The last house plan I featured was an overwhelming hit (the Holiday House/Port Royal Coastal Cottage) – I am looking at plans like crazy, but I keep going back to Allison Ramsey! THE RIVER HOUSE – This is a fabulous one bedroom house that has got the neatest features. I would pair this house with one of the Allison Ramsey outbuildings… part garage and part guest suite. These outbuildings are a post all in themselves, but I just thought I would mention it… Imagine this sweet plan on situated on a river. You have a wonderful porch, useful living space that is as gorgeous as it is functional, then you have the master bedroom/bath upstairs.
Allison Ramsey Architects – River House
One magical element… the BUNK… when you look at the link with the photos you’ll see how utterly cool this is. What a magical place to hang out and read… whoa!
The River House – Upstairs AllisonRamseyArchitecht.com
I would have a built in headboard that doesn’t go above the windows, maybe with a drawer or two underneath for storage. I would love to have the washing machine/dryer where the bathtub is (upstairs) and maybe fit a small bathroom with shower downstairs (maybe where the laundry is), just in case one day you aren’t able to go up the stairs, you can still take a shower! I love having a master down, but this plan could make me change my mind!
Hey… does this house look familiar? Yep, it’s the River House on the cover of Garden and Gun magazine (image via Garden and Gun Facebook page) – and let me tell you, this is one classy magazine… click here to subscribe!
Image via Garden and Gun Facebook
Are you currently building a house? Have you run across some wonderful house plans (that actually include the plans)? Let me know about it!
I am not a “the sky is falling, the sky is falling” type of person, so I’m not trying to scare anyone with this post, just educate so you know what to do…
The traditional light bulbs that we grew up with are now a thing of the past. They stopped manufacturing the 100 watt bulbs last year. This year the 40 and 60 watt bulbs are no longer made. I like the nice warm, yellowish light that they give off. It’s warm and cozy and makes me happy. I know that Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFL) bulbs are supposed to last 8 years and save you tons of money, but… I have also read about the dangers of CFL bulbs. All I can say is that I want my old incandescent bulbs back! But the Bush administration signed a law back in 2007 to replace our old traditional (incandescent) bulbs with the squirrely new CFL bulbs. Sigh. While being more efficient sounds great, do you know the dangers of the new bulbs? Or what to do if one breaks? If a CFL breaks, you don’t just pick up the pieces like the old bulbs, AND you don’t just throw it in the regular trash!
Note: This is the only warning on the package…
D A N G E R S
Apparently, some health problems can be made worse by CFL light. These conditions include Migraines, Lupus and Epilepsy. If there is a defect in the bulb (which when a study was conducted and they went store to store there was a defect at every single store) then UV light can leak through causing cancer.
Now, before you read further… I also read about a guy who found a loophole around this CFL requirement, and will still make incandescent bulbs (albeit with a twist) – you can bet I’m going to be checking out the Newcandescent bulbs! (I am not being paid by Newcandescent in any way, shape or form, they have no idea who I am…). Hey, if something doesn’t happen to change this (and I doubt it will), I think I may be back to the old days with candles!
Read about what to do if a CFL bulb is broken… it’s important– (information from www2.epa.gov)
Air out the room for 5-10 minutes by opening a window or door to the outdoor environment.
Shut off the central forced air heating/air-conditioning system, if you have one.
Collect materials needed to clean up broken bulb:
stiff paper or cardboard;
sticky tape;
damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes (for hard surfaces); and
a glass jar with a metal lid or a sealable plastic bag.
During Cleanup
DO NOT VACUUM. Vacuuming is not recommended unless broken glass remains after all other cleanup steps have been taken. Vacuuming could spread mercury-containing powder or mercury vapor.
Be thorough in collecting broken glass and visible powder. Scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. Place the used tape in the glass jar or plastic bag. See the detailed cleanup instructions for more information, and for differences in cleaning up hard surfaces versus carpeting or rugs.
Place cleanup materials in a sealable container.
After Cleanup
Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials, including vacuum cleaner bags, outdoors in a trash container or protected area until materials can be disposed of. Avoid leaving any bulb fragments or cleanup materials indoors.
Next, check with your local government about disposal requirements in your area, because some localities require fluorescent bulbs (broken or unbroken) be taken to a local recycling center. If there is no such requirement in your area, you can dispose of the materials with your household trash.
If practical, continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the heating/air conditioning system shut off for several hours.
If you have further questions, please call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
Click HERE to find the nearest place you can recycle your CFL bulb (Home Depot, Lowes in most areas…), just enter CFL in the “what” box, and type in your zip code. It will give you a list of places.
Fred, Charlie (woof) and I took a walk the Sunday after Christmas… we headed downtown and the weather was perfect! I tried to sneak in a few shots… not easy at a brisk pace, but I managed a few ;) The sun was out and the day was gorgeous! I don’t think one car went by us. It was heavenly. See, I can post these beautiful photos while friends and family in the colder regions are probably cussing me because they’re stuck in a deep freeze… but they get their fun with me come summer! So I have to get my beautiful weather photos in while I can! Hee.
We are fortunate to have a beautiful campus at College of Charleston right here in Charleston. If you’re ever in the area and have never been around the campus it might just be worth a drive (or preferably a walk)… it’s gorgeous with the stately old oak’s shading the property. Absolutely beautiful!
Sneak a visit in, I’m sure you’ll be glad you did! Enjoy your weekend!
Port Royal Coastal Cottage – SL1414 (All Images: Houseplans.SouthernLiving.com)
This is the Port Royal Coastal Cottage, a house plan from Southern Living. This is an exclusive design for Southern Living by Allison Ramsey Architects. They have the most amazing house plans I have ever seen, and this is no exception! They have a unique ability to make a new home look like something that could fit in an older well established neighborhood. Remember the detail that made homes in the “old days” so special? Well, Allison Ramsey Architects keeps that wonderful detail.
