Itty Bitty Kitty Cott...

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In January of this year, my husband and I purchased our first home - a cottage built in 1909. Believe it or not, this property is located just two miles outside of downtown Pittsburgh! When we first bought it, the yard was overrun with trees and shrubs, as no one had occupied the home for two years. We broke two chainsaws trying to tear down the overgrowth, then gave up and hired a stump grinder. We ended up painting pretty much every surface on the exterior except for the siding, and even parts of that needed repaired. Just as we got everything done and looking great, our sewage line broke and a team of professionals came in to tear up our porch and replace pipes. It was miserable, but all is well again.

Storybook Cottage in ...

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Storybook Cottage in Carmel-by-theSea

Cottage from the Curb

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Still have work to do for optimal curb appeal on this little cottage, but it's a start!

Outside transformed

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We cleaned it up, added a deck and landscaping.People walk in the evenings and visit with neighbors as they walk by. Its a lake community so most people only have a front yard and no back yard. We are lucky that we have both and enough room to build a garage.

Mid-century modern ra...

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We did a few minor things to the exterior of the house, which dramatically changed the appearance. When we're inside the house, we want it to feel like a sanctuary and didn't want it to feel like we are surrounded by homes on all sides. So we put up textured glass screens to allow privacy and light, without the need for window coverings. And they create a sort of garden atrium at the front of the house. Other than that, we painted the house in a way that is more consistent with the time period, and highlights the architectural details. And we gave it a bright reddish-orange door, which is also in keeping with the style (and I hear it's also very Feng Shui, not that we paid much attention to that. Replaced the landscaping with drought tolerant succulents, added some low-voltage lighting, and capped the whole thing off with a welcome tiki at the front door and we're done.

Southern Splendor - A...

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Hi friends, this is a past project we recently dressed up for the Azalea Festival in Wilmington, NC this weekend.

Three level split remo...

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Home started as 1700 sq. ft. three level split. 3 bedrooms, 1 & 1/2 bath, living room, kitchen/dining room, basement, one car garage and screen porch.


Finished area is 6400 sq. ft. with 5 bedrooms, 4 & 1/2 baths, sunroom, library, mudroom, upstairs utility room, studio, foyer, basement and walk-out patio. Not included in the 6400 sq. ft is a three car garage (24' x36' and fully acessable and conditioned attic(45' x @15'

I designed and built the structure myself (my first project. Design and built in 5 phases over 2 year period. I did have a mason do the brick work, all other work completed by me. Still working on the house.

My Mansion Mobile

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Yes,it is a mobile but when you walk in,you would never guess.Nothing is original,we have redone everything.I love it and sadly we have to move now,so it will be for sale soon.

Spell's Mansion 2011

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I purchased the home in September of 2010. The conditions were beyonds discuss, but I saw the beauty behind the damage and neglect. Just a few short months later the property is making a come back like never before. Enjoy

The things you can do ...

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We needed addtitional lighting outside on the patio but I wanted somehting soft since we have a pool and hottub. These cafe lights were the perfect solution strung in an old ladder with grapevine hidding their wires.

Our first home :)

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This is our first home. We live in Florida and loved the fact it has that traditional southern feel.

Our Home

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