French Country Cabin???

Hi Friends! If you've been following my blog for the last couple of years, 

you know I've been dreaming of a mountain cabin forever. 

Someplace where I can get away from the city's noise and crowds and traffic and noise, 

well, you get the picture. 

What is my cabin inspiration? 

My house's little sunroom that feels like a cozy cabin, with its gas stove and wood walls.
Most of the photos in this post are from that room.
In fact, this room might be empty after I furnish the cabin!

I always feel relaxed and grounded when I go to the mountains. 

Like it's someplace I'm supposed to be. 

I actually lived in the mountains for seven years when I first moved to Colorado but 

when a divorce and winter driving wore me down, I moved into town. 

Wish I had kept that little house; it would have been a perfect getaway now.

So, here I am some thirty years later, yearning for a little cabin secluded in the mountains. 

And, BIG NEWS, I finally contacted a realtor and started the search in earnest! 

The first thing I did was make a list (yes, I'm one of those people who loves lists) of what I wanted. 

Here's my Wish List:

1) A rustic cabin, (NOT a "cottage" with three bedrooms and two bathrooms!) under 500 square feet. One big room would be fine. Water and electricity nice but not a necessity. 

2) At least one acre, preferably more. No, definitely more. 

3) Under an hour and a half  from my house in Denver. (OK, maybe I'd go another half hour if it was perfect).

4) Lots of pine trees and a mountain view.

5) Within my budget. (That will be tough as the Denver area is booming and prices have soared).

Guess I sound like those couples on HGTV's House Hunters International 

who want everything they had back in the states. 

I know I'll have to be flexible on some things on my list but at least I won't be 

that woman who keeps whining, "But it's so small." 

I want small. 

So, we sit down with a realtor whose enthusiasm is contagious. 

After hearing my list, he tells me he'll set up an alert on the MLS, Multiple Listing Service, 

for properties I might like to see. 

After the first day, I feel completely overwhelmed. 

My head is spinning. I can't think of anything else. 

I try to focus on those listings that speak to me.

A couple of days later, Realtor Phil, Ron and I hit the road to view three properties. 

Even if they aren't exactly what I want, this is a good exercise. 

It gives me the opportunity to see just how big 500 square feet is and what I can get for the money. One we see is too close to the main road, another is too close to the neighbors, 

and the third is a tiny home (less than 200 square feet) on seven just-right acres.

Of course, I fall in love with the tiny house property -- the trees, massive rock outcroppings, mountain views. BUT, the tiny house is really really tiny (whine!). 

I think they were counting the deck and storage unit in that 200 square feet.

But, I think it's a possibility if I have a contractor build an extra room onto the current house.  

Oh dear, now I'm going over my budget.

So, I wake up dreaming of how I'd decorate this tiny home 

when Realtor Phil emails me some disturbing info he's discovered. 

These are things you should definitely check into when house hunting. 

Problems with zoning, road maintenance, and, since it's new, 

little possibility for negotiating the price. 

So, sadly, it gets crossed off. Imagine a black slash through this photo. 

Still, I believe my dream cabin is out there. 

I hope you'll join me on this journey and wish me luck. 

And yes, my mountain cabin will have a touch of French Country. 

Maybe a small white hutch on one wall, a butcher block countertop,

 a couple of big comfy chairs and  . . . stay tuned.

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