After many months of tedium and uncertainty, our search for a new home has come to an end. The deal fell through on the house I had posted about a few times, and as the saying goes, another door opened for us, yielding something beautiful beyond our wildest dreams.
In the heart of the Shawnee National Forest; down a curving, gravel road; 4 miles from the nearest town (of only 350 people); we finally found our forever home.
This is our road looking east. The tree-covered hillsides are part of a designated wilderness area, although there are privately owned lands interspersed with public lands.
This is our mailbox and a view of the hills to the west.
Here is our little cottage in the big woods. It is newly built and, due to the spectacular views and privacy, was literally intended to be a vacation cabin. We have made it into our permanent home.
The house is 1100 square feet but contains a loft, an office, and a guest room. There are also 3 decks, each with a different view.
The largest deck is of the "great room," which you see just beyond the wall of glass.
This is the view from the front door. The wall color is a gray-green, chosen by the seller, and although it is not one of my preferred shades of white, I actually don't mind the color. It reads as a neutral and coordinates with everything we own.
I love the angle of the sloping ceiling beneath the stairs. This shot was taken from the hallway and also shows the little "Harry Potter" closet under the stairs. That closet is invaluable as a pantry.
Here is another view of the great room, with hills and trees in the background.
The house sits where an old farmhouse once stood. It is oriented to capture the breezes, the views, and the light.
We have front row seats for some truly inspiring sunsets. Last night's was one of the loveliest I have ever seen.
I realize it has been a long while since my last post, and I appreciate your patience in that regard. The move was more difficult than I imagined it would be. We cut our living space in half and have had to work within the constraints of a much smaller house. It has forced us to be creative in terms of how we utilize the space, especially wall space and floor space. We have managed to keep only the basics, but living here feels far from austere. We have all the comforts of a typical home.
Stay tuned for more from deep in the heart of the forest, where the air is pure and the views are pristine.
Until next time...
Anne
