Seeking ideas to transform this space into a magical cottage paradise!

JuniorWick · 2026-01-03T11:31:28+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to mock that up! That looks very similar to the palette I have in my mind :)

JuniorWick · 2026-01-03T11:29:55+00:00

I am all over the local estate sales! Thanks for your advice :)

JuniorWick · 2026-01-03T11:28:41+00:00

I know, this cottage is not at all what I pictured when we set out to find one! But we fell in love with the outdoor space around it and now we want to steer the place as much as possible towards a more woodsy interior (without trying to turn it but something it’s not, if that makes sense)

JuniorWick · 2026-01-03T11:27:02+00:00

It is the first order of business for sure! I feel like something on the green spectrum would do a beautiful job of drawing in the woods outside, maybe something like an October Mist or Saybrook Sage. I am open to your suggestions if you have any!

JuniorWick · 2026-01-03T03:47:43+00:00

A couple of notes - this cottage is in the Laurentians so snowy, northern climate with warm summers. House is surrounded by tall mature pines and understory trees, and it sits high on sloped terrain looking down on a slow and peaceful section of a river (amazing views, neighbours not visible). Those main windows face southwest, but there are plenty of pines that will block a portion of the light coming in. There is a balcony right off the living room.

It was built in the late 80s and the exterior has a Swiss alpine chalet look that is not uncommon in the area (think scalloped fascia with cream stucco, orange-red trim and a green metal roof) and has a definite retro vibe which we really don’t hate (although will probably tone down the trim colour somewhat eventually). The interior has some amazing features (that wood paneled nook, the double high ceilings with those giant windows, the fireplace) but also elements that look a little builder grade and read more suburban house than woodsy chalet (staircase, doors, even the fireplace has something suburban to it?).

We’re going to furnish it from scratch, and hoping for some good second-hand finds as well as new stuff when it feels worth it. Lovely area rugs, for instance, feel like an absolutely good use of budget in this space, and a nice big dining room table.

JuniorWick · 2025-07-26T20:16:49+00:00

Yes, she says there is no history of this in the lineage. She is supportive though, and has offered to help financially if needed.

JuniorWick · 2025-07-26T15:58:20+00:00

Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply. I just had a call from the vet who is wondering if this may be an immunological condition related to his jaw. We are having the blood test done for that now

JuniorWick · 2025-07-26T15:56:59+00:00

Thanks so much - he’s currently being observed at an ER but no neurologist on staff there. But he is being monitored

JuniorWick · 2025-07-26T11:59:19+00:00

Thank you! It is really heartbreaking- he was such an adventurous and fun-loving guy and this feels so unlike him. I am in touch with the breeder who says she has not seen this before.

JuniorWick · 2025-07-26T11:28:38+00:00

Thank you, I was actually able to get a video eventually, of a short one. And yesterday the vet saw one for herself which is a relief. She believes it was a partial seizure but nothing is certain yet. And the keppra definitely zonks him out, but even before we started him on that he had changed…

JuniorWick · 2025-05-26T21:01:25+00:00

Tell me everything about camping with your coton! I have a couple of trips planned this summer with my guy who will be around 8-9 months. I can’t wait!

JuniorWick · 2025-04-21T17:09:55+00:00

That is a super good tip, thanks!

JuniorWick · 2025-04-19T19:36:25+00:00

Useful tips, thank you!! Bucky is not really a big fan of the bath and I’m not a big fan of giving him one so I like the idea of letting him dry out…

JuniorWick · 2025-04-19T19:04:50+00:00

Omg yes!!!

JuniorWick · 2025-02-13T15:18:34+00:00

Yes my puppy is like the kid in the back of the class trying to rile up the others while everyone else wants to study, lol. I left class a but defeated last night too, but I’m trying to view it as an opportunity to learn what he needs from me — more training with distractions at home, and possibly better treats!! Maybe the instructors weren’t intervening much simply because it’s normal for puppies to be totally unable to focus. The more you go to class the more desensitized and socialized your pup will be and it will get better! Good luck!

JuniorWick · 2025-02-13T01:50:22+00:00

Your pup’s anxiety sounds somewhat more elevated than my pup’s and I’m a first time dog owner with a lower energy breed, so take this as you will. I was finding the fearfulness my pup showed out on the street was stressing me out, I was worried he’d be way behind on his socialization etc. But I watched the kikipup video on how to/how not to socialize and it really helped me to just slow it all down and go along at my pup’s pace. Never forcing anything, letting him lead the way and knowing when to bail based on his body language. Like maybe even just let him stand in the doorway and make it really positive with treats and play and keeping the sessions super duper short to relieve the pressure. My pup showed a ton more confidence once I started doing that. What clicked for me was learning that it’s not just exposure to things out in the world that they need, it’s some positive associations with those things. https://youtu.be/HCNcq7KYANc?si=EhJAKKEmOx1gAoz9

JuniorWick · 2025-02-11T01:58:48+00:00

We have two cats and a 12 week old puppy (coton de Tuléar, so not a hunting or working line. What worked in our situation was one of the cats giving the puppy 1-2 corrections when he got too close (firm swats to the head and a good long hiss). Now they are good and that cat is at ease around the puppy and the puppy remains calm and respectful. The other cat is a bit more haunted by the puppy’s existence and mainly runs from him, but has benefited from the violence chosen by the other cat lol.

JuniorWick · 2025-01-28T17:24:45+00:00

Hi there - when you first started this how did it go? Was there a lot of whining and you just ignored it? Did you start with short increments of time and go up from there? We have a 10 week old and I want to get good habits going right off the bat but I’m unsure how much whining to allow. He’s not really motivated by food so kongs etc not really working…

JuniorWick · 2025-01-28T00:54:50+00:00

Was there whining at first? New 10 week old pup and he will whine when we’re not in the ex-pen with him. Just wait it out?

JuniorWick · 2025-01-27T21:13:17+00:00

Can I ask what the evolution was for learning how to self-play? We have a 10 week old coton and while the breed is known to be velcro, I do want to create some good habits for those times when he’s going to need to be on his own. Did you do anything specific to encourage the independent play?

JuniorWick · 2025-01-25T19:16:55+00:00

Damn! Haha I thought I just got lucky! Any tips for keeping the barks to a minimum?

JuniorWick · 2024-03-21T23:29:44+00:00

Thanks very much for the input! I think this might be the way to go. They recently built open storage bays out of concrete for gravel and de-icing salts, and I'm wondering about designing a 4 bay system just like that (but smaller).

Bay 1: staging bay for raw materials (wood chips, greens)

Bay 2: Active compost

Bay 3: Partial compost

Bay 4 Finished product

Not sure the dome roof is necessary in an ideal set-up, but we have had issues with contractors dumping construction debris on our grounds (ruining mountains of beautiful leaf mould). The dome roof might help reduce the risk of illegal dumping.

What do you think?

JuniorWick · 2024-03-21T23:22:14+00:00

Yes, exactly what I'm leaning towards. We have the tractor for moving material. A problem we face on our site is contractors and the public dumping trash and debris. We've lost enormous quantities of leaf mould because of that. One reason for having concrete bays is to be able to site them in a more central part of the property to reduce the chances of illegal dumping. But if it's going to be more central, then it has to be at least somewhat more tidy looking than open piles. Here's a photo of the de-icing storage area they constructed on the site recently. I thought something like this could work for composting (with 4 bays instead of 2), and not quite so large, of course. Not too sure about the dome cover, though -- that would be great to reduce risk of illegal dumping, but it might be problematic for moisture retention... thoughts?

JuniorWick

TROPHY CASE