Arbor Crest Cottage

06/20/2024

It was a LATE one lastnight! But, it was much cooler to be outside working then, than it was during the day!
A big shout out to Electric for making it much easier to keep working with my new outdoor power outlets!
Just wait until you see the before and after of this project area!!

06/03/2024

Do you see that shine behind me?
Ahhhh.... my LOVE of high gloss varnish ( the hardest varnish) is a staple in any design work I do.
I just had to have new doors in this house.
I was certainly kicking my own butt as I was staining, sanding,varnishing, then sanding again, then varnishing again, sanding again, then varnishing again... because there is NEVER enough shine. 😅
But, all the love I've gotten on these doors as visitors have stopped to see my progress on this project, makes it all worth it.

It's going to be a late night. I need to get this project finished.
Count down time....

05/29/2024

Another project is coming up on it's finish!
These curated designs take time, and this one has been a real labor of love.

05/23/2024

A little Before and After!
I am not 100% done with the redesign of the historic Driver Hotel in Darlington. But, it is open and we have rooms available!
This is room #5 - the only Double Room.
The Driver has 5 rooms total- to sleep 12 guests. A great option for a group coming in for the weekend!

Hop onto Airbnb and search Darlington, you'll find all 5 rooms listed!

Once we have it all done, there will be an open house I'll post all the pictures!
I've had help getting this all back together and I'll get everyone listed. But, right off the bat- @ Kelly Knautz- she was our painter ++ a 100 other things!!

05/22/2024

Not everyday of hosting is a walk in the park!
This one left some dents......
But, we are SO thankful that it wasn't worse.
It did catch the power line and knock pictures off the wall.
However, we'll get it all back together!

Be patient with your power companies! Those guys are BUSY right now!

03/18/2024

It's all in the details.
I needed a vessel sink, and I wanted something in a white finish. Everything looked the same, and then I found this one!

I love how this project is coming together!

03/03/2024

Sometimes, it's plan "B".
I was set on a cabinet color, and went all in.
About 3 cabinets in, I thought... NOPE, I can NOT have this color.... NOPE, NOPE.

A quick, mid painting project run to the hardware store, and I am happy with my deep Olive green....

02/26/2024

HIGH. GLOSS. VARNISH.
There is no other kind as far as I am concerned.
I love nothing more than a well curated home design. It's about a collection of pieces.
I have 3 design projects going right now.
I can't wait to show you what this one is going to be.

02/19/2024

Sometimes, the project keeps growing...
I know most often I'm the picture taker. But, I promise you, my hands are right in there doing the work.
Cutting and capping copper pipes, ripping out floors, new insulation, outlets, whatever it is, all these years I've learned enough to never get away with NOT having to get my hands in there! Hahaha

I'm still working on a name for this getaway. But, I think I'm almost settled on one...

02/12/2024

This was my LEAST favorite part of this project, so far.
I can't lie- I sent this picture to our contractor( who is a long-time friend) that told me I needed to remove the one layer of partical board, with the message:

In case you are wondering, I don't like you very much right now...😅

Im excited to see how this project is coming along!

What am I going to name this place??

02/08/2024

There is nothing that gets me more excited than a new project.
My wheels get turning, the ideas are poping up, and my mind doesn't rest.
It's going to be a BUSY month.
I have 2 big projects running at one time.
These rural escapes have my heart...

Stay tuned!

12/19/2023

Tis the season!!! Goat kids are arriving!!

12/18/2023

We have had some pretty amazing guests over the years!
It is always such a sweet surprise when they leave us gifts.

Nikki and her daughter came for a little getaway weekend, and noticed our driveway rock with our lastname on it.
She messaged me and said she did a little digging and realized his level of craftsmanship runs in the family!!
His cousin, Tim, built their house on the other side of the state!

It's a small world!

12/04/2023

We just had an opening come available over Christmas! The perfect little getaway!

The Bower- Peaceful farm stay getaway.

11/22/2023

It's on to another project!
I'm looking forward to the newest addition to the Airbnb Properties I manage. I was recently hired to update and manage some existing Airbnb listings.
This is a new type of property for me with 5 listings. A little renovation is in store, and I'm excited to get started!

Stay tuned!!!

