*Photography by Neil A. Landino, Design by Gara Morse*

Hi friends, last week was a real doozer. After getting hit hard by a storm while the house was ripped open to attach the addition we discovered that we really needed to remove the rock so that we could fix rotten, termite infested back boards. It was an expensive problem. I never loved the rock but figured out a plan that I thought was amazing and it was like completely starting over vision wise. Not afraid of a challenge, we regrouped and started to think about Plan B. Making decisions really quickly makes me anxious but I know everything will work out. Right?!

The plan currently is to remove all of the stone and replace it with brick, stamped concrete path will be replaced by brick or pea gravel, and concrete stairs leading to entrance will be herringbone brick.

So now taking the idea of English Cottage with the stone and moving it to lighter and brighter cottage with shaker roof, creamy white brick, board and batten, etc. Here’s the roofing material we are looking at. Debating between “tahoe” and “mountain.” We are also adding exposed rafter tails to the front to create more interest but also to protect the windows and doors from rain. As far as paint goes I’m thinking Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore on the entire exterior (see more favorite white paints here), Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore on window trim, and Greyhound by Benjamin Moore on the front doors (maybe all exterior doors).

That’s all for now! Going to nail it all down and can’t wait to share.