When we bought Rose Thicket Farms, the house was overwhelmingly brown. The ceilings, trim, floors, cabinets… almost everything. It felt like walking into a cave. However the bones of the house were good, and we affectionately call it our cottage. The best part of the house is the giant windows that constantly draw us outside.
It was important to us not to erase the character of the house, but to adjust it to our needs. The first thing that needed to happen was a good coat of paint. This made a huge change as we painted all the rooms cream. We got rid of the heavy, that’s right, brown curtains and just left the wood blinds. The rooms now have a significantly lighter feel to them. Our mismatched, ramshackle furniture filled the spaces nicely and even though nothing matches, it is comfortable. Cottages are meant to be mismatched right?
One of the best surprises is that the light changes with the seasons. As the trees lose their leaves, golden light streams in during the fall, it turns cool in the winter, and adds a satisfying green light in the spring and summer months. It is amazing how the whole feel of the house changes.
Another fun treat is the more than 40 roses that the previous owners planted on the property. They are everywhere! As we work to continue to make Rose Thicket Farms our home, we decided to move some roses into mixed borders to make colorful displays of flowers. I love having fresh cut flowers for the house and look forward to cultivating the gardens to be able to provide more flowers each year. The garden is so tranquil and I love it here.
It is here at the farm that I feel secure in the gentle rhythms of the house. The soft light and beautiful flowers feel like a fairytale and I know that this peaceful place will draw me home time and time again.