Are you looking to get into short term rentals and need some guidance? Need help creating a design that will create interest?
Let me know! I'd love to help!

11/13/2023

Living amongst the street lights makes this view nearly impossible.

But, here, away from the lights....
It's one of the most spectacular sights to see...

10/21/2023

FALL has fully set in at Arbor Crest Cottages.
It's time to put away the flower pots, the hammocks and get the animals ready for winter.

Tonight's sunset was just a sight to behold, no filter. Just Mother Nature at her best...

08/05/2023

Some news we are pretty darn excited about!

Our guests often ask what we do with our goat kids.
We chose to take our herd to mostly Full Blood registered goats a few years ago. Our kids are usually sold for breeding and show.

Jody has bought a few goats from us and this year she took 2 of them to Wisconsin State Fair.
Lenny won 1st in class and RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION !!!
We are so proud of how he did for Jody and all the work she did to grow him out and train him!

07/06/2023

I love it when guests send us pictures from their stay!
Some of my favorite pictures of the animals have been from them🩵

Who doesn't love to play with goats?
They're so happy, have such personalities.
You just can't be in a bad mood playing with a goat kid!

07/05/2023

Over the last 4 years, we have had several engagements happen for guests during their stay.
It's always such a sweet feeling that they chose one of our places for that all-important life event.
Being a host is something we truly care about and throughly enjoy creating spaces they can relax, feel welcome, take in the space we have here- so different than the city, and find it to be somewhere they come back to again and again.

06/19/2023

Gotta be ready!!

06/19/2023

Counter top installation happening today!
Let's get a MOOOVE on!
Let's see if I can make the deadline I gave myself to get this cabin ready!

06/14/2023

ICE CREAM!
Our niece and nephew are visiting from COLORADO for a month.
Lilly and I worked the store today and then went and cleaned at The Gadabout.
Lilly is used to that. Her parents have an Airbnb, too!
In her words, she is a professional cleaner!
All that done and ready for the next guest!
Hard work calls for an ice-cream cone!

06/10/2023

When your guest house is also being used as your family retreat, there is a fine line to walk in decor.
The space needs to speak to your family and feel like your second home.
Because, after all it is yours, and you want to enjoy it, too.
But, when you're hosting unfamiliar guests, you don't want it to feel as if they are crashing your personal space.
I walk that line of finding things that are personal to you, but to anyone unaware, they appear to be unique curated pieces.
I have a few surprise pieces I have made for this cabin. I've rummaged through their barns and sheds finding treasures, and made note of simple comments speaking of things they enjoy.
Then it's the tricky part of pulling it all together to make something uniquely their's.

06/09/2023

Here's the thing, even when it's not a project for ourselves, it's not just picking paint colors and shopping for me.
When I'm designing someone else's build, you can bet your last dollar, my hands are getting dirty. As much as I'd like to think I can just keep my hands off the actual build, there is no way I'll end up letting that happen, lol
I know myself.
I'm too hands on.
I could let our builder measure the angle template that we need to grind out the steel for the railing. BUT, he's busy on the main project, I'm getting antsy to get this up and going, and I am fully capable of doing this job myself.
So here we are.

06/08/2023

Thursday Thoughts...

Are you a short term rental investor or are you a host?

In my opinion, one of the most important answers you need to know first.

Not sure which you are?
Or
You think you know the answer, but not what to do next?

I can help!

06/06/2023

Sometimes, Social Media does you little favors.
Like reminding you of a picture from 7 years ago.
Little Miss Ellie
💙💙
Aww, it's giving me puppy fever!!

06/06/2023

Here's the thing about vacation rentals...
You always have to be ready, if you don't want to ever turn down a guest.

I was planning for our upcoming 4 day booking, I knew I had a few days to stop down and move some things around before that.
Just by chance I chose to go down this afternoon... as I was finishing up, my watch vibrated. I looked and saw someone booked The Gadabout for tonight- up until our next booking, AND they wanted to check in within the hour if possible! Lol
SURE CAN!

06/01/2023

You deserve that lastminute get- a-way....

Link in bio ;)

06/01/2023

Last minute cancelation at The Gadabout- for THIS weekend!
Load up the ATV's and head on over to Shullsburg!
Got friends who have their own camper??
DAT Campground has sites available!