Just Getting Started

I am creating this blog as a way to record the building of our First Day Cottage in Walpole, NH.  We purchased 7.2 acres of open meadow one mile outside of the beautiful village of Walpole, NH.  We have lived in an old 1849 house on the town common for the past 20 years and wanted to "downsize" to a one level more energy efficient home.  I knew a local architect named David Howard designed these owner built cottages and was able to visit one that was built for his daughter.  I really liked the tall ceilings, exposed beams and rustic quality of the cottages.  Something totally different than what we had for 20 years.  Of course we are not building it ourselves.  We might have attempted this kind of thing 35 years ago but not an option these days.

We close on our land on 183 Old Drewsville Road!  I drive by to New Hampshire from Prince Edward Island where we reside in the summer to stake out the land with David.  Now I can envision a house there!









So we sold our house and purchased the property in July of 2019 and started the design process with David.  After many variations we settled on a 2100 square foot u-shaped plan that features a courtyard and walk out basement for my studio. Thomas worked hard on the design incorporating all the features we valued such as lots of windows and light, a pantry, an open kitchen/dining/living room, an office etc...

Although I like the courtyard effect I do not think we will put in the long fence because I don't want it to look like a compound!  Plus snow removal would be a nightmare.  Instead we will have a small enclosed garden on one side and some landscaping along the other side to suggest a courtyard.  The courtyard is naturally formed by the the u-shaped house anyway.  The house will be oriented south and west to take advantage of the vista.

The back view with long porch facing south.

After several weeks of waiting for septic design and state approval, driveway permit and our finished plans we finally get our Building Permit from the Town of Walpole! 

We drive back to NH on August 20th to meet with the contractors and witness the ground breaking!  But the day the excavators are supposed to be at the property we have a huge thunder and lightning rain storm that lasts all day!  This after a very dry summer.  Oh well.. we are able to meet with the building contractor, excavation guy, plumber, electrician, well company, architect and go over details.  We are only home for three days but it is very productive.

August 26th, 2019 Excavation begins!  They are stripping loam today.  These photos courtesy of Chris Porter of Porter and Sons: