Our First Year at Blackbird Cottage

When we lived at Greengate Farm, I wrote a round up post every year. I found it interesting to document the main events of the year and share the highs and lows with you. So, it seems right to continue the tradition I began all those years ago and see how the Blackbird Cottage, and our lives, have changed in the last year.

The Biggest Change

The biggest physical change over the past year has obviously been the renovation of Blackbird Cottage. We started with a rundown unloved house and feel very proud of the work we’ve completed so far and how we’ rescued the cottage from the sad state it was in. We had big plans when we began this renovation. Most panned out but others were scuppered when our budget was eaten away by unnecessary fees. Not to be deterred, we successfully, rewired, insulated, added all new plumbing and heating plus, we plastered the walls that had never seen plaster before. We cleaned nicotine stained ceilings, rebuilt falling down chimneys, renovated doors and windows, created a garden. We also found time to plan the demolition and rebuild of the kitchen and bathroom. It’s been a big year!

After we had the bones of cottage finished, it was time to move on to look and feel of our home It was clear to me that the cottage was crying out for colour and pattern. (which is so at odds with many Australian style cottages that follow the timber and white aesthetic). Our cottage had been buried under layers of heritage wallpaper so I was keen to restore this feature. I chose William Morris wallpaper of the era for the office and dainty Borasrepeter florals for the bedroom. I paired them with a deep Olive paint to bring the new scheme to life in the living area.

The kitchen and bathroom saw the biggest change. We completed the build in a 10 week time frame and the day after we left for the UK our kitchen benches were installed. The plumbing was completed a day later. .
I love the huge windows and natural, light in the new kitchen. The contrast between that space and the cozier rooms of the original cottage is exactly what we aimed for. The look is unique to us and completely bespoke, created by using a collection of antique pieces. I also love that we did this for around two thirds of the cost of a flat pack kitchen.

Changes You Can’t See

The biggest change that’s occurred in the last year has been to our way of life. Moving from the farm was a tough decision , especially for me, but it was worth the heartache. I am so much happier these days, now most of life’s stresses have been removed. If you’d told be a year ago I’d be installing architraves and restoring windows by myself, I would have found it hard to believe. Giving up my job was freeing. Working with tools added a new dimension to the creativity I knew was in me, but had been hidden for a long time.

Where to Now?

In the coming year, we want to continue ticking off our bucket list travel items. There is a list of finishing touches as long as my arm to be completed on the house too, none of them time consuming but mostly a bit annoying. (Probably why we haven’t tackled them before). I want to start adding layers to the decor, make it feel homier and change up a few of my initial decorating decisions. These are the things you don’t know until you’ve lived in a home for a while. Sometimes you need to see how the light comes into a room to know need a lamp in a certain corner. So this year I plan to prettify the house and add a lot more pattern and texture.

Our first task is to finish off the job list and then hold a Christmas In July for our friends. I’ve missed hosting and can’t wait to do it again. I want to give my author career a kick up the butt this year too. It’s been a long while since I seriously put pen to paper but I want to get back in the swing with a book on the cottage decor and new updated and edited versions of my novels.

The last year at Blackbird Cottage has gone so fast, I’m sure the next year will too.