Billie's Folly

Between traveling and my serious magazine perusing, I found I was always drawn to English and European homes.  There were several features that kept turning up in my files--stone walls, matching chimneys on either side, a steep roof, and twin peaks in the front.  I could post many examples of each, but this one--irregular roofline, center chimney and all--is one I found especially charming. As the planning got underway, I began noticing conservatory additions on English homes.  They are almost exclusively added to the rear of a house as a transition to the back garden.  Since I was planning for Oregon, i.e., rain, I thought it would be novel and practical to add one to the front of the house--as a light-filled, protected front porch.  This photo became part of my vision.  To combine my concepts and show the architect what I had in mind, I superimposed one on top of the other.  This collage became the inspiration for the front of my house--with a chimn...

There are differing opinions on when we officially started building.  For me, breaking ground was the beginning of the process that brings us to today--14 months later.  It's hard to imagine a bulldozer scraping the earth felt like progress, because the progress being made daily, all these months later, is so specialized and varied.  April 2019 was thrilling, but June 2020 is incredible!  And the coordination of it all, by my builder, has really been something to behold.   But before I get to the progress made, here's what my social scene has looked like.  I had a lovely, surprise Mother's Day celebration at the new homestead, complete with Bloody Mary bar!   And I've since had a couple other "dinners parties" on the property.  In the late afternoon shadows, we ignored the less-than-attractive setting and had a good time.  Our floral centerpiece was in keeping with the social-distancing theme.    Here are some of the areas of progre...