Creative Repurposing of Materials

Brings Total Cost Under Budget While Adding Beauty and Charm

Laurent and Cheryl Veilleux and family learned to call many places home since Laurent served for 20 years of active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps. They currently lay their head in Vernon, Connecticut during their work week. Laurent, now retired from his military service, works for a law firm, while Cheryl is a graphic designer by trade. On weekends they travel a few hours to their dream log home in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, where they plan to reside full-time before their full retirement years.

Though they didn’t spring for the lakefront property they originally were searching for, they are perfectly happy having 22 acres of serene woods with a brook slicing through their property. As it turns out settling for two beautiful waterfalls and the same number of swimming holes, doesn’t really qualify as a compromise after all. This is especially evident when their daughters’ delighted squeals can be heard as they dash down a fast current riding atop an inner tube.

The Veilleux’s had their land, a floor plan and a budget in mind when they contacted Coventry Log Homes. They worked closely with our draftsman to make their cost cutting ideas work both structurally and aesthetically. One such challenge was to create a spacious second story without the added expense of a full second story. An ingenious solution was to create an exterior faux gable on a shed dormer that matched the gables on the rest of the home. Also by adding a pantry off the dining area they were able to eliminate the need for upper cabinetry in the kitchen. This plan gives an unobstructed view from the entrance through to the French doors leading out the back of the home. The color scheme and placement of photos in the absence of the cabinetry creates a sophisticated elegance to the space.

Design and material choices are two areas that showcase the talents of Cheryl Veilleux. With a creative combination of thrift and repurposing of materials, Cheryl began gathering “treasures” for a year before they began their log home project. Between salvage yards, bargain shops, goodwill, and scrounging the barn on their new property, Cheryl garnered enough materials to save her a fortune and bring them in under budget! The uniqueness and quality of the built-ins are priceless in beauty and charm.

The salvaged kitchen cabinetry was refurbished in black using cork plugs for pulls. Unique finds that make up the kitchen island are a bowling alley, an antique double tub soapstone laundry sink and an old detailed pocket door with original hardware set on its side. Matching kitchen cabinetry fitted and painted completes the island while two pendent lights purchased for less than retail spotlight the charming area.

To gain access to the pantry a decorative antique door with historical claims to PT Barnum was refinished and hung on sliding barn door hardware found in the barn on their property. Three stained glass windows found at a flea market grace the pantry as does a large chest of library card catalogue drawers.

Each of the bathrooms feature unique lavatories. One is an old sewing cabinet with a cut-out holding a slightly recessed provincial-style glazed porcelain bowl. The second is a his and hers with an old 70s dresser used as the base, a creative arrangement of turquoise and white colored glass adorns the face while a door used for the counter top received a similar treatment. A thick coat of clear resin epoxy was used to create a durable waterproof surface. When the water is turned on the twin bowls each boast a cascading water effect. Cheryl successfully and painstakingly laid out various tile patterns in order to make the best use of the limited number of tile pieces she was able to acquire for $300. You would never know she didn’t have an abundant supply of tiles to come up with the clever patterns that cover three floors, a double shower stall and a tub surround that incorporated yet another clever use of a door. A claw foot tub she acquired just needed re-glazing to look in mint condition.

When the Veilleux’s traveled north on the weekends they came equipped with a detailed plan for their own construction contributions. They were confident in the builder and his crew to always have the prep work done to their specifications in order for them to finish their projects on schedule.

The interior/exterior double fireplace they dreamed of might have been a luxury they would have to compromise on had it not been for the property itself offering them materials that helped with cost-cutting. River rocks were added to their collection for the expansive fireplace. Two cedar trees were taken from their property and used for both mantles, a set of exterior steps and a desktop as well as the pedestal for the third lavatory. They also found a clever use for the driftwood found along the shores of the brook running through their property. The loft floor overlooking the great room was designed with a bow. For the handrail, two bowed branches found on the property, were arranged to parallel the bowed floor. The Veilleux’s arranged driftwood to act as random spindles thereby creating a one of a kind railing. Even the bedroom closets received a clever treatment using old straight ladders that had been found in the barn which were cut in half through the center of the foot rungs. The length was screwed to the wall, the severed rungs create several short rods for hanging clothes.

Taking inspiration from If These Walls Could Talk the Veilleux’s petitioned Coventry and the building crew to write messages and leave their signatures on the reverse side of v-match pine boards that would become the interior walls. Coventry Log Homes representatives have their messages hidden in the kitchen wall while the building crews’ messages are located in the pantry walls. The designated bedroom occupants wrote on the inside of their walls. One day in the far far away future the walls may enlighten a curious reader who will love the home as much as the Veilleux’s.

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