Verna Rose: The Moving Cottage

The year is 1949 and this is Verna Rose. In this picture above, she is being prepared to take an amazing journey. The state was preparing to build a new bridge that would connect Arrowsic Island with the mainland and little Verna Rose happened to be right in the middle of the proposed new road. Whenever you cross onto the island, you pass right through her old location.
Here she is way up on timbers! Can you see how small the people look? This timber path was the vehicle that physically moved Verna Rose from her old location to her current one. It is just so fascinating to imagine what a huge undertaking it must have been to not only prepare the house, but then to actually move it some 400 yards is just...WOW!!
Surely the still pictures only give a glimpse of what it was like, but enough to evoke a feeling of great love and dedication to a house. The original owners Verna and Ernest Smith were so devoted to the house that they insisted upon living in the house as it was being moved! Verna Rose is a house that has not only been well taken care of, but well loved. Her charm is rooted in not only her old fashioned character that remains intact, but in her history and the history of the people who have lived there.

The Play of Light

A beautiful, warm light pours into Verna Rose as the sun greets the coming day. Natural light in a home is not only uplifting and cheery, but it invites us to come and enjoy the different moods in each room created by the play of light.
The openness of Verna Rose allows the light to move through the living space. When the sun rays forth onto the sun porch, it continues to flow into the living room and highlights certain spots. Each time, new shapes and forms are created and when we take a moment to really look, we see the artful quality of this natural light, dancing through the house with such joy.
The east facing upstairs bedroom is in the gable dormer. Imagine waking up in a room that connects you with the rising sun and the energy of the day. This really helps set your mood in a positive direction each day. The small bedroom faces south and it too shares the warmth of the natural light. Verna Rose has plenty of character, but certainly the play of light adds to the special qualities of this home.

Got a crush on Harvey?

Meet Harvey. The sunporch at Verna Rose radiates light and warmth with a total of nine double-hung replacement windows, Harvey replacement windows that is. The clean, white lines of these vinyl windows brightens the room even further and total ease of use make these windows a pleasure to live with. But wait...the best part is yet to come.
Now, if you've ever thought that tilting windows are for wimps who don't want to climb around the exterior of the house like a monkey, think again. This feature is so sweet and delicious you'll want to clean your window everyday! Well, let's just say more often than not. Once you open the window part way, there are little tabs on the top of the window sash that you push to release the sash. Brrrmb, the sash opens.
Repeat the same process with the top window sash. Pull down to open, push tabs to release sash and open. Brrrmb, you have full access to both sides of not only the bottom window, but the top window as well. When you're finished sparkling up your windows, they pop back into place with ease. Click, click. Truly, you will develop a crush on Harvey.

Bath Farmers Market

Just imagine...it's Saturday, the sun is shining, and you're getting ready to go to the Bath Farmers Market. It's 8:45am and you're meeting some friends at 9am for a little socializing and shopping. You jump on your bike and head out from your new home; Verna Rose. This could very easily be YOUR Saturday.
The Bath Farmers Market (www.bathfarmersmarket.com) is such a special event. It happens every Saturday from May 2 - October 31, 8:30 to noon and will soon be on your calender as a weekly outing. It is just so much fun to go downtown and meet up with some friends to soak up the energy of people bustling around and catch the farmers market fever. What will be on your list?
Freshly baked bread, a bouquet of fresh cut flowers, organic eggs, beautiful carrots, bunched beets, artisan sheep and goat cheese, potted annuals & perennials... Wow, this list goes on and on. Do check out their website for more information on all the vendors and variety of items to choose from.
However, the real icing on the cake is the LOCATION. You will feel just so lucky to live in biking distance to this outdoor market located in the Waterfront Park. You are right there, on the water as you shop for heirloom tomatoes and nitrate-free bacon. Grab a cup of coffee and just sit by the water and feel the joy of summer in Maine!

Blue Adds a Splash to White

Various color combinations is a real signature of Verna Rose. In the bathroom, color is used as an accent to the clean white of the porcelain and walls. Two shades of blue are used to play off of one another and compliment the quiet feel of the surrounding white.
Storage in this bathroom is ample. The above pictured doors are to 3 eave closets that extend back almost 4 ft. The first closet has double doors for a wider area and the 2 on the left are smaller in width, but have shelves. Great for storing towels, linens or that bulk toilet paper that can always pose a storage dilemma.
The door panels have been painted using a technique called dry brushing. It adds dimension to the surface by creating a texture and was painted using a darker blue than the door itself. The porcelain sink & faucet plus the cast iron tub are both originals to Verna Rose. The recessed porcelain soap dish, toothbrush holder, and mirror cabinet can all be seen on the wall. Again, original to the house.

The Original Glenwood Stove

Glenwood stove's were a hot item after WWII as metal products were reentering the market. Imagine the joy of finally receiving your brand new stove after months of waiting and cooking your first meal. This original gas stove has been well maintained and is now ready for cooking up your next feast.
There is something so seductive about the cool, smooth porcelain finish of the stove. It is so easy to wipe clean and she still has a glassy, bright finish on her. This stove is like a work of art with her clean lines and minimalistic design. You will really enjoy cooking and baking with this Glenwood stove, which comes with the original manual!
The beautiful white and black stove really pops up against the varying shades of yellow, handpainted stencils, and periwinkle trim. The kitchen has many other wonderful surprises - all original to the house.