Monday, March 23, 2009

Met Monday ~ The Guest House Revisited ~

Welcome again to Metamorphosis Monday hosted by Susan at Between Naps On The Porch. Most of the regular visitors of Life At Home are familiar with the Guest House, but since many of you are new here I thought I would share again the project metamorphosis that Dana and I did on my parents Guest House.
This is the finished product of a year long project that started when my Father purchased a run down cottage that was located behind their house. At the time he really didn't know what he was going to do with the house, only that he thought it would be a good investment to acquire the land adjacent to their property. Then he decided that he would like to turn it into a little guest house. This picture shows how it looked just before we got started renovating it.

My daughter Dana did the design and acted as the general contractor for the project with me consulting with her over the phone. Bless her heart, she was the one that dealt with the day to day issues and had to listen to me freak out from a distance, and to Dad who was right next door, with every wall that was removed or cabinet that was built.

Finally, when all the construction was finished and Mom and Dad were out of town we set about the interior decoration. In three day with a one month old baby and three year old in tow we cleaned, shopped and stocked the little Guest House full to the brim with everything that you see in the following pictures.

To see the completed details you can click on the link below.
http://howtokeephouse.blogspot.com/2009/01/2008-project.html

Hope you all had a good weekend. Mine was bitter sweet. I spent the weekend up north with my grandchildren while their parents got away for a much needed rest and had a wonderful, exhausting time with them. Aaron & Angie came by with rest of my grands and where a huge help with the little ones. The sad note to the weekend was that when Dana and Doug got home on Sunday afternoon they found their beloved eleven year old Labrador, Spayd's dead on the garage floor. We have no idea what happened but you can imagine how horrific it was for them to come home and find her like that. She had been fine all weekend, playful and happy. We are all just sick about the loss.
Sorry, I didn't mean to go into this here but it is just so on my heart I couldn't help it. Spayd's has been with Dana and Doug for a third of their lives, I am heart broken for them and to have this happen on my watch.......well you can imagine how I feel too......

Thanks for coming by for Metamorphosis Monday and for listening to my sad story about our beloved Spayd's.

Susan has her link up on Between Naps On The Porch so if you want to join in on the fun stop by there and sign up. It really is fairly easy to do. Even if you don't want to join in the posting you might want to click on the links and see what other projects her participants are sharing. Susan's post on the transformation of her foyer has me totally inspired.

30 comments:

  1. So glad that you visited today as it brought me here...I LOVE THE GUEST HOUSE!!!!!!You guys did a wonderful job, it's perfect! My favorite colors , everything! Thanks for sharing!

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  2. Awww, so sorry about the pup. And I remember this is the first post I read of yours....that guest house captivated me. I want to live there!! LOL...I do love it!

    Suzanne

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  3. I love guest houses. Anybody's guest house.But yours is very sweet, with an even sweeter story to go with it.
    PS I'm so sorry about Spayd's!

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  4. Thank you for your comment this morning - I always love it when you visit my blog!

    I dream of having a guest house some day. My husband and I are looking for either a lot or a renovation prospect, and one of the key criteria is to have enough land for a guest house or garage apartment! The guest house on this post will be a great role model, with its use of green and white (two of my favorites). I love the way you painted the trim in the kitchen!

    Why didn't I know about metamorphis Monday? If SUsan does it every Monday, I need to post the metamorphasis of my entryway next Monday!

    On another note, I can imagine how horrific it must have been for your grandchildren to find their beloved dog in the garage. I can't even imagine. We have a young golden - only a little over a year old - but to lose a lifelong companion (because it was lifelong for your grandchildren)...devastating.

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  5. Wow, Wow, WOW!! That is some gorgeous guest house!! Your parents must be so proud of the work you and your daughter did. The attention to every detail makes this one home their guests won't ever want to leave! Super job!

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  6. That's such sad news about the family pet. I know how much I miss mine.

    Your folks cottage is wonderfully transformed. Good job.

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  7. What a beautiful guest house! I'm so sorry about the beloved pet. I know that you feel just awful, but at least you can comfort them with knowing that she had a good last few days. It would have been a shock at anytime.

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  8. Sue, I had visited before and saw the wonderful job that you did with this guest house.... so adorable in and out!

    I was born and raised in the Detriot area...Southfield to be exact! Lot's of family and my best friend since I was 10 live in Rochester Hills area. Hope spring is around the corner for you... it is a beautiful state in the spring time....and summer, and fall!!!

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  9. What luxury to have a real guest cottage! And to have it turn out so gorgeous -- wow. Lucky guests.

    I am saddened to read about the loss of the dog; what a shock to come home and find a beloved pet gone in that way. So sad; our pets leave such big holes in our hearts.


    Cass

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  10. Thinking of you and your daughter's family. We have a very old labrador. Bless your hearts!

    On a lighter note, the guest house is just great. Yall did a wonderful job! Isn't it funny how just having a weekend to get it all done really puts a fire under you!

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  11. Stunning!!! This transformation is amazing! :) I clicked the link to view all of the details of the house and it is breathtaking! I'll have to go back and look through all of the pictures again - slower this time to see all of the great design! Job well done!! It's beautiful!

    So sorry to hear about the doggy. How very sad! :(

    ~Karla @ It's The Little Things That Make a House a Home...

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  12. What a beautiful transformation, Sue! I love it - you guys are so talented! Have a terrific week!