Another photo from our walk the other morning… Look at these palms. Awesome tall they are! The homes here are nothing short of magnificent. If you don’t live here, you’ve got to come visit! You will love it!
Trying to catch up on all that’s got to be done, back to normal after the first! Happy New Year’s Eve eve to you!
Fred, Charlie and I headed out on Saturday morning fairly early for a walk downtown. Something different. It’s hard to walk day after day after day in the same location. Time flies when you move on to new territory! Charlie had lots of new smells and I was trying to be sneaky with my phone camera as we were whizzing by at a quick pace. I did manage a few shots. It makes me crazy to be without a camera!
Enjoy your Sunday!! The New Year is almost upon is!
This post was originally entitled “Happy Christmas Eve Eve”, but then I switched things around… well, most things… forgot to update the title, so for those of you who receive this post by email, and then look at it online… you aren’t going crazy! ;)
This was our drive to the airport a few weeks ago… let me tell ya… snow, snow, snow… cars off the road, a few spun around, and these brave souls… collecting money for a local charity. This was a cold, windy day, but they are dressed for it!
Hard core collecting!
This is some hard core collecting no doubt! These photos serve as a great reminder to give what you can to someone in need. Whether its merely a visit, a small gift, or a meal… you can brighten someone’s day who is alone this Christmas season. This can be a sad time for many, so keep your eye out and do what you can do to help out. You will be richer because of it!
I just want to wish all you nice people a very Merry Christmas! I’ve had a very busy day and am ready for my afternoon nap… I look forward to entertaining you in the upcoming months!
I love this! This is a Christmas card my dad made 21 years ago! We had it framed and it’s next to our front door so we see it every day. So simple in design yet so incredibly cool!
May peace be with you and yours this holiday season…
G-g-g-g-g-ives ya goosebumps doesn’t it? This photo sends a shiver down my spine… (note to self: make a poster of this for summer in Charleston!)… this photo was taken in front of my parents house on the river in Algonac, MI. The ice is flowing nicely, but at times jams up and a ice breaker (Coast Guard) has to break it up. Pretty entertaining! I used to think the big glacier-like hunks were cool… would be neat to hop on and go for a ride! You really have to respect the river this time of year. It can look frozen and safe to walk on, but there is a swift current that usually keeps that from happening… never a good idea. However, we used to drive out on the lake (frozen with ice) and have a big time! I’ve even been to bonfire’s on frozen canals in my younger years. It truly makes no sense to me that you can have a fire on the ice and not melt, but I’m here to tell you… it happens!
Happy First Day of Winter! The days start getting longer from here! For some of you that is welcome news…
Today is my dad’s birthday… a super cool dad. I am so blessed. He is fun, creative, wise and all and all a good time! I wish my parents lived closer. But it makes you enjoy your time with them that much more. This photo was taken at a cottage we rented in Port Clyde, ME. What a wonderful week it was!
H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y D A D !
Hope you have the best birthday ever!
xoxo, me
And… just had to share a few of his sketch pad paintings… I have this book full of wonderful paintings mostly of Maine… it is more valuable to me than gold! You can see a few more on the past posts I’ve shared (below)… Hey dad, I think you should keep at this… you need a website… or a blog! I might know someone who could help you with that ;)
Port Clyde Fish House by Joe Fidler
One year we rented a different cottage, and with it came a fish house that was quite amazing. We sat in the fish house each night and watched the sun set… What memories!
Port Clyde General Store by Joe Fidler
I could look at this forever! One of my favorite places, Port Clyde General Store. I think this would make a great postcard! It’s quirky, fun and what it really looks like!
Thanks Dad!! I will be calling to sing you happy birthday soon… this is your warning ;)
This photo was taken years ago back when our dog Reggie was still with us… See that white slipcovered sofa he is on? (I emphasis the word “white”). Well, it is no longer… Long story short… Fred was cleaning the house before I got back from Michigan (bless his heart!), and thought he would go that extra step and wash the slipcover as well. First he washed the pillow and cushion covers, they came out of the washer/dryer beautifully. Next… the love seat slipcover… in the wash it went, like it has many times before… only this time… this is what he saw when he opened the washer:
The loveseat… AFTER…
Looks like ink has been splattered all over. Sigh. Not his fault, not at all. The washer just decided to croak at that very moment and spew oil everywhere… hey, at least it wasn’t good clothes, sigh (again)… and it only costs $700 to replace this slip cover… well… Fred took it to the dry cleaner and they’re going to try to get the oil out of it. They’ve seen this before. Might be able to get it out. Might not. We’ll see… it’ll take about five days to try… Hey, I’m not getting upset about it… what good does that do? So when my plane landed, we went to Zia and grabbed a fish taco and then went and bought another washing machine. For those of you who are wondering WHAT KIND OF WASHER DID YOU HAVE? It was a GE, top loader. After speaking with many people about GE washers, I would not buy another… (Google it). I am not an appliance expert by any means.
Love seat “before” – in its better days! Painting by Sandra Baggette!
You know how when you get home from being away you have mountains of clothes to wash… well, yep, that’s me… new washer gets delivered today! I’ve never been so excited, ha ha… it’s the little things that make us happy!
Enjoy your day and try to find the best in whatever happens ;) – I’ll keep you posted on what happened!
Sweet, huh? I love this photo… I remember this day vividly, because I dressed nice. I had a cute skirt and matching shirt, but then had to put those big leggings on (that’s what they were called way back when). Oh the stress of being young, ha ha… wouldn’t it be nice to only worry about little things that don’t matter? Most of us probably still do… I need to get better about not worrying about the little stuff… join me in my crusade, ha ha…
ARTFOODHOME.COM 