Good morning ladies and gents. Today I'd like to talk a little about summer and how I prepare for it in this little old cottage that until recently had zero insulation.
Last summer I had the house painted Benjamin Moore Simply White, insulation installed in the attic, a new roof put on and a couple of awnings installed. This was a huge undertaking for me. The home repair industry is rife with unscrupulous people but I was patient and found amazing people to help me.
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I could not be happier with the results. The interior of the house is so much cooler. Just changing the exterior from dark to light made a huge difference. The attic being insulated helped so much in the winter too.
How wonderful to see a blog post from you Janet! Love the new house colour with the black awning. Greetings from Melbourne Downunder 😀
ReplyDeleteI’m so excited to see more of your beautiful home and blog posts as we head into summer. We also live in the IE (Corona) and we replaced our roof and painted the exterior Benjamin Moore white dove last spring. Boy was it hard picking the right white!
ReplyDeleteSuch an adorable home! Def have missed you🤗
ReplyDeleteYour house is as lovely as ever! I love the white and I love the black awnings. Such a classic look. AND, I’m thrilled to read that you got your blog up and running and that you plan to post again. Your blog has always been one of favorites and I’ve missed it. Mostly I’m happy that you’re doing better. Much love. xo
ReplyDeleteEnveloping you in a bubble of love.
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ReplyDelete🤞🏻😊
ReplyDeleteCount me as another long time follower who is so happy to see you posting again, Janet!
ReplyDeleteYour house looks beautiful, welcoming and serene as always, and I love the changes and updates. What is better than a synthesis of beauty and practicality?! Sending so many good wishes your way!
The Cottage looks beautiful, and it's wonderful that you're back!
ReplyDeleteI am always excited to see a new blog post from you. Your darling cottage looks so good in the white color with the dark awnings. I can attest to the huge benefits of insulation. Our 1932 home had zero when we bought it as well. It is money well spent.
ReplyDeleteJoyce
Wonderful news that you might be back, Janet. Take it as slowly or as fast as you need. Your readers I have no doubt are all feeling as I am: pleased:).
ReplyDeleteSeeing a post from you just made my day. I always feel calm after viewing. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIt is so wonderful reading a blog post from you! You are source of inspiration. I am also feeling quite validated in having chosen Simply White for interior trim. Looking forward to reading future posts. Best, Melanie
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to see you are back. I'm a widow too so can empathise with over such major undertakings. Your cottage is fabulous. I have house envy! Wishing you joy and happiness.
ReplyDeleteHooray! So happy to see another post from you, Janet! Just love everything you have done to make your cottage even more cozy! I can't tell you how many times I look back at your home in the Cottages & Bungalows article - so sweet! And your garden looks lovely! I remember your saying some years back that your roses were not flourishing due to all the shade from the trees. Here in Huntington Beach our days have been so dreary lately, but our flowers are still thriving. Hoping for some sunny days ahead! Have a wonderful summer!
ReplyDeleteDo you know how excited I am about this news??????? I adore you and your life. I LOVE your house. LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo happy you are back. Your blog was probably my most favorite!
ReplyDeleteLove the awning!
ReplyDeleteSo very happy to see your blog again!! Yay
ReplyDeleteWelcome Back Janet! I am so happy to see a new blog post! Your darling cottage has always felt serene and charming and I cannot imagine the joy you must feel living in it :-))
ReplyDeleteLeslie
XO
I am so glad to see you back more frequently. This is the first blog I ever followed. Jami Davis
ReplyDeleteYay! So happy you're back! I have really missed the blog and the inspiring pictures of your lovely home! Yay! Love the white paint with the black awning, by the way!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited you are back! I've followed you for a long time now and unfortunately we lost our husbands within the same year (and we were married 40 years - I think you were too) That in itself kept me checking on you. Hope you are doing well - I've missed your blog!
