perfect beach cottage ~ part four

My perfect beach cottage construction hit a little slow down ~ caused by a bundle of tiny wood pieces & trim strips that had to be turned into rafters, roof brackets and trim ~ and installed before starting the final roof covering. If you want to catch up on how this all came about, here are the earlier updates ~~~ and the project is back on track now, with a roof solution that makes me REALLY happy 🙂

• perfect beach cottage ~ part one
• perfect beach cottage ~ part two
• perfect beach cottage ~ part three

Here’s the short version of the trim saga. The rafters, brackets and trim really add charm and character to any cottage, even when it’s miniature. And they have to be built, painted and installed, even when it’s miniature. I never knew a bag of tiny wood bits would be so stressful. I’ll let the photos tell the story ~~~

I didn’t take photos of cutting, sanding and painting the long side eve trim pieces. There were more angles involved than I ever learned in 10th grade geometry!

Once everything was cut, built and painted, it was time to install ~ which required inverting the entire house. Yes, that’s correct ~ empty the entire house AGAIN, lift it up and turn it UPSIDE DOWN. Bluwaterguy and I carefully executed the maneuver, while I held my breath. The cottage is actually very sturdy and surprisingly light. Once it was upside down, it was in the best position to install, caulk and do the touch-up painting under the roof eaves.

Here’s the cottage back to normal, right side up ~ WHEW! And all the roof rafters, brackets and side eve trim pieces are DONE. Yay!! Here’s the upstairs dormer window installed, complete with shutters & trim. And DON’T get me started on attaching the working shutter hinges with brass nails smaller than rice grains. Of course I created a lot of the added work with added details that were not part of the original kit, but I love the end results 🙂

And here’s a sneak peek at the roof solution. If you remember in previous updates, I was not happy with the idea of the shingles that came with the kit. The shingles actually were really nice in general, but not right for a southern beach cottage. One evening when I was trying different ideas, Buwaterguy very nonchalantly said, “You should do a metal roof”. DING, DING, DING!! Why didn’t I think of that ~ doh! Here’s a sample piece I tested out and I love it! The unfinished edges will be covered in metal tape and mitered just like real metal roof flashing. At least that is my plan. Like all construction, some things have to be adjusted on site while work progresses 🙂

I can’t wait to get started now on the roof. I think it will go more quickly now than originally planned ~ unless I get distracted building the outside shower. It is going to be SO cute, with galvanized inserts and ombre paint. Oh, and the adult and kid bicycles that I found and need to paint and decorate. And the ceiling fans ~ and ~ and ~ I am easily distracted.

Yes, there will be a part five update. And then a special post for the final reveal and tour. And then I can start decorating for all the holidays! Coastal Christmas decor anyone?

Hope you are enjoying the progress updates on my bluwaterescape beach cottage. It has been fun, frustrating, surprising, and creatively satisfying. And good practice for the real beach cottage done the road someday in the future!