The Value of Creating Over Time

Cody and I began building our country getaway when we were 19 years old. When I say build, I mean literally – just the two of us with our own hands. We’d inherited a problematic piece of hilly land bisected by an access road. But across that access road was a beautiful lake ringed with trees. That’s the view I wanted. I combed through magazines like Architectural Digest and Veranda until I found my inspiration – an artist’s shake shingle cabin built on sonotubes for elevation. 

You have to be young to tackle something that daunting. We had so much energy, so much enthusiasm, and a vision that far outstripped our wallets.  

That first cabin took months, budgeting and buying only what we needed for the next weekend’s project. We paid cash for everything. Because we were poor, we were forced to create over time. The result is a woodland compound of freestanding cabins, an outdoor kitchen, and a spa all connected by flagstone paths winding through a lush landscape. 

Creating over time means we incorporated new ideas, new information and, most importantly, new aspects of ourselves.  As we learned more about what we valued, we incorporated it. Privacy. Tranquility. Solitude. The sound of pines soughing and birds calling are so welcome after the cacophony of city sounds. 

I’m convinced if we’d had the money to build everything all at once, we would have something nice. Instead, we created a unique refuge. When my landscape design clients are disappointed they don’t have the budget to do everything at once, I share this story with them.