ReplyDeleteI live in Fl so same problem. My Fl room unusable in afternoons now. I also have what I call my sitting room which has 5 large windows with outdated in wall ac unit. I’ve just arranged to get clamshell awnings in those 2 rooms to get some blockage from sun. I’m also replacing ac next week. Hopefully will improve conditions. Happy to see you posting again. You have the most charming home.
ReplyDeletewonderful to hear. will look forward to seeing new posts. thank you
ReplyDeleteI am excited to read your blog! I discovered your instagram a couple of years ago and never forgot your calm little cottage so full of elegant style! I was excited to see your post pop up today. Although we all love a good before and after, It is refreshing to read about mere mortal slow changes and not instant McMansion-over-the-top-expensive transformations. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteJen
Our summers in Northern California are as hot as Redlands. I have a daily ritual where I rise early to open doors and windows and let the fresh air in until a hint of warm is felt and then everything gets shut back up. The house stays quite cool until late afternoon. So happy you were able to do all these upgrades to make your home more comfortable. Looking forward to your blog. xo
ReplyDeleteLovely reading your charming blog this afternoon and looking at your photos. Love your simplicity.
ReplyDeleteOh happy day for us, your followers! You have been missed but having become a widow last August I understand that you needed time for mourning and regrouping. I look forward to ANYTHING you want to write about and share with us. It is good to get big projects out of the way and a relief when they are completed to our satisfaction. Right now I am have to redo some landscaping, have a wall built in a bedroom and replacing the carpeting in my bedroom. I will be so happy if I can get them all done by the end of the year. Your cottage looks as enchanting as ever. Welcome back Janet.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you are back blogging. I have missed you! Jill
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness...I am so happy to see you doing the blog again. I saw your Instagram post & headed right over here to make sure I had read correctly. Wishing you all the best with the blog & everything that gives you pleasure & contentment. God bless you Janet.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! xo
ReplyDeleteAlways enjoy any and all of your posts!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear from you! The house looks adorable in white, and I'm loving the awnings. Looking forward to seeing more from you!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are blogging again. Your lifestyle is so inspiring, and I love your posts.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you’re back!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you’re back!
ReplyDeleteYay! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 So glad you’ll be back!
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo!!
ReplyDeleteI am a long term reader and very infrequent commenter. I just wanted to tell you that reading your blog is like soothing balm. Not because it is in any way saccharine, on the contrary, it is very real but because your authenticity and the simplicity and the beauty just shine through. Thank you for continuing to share that with us.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back Janet. Long time lurker and follower. Looking forward to seeing you post what ever you decide to post. Glad that you are back
ReplyDeleteSo happy to see your post i remember you saying years ago that you wanted your home to be white. always an inspiration. Darby.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to get all of those home renovations completed. So happy to see you back. Every angle of your home is restful and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYAY!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo very happy to see you back blogging. You are an inspiration on many levels. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful news - that you intend to continue and write more often on your blog! You have been missed. Your ideas and inspiration are very much appreciated. Your house looks great this new color (looked great before as well). I can well imagine the insulation in the attic has made a real difference. Welcome back and I look forward to anything you care to share going forward.
ReplyDeleteI have missed you!
ReplyDeleteSo very,very happy you’re back. I’ve read and reread your past posts to keep my cottage renovation going. Love to you. Susan on The Cape
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled to have you back and even more so for you to have come thru a difficult journey. Your home looks bright, breezy and as ever inviting. All good wishes.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy you are back.You are such an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful seeing a post from you!! I love your house white, and the awnings.
ReplyDeleteYay!
ReplyDeleteLouise in Az
Yay! So looking forward to more posts from you, Janet---always my favorite way to start or end the day!
ReplyDeleteI'm so pleased to hear you have every hope to start blogging more often. I won't feel so foolish checking your site daily. ;-). Your cottage is my favorite house, inside and out, perfect. Your husband is no doubt very proud of you and your accomplishments.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to see you back to your blog Janet! 😍 Missed you.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are back ! The cottage looks great white with the awnings.
