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.
7 Haircuts That’ll Flatter Your Face Shape and Emphasize Your Unique Facial Features
Small eyes are considered to be attractive, round faces give us a youthful look, and people with big ears are adorable, just look at Anne Hathaway! There are so many unique features out there that give us our own special charm.
Some people, however, want to fix these things anyway. That’s their choice, but we hope they keep in mind that they can actually do it without surgery. All they need to do is change their hairstyle.
1. Double chin
Cropped haircuts are a big no-no if you have a double chin. Instead, go for bangs and curls, layered, or face-framing haircuts. This way, you’ll draw attention to your hair and not your chin.
Remember that having layers is the trick. They add volume and give the illusion of a narrow face. For short haircut lovers out there, opt for a layered chin-length bob cut, but make sure to keep the ends unevenly cut.
2. Big nose
Choose hairstyles that widen your face so that your nose looks smaller. Different types of bangs do a great job: side-swept, curtain, or layered. You can do your hair up in a messy bun or a ponytail, letting a few strands fall on your head. Try to stay away from short and straight cuts.
3. Big forehead
Bobs with bangs, long or short hair with a central part, or razored bangs look great on people with big foreheads. According to a stylist, horizontal framing, lots of volume, and soft layers are the keys to balancing it all out.
4. Small eyes
Avoid blunt and thick haircuts and focus instead on short hairstyles or low-volume cuts. Bangs are okay, but as long as they don’t cover your eyes and forehead completely. Pixie haircuts accentuate eyes, especially if your eyebrows can be seen well.
5. Round face
Those who want to make their face appear more oval should definitely go for a shaggy wavy bob or face-framing balayage highlights. You can also add more volume on top and leave elongated locks by the sides. Stay away from sleek hairstyles and thick bangs, since horizontal lines will widen your face.
6. Oblong face
People with thin faces have more prominent noses, chins, and necks, and some haircuts can make their faces look even longer. Straight and long hair is a no, while hairstyles that add lots of volume are always welcome. Try a parted shaggy lob, an asymmetrical choppy lob, wispy-layered long hair, or a long wavy center-parted hairstyle.
7. Big ears
It’s not hard to cover ears, yet, it might be challenging to choose only one haircut out of all this diversity. Make sure there’s enough volume and fullness at the sides of your head, and let the hair stand away from the scalp a little bit. Bob haircuts or long and layered hair are a great choice.
How long have you had your current haircut? How easy is it for you to change it?
Preview photo credit TanyaLovus / Shutterstock.com, Valeriia Kogan / Unsplash.com
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