Our Farmhouse Fixer-Upper Journey: Discovering Charm, Potential, and Country Living

There’s an undeniable thrill that comes with turning a new page, and for us, that page involves a century-old farmhouse nestled in the serene embrace of the countryside. We are absolutely bursting with excitement to share the full story of our new home! While we hinted at this major life update in our previous podcast episode, the time has come to dive deep into the fascinating journey that led us to purchase a nearly hundred-year-old property, one that undeniably requires a significant amount of love, labor, and vision to bring it back to its former glory. This isn’t just a house; it’s a dream, a project, and the foundation for our next chapter.

Join us as we take a delightful stroll down memory lane, reflecting on the crucial decisions that shaped this path. We’ll recount the reasons behind selling our beloved ranch-to-cottage conversion – a home that held countless memories and taught us invaluable lessons in renovation. We’ll also share the often-challenging, sometimes frustrating, but ultimately rewarding 15-month quest to find this particular farmhouse. It was a search filled with highs and lows, unexpected twists, and moments of doubt, all leading us to this unique property. Beyond the historical narrative, we’ll unveil our ambitious plans for transforming this diamond in the rough into our forever home. And because every new beginning deserves moments of relaxation, we’ll also share some wonderful, classic holiday films that have recently earned a coveted spot on our must-watch list, perfect for cozying up in a future renovated space. There’s so much more to uncover!

You can effortlessly download this captivating episode from your preferred podcast platform, including iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio. Alternatively, for immediate listening convenience, simply press play below directly on your computer! Once you’ve tuned in, we encourage you to use this dedicated page as your comprehensive resource to explore any links, detailed notes, or captivating photos we discussed during the episode. Please note: If you are accessing this content through a feed reader, you might need to click through to the original post to view and utilize the integrated player functionality.

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The Winding Road to Our Dream Farmhouse Fixer

Our journey to finding this rustic gem began years ago, even before the ink was dry on the sale of our previous home. We officially sold our much-loved ranch-to-cottage conversion in August of 2016, a bittersweet moment filled with both nostalgia for the memories made and excitement for the unknown future. By October of the same year, after the closing process was complete, we made the final move, leaving behind a home that we had poured so much of ourselves into. This transition marked the beginning of a new chapter, one that we meticulously documented. If you’re curious to catch up on the story of our previous home, its transformation, and the initial steps of our house-hunting adventure, here are some essential resources:

• The Ranch-to-Cottage Home Tour: Revisit the complete transformation of our former residence, a testament to what thoughtful renovation can achieve.
• The Yard and Garden Tour: Explore the lush outdoor spaces and sustainable gardening efforts we cultivated at our previous home.
• The Empty House Tour: A poignant look at our ranch-to-cottage after everything was packed, symbolizing the end of one era and the anticipation of another.

And for those eager to hear the early tales of our house-hunting process, the initial hopes, and the surprising challenges we encountered, tune into our dedicated podcast episode:

• Episode 6: House Hunting, Underwater Lot & Salad Dressing Secrets: This episode offers a candid look into the beginning of our quest, including some of the more unusual properties we considered – and quickly dismissed – like the infamous “underwater lot.” It provides valuable context for just how long and involved our search truly became.

The Long-Awaited Discovery: Finding Our New Farmhouse Home

After over a year of searching, countless open houses, and a few near misses, we finally stumbled upon ‘the one.’ It wasn’t perfect, not by any stretch of the imagination, but it had an undeniable charm and, crucially, immense potential that immediately captivated us. Here it is – the farmhouse fixer-upper that captured our hearts and imagination!

As you can see, this farmhouse definitely has “LOTS of work to do.” It’s a project in every sense of the word, but from the moment we first laid eyes on it, we weren’t deterred. Instead, we were filled with a profound sense of excitement and a clear vision for what it could become. The character of the old home, the sturdy bones, and especially that pretty view from almost every angle immediately spoke to us. It wasn’t just a house; it felt like our destiny. We envisioned peeling back the layers of time, restoring its historic integrity, and infusing it with our own modern farmhouse style, all while preserving the rustic authenticity that drew us in.

