Fe-Brrrrrrrr-uary
Made a q
uick visit to the farm two weeks ago, on a swing through Cleveland for the Case Western Reserve University board of trustees meeting. What can I say - February in Chardon = cold and snowy. Paul and Laura's new house is cozy and warm - that wood-burning furnace is working well and the woodstove in the living room adds warmth as well as a cheeful blaze. The kids got new cross-country skis for their Christmas present - if I'd had just one day I could take off I would have bought a pair myself. Snow was about 2 feet on the ground, and although we didn't get any serious snow while I was there it was crisp and cold. I've always wanted to try cross-country skiing, and the farm's an excellent place for it. Step out the back door and you've got miles and miles of trail right at your footsteps.
uick visit to the farm two weeks ago, on a swing through Cleveland for the Case Western Reserve University board of trustees meeting. What can I say - February in Chardon = cold and snowy. Paul and Laura's new house is cozy and warm - that wood-burning furnace is working well and the woodstove in the living room adds warmth as well as a cheeful blaze. The kids got new cross-country skis for their Christmas present - if I'd had just one day I could take off I would have bought a pair myself. Snow was about 2 feet on the ground, and although we didn't get any serious snow while I was there it was crisp and cold. I've always wanted to try cross-country skiing, and the farm's an excellent place for it. Step out the back door and you've got miles and miles of trail right at your footsteps.I stayed down at the 'old house', which was cold and a bit lonely. Plans for renovation continue - I met with the builder and designer and we made good progress on so
me of the stickier structural issues and basic layout. For those who are familiar, the plan is to add a story over the main bedroom wing for a master bed/bath, and open up all the common rooms around the kitchen to make a very large 'great room' and a nice big open kitchen. The living room we're leaving just as it is, and are trying to replicate the 'old' feeling of the living room in the newer great room. The picture at right was taken in the 1950's - I think it will be a challenge to modernize half the house and still keep it looking consistent with the other half. We'll see!
me of the stickier structural issues and basic layout. For those who are familiar, the plan is to add a story over the main bedroom wing for a master bed/bath, and open up all the common rooms around the kitchen to make a very large 'great room' and a nice big open kitchen. The living room we're leaving just as it is, and are trying to replicate the 'old' feeling of the living room in the newer great room. The picture at right was taken in the 1950's - I think it will be a challenge to modernize half the house and still keep it looking consistent with the other half. We'll see!Although I'm committed to keep this place a respite from the busy modern world, I have promised Don a big-screen TV and Michael and Dave high speed, wireless internet. Its the only way I can entice them to come to Ohio with me! So technology is definitely a part of the plan.
When finished, we'll be able to sleep 9 in the house comfortably, with 3 full baths. The cabin (aka, 'the chicken coop') could house another 3 or 4, albeit with more rustic accomodations. I really enjoy working on projects like this - we did two remodeling projects on the CT house and the changes were really worthwhile. I know the house at Villa Mir will be lovely when its done, and at least we won't have to live in it when the construction is underway!
We plan to start construction in late summer, and hopefully will be open for guests next year during cross-country ski season! Stay tuned!
posted by Carol at 7:14 AM
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