A few years ago we started a project to restore one of the oldest cottages in our area.  It is taking years since we are only there for short periods through out the summer.  With a very small budget for the project we do what we can in the time we have that work and kids school will allow.

 

This started off a simple one room cabin with porch and fireplace.  Approximately 15 x 20 plus porch built in a small bay surrounded by Pine and Birch.

 

My grandfather added on a small kitchen and bedroom at one point since grandma would stay during the summer and Grandpa would come up on weekends after work.

 

 (water level up 4 foot from year of building)

After they passed on, my father removed the south large window, the bedroom and Kitchen. It was turned into a storage area and it slowly fell into disrepair.

The water level also changed so much over the years - almost 4 foot. The water was almost up to the cabin in the early 70's

 

 (water level down )  2001 - Brush and trees have all but covered it.

 

My husband now is taking care of it and has done a great deal to the cabin. This has been an ongoing project of this summer with only 3 day weekends available to him. We hope to have the roof completed in 2009 and ready to use the building again. 

 

 

He has put new support beams under and raised the cabin onto blocks to level it out. Next we needed to replace wood on the walls - Yes normally you might work on the roof first, but this was in very sad shape and to remove the roof may have caused the whole building to fall.

 

He put the original window back in that was stored in the dog-house. This opened up the inside with southern natural light. 

 

We stained the new wood in a nice dark colour.

 

    

 

The porch that was once open is now enclosed and has wood covered on for winter.  In the spring it is screened in to keep out bugs.

There was originally a deck on the other side (door with out now) that we hope to one day replace.

The fireplace can not be done at this time since neither of us are talented enough to do the stone work.  Eventually we hope to find some one who is.

 

The original corner cupboard still stands and will be filled with dishes when it is ready. There are also french doors that were never removed from the main room opening up into the porch.

 

Our real expenses were wood for the sides and roof. The shingles will also be a good chunk of change. from that point on it will be finished with garage sale (yea maybe even ebay antiques and collectibles) furniture trying to find older pieces that will keep the rustic / old look and feel inside.

Because much of the wood came from the property so far we have spent approximately $1000.00

More then we had hoped since the roof looked ok from the inside but was totally rotted from the outside.

This is such a wonderful piece of our history that we are trying to keep it looking original.  As when it was new - there is no electricity or phone.     We still get bears coming down to the water too!

 

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