Cottage Life: Screened-in Porch Design

How is it already late July and we still haven't moved into our cottage?! This year's constant rain is to blame for the slowdown in construction. Right now we are looking at mid August so fingers and toes all crossed for no further delays. 

A key reason for picking our cottage model is the huge screened-in porch. I would be surprised if this didn't turn into the most used space. We will have a lounging and a dining area. As usual, I came up with a few design boards. 

Below is the one I think I am going with, sans the hanging seat. We have mature trees with high canopy surrounding our cottage, so I am trying to keep the overall colour theme to a minimum so it doesn't compete with the view. 

I also really like the plaid rug in the design board below. 

This blue rug adds a touch of colour to the overall neutral space.  

This Scandinavian style conversation set from JYSK was the jumping-off point. It's an extension of the Nordic cottage style from inside out. 

These rattan Paris bistro chairs will form a porch dining nook. I am still trying to hunt down a vintage style metal patio table to go with them. Any suggestions? 

Before I go, I will share some of the flowers coming out in July in my jardin de fleurs. 

Lavender Hidcote Blue

LA Dreamin Hydrangeas - epic fail this year for trying to turn them blue. They issued non-stop flowers in vibrant pink. 

DIY Petunia planters from PC Garden Centre. 

ZZ plant in my foyer is nearly 5 foot tall. Took six years to get to this size. I tried staking tall branches but they are still topsy turvy. Any idea how I can keep them growing upright?

In a few weeks we will be replacing our door sets with these gorgeous Emtek Richmond in French Antique Brass. Can't wait! 

4 Improvements To increase Your Home Value

~ This is a featured post. ~

While we’re all generally content with our homes, we’d all like to increase the value of our assets from time to time. Some might consider purchasing a second home, or maybe even investing in stocks and shares, but what about investing into your current abode?

By putting money into your current home, you benefit two ways by adding value to your assets while personally enjoying the benefits of your investment. As such, here we take a look at four ways you can increase the value of your home.

Extra bathroom

There is nothing worse than waiting around for the bathroom. To remedy this most will add an extra restroom downstairs. By doing so, you will increase the value of your home by around 5 per cent – meaning if your home is currently worth $200,000, you’ll boost its value by around $10,000. Costs can vary, from $4,000 to $8,500, so be wary as an overly expensive bathroom could end up costing you more than the benefits received – although they are becoming more and more popular. It is also worth taking into account the tastes of potential buyers and not just opting for the bathroom that you want. Go for something contemporary rather than anything wildly luxurious.

Garage

Adding a garage is a fantastic way to add value to your home while also being a useful way to store any expensive assets, such as vehicles or boats. There are many ways you can ensure your garage adds value, such as increasing storage space within, adding an integrated safe, or opting for one of the epoxy garage floors on the market to improve surface durability. While the average garage will set you back around $20,000, it could add $25 - $30,000 to the value of your home in the right neighborhood.

Extending

Adding an extension to your home, whether it’s a new kitchen, dining area or bedroom, can add some serious value to your home. With just an initial investment of around $20,000 - $25,000, you can increase the value of your home by around 11 per cent. With house prices rising, this initial investment could pay dividends in years to come, while also providing you with plenty of space in the meantime.

Extra bedroom

Adding an extra bedroom is seen as one of the easiest ways you can add substantial value to your home, relatively risk-free. One of the first things any potential buyer will ask is how many rooms a home has, with “the more, the better” generally being the case. It could cost around $20,000 - $40,000 depending on how much you’re extending by, or where you’re extending from. An extra double bedroom could add an incredible 10 – 20 per cent to the value of your home, or around $40,000 added to the value of a home worth $400,000. If you’re careful, work out your budget carefully and take into account the area you’re in and the demand for larger homes, you could be on to a winner.