Cottage Renovations: When the North Wind Blows
If you’re following the renovation of our cottage in Western New York, I have some new photos to enjoy. And I say “enjoy” because you will enjoy knowing this is not YOUR house and you don’t have to worry about what’s happening when you are many states away.
The truth, though, is that I was supposed to go to Chautauqua this month and see the progress. Instead I persuaded my patient architect to just keep me updated by phone and photos so I could enjoy Florida weather and not drive on ice and snow. So far it’s working.
The project is finally going full steam ahead. Here are some of the highlights. (?)
If you’ve been following, you might remember what our kitchen looked like. There’s a photo here. Just scroll down to the end of that post. Here’s the demolition:
Right now it’s been gutted, but that wall on the left will (or already has) disappeared making this one larger room. Not a pretty sight. . . yet.
There, we’re making progress. That “box” to the right is part of the stairwell which will disappear because the stairs have been reconfigured. We’ll have a seamless ceiling. We hope.
And here’s a closeup of the stairs and the former fridge residence. That will all disappear, along with the wall to the left. Shelves to the right were added after we moved in (a former broom closet) because there was absolutely no place to store food or dishes. I like it and asked them to leave it there. My architect’s assistant thinks I’m nuts.
I’m not quite sure what wall this is, but I believe it’s the one that came down in the kitchen. Look what was under the wallboard. Glad they documented this wallpaper for me.
Remember all the squirrel problems? Here’s what we’re doing about them. This is spray foam insulation to fill in all the gaps.
And here’s what the attic looks like now that the insulation is finished. Take that furry beasties!
So that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. Tune in next time. Eventually you will be able to tell there’s real progress building up instead of tearing down.
Having lived in Rochester for ten plus years, I certainly understand why you wouldn’t want to travel to NY right now. However, Chautauqua in summer is wonderful. The last time I was there was 2006 when a friend from Chicago was the guest of one of a couple teaching there. We had a great time. Good luck with the renovations. I am living on the West Coast now and miss Upstate.
It is beautiful. I hope wherever you are on the west coast is, as well.
I enjoy seeing your progress. I watch HGTV a lot of the time. I need renovations, but I probably won’t do them. Lovely in FL this year. Lucky us. 🙂
It is indeed.
Wonderful to see the progress, Emilie! I can’t wait to see the finished project.