Oak Branch Cottage: The Landscape Takes Shape!

Yesterday was all about major progress outside at Oak Branch Cottage! While things were quiet on the inside, the exterior was a hive of activity as Jorge from JC Landscaping spent the day preparing our garden beds for an exciting new transformation.

We’ve curated a gorgeous botanical mix for the property, blending structured classics with lush southern favorites:

• Lush Layers: Hollies, camellias, agapanthus, hydrangeas, dramatic "tractor seat" plants (Farfugium), and creeping fig.

• The Framework: Over 400 crisp boxwoods arriving to frame and line the entire design.

• A Personal Touch: Jorge even set our prized fiberglass sugar kettle into place—a cherished piece brought over from our previous landscape at Acorn Cottage.

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The heavy planting begins today! Tomorrow, the team will wrap things up by installing landscape lighting and spreading a fresh layer of mulch to tie everything together.

To round out the new look, I’m popping over to Perino’s Nursery this afternoon to pick up a few fall favorites to mix into the beds.

The outdoor vision is finally coming to life—stay tuned for the next update!

Progress in Landscape, y'all!

Oak Branch Cottage: It's All in the Details

The big transformations are complete, but the real magic is happening in the details as Oak Branch Cottage comes together piece by piece.

Here is a quick look at what’s currently underway inside and out:

Bold Color Accents The living room shelving update is officially a favorite. The back paneling is painted in Sherwin Williams’ Rain, and the muted, serene blue grounds the built-ins while giving displayed pieces a soft, high-contrast backdrop.

Kitchen Vent Hood Over in the kitchen, a custom hood has been added to the venting system above the stove. Up next for this feature: a coat of high-gloss black paint to create a dramatic, grounding anchor for the cooking zone.

Lighting Adjustments Fixtures are going up throughout the house. The hallway is now sporting a Visual Comfort chandelier—though fine-tuning the scale is key. Removing about five chain links will bring it to the perfect hanging height and keep sightlines clear.

Front Yard Landscaping Out front, Jorge and the team at JC Landscaping are making steady progress. To give the plant beds a clean, permanent border, metal edging painted in Essex Green is being installed. It keeps the soil and mulch neatly contained while adding a classic, tailored line to the garden.

Progress, y'all!

Oak Branch Cottage: Progress, Progress, Progress...

Stepping into Oak Branch Cottage yesterday felt like walking onto a high-energy stage set—a total whirlwind of activity in the best possible way. Everywhere you looked, someone was hard at work bringing J and my vision closer to the finish line.

Progress in Every Corner

• Lighting & Power: Electricians were bustling room to room, carefully installing new light fixtures.

  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Vintage Finds: Deliveries arrived with unique furniture pieces we hunted down at local antique stores, instantly adding character to the space.

  
  
  
  
  
  

• Custom Built-ins: Closet construction continued full steam ahead.

  
  
  

• Finishing Touches: Paintbrushes were back in action as guest bathroom painting resumed, while landscapers outside laid clean metal edging along the fresh flower beds.

  

Having so many hands on deck at once makes the final vision feel tantalizingly close.

What’s Next on the Agenda?

• Bringing in fresh soil for the garden beds

• Installing and positioning outdoor electrical outlets

• Complete touch-up painting throughout the interior

• Awaiting rug and mirror deliveries to layer in the warmth and light

There’s still plenty more to come as we pull the final details together, but every day brings us one step closer to moving in and enjoying the quiet charm of the cottage!

Progress by the day, y'all!