When one steps outside the box there's always the "how will it work" question. Will we be pleased with our not so common solutions to the common home design? Although we're comfortable with our knowledge of who we are and what we like, we've never before experienced living in a home like this one. Many factors went into our comfort level with leaving behind the "tried and true" homes we commonly see.
First, we had complete faith in Brad's ability to design a home for us we'd love to live in. Second, we knew we had the skill to evaluate his design in terms of our life style. Third, we understood our capacity to be flexible in how we live in a home and to adjust to a new way of living.
One of the most controversial issues was needing to go outside between the three buildings. Questions asked were always in the area of, "What about the rain", "Is it covered?", "What about cold winter days?"
Having lived here since January, during some of the worst weather the NW has to offer, we can say, without hesitation, that the passage from one building to another is one of the delights of living here. We love it. This picture is one of the scenes we see first in the morning and last at night. It delights us each time we cross the bridge. And, we might add, the snow earlier in the year didn't destroy the beauty or pleasure. The bridge is definitely one of Brad's design features that is a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10.
Living small is a delight too. It is a challenge to reduce one's possessions down to the bones, and keep them that way. The ease of living without too much stuff is well worth the effort of sorting and eliminating and then sorting and eliminating again and again. It will be an ongoing task, but one we embrace wholeheartedly.
This neighborhood is delightful as well. The lack of fences separating properties opens the area up to feeling like an intentional community. The siting of our buildings, in relation to our neighbors' clustered buildings, leads to easy gatherings of neighbors but protects each home's privacy when desired. Bonus: our neighbors are truly great.
Our kitchen design is quite unique with the separation of food preparation and cooking on two sides of the main living building. Both Ed and I enjoy cooking but we move at vastly different speeds. This design allows us to both work in the kitchen without tripping over one another. Previously, in the kitchens we've had, only one of us could be in the kitchen at a time. Our solution to accommodate different speeds in the kitchen has resulted in much more shared cooking pleasure.
Separate buildings, especially when living small, are a key element in privacy and provide the option to be truly alone, even when in relationship. At times I actually lose Ed. When is he? He loses me as well. That's perfect. We can be totally alone even in a 860 sq. ft. home. Or, the two of us can be completely alone, even if Brad and Erin are watching a movie in main living, by simply being in another building. Little retreats everywhere! Wonderful!
The bath, with triple french doors opening out onto a private garden; eight foot glass doors opening the kitchen up totally to the outdoor patio; a wall of windows to the east looking out onto the pond; five opening windows in the guesthouse looking out over the pond; and oversized glass doors opening out onto the bridge, give all the spaces an almost seamless relationship to the outdoors. This is the first home I've lived in that has the connection to the garden that I've always craved.
Plus, a million little bonuses. The bridge is a perfect dog run. In fact, on a nice day when the doors are open, Annie can pass from the guesthouse to the main living building pausing to nap in the sun on the bridge. There's a swing on the barn. Under the guesthouse is a delightful covered patio at the edge of the pond. Every window has a view of something interesting and beautiful. The light and sunshine enter the buildings in perfect and unpredictable ways. Wildlife is finding its way to the pond providing us with the pleasure of watching the birds bathe. No frogs yet, but we're hopeful they'll come.
I've just touched the highlights of living on Grace Lane. We will discover more surprises throughout the year, unfolding daily, as the light and weather change, and we adjust our living styles -- as we settle in to a new way of living.
There are, however, huge problems with our new home and that's that I can't get anything done for just looking. Standing on the bridge gazing out at the pond and stream; gawking at the buildings when I'm trying to gravel the pathways; admiring the details of the barn when I should be painting; or simply aimlessly moving from one enticing spot to another. Productivity is yielding to eye candy. Ah!
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