A South Carolina Vacation Home with Equestrian Style

This is a vacation home for a family of 4 located in Spring Island, South Carolina

I posted almost all of the photos. This vacation home was build for a family from Princeton New Jersey in a South Carolina private community. They were always inspired by converted barns but wanted new construction. I think they got what they wanted and more, don't you? Read the article and see more photos here. I love the batten Bahama shutters. Size: 2,900 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms plus a 1-bedroom, 1-bath guesthouse. 

Lazy Sunday for Cottage Pets

Webster is on the mend and enjoying his dog bed in a new location. I brought the one down from the attic because it has an egg-crate foam mattress and a rectangular shape so he can stretch out. I put it in his favorite spot so he can see me in the kitchen and look down the hall into my bedroom. He's such a good patient. I'm still at a loss about what was wrong with him but I'm pretty sure he was stung by yellow jackets. I have to remember to replenish my supply of antihistamine capsules that helped his rapid breathing get back to normal. He had the same reaction once before when I witnessed the evil insects stinging him. 

Tabitha insisted on spending the night outdoors last night and she promptly crashed on the nearest chair this morning after she ate and she hasn't moved a muscle in hours. We are all enjoying the air conditioning. Hope you are too.

Compawssion: Portraits Of Rescued Dogs

photos by Frank Bruynbroek

There are more photos here. Some were too painful for me to post. I'm so glad this Belgian born photographer took on this project called Compawssion, and published them in a coffee table book. Click on the previous link to read more about this amazing book. The website that has all of the photos in my post plus more is in Russian but here's a rough translation describing these rescued dog photos. "By not quite the usual black-and-white portraits, Belgian Frank Bryunbrok on for fifteen years, tells the heartbreaking stories around the world salvation. project entitled 'Compawssion' are more than hundreds of pictures of dogs, once in trouble. accidentally forgotten in the park with restless puppies burning eyes, cast once to the special dogs that are now barely fit in a rectangle frame, deadpan kind of complacent mutts, born by a crowd in the basement of a residential high-rises. They vied with each drop in the audience certainly in the area of the soul. However, this bitty 'tailed rabble' together one small, simple as a penny, the thing is - the human indifferent, through which the dogs finally found the 'Fire', his corner, his home." I used Google Translate. I'm so glad all of these dogs got the dignity due them via these heart-felt portraits. Warning: They are all beautiful but some might make you cry.

Success Defined

via

Low Country Guest Cottage Charleston SC

I was up all night with a sick dog so I'm late with this post. Webster is much better today I'm happy to report.

We seem to be on a LOW COUNTRY theme, so I decided to go with it again this morning. I copied a lot of the photos but not all. Enjoy the weekend. It's wet and muggy here at the cottage, just like the low country summers I remember from my childhood at my grandparents' house in Timmonsville SC. 

All of the above photos from Wayne Windham Architect located in Johns Island, SC. View more photos here including the main residence. You're welcome.

Low Country Carriage House Restoration at The Ford Plantation

This Lowcountry carriage house at The Ford Plantation echoes the familiar threads of the past. Reminiscent of an old barn that may have graced the site, comfortable guest quarters now occupy what might have been a grain loft. An old threshing floor, where carriages would have passed, now shelters carriages of the modern era. Simple post and beam construction is further suggestive of agrarian roots. via Houzz I posted all of the photos this time.

Henry Ford Historic Caretaker's Cottage Renovation in Savannah

Kitchen in the 800 sq. ft. cottage.

Exerior. Isn't it sweet?

I love the water view.

Built in the 1930s by Henry Ford at his winter retreat near Savannah, this former caretaker’s cottage had been abandoned for decades. Historical Concepts consulted on the restoration of the primitive, 800 square foot cottage for clients who were compelled to save it from demolition and preserve Ford’s legacy. Original poplar tongue and groove walls, heart pine floors and terra cotta roof tiles were restored, while antique lighting and architectural salvage finds were added for period authenticity. A screened porch, designed to complement the home’s historic character, adds entertaining space and a place to enjoy the coastal setting of The Ford Plantation. Full house tour with more photos HERE via Houzz.

Cottage Makeover - Before and After

A cape cod in the deep south was renovated and completely transformed by a couple with New England roots without adding on.

Keep your eye on the porch off the kitchen in this before photo.

It's hard to believe the after photo, isn't it? The old porch became a butler's pantry to extend the kitchen.

The house had good bones as you can see from this before photo.

A new roof, shutters on the dormers, new paint, and fabulous new landscaping really transformed the exterior. See the floor plan and a total of 16 photos if you are still interested in seeing more HERE from Southern Living.

Maxfield Parrish Clouds at My Cottage

We've had some very nice sunset cloud formations lately here at my cottage. I ran outside to capture this one with my Nikon last week because it reminded me of a Maxfield Parrish illustration in a book of fairy tales. Agreed? Click photo to enlarge.

Learning New Things

It makes me very happy when I learn something new and I try to expand my mind daily. I love this insightful quote by Michelangelo at age 87 -- "I am still learning." via

Surround Yourself

This quote makes me miss my mother who was always my biggest supporter. via