ReplyDeleteThe white is beautiful on your cottage. So fresh and clean.
ReplyDeleteI've missed your posts and look forward to seeing more from you.
BETTY XOXO
I will be watching, reading, and appreciating!
ReplyDeleteAnd ... she's back! Couldn't be more grateful.
ReplyDeleteI am as pleased as punch to see your blog up and active again. Your simple little blog is one of my favorites. Janet, I must mention that after following your blog for all these years you've become very familiar to me. And realizing that you don't even know me! It's a wonder what social media can do. I lost my husband at the very start of the pandemic and I became the first widow in my social friendship circle. Throw a pandemic on top of it and it became a enormous life changing event. I reread your whole blog during that time. Ugh. Sorry for the open confession! Hahaa. Let's just end with me saying how much I'm looking forward to your garden, food, fashion, decorating, and lifestyle posts again!
ReplyDeletePeace, Diane
I lost my husband 3 years ago. His life insurance has paid for many home improvements. I plan to live here as long as I physically can. I'd rather he was still living. So glad you are back. I enjoy your posts.
ReplyDeletePost as little or as much as you like. We’ll be here!💕
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are back! You have been such a style icon for clothes & the home! An added bonus is add free!
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so happy to see you again! Your beautiful house looks fresh and bright in white. Congratulations on the changes. Big decisions concerning money and stepping outside one's comfort zone are huge. Well done you! Be proud of yourself; you are so brave. I've thought of you so many times over these last years, wishing you well.
ReplyDeleteErina
Refreshed, rejuvenated, ad-free, elegantly simple - hurrah!!! Janet, so happy that you feel you could re-start writing - have missed you dreadfully. There's just no one else comes close. x
ReplyDeleteI love that your back! You were my favorite blogger and I still continued to look back when you weren’t posting. Full of so many good things 💕 nancy
ReplyDeleteCrossing my fingers, too, Janet. ; )
ReplyDeleteLove those sweet awnings!
Oh I am so happy to see you back! I've thought of you a lot. Not too many blogs left anymore. The house, the clothes, its all fun to read about. Lots of work I'm sure though. So don't stress about it.
ReplyDeleteI’m so thrilled to see a post from you! And keeping my fingers crossed you’re back and there will be more! Your space always brings such feelings of calm and beauty.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy you are blogging again. I have a 1930's cottage 960 sq. ft. and the photos of your cottage are of special interest to me. Be well.
ReplyDeleteShirley
I’m also so happy to see your new blog entries, Janet. Also a long-time follower/lurker. I live in a 1953 house that is 986 square feet, no basements here in central Texas. I’ve been decluttering for a few years now, and I gain inspiration from your beautiful home photos. Also a lover of antique items here. And, over 60, so lots of inspiration on all counts.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to see you back 😊
ReplyDeleteDear Janet, gazing at these photos and reading your comments brings great joy. From my Cottage on the East Coast to your sweet home I send good wishes . . . Linda
ReplyDeleteThank you for the gift of a blog without advertising. It is a gift. Some blogs have so many ads it’s hard to read the content.
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome! I love it too!
DeleteYour home looks lovely. I recently bought 2 cans of Simply White for some interior painting. Still simply the best!
ReplyDeleteI adore your writing and beautiful nesting style. I started following your blog probably fifteen years ago when I was raising younger school aged children who are now adults. Some life trauma and moving got in the way as can happen when life gets off track. Likely ten years since I last read your writings, I’m in New York with my 22 year old daughter who has two job interviews tomorrow. I am having trouble sleeping and at 2:30 ish am your blog popped into my head. I was praying for sweet sleep and received a better gift in finding you again. I would enjoy hearing about your money concepts in addition to your other gifts to share. Blessings you and I’m so sorry for your loss. You inspire me. Sending love and gratefulness to you!
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