Picture owning your very own lighthouse, a majestic beacon overlooking a vast bay, embodying both hope and history.
Sheila Consaul, a 65-year-old aficionado of historic preservation, turned this dream into reality.
For a sum of $71,000, Sheila purchased a derelict lighthouse in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, and embarked on a journey that would see her invest over $300,000 in transforming it into her dream vacation home.
Living in a lighthouse is far from ordinary; solitude greets you at every turn.
Forget about a driveway leading to the front door; instead, you park half a mile away and transport everything you need by hand, from groceries to generator fuel. Yet, the experience, once embraced, is unparalleled.
Sheila’s journey began from her passion for historic preservation and a desire for a unique summer retreat.
Upon discovering that the government was auctioning off lighthouses, she saw an opportunity to merge her interests.
Though the lighthouse she acquired was in a sorry state, with cracked windows and peeling plaster, Sheila remained undeterred.
With the aid of a home equity loan, she embarked on a challenging yet fulfilling renovation project.
Renovating the lighthouse presented numerous challenges; every construction material had to be hoisted by crane and transported by boat due to its remote location.
Furthermore, being entirely off the grid posed additional hurdles; rebuilding the electrical system and relying on a gasoline-powered generator were just a few of Sheila’s tasks.
Despite these obstacles, the transformation is remarkable.
Today, the lighthouse boasts a fully equipped kitchen with granite countertops and modern appliances.
The plumbing and electrical systems have been overhauled, while the once-broken windows now showcase stunning stained glass.
However, preserving its historical essence was equally paramount.
Original features like dark brown floorboards and cast-iron stairs remain intact, alongside innovations such as a rainwater collection system.
Since 2012, Sheila has welcomed guests to the lighthouse, hosting annual open houses and sharing this community treasure with others.
Maintained by the Coast Guard and still serving as a navigational aid, the lighthouse stands as a testament to community and heritage.
Would Sheila embark on this journey again? Perhaps not, but the rewards have been immeasurable.
While she currently has no plans to rent out her unique summer home, she remains open to the possibility.
For now, she revels in the fruits of her labor and the extraordinary experience of lighthouse living.
Sheila Consaul’s story exemplifies what happens when perseverance and passion converge.
She didn’t just acquire a property; she rescued a historical gem, ensuring it endures for generations to come.
Take a virtual tour of the lighthouse in the accompanying video below!
Feel free to share this remarkable tale with your loved ones.
The Magic Of Tidying Up: How To Declutter And Organize The House
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo, along with the Netflix series that followed, became a hot topic of conversation earlier this year. Kondo’s method’s central tenet is to ascertain whether an item “sparks joy.” If it doesn’t, it’s clutter that you don’t need. Here’s how to implement Kondo’s organizing techniques in your own house:
1. See Whether It Makes You Happy
Kondo advises going through everything in your house, taking an item in your hand, and asking yourself if it makes you happy. Like your preowned engagement ring, it’s time to part with anything if you don’t feel good about it. You can give it to someone who will value it higher or sell it. This holds true for your clothes in addition to furniture and trinkets.
2. Sort by Category Rather Than Room
Kondo advises classifying everything and sorting through it that way rather than walking through your house room by room. You’ll be able to see everything you have in that grouping with clarity in this method.
3. Folding Vertically
One of Kondo’s more avant-garde thoughts is perhaps the vertical folding technique. You’ll be able to see every article of clothing if you fold and store it upright because nothing will be hidden behind overturning heaps.
4. Spotless Containers
Food, according to Kondo, usually comes in loudly labeled, vibrantly colored cartons when it is purchased. She suggests moving your food to “clean” containers so that your cupboard becomes a peaceful, cozy space rather than a chaotic one.
5. Apparel
According to Kondo, it’s critical to keep track of every item of clothes you wear throughout a given season when keeping it. To avoid buying items you already own, she also suggests pairing up similar-type and colored clothing.
6. Handbags
When it comes to purses, Kondo advises making it a daily habit to empty your luggage. Move the contents to a different box that corresponds to the things you’ll need on a daily basis for your purse. She also suggests keeping the bags inside one another to conserve space and keep the bags from losing their shape.
7. Images
Although it can be difficult to part with photos, according to Kondo, you should only actually save the ones that are incredibly memorable. To find out how Kondo saves and arranges her pictures, go this link.
8. Textbooks
According to Kondo, you ought to divide your book collection into two sections: those you have already read and those you have been meaning to get around to but haven’t yet. The first batch can be donated because they have fulfilled their purpose. It’s likely that you won’t read the second bunch if you haven’t before, and they can also be given. She advises preserving only your all-time favorite books.
9. Work Area
You must have a functional workspace. Eliminate everything from your workstation that does not support the work you are performing because of this. Kondo recommends storing critical documents, etc. in vertical files.
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