got pulled in by the set.  I can't help but notice the design and furnishings on TV and movie sets.  Of course there are the popular ones and they are all gorgeous...

Friday Update ~ 06/12/2015

Another week has come and gone and things are starting to get back to normal around here.  Finally.


FURNITURE

This week I started sanding on the two french provincial dressers.  Today, I hope to finish prepping for paint and maybe even get a coat of primer on them.  The hardware has been stripped and cleaned. Now I just need to polish to make them that gorgeous shiny brass.  :)

The DIY Dock ~ One Year Later

Hey, hey.  I can't believe its been a year since we finished the dock and installed the boat lift.  We absolutely love the space and use it as much as we can.  Our house is East facing so in the late afternoon,  the dock is mostly shaded with a cool breeze coming off the gulf.  Even those hot, Texas summer evenings can be comfortable (as long as there are is some breeze and no mosquitoes.)

There have been a few additions over the year.  I built the DIY adirondack chairs, I moved the door coffee table from the deck to the dock, Blittle built a fish cleaning station using the sink from my parent's old cook house, and we installed the destination sign.  The only major chore left is running electricity and installing the lights.  Also, I still don't have an umbrella holder (I have a plan, just need to make it happen), it needs a few plants/greenery and we need a ladder.  Going up the doggie ramp isn't as easy as a ladder when we swim and at low tide, it is hard for our boater friends to step up that high.

Friday Update ~ 06/05/2015

Hey, guys.  I am trying my best to get back on some kind of blogging schedule but I will admit, I forgot to write this update until this morning.  Haha.  At least I remembered last minute.  The past month has be really rough.  The last update I posted about Blittle and Jaxson was in my New Railing Inspiration post.

Blittle had surgery on the 15th.  The 10 days following were not easy for either of us.  Lots of sitting around and watching the non stop rain and flood coverage on TV.  Lots of sickness, tiredness, and moodiness from the meds.  Lots of waiting on him constantly since he couldn't walk.  We were both ready for him to get better.  He was finally able to go back to work on the 28th but still wasn't walking on his own and moving slow.  Over that following weekend, he was able to start putting weight on his foot and has been quickly getting better.  No more crutches!  He is able to walk as much as he wants with his orthotic boot on.  The stitches should come out next week and hopefully he will be able to start wearing a normal shoe again and be back to 100% soon.

How to Cut a Screw

After several years of furniture and home updates, I have finally taken the time to learn how to cut a screw.  I have tons of them.  They come with original hardware and new hardware packages usually have two screw sizes included.  I have kept most of the screws I come across, new and old.  Problem is making them the length I need them.  Until now.