Showcase Home 2004

 Kennedy

Our customers had purchased this cottage on Hog Back Lake several years earlier as a vacation spot halfway between a parent in Pennsylvania and their home in Illinois. Things change over time and with career changes for both homeowners, they were ready to make to Steuben County their home. Their cottage on the lake was very typical for this area, a couple of original rooms built with cement blocks and a woodstove, about a 16’ x 16’ space. A beautiful natural stone seawall was one of the original features. Over the years changes occurred - 25 years ago or so a small upstairs was added, a couple of porches had been turned into living space - all typical low ceilings height, poor insulation and inadequate structures or foundations; but it was living space.

What a challenge, were do you start or stop? The homeowners wanted something for year round use with all the features of today: nice bathrooms, a whirlpool, 2^nd story deck space, updated kitchen, new heating and air conditioning, upgraded electric, a family room with lots of windows toward the lake, and all on a budget! Tearing down and building new was not an option because of the costs involved, and new set back requirements. So, we began to plan last summer on how far we would have to tear it back to get to something workable and that was basically back to the original 16’ x 16’ block structure. The porch additions were removed and a new foundation was installed for a beautiful 20’ x 16’ family room with big windows, a patio door and gable glass above for a great western view of the lake. In one corner of the addition is a wood-burning fireplace with slate surrounds and oak wood trim. This big room is finished with natural oak flooring that is incredible and tall vaulted ceilings. One of the challenges of this project was the original block wall that had to be removed and engineered support headers had to be installed so we could open up the addition.

In the dining room, the original poured floors were way out of line from one addition to the others so major leveling had to be done after channels were cut and re-poured to allow ductwork in the floors. The two bathrooms were completely updated, a whirlpool tub was added and a pedestal lavatory. The original kitchen cabinetry was removed, rearranged, some cabinets had to be modified then refinished and reinstalled before beautiful solid surface countertops and sinks were added. Stainless steel appliances add to the dramatic new look off along with the slate tile flooring throughout the kitchen and bath area. You wouldn’t even know it was the same house.

Some of the biggest improvements are things you don’t see. In this rehab, the heating and air conditioning was completely replaced. The old baseboard electric had poor efficiency, smelled and only heated and they had window a/c units - all of which were removed. JO Mory installed a new high efficiency gas forced air furnace along with air conditioning, filtration and new ducts. A second story space was also added to make a bedroom along with an open area for a new front load washer and dryer. An open reading area with natural tongue & groove oak flooring is next to a patio door that leads to a striking 2^nd floor deck that overlooks the lake, nestled into the trees for privacy. Vinyl windows were installed in all the new addition areas and the outside was finished with vinyl siding assuring years and years of maintenance free living. This project was just what these homeowners wanted and available to them on a budget.