Construction has started!

The cottage remodeling ideas started during - as always - one of our walks.  Maybe there was something we could do to tie together the many roof lines on the cottage?  Maybe there was something we could do to get larger windows and better lake views from the second floor? Maybe there was something we could do to get a little more counter space in the kitchen?

Somehow, we went from tying in  roof lines to actually tearing off the roof, completely redoing the second floor, adding another upstairs bedroom, and bumping out the first floor to increase the size of the kitchen substantially!

Finally - after three years of planning, revising, and ending up with something completely different from the initial sketches  - on September 16, 2010 construction on the cottage at Lake Wawasee officially started! We thank Sam Leman, our architect, for his patience in helping us articulate our vision for this home that is so special to all of our family.  And we are happy to be working with Jeryl Hochstedler as our general contractor, whose craftsmanship has put him in high demand with the Winter and Dalhart families!

The first stage is demolition of the second floor.  That's two baths, our room, and Maddy's room.  

Here are  pictures of the two baths before:

And here they are after Jeryl, Jerry, and Dick got through with them :

For once, we're happy  not to be at the Lake!

The schedule for next week includes finishing up the demolition and digging for the outside steps. All our plantings around the kitchen and garage have been moved, so the coast is clear.  We'll keep everyone updated!