Beyond the structure itself, the property offers a generous expanse of three acres, providing ample space for our dreams of country living to flourish. Over one acre of this land is dedicated to a majestic grove of towering oak trees, majestically situated on a gentle hill. These ancient oaks create a picturesque backdrop and offer a peaceful, shaded retreat, promising endless opportunities for outdoor enjoyment and connection with nature. It’s important to note that the beautiful fir trees visible behind the house actually belong to an adjacent property, but they contribute wonderfully to the overall scenic beauty of our surroundings. The presence of these mature trees, combined with the rolling landscape, truly cemented our feeling that this was the ideal setting for our next chapter.

One of the most practical and perhaps unconventional aspects of this purchase is the inclusion of a manufactured home already present on the property. This wasn’t merely a bonus; it’s a strategic component of our renovation plan. We will be temporarily residing in this manufactured home while we tackle some of the most significant and disruptive updates to the main farmhouse. This includes critical structural work, such as shoring up the foundation, a common necessity for homes of this age, and embarking on a major master bedroom bump-out. Living on-site allows us to oversee every detail of the renovation firsthand, save on rental costs, and truly immerse ourselves in the project from day one, minimizing disruption to our daily lives while maximizing efficiency for the substantial work ahead.

Beyond Renovation: Embracing the Farmhouse Lifestyle & Entertainment

While the renovation itself is a massive undertaking, our vision for the farmhouse extends far beyond just structural improvements. It’s about cultivating a lifestyle that celebrates simplicity, comfort, and the joy of shared experiences. As we envision cozy evenings in our future home, surrounded by the fruits of our labor, we’ve already started curating lists of things that bring us comfort and joy. And what’s more comforting than classic holiday films during those special times of the year?

Brian’s Holiday Film Picks: Among our growing collection of festive favorites, two timeless old movies consistently stand out and are now firmly on our must-watch list for future holiday seasons in the farmhouse. These films encapsulate the spirit of the holidays with warmth, humor, and memorable storytelling:

• Remember the Night: A truly underrated classic that combines romance, drama, and holiday cheer in a unique narrative.
• Holiday Affair: A charming post-war romantic comedy that beautifully portrays the magic and complexities of the season.

For those looking to expand their own holiday movie repertoire, we also highly recommend checking out this insightful article mentioned in the episode, which provides a curated list of five classic holiday movies to stream. It’s a perfect starting point for creating your own cherished traditions.

Jami’s Little Indulgence: And speaking of simple pleasures, one small item that has brought a surprising amount of delight recently are Newman’s Own Wintergreen Mints. They are SO good and a perfect little treat for any time of day!

Thanks for Listening! Your Support Means the World to Us

We genuinely appreciate you tuning into our podcast and joining us on this incredible farmhouse fixer journey. If you’re enjoying the content and finding inspiration in our stories, there are several ways you can truly help us grow and reach more fellow enthusiasts. Please consider telling your friends about An Oregon Cottage Podcast, sharing episodes you love, and encouraging them to listen. Subscribing on iTunes or your preferred podcast platform ensures you never miss a new episode, and leaving us a thoughtful review is immensely helpful – it’s how new listeners discover us and become part of our growing community. Your feedback and ratings directly contribute to our visibility!

And we want to hear from you! If you’d like to ask a burning question about our renovation, share your own fixer-upper stories, or simply leave an idea for future podcast topics, you can call (541) 658-0215 to leave a voicemail. We love incorporating listener feedback and might just talk about your question or idea on the air!

For even more from An Oregon Cottage, including daily updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and additional inspiration for simple, real-food living, gardening, and DIY projects, we invite you to follow us on our social media channels. Connect with us on Instagram @AnOregonCottage, like our page on Facebook, and discover curated boards full of ideas on Pinterest. Additionally, to receive exclusive content, project updates, and timely tips directly in your inbox, don’t forget to subscribe to the AOC newsletter.

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