This new house journey will be a little bit different from the last one. This time it is almost a symbol of a new phase in my life, my goals & aspirations and even my spiritual journey.
It will be a bit more than the stuff I put in it (although I will definitely be sharing that). It really will be about the journey and what I know I will learn along the way.
Of course as an interior designer, beauty is a big part of anything I do, so I will be sharing all the design details with you.
Leave me a comment below and let me know what content you would love for me to share about this new adventure.
I promise that I won't get super spiritual on this post, but I would be remiss to not mention why I bought the new house on 1.79 acres of land, and why I am so excited about the journey I am about to embark upon.
This post is a bit more about me than about interior design. I hope it is ok to share my heart for just a moment.
Many of you who have followed me for a while know a little bit about my upbringing. Growing up in Jamaica in very simple and humble surroundings may sound like struggles, but looking back, I realize that it wasn't.
We were a lot more self-sufficient and knew how to make something out of nothing. I didn't live on a farm per se, but we grew a lot of the food we ate and raised animals like pigs, goats, rabbits and chickens for meat. When we didn't have animals, we would share feed and kitchen scraps with neighbors as animal feed in exchange for meat and eggs. I learned how to milk goats, slaughter and process chickens, even how to ride a donkey! I knew how to climb trees and shoot birds with hand-made slingshots (we called them catapults). I definitely had some survival skills.
We experienced political unrest resulting in food shortages back then in Jamaica, yet we never went hungry, because we had these basic survival skills. I am almost ashamed to admit that I never taught my kids any of this stuff.
I wanted to be so far removed from my upbringing for the sake of progress, ambition and growth, that I have not fully equipped my children with the skills needed to survive unusually hard times. In fact it is the opposite...... I wanted them to have the life I didn't have - An easy life. I worked hard to make sure they didn't experience any hardships. I am sure I am not the only one. Many of us parents think we are doing the best for our kids by suppressing our humble upbringings, but as you may be seeing these days, we have little control over a lot.
I am fortunate though that they are both very wise, and are always eager to learn from me. So the time to start is now.
Living off-grid is quite the trend these days, but that was a way of life for us for many years of my life - no running water and electricity, yet we had ways to produce fuel for cooking, ways to light the house at night, collect rain water and finding drinking water.
Do I want to go back entirely to this lifestyle? I don't think so, but I would like to go back to some of the good things that my upbringing produced - being hands-on with growing food and raising animals, getting my hands dirty a bit, and just a bit more simplicity. Some call it self-sufficiency and not being 100% dependent on other parties for basic needs. It certainly wouldn't hurt knowing exactly where the food I consume comes from, and having a bit more of a personal responsibility over my own health.
Of course I love the life I have now. I built it brick by brick, and it is also who I am. I was asked recently by a good friend why I haven't taken a vacation in years, and after some thought, I realize that despite how hard I work, I don't find it as necessary to take a vacation from my life. I love the life I lead now, but I am finding a way to merge the wonderful things from my past with the great life that I have built, and this is what the new house will do for me. Two very different phases of my life, coming together.
For the last several years, God has opened my eyes to a lot of what is going on in our world. I was once told my a Sunday School teacher, that my spiritual gift is discernment, and back then I didn't see it. Today I do. God has led me to look beyond what is mainstream and connect current events with Biblical prophecies. I have searched His word (The Bible) to really understand His Will - how He wants me to respond to it all, and buying land and living a more simple, Christ-centered lifestyle while still fully engaging in the vocation, and using the talent/gift that He has blessed me with, is where I was led.
The wonderful thing that God does is He doesn't always show you the full staircase, but He expects you to trust Him and take the first step in faith. And as long as you follow His Will, He will reveal things to you in His time. That is hard for a planner and dreamer like me sometimes, but I have learned to take things one step at a time and just wait and listen.
I consider Proverbs 31:10-22 (The Bible King James Version), and want to model my life after this virtuous woman.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
What a picture of strength and virtue!
So that brings me to the new house........
I feel like this one deserves more of a name than the last one.
I need you to help me name the new house.
I haven't started the real plans yet, but I do know that I would love to incorporate the look and feel of old English country houses. I have been to England a few times and I could not get enough of the English country homes dotting the rolling hills of the countryside. I want it to be cozy, and every room having a purpose and used.
Of course, there will be an edible forest with lots of vegetables and fruit trees. Definitely a barn - I think green :-)
The plan is to start small with raising a few animals. Hopefully my "farm girl" instincts will kick in....you know, like riding a bike. Hahaha
So with that said, what should I name the house? A few names I am mulling over:
Casa Vilora Farms
Casa Vilora Homestead
Green Barn Acres
Green Barn Homestead
The Cottage
The English Cottage
Vilora English Cottage
Proverbs 31 Farms or Homestead or Estate
Help me! Haha. I am not creative with this part at all. Once we have a name (with your help), I will use that as my Instagram hashtag, so you can follow along there as well.
How cute are these inspiration English cottages?
I certainly won't be building a replica of an English country house, but I hope to incorporate some of the key architectural elements interpreted in a modern way. I will also be keeping as much of the bones of the house as possible.
I will be sharing plans with you as soon as they are ready.
Last week, I met with an architect to produce as-built plans so I can get to planning the new space. My GC seems very excited about this project. I also met with two foundation repair contractors, and the next thing will be to raise the foundation and add more beams and joists. I will be sure to take you a long for this one! Expensive but necessary!
Speaking of befores, haha - I am sure you are ready to take the tour.
Here goes!
So what do you think?
I know, you are in love too. Hahaha. Just kidding! I know she's not much to look at now, but she is in for a new lease on life very soon. Stay tuned!
My GC thinks I should turn the garage back to a garage, but get this.......I have always loved sunken rooms. Not the ones with a sitting area in a sunken pit (those I don't love), but I think I will keep it as a living room. Also, turning the garage back to a garage would make it so the garage door is on the front of the house. I don't think that is in keeping with the cottage look I am going for, so I will be adding on a garage on the side of the house.
More to come on this in future posts.
In the meantime, leave me a comment below with your pick (or other suggestions) for what to name the new cottage.
Ready to take on your very own renovation? Let's talk!
Wishing You Beauty And Inspiration!
Veronica
Wow, reading your story confirms where God has been shifting my mindset too! Now i just need the courage to MOVE! Bravo to you, V...I love how fearless & faithful you are. I like Vilora English Cottage or Proverbs 31 Homestead
Vilora Cottage gets my vote
Congrats Veronica, I love Casa Vilora
I think you should name it “Selah”, which loosely translated means “take a moment to pause, praise and think about this.
Congratulations and many blessings on your new endeavor! I like #PurpleSilk Estate or Homestead or Farm
Going to be great, whatever the name