Remodeler's tour Showcase: Big Long Lake
In the 2002 Remodeler's Showcase Tour, we had a great renovation project on Big Long Lake on the northern shore. It was during that tour when I first met Julie Freistroffer and her daughter. They walked though our project, looked at everything, and asked lots of questions then indicated that Julie and her husband Bill were interested to doing a home renovation on the other end of Big Long Lake. Little did I know what was in store for me when I went to visit them a couple of weeks later.
Their existing home, built in the 50’s, was a simple single story home with a 4/12-pitch roof and aluminum siding. The three small bedrooms, single bath and flat ceilings were out dated. The original garage sat right out on the road violating current setback requirements and left no room for a driveway – something major had to be done. Jeff Deahl, owner of Four Seasons Design & Remodeling, said “One thing the Friestroffer’s had going was a beautiful level 100’ plus lot on Big Long Lake. We now just had to make their ideas a reality.”
And the results are incredible. About
the only thing left of the original house is the foundation floor deck and a
couple outside walls. First we removed the
garage, opened up the access to the front of the house and added garage space to
the north. The house roof and interior walls were removed completely to allow
for construction of new walls and second floor bedrooms. A new second floor roof
and a taller vaulted 9/12-pitch roof system over the kitchen, living room
allowed for a spectacular great room. The stairs to the upper level wrap around
a corner and the exposed oak spindles and handrail are visible from the kitchen
area.
The top of the stairs has a large landing with oak railing over looking the large living room and two large bedrooms with abundant closets flank the upper floor. The west bedroom has a patio door that accesses a small sitting deck overlooking the lake. Between the two bedrooms is a full bath with a tub/shower unit and gigantic vanity. Freistroffer says, “The upstairs is a great space for family and guests.”
The real attraction to the interior of
the house is the great room. Deahl says, “When you come into this space the
first thing you notice is the lakeside wall of windows, large patio doors and
the large trapezoid glass windows.” To the right of the vaulted ceiling is a
beautiful stone-faced gas fireplace. 
The
high ceiling goes into the kitchen and island eating area where light fixtures
hang by long chains over the island that is surrounded by wonderful hickory
cabinetry featuring all of today’s modern appliances. The kitchen and baths
are all done in tile flooring while the remainder of the house is carpet. The
first floor also contains abundant closets, pantries and a computer cubby. The
master bedroom and bath suite is also located on the lakeside first floor.
The exterior is really special for its attention to maintenance free living. Vinyl siding is used for the majority of the home; however, large areas across the front including the entire garage is with stacked stone, making the effect spectacular. The large lakeside gable is also done with stone. The maintenance free composite deck on the back makes this home a perfect match for low maintenance and high appeal.
email: jeff@craftsman-design.com