The Elements of Cape Cod Style

My Cape Cod in North Carolina

What it is: This popular cottage style traces its origins to colonial New England and is characterized by its low, broad profile, generally a story and a half tall, with a steeply pitched roof with end gables. 

Why you'll love it: This is the quintessential American cottage style. The floor plans are typically cozy and efficient, and the simple, symmetrical exteriors are ripe for curb appeal embellishments such as shutters, window boxes and pedestrian paths. Nothing says "home sweet home" quite like Cape Cod cottages.
Element: A steeply pitched roof with side gables. This is one of the most consistent characteristics of this style. 
Element: Double dormers. They punctuate the steep rooflines of many Cape Cod homes. The most common type of dormer used is a gabled one, which features a simple pitched roof with two sloping sides. 

font drive

How to make it your own: In addition to boosting curb appeal, dormers create additional floor space in the area tucked under the roofs, helping convert once unused attics into livable space.

Element: A wide front porch. Colonial versions of the style did not have front porches, due to climate and construction concerns, but they are common in revival incarnations of the look. 

How to make it your own: Pairs of planters and sconces on either side of entries can create the appearance of symmetry even when the fundamental layout is asymmetrical.

How to make it your own: Painting heavy trim surrounding entries white is one way to get a similar effect without calling in a carpenter. Another simple way to highlight the entry is to paint the door itself a bright color.

Source http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2318693/list/American-Architecture--The-Elements-of-Cape-Cod-Style

Bathroom Re-Do Phase 1 Before & After

so 80's bathroom :)

Phase 1

The shower/toilet area was separated by a wall from the vanity area. 
too many doors, too dark.

Notice the arch we did instead of squaring it off. 

There was a little water damage to sub-floor due to the commode wiggling. It was this way when I purchased the house. I did put in 2 wax rings that kept it secure for awhile. 

So we replaced a bit of plywood on the floor. We needed to purchase the plastic ring the bolts screwed into. That was what was broke. That was gorilla glued to the pipe! The only choice we had was cutting it off. It was easy to get to while the plywood was removed giving footing to the crawl space below. 

We bought the vanity top and had the vanity made to fit it. Soft close door & dark wood with just a little sanding around the edges to give it a slight distress look. Love it!

This was the first time removing popcorn ceiling. 
It was so easy! 

A spray bottle filled with water was used and then it scrapped right off with a plastic putty knife! I'll be doing the other rooms now I know how easy it is. Clean up was not as bad as I thought it would be. 
Also rubber-band the shop vac end to the putty knife & catch some before it hits the floor. 

The tiles are just dry fitted in this pic.  It looks & feels so much bigger! 

The small part of the wall was kept due to a vent pipe. (surprise!)
It gave us a place to keep the light switch though so that was good. 
We chose one that lights up in the dark so you can find it at night. 
That is cool. 

And I really like how the arch came out, gives some nice definition. We bought a thin board and cut to fit, screw it in, then mud, sand. mud, sand. 

Still need to choose a light fixture and a couple shelves over the commode.

Phase 2 of the bathroom will be adding tile surround and a window! A long horizontal in the shower closer to the ceiling. 
- debating on leaving the tub or make it a shower only. 

Natural Homemade Soaps

WOW! are these so nice I had to share! 

These smell so naturally good & leave your skin so soft !

 I love these & I won't be going back to commercially made soaps, You will feel the difference right away! 

& these are gentle enough for my daughter's sensitive skin. 

These soaps contain no detergents, alcohol's, propylene glycol and other chemicals commonly found in commercially blended 'soap'. 
To really see take a look at the labels of the 'soap' from the store and compare them to the ingredients of these soaps. 

Click HERE to see all their wonderful colors & Fragrances! 

Gifts sets starting at $9.99

Compare  : Ingredients: Olive Oil, Coconut oil, Soybean oil, Hemp oil, Organic Shae Butter, water, fragrance.

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