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  13. Hi Mrs. G...I just got back from the website showing all the work you & your daughter did...I wouldn't say that is just a guesthouse but a dollhouse too! It is adorable...
    So sad to read about Spayds...I hope it wasn't due to the chocolate mulch I've had warnings about recently... ;-) Bo

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  14. Love your guest house remodel. It turned out just beautifully. Funny I was checking out your site and I saw a comment you left about my daughters cake in her blog a moment before. Then I noticed you did Foodie Friday. Small world in blogland.
    Love your style, I hope to be back.
    Maryrose
    PS - so sorry about puppy.

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  15. Thanks every one for all your kind comments.

    Bo ~ I think the kids use chocolate mulch. I'm off to investigate. Thanks for the tip. We have no idea what could have caused Spayd's death and I have nevered heard about the chocolate mulch problem.

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  16. Anonymous12:22 PM

    Wonderful guest house transformation.

    I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your family's Lab. We know how devasating this is and our hearts go out to your family.

    I published my 300th post, yesterday and would love to have you come by and sign up for my giveaway.

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  17. What a beautiful transformation! Love all that you did to the cottage. You are blessed to have it.

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  18. The work you and your daughter Dana did on the guest house was FAB! Such a lovely place... but I wonder if guest will ever want to leave?!

    Thank you so much for dropping in to DesignTies and for commenting on my bathroom remodel. Yes, we did put a lot of work into the project, but like you suggested... it was totally worth it! The kids loved it - and they each had section of the linen tower to themselves which really helped to keep the space clean. We miss this condo and this bathroom, but we love our new little house and we're looking forward to buidling two new bathrooms here!

    Victoria: EdinDesign Interiors @ DesignTies

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  19. Hi again Mrs. G...I rec'd this email alert from the president of our neighborhood association a few days ago...(sorry to share on your blog...no email addy for you)

    PLEASE PASS IT ON ~ EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE A DOG OR CAT, YOU SURELY KNOW SOMEONE WHO DOES.

    Checked on Snopes.com and it is true.

    Please tell every dog or cat owner you know. Even if you don't have a pet, please pass this to those who do.

    Over the weekend the doting owner of two young lab mixes purchased Cocoa Mulch from Target to use in their garden. They loved the way it smelled and it was advertised to keep cats away from their garden. Their dog Calypso decided that the mulch smelled good enough to eat and devoured a large helping. She vomited a few times which was typical when she eats something new but wasn't acting lethargic in any way. The next day, Mom woke up and took Calypso out for her morning walk . Half way through the walk, she had a seizure and died instantly.

    Although the mulch had NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company's website, this product is HIGHLY toxic to dogs and cats.

    Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey's, and they claim that 'It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it.'

    This Snopes site gives the following information:
    Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman's Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores, contains a lethal ingredient called ' Theobromine'. It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks. Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker's chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain
    potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity
    of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.


    PLEASE GIVE THIS THE WIDEST DISTRIBUTION!!!

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  20. Happy to oblige Bo.

    I asked Dana about it and she said yes, that she thinks that is the kind of mulch they have. She is looking into it.

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  21. Anonymous1:17 PM

    Hi Sue,

    I remember that post and just loved what you and Dana did..

    So sorry to hear about your dog, I know how heart broken you must be....

    (((hugs)))
    Kathy :)

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  22. hello Mrs.G ! i wanted to stop by and say thank you for your kind comment. also, i'm very sorry to hear about your family's dog. losing a pet can be very hard. i pray that they find peace at this difficult time.

    i am totally in LOVE with your parents guest house. i think you all did a fabulous job. i love the kitchen. that green and white
    island is to live for. i love how they were old doors and you painted them green and white, BRILLIANT! the $50.00 chandeliers look so pretty in the kitchen.you
    guys really did a good job.


    God Bless,
    Charmaine

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  23. Great job on that project! Gorgeous guest house!

    Happy Monday!

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  24. What a charming guest house -- which it were behind Linderhof!

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  25. Hi Sue I am so sorry to hear about Spayd's death, oh my that must be so awful for you all.

    I have just been looking at your parents guest house and you and your daughter did such a lovely job I really think it is the prettiest guest house I have ever seen, it's beautiful, with the floors and the fresh Green and white interior and the windows on that porch with the view of the garden are simply stunning. How talented you both are and what a great team you make. hugs, Kathy.

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  26. Ok, now that was just to to fun to see! I am ready to move in the Guest House but then no guests could come, lol. Totally lovely, love the greens with the white and hints of browns.
    Wow!
    Linda Q

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  27. I love your guest house! Jen

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  28. Dearest Sue,
    I am so very sorry...I can't even imagine the pain this has brought, losing a precious dog hurts so much!
    I am praying for all of you.

    Blessings and tons of prayers coming your way,
    Donna Lynn

    PS I love the guest house, and enjoyed watching it change as you guys all poured your talents into into it last year. BEAUTIFUL!!

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  29. Anonymous9:11 AM

    I'm so so sorry about their beloved pet! I know what it's like and it's very hard deal with.

    Manuela

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  30. This is just the best transformation! I did go back and look at your previous post, and I could just live in this charming guest house! How wonderful that they have this. laurie

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Thanks for leaving a comment. I so appreciate it when you take the time to leave a bit of encouragement.
Hugs,
Sue