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Love Your Little House: How it all began


On the Banks of Squaw Creek

The Love Your Little House series came from the frustration Bart and I have had when trying to plan an addition to our house. 
We live with our two little boys in a 1500 square foot farmhouse, which, quite simply, was NOT built for a 21st century family.  It was actually built over 100 years ago, when life was much different. 
When we bought the house, we made the decision to remodel and renovate, and hoped to add on at some point.  The floor plan is slightly awkward, the rooms are small, and there is virtually NO storage space.  We wanted to add a big family room that was open to the kitchen, another bedroom, bathroom, and a farm office. 
little house needs

But that’s all much easier said than done.
Problem #1 is the location of the house – the way it sits in relation to our lane, the road, and the septic tank. No matter which way we went, we were met with problems.
Problem #2 is the work we’ve already done.  It seems like there is no way to add on without undoing some of what we’ve already completed.  And we have so much blood, sweat and tears invested that we really aren’t willing to do that.
Problem #3 is money.  Enough said.
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So, we are letting go of our dream to add on.  Who knows…maybe we’ll change our minds some day, but right now it’s not part of the plan.  Not the immediate plan, the 5 year plan, or even the 10 year plan.
But that doesn’t mean we’re going to settle and just endure the problems we have in our Little House.  We are going to solve those problems, without adding square footage.  Instead of adding space, we are going to add function.  We will continue to make changes that will make our house “work” better for our family, and we will NOT agonize over the fact that our house is small.


little house love
We will learn to make it work.
We will learn to be content.
We will embrace our Little House.
We will Love our Little House.



Shared at:The Stuff of Success, DIY by Design

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  1. i love the "small homes grow tight families". i don't think big homes are necessary. i am looking forward to this series- it's all about making the best of what you have.... quality over quantity for sure!

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  2. Bring it on, girl! Can't wait to see what you do.

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  3. An addition is in our plans...I hope we don't run into the same roadblocks that you have. But if we do, we'll make it work, just as you will.

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  4. What a great attitude! We planned to renovate the kitchen right after we moved in and, well, we're still waiting and it's been 3 1/2 years! The silver lining I always try to remember about living in a small home is that there is less to clean!

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  5. Hi Katie,

    The barn is the main attraction at Barn Charm, so I'd rather keep the shots all barns... but you're always welcome to link up when you get some barn shots... we'd love to see some from your area! =)

    Thanks so much for stopping by

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  6. I love the idea of adding function -- I don't know that there's a house in the world, big or small, that can't use a bit more function in a room or two! Love the tight families print, too :)

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  7. I think that's the best way to look at it. We have a similar issue but I *think* we'll be able to add on eventually. Until then I'm doing the best I can to make every space as functional as possible and to learn to love our house.

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