DAY 9 - Despite Sandy, work continues!

 Russ and Brendan have been working at the cottage despite Sandy's efforts to slow down the progress.  They have removed the original roof, with the shingles still on it, from under the sun porch addition and have started to vault the ceilings.  We had to make some decisions about windows this morning and that was just the beginning of the decisions made today.  Morning decisions were changed this afternoon after I had gone to the Anderson window store to see just what was offered.  The original plans for windows and doors has changed drastically. 

The old sun porch will become the guest room.  The two double hung windows will be replaced by a 5 foot awning window and the three double hung windows will be replaced by two larger ones.  The door will become wall space for a sitting area. 

 

 

The old kitchen area is now the guest bath/powder room.  A very clever design where the tub will be in it's own space with a door between it and the vanity and toilet.  That way the powder room area will be accessible to guests from the great room and it also is accessible from the guest room.  Neat, right?   Washer and dryer will also be in this space. 

 

 

My old bedroom becomes the kitchen with an island facing the water.  The middle window in this picture becomes wall and the window to the left becomes the door to my master suite.  I must say that these pictures do not seem as dramatic as the space appears when you step through the door.  The space seems so spacious but not too big for a summer cottage.  The fireplace that you see to the left in the picture is being removed next week.  Cannot even imagine how that is going to change the feel of the space!

 

 

The old guest room was originally going to be the fireplace and part of the living room.  That changed this morning and now it is going to be the dining room.  We are putting two double hung windows where the white door and the wall to the left are in the picture.  that way we get more of the view throughout the great room.  Where the higher portion of the roof line is, to the left in this picture, is where the 9 foot slider will start. 

 

From this view you are looking toward the kitchen and in the right hand corner of the great room I will be able to have a desk area for computer stuff and where I can finally file all the papers I carry around with me whenever I change houses.  Will that be a treat!

 

This is not a very good shot of the living area but the wooden wall and the one double hung to the right will be the 9 foot slider out to the enlarged deck.  Must remember to get a better shot of this but it is difficult right now as the fireplace chimney is still in the middle of the house.  Where the two double hung windows are to the left will be where we have moved the corner fireplace with the TV above it.  All rooms and furniture will be oriented to face the water.  As I said, this is all to get a water view!

I really cannot believe that we have finally started this project as it has been something that I have talked about ever since buying the cottage.  Most parties at the cottage have included a conversation or two about what I could do to the cottage to update it and open up the space.  I think we have done it!
Tomorrow, only day 10, we tear off the back shed, move the big shed to its new location at the front of the property and the heavy equipment comes in to start to dig the foundation for the new addition.  Oh yes, we got the building permit today - thank goodness- so decisions and more blog posts are to come.
I have loved this cottage from the moment I saw it that November day in 2004 and I am so glad that it has not been torn down but just getting a major face lift.  Something we all probably should do after 60+ years on this earth.