Corsicana, ready or not, here we are!

Corsicana, ready or not, here we are! Our next victim - 


To say that getting to Corsicana was a challenge, well, that would be an understatement.  Nightmarish, is closer to the truth. Thankful for our most amazing realtor, Janet Gummelt, from Keller Williams, Arlington Texas office, who's tenacious personality, along with a sincere drive to help us, found us the most amazing English style cottage - 





Are we lucky, or what?!  The year built is a little sketchy at this point, 1939 seems to be the most  relevant, with a suspected renovation along 1950 then another probably early 1990's.  We've heard at one time it was a carriage house.  We wonder which part.  What I can say is that it's been added on to a few times.  There are steps up and down from room to room, a covered porch was added somewhere along the way, then enclosed into a "sunroom".  It's a cottage, it's quirky, it's old, it's very much us and it's our next victim...




The house faces East, and is nestled at the back of a large corner lot.  The front doors are on the right, the black double doors with the "X" motif, that interestingly is carried throughout the cottage.  As you open the door you are welcomed into a very large rectangular shaped, knotty pine clad living room.  The end of the room has wall to wall built-in shelves surrounding leaded glass crank out windows.  There is a massive fireplace on the right with a raised hearth that I've tripped over countless times.  

  



The floors are wide plank stained in walnut.  The knotty pine walls have been painted a color Texans will recognize, University of Texas burnt orange.  The ceilings are 8' 6" high, finished with beams that create coffers featuring drywall and old style recessed lighting.  I'm guessing if the drywall is removed there's 6" above and maybe a knotty pin ceiling. The room spans the length of the house, there are two cased opening on the left side.  This room is two steps, about 18" higher than the remainder of the house, it feels like an addition. 




Directly to the left of the front door, through the first cased opening is a room featuring another leaded glass crank window, built-in and Dutch door that exits to the front garden.  This room was used previously as a dining room.  It's the new home of Mr. GDC's office.  We plan to add doors for privacy, change the lighting and of course paint and window treatments. 




View from the room looking toward the front door. 




This view shows Mr. GDC's office on the left, through the second cased opening is a Keeping Room with brick floors, the stairs to the second floor bedrooms rise from this small space, the kitchen sits at the end  and the largest fireplace I have ever seen is along the wall to the right.



The wall to the left hides the range. The built-in on the right hides the fridge, which creates a huge issue with fridge replacement; fridge doors cannot open against a wall unless they are built with a "zero hinge", which most are not.  Our choices are built-in fridge, or remove the wall.  Mr. GDC, like most fellas, appreciates the water and ice in the door option.  Of course I would prefer the sleek lines of a built-in fridge.  I'm guessing the wall will be removed, because the fridge is not in working order and must be replaced.  

Moving on to the fireplace, it literally spans the entire wall length of the Keeping Room. 




The fireplace is a "cooking" fireplace, complete with pot and bracket, along with shelf for baking and wood storage. My question; is it original?   My first instinct is to remove the entire fireplace, add a row of cabinetry or antique hutch to extend the kitchen.  But, first instincts aren't always the best choices.  

The kitchen at the end, a small U shaped layout with an amazing farm style sink.  The counters are blue granite, the backsplash tile is white and blue clay tile featuring a harlequin pattern that mimics the leaded glass windows in the living and Mr. GDC's office. 









A new, revised kitchen plan is in the works. Maybe a way to "spill" the kitchen into the Keeping Room space?  I can imagine a French baking table in the center of the Keeping Room.  I need more counter space, a place to knead bread, roll cookies and croissants.  The keeping room is dark, very dark because there are no windows.  The room is a pass through to the kitchen, upstairs, downstairs bath also the backyard access.  The view below shows the stairs along the wall opposite the fireplace in the Keeping Room. 




Behind the fireplace, a previous covered porch was enclosed into a sunroom. We are uncertain what to do with this space.  For now it will sit and wait. I hope for patience. 



Upstairs we have two bedrooms and a bathroom.  Unfortunately my wide angle lens is packed!  For now this is what I can share.  




Exterior back view of our cottage.  It has a large patio centered around a fountain.  We also have a very large yard, with many gardens that need a little attention. 




 After eleven days the movers arrived with our belongings...




We are unpacking, moving things about, trying to get to know the cottage.   My mind is swirling with paint colors, kitchen plan, where to place the furniture. Every home is different. Some pieces work, while others will be adopted out to knew homes. 

My cousin Paula asked, "Have you named it? Is it male or female?"  I'm uncertain. It has a decidedly male feel to it, strong, sturdy. But females can possess those traits as well. Something English I would think. The wind is definitely changing, that's for certain - I feel an interior with more of a cottage mix.  My design searches seem to all have the terms "English Cottage" in them.  Maybe more color, perhaps buffalo check drapes paired with a little floral? 

 It's been raining.  It is cold here in North Central Texas.  Much colder than this "island girl" is accustom too.  We haven't seen any dove yet...maybe if I put out some seed - 


Until next time, wishing you all the best - 



Comments

Popular Posts