I kept this a secret from everyone until The Matriarch came home because I wanted it to be a surprise. (And she reads the blog every day so i could not even whisper it) So after we picked her up from the airport and dawdled home I took her into the Coupe and introduced her to her finished (mostly)Tiny Retirement House. The Coupe.
This cabinet is designed to divide the two rooms but provide storage. It has two sides, this is the bedroom side.
And this is the kitchen side. It was built by Jeff Jenson of Kempton and his fellow carpenter Tate. Two very talented young men. They do this for a living. Very, very beautiful work. The Matriarch was stunned and once she had found her voice was thrilled.
You can see how we chose knotted and gnarled timbers allowing the wood to have a voice in the work.
Tiny but perfect. There will be a high beautiful fall of sheer cream curtains that can be pulled across the bed if you don’t want to make your bed. In New Zealand we call this a Granny Flat. However Granny is not ready to retire quite yet so until then it will be a guest house. If you want a writing retreat or simply a retreat in the summer, let me know.
Earlier yesterday all the dogs and I went for a walk.
Boo is still learning to share the stick. You hear people talk about learning to be a good loser (as in not a sore loser) but Boo needs to learn to be a good winner. He does tend to rub it in when he has won the stick. (You know the type.)
By the time we had been up to the airport and back it was dark. And doing the chores in the dark was a bit dicey because this:
Had turned to ice. Though I think it will be warm up again today, and the wind will do its best to mop the water up.
Have a lovely day.
Your friend on the farm
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
82 responses to “A Surprise for The Matriarch”
Those cabinets are gorgeous. The granny flat is like the coolest B&B ever. You should call it the The Granny Flat B&B!
Celi! I just love the new abode for the Matriarch!!!! It’s beautiful!!!! I am so glad she loved it!!!! Very comfy and lots of good light too!!! All that beautiful wood and great use of space!!! You have done well my friend!!!!!! 😀 I love sheers! I have them in all 14 windows of my sun parlor!!!! When there is a breeze I love the billowing clouds of the sheer fabric!!!! I feel so decadent and rich!!! LOL Lovely!!!! I am such a romantic!!!! 🙂 In my bedroom I have ceiling to floor silk drapes with sheers and the breezes that move them are so comforting to me! Makes me want to stay abed and daydream! LOL I am a pastel lover so our bedroom is Robin’s egg blue! Really pretty! 🙂
Love the photos of the kids too! Boo is this true? I can hardly believe it!!! LOL It is not easy to be a teenager! I know!!!! Was a bit of a brat myself…but I turned out pretty good dearest Boo Boo! 😉
Oh…ice…be careful!!!! Enjoy your visit with the Matriarch…something tells me she is a very cool lady!!! I adore my mother-in-law too! 🙂
Have a great Sunday and I hope the sun shines today for you and melts all that ice! I’d rather deal with the slush and mud!
Hi to the fellowship! Take care my friend!!! (((((Celi))))) Muah!!!
p.s. You never cease to amaze me!!!! Such a gift you have for making something beautful out of anything you touch! So glad I found you!!!! 🙂
I feel the love of the Coupe. What a bright and cozy spot with all of the essentials of home. I’m glad you are experiencing some warmth these days… and even if there is a bit of slop and squish with the day, it’s all good, my friend. Happy day to you, Celi.
The colors are perfect don’t you think ?! The bookshelf/divider is such a brilliant idea
and handsome to boot !! Ton has the patience of a saint !
It is just stunning, Celi! You did an outstanding job. I’m sure everyone loves it!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
What a great design and that beautiful wood…I love it. Does the Coupe have a bathroom?
morning Pat. Yes it has a lovely little bathroom with toilet and a shower, and a terracotta floor. But it is too tiny to shoot effectively. however it is a fine wee room, with two huge windows way at the top of air. c
Just so lovely. Uniquely designed and exuding such charm! Well done, Celi.
That expression on Boo is hilarious. And yes Ton is a Saint.
I thought it was pretty funny too!!
This is utterly gorgeous!
So beautiful it the wood in the coup, Thanks for showing us, Have you tried kitty litter or sand on your daily paths so Sheila can follow? Since you can’t put traction on her feet, it must be traction on the ground.
I am just staying out of her field so she does not feel compelled to follow. It is melting again, so lets hope the wind mops some of it up.. c
I spent a good part of the morning spreading wood ash all over the horse yard. It does a good job of providing traction, almost seems to eat into the ice and doesn’t harm their feet. Poor little pig feet.
The coupe is gorgeous, what a wonderful place to hide when you need to!
We use our wood ash to melt the drive, I shall steal some next time for her doorway!, and for the cows doorways come to that! Thank you for the tip.
Absolutely beautiful, calming and so welcoming…What a wonderful surprise!
Beautiful!
It’s beautiful. Sophisticated simplicity. Lovely colours and textures. The wood really sings.
Stunning craftsmanship Celi. And what a pleasure to use proper wood with the knots and gnarls – all adds to its character and shows you where it once came from – a living thing. Joy
That is a dream retirement Granny Flat! Can I put my name down? 😉
Beautiful cabinetry. When I was a kid I designed a floor to ceiling cabinet like that for the end of my bed – one side bed books, the other side, well, more books. But it created a lovely little wall to hide behind. Your version is all grown up and lovely.
you must have been quite a reader as a child.. sounds like a great idea! c
The Coupe is looking fantastic! Very simple but clever design.