Visualization

Mood: Psuedo Relaxed
Listening To: Alberta Bound - Paul Brandt
Word of the Day: Visualize

Layne's been house planning.  We're all trying to work on visualization towards goals.  Our big goal, is to move somplace where we can all be happy.  I've got 2 places that would make me extremely happy to live.  One is Northern Georgia.  Which is weird because I vowed I'd never live in the US again, but something about the area just really spoke to me when we first started talking about moving away from Stepford (a fitting nickname for where we currently reside)
The other is Alberta...more specifically near the mountains in Alberta.  Layne is currently designing the house she wants to build for her, Marcus, and the kids, and a seperate cabin for me.  So, in that spirit, I'm going to get in the mood and put down my ideas here.
The land that's being considered is 21 acres, mountain views, trees, a river.  It's a dream.  Literally and Figuratively.  Hence, visualization.  What helps, is that this is the first time in the history of...well history, that Marcus has indicated where his soul is drawn to live.  Alberta is a huge part of our pasts.  I spent most of my formative years there, then went back after I'd "de-formed" to get grounded again.  In all 18 of my 42 years of life were spent there, Stepford is the second longest I've ever lived anywhere, and it's made us miserable almost since we got here.

Ok, enough random babble, time to get serious.

Layne and I are both visualizing a Log Cabin for me.  Open floor plan, with a bedroom at the back.  She however doesn't dream nearly as big for my cabin as I do, so I'm going to jot some ideas down here.

I want a lot of natural light.  Instead of a second floor for this cabin, I'd do high vaulted ceilings with big windows to maximize how much light comes in.  I'm not sure if I want an attached garage, or something separate.  I've always dreamed of having a shop to rebuild old cars, so it might be more practical to have something separate.   I like the idea of a rock garden as you walk up to the front door.  A variety of plants that bloom throughout the season, with a few shrubs, and a tree or two.

The front definitely needs a porch with an over hang so I can sit out there in the rain, with a swing and a couple of rockers.  I want Pot Lighting instead of traditional wall mounted sconces.  The front door has got to have screens, so I can leave the door open and let the fresh air circulate through the house better.
 

While on the subject of decks, I just found one for the back off the bedroom that I like.  Just thinking about sitting out there, drinking my morning coffee makes me happy.

So, inside now.  Again, it's going to be more of an open concept design with the kitchen and living room taking up the front of the house, then the bedroom in the back.  I'm wondering at this point, if I shouldn't also plan for a guest room if I have family come up...more to ponder.

As I mentioned I want a lot of natural light, so that second story is going to be dedicated to peaked roofs and tall window in those peaks, as well as windows on the first story walls.  It obviously has look spectacular as well, so I can't over do it.  The idea in my head, is if I want to close the curtains at night in the living room or bedroom, the high windows remain open so I can see the stars, or the northern lights if they're going on.  

Hardwood flooring (I'm really stuck on hardwood for some reason) with a big oversized Persian Rug in the seating area.  A couple of big oversized armchairs and a couch, and a stone fireplace.  I'm trying to figure out if I want the Fireplace to be somewhat of a divider between the kitchen and the living room, or if it should be on one of the exterior walls with a big window above it.  Which also leads to the next fireplace question, Natural Gas or Wood Burning?  I've lived in houses with both.  Wood Burning is a lot messier, but I love them...I have no clue.  LOL  Natural Gas is probably the better way to go.  The stone could still go all the way to the ceiling, but I could put a window in it...do I need a window?  Who lets me design shit?

Is this too Over the Top?

The kitchen doesn't need to be overly fancy, but it has to be functional.  Not that I expect to be hosting dinner parties every night, and do I need a small dining area?  This started out as a very simple idea and now it's growing.  I think in my head, I've already decided that I want to have a backyard area with a firepit, and if I put a deck off the kitchen, maybe with foldaway screens, I could put a harvest table out there, and have everyone over to eat.  I miss cooking, but it makes me sad now, and I have no idea why.  Another issue to work through.  Ok, moving on.

I saw that kitchen, and thought YEAH!  Like that.  The rational part of my mind of course says that's a little extravagent for my needs, but then I look at it and it's perfect.  A marble or polished stone top island would be great for prep work.  Cupboard space for dry goods and pans and stuff underneath it.  I think that picture has a Microwave, 2 freezer drawers and 2 ovens.  I can definitely count that down to one of each.  Maybe I should build the stove top right into the island.  If we go with the flow of that kitchen then around the outside of it could be a halfwall, part of which could be an eating bar.

For the bedroom, I already have my bedroom set which I'm not giving up.  It's pine and perfect for a more rustic setting.  Lots of light again, meaning a lot of windows.

And if this side of the house could be facing the mountains, even better.
A door will lead out to that small patio area I mentioned earlier, and, again, if it's the side facing the mountains, I'll be in heaven.

There should be a master bath attached to this room.  Another dream of mine, and a must have is a bathtub that I can actually stretch out in.  I'm over 6ft tall, and yes short people, I know I should be happy to have height so I can reach things, however, being a giant isn't all it's cracked up to be, and we have just as many complaints as you do.  Back on subject.  This would probably be the only room where I didn't leave the walls natural.  I'm thinking about steam and humidity and what it does to exposed wood.  I could be wrong.  Something like this... or...this...

Yes, it might be a tad extravagent, but I really like it. LOL  not very rustic though is it.  I don't think I'd do the marble or faux marble, whatver they're using.  I'd use a laminate to at least give it the look of wood.  I love the concept of a large walk in shower, with a bench.  The other concept I had, is it acting as a steam room too, and having a sauna built in.  Whichever way I go, there will be a large window right beside the tub so I can look out while relaxing.  Did I mention the tub would have Jacuzzi jets?

 The backyard would be really simple.  I already mentioned a deck off the kitchen.  It would definitely be covered with retractable screen panels.  Out from there would be a stone patio with a large firepit and happy plush seating, or maybe a stone bench, I haven't decided yet.







I'm visualizing the back yard being surrounded by forest.  A stone wall around the perimeter might not be a bad idea, but I don't want to keep, Elk, Moose and Deer away.
And that's it, that's my "little, simple" cabin in the woods.

Ciao for now.