The wife and I moved into an old family cottage on Mousam Lake in Maine a few years ago. It was last remodeled in 1973 when I was 18 years old. We did it all ourselves so I’m familiar with it. The place was nicely done in 70’s styled dark wall paneling and carpets. You know what I mean. We’ve been retired awhile now and it’s time to change things. We need to lighten things up and enlarge without changing the dimensions. We decided to combine two adjoining bedrooms into one and absorb a third into the living area.
Previously I posted work done to completely remake the bathroom and bedroom. Here is one shot of the bathroom. All fixtures and furniture I made in the shop.
Before bathroom
And after
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Bedroom before:
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And after
I make all my own moldings. This is an architrave finishing style.
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This week we began working on the living room. It consists of the existing living room, a ‘front’ room, and a bedroom. We are taking out all walls that divide these rooms up and making one large living area that is approximately 30ft x 25ft.
A picture of the load bearing wall that is partially torn down. Notice the cement blocks. Not fun at all.
With new header up. Notice two lolly columns that support the area where the old wall was. The header may not seem that robust but the roof is a hip roof and somewhat self sustaining and the header is 6” thick.
Next, on to the sheetrock. I’ve got a million other odds and ends first though.. rerouting wiring, another layer of underlayment, etc.
-- Tryin'
5 comments so far
MarkTheFiddler
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447 posts in 3939 days
posted 06-16-2013 04:10 AM
Wow – Your work is fantastic. The trim work is masterful. I love the sink solution. The support columns make a huge difference. The only thing I’m scratching my head about is that L shaped room. It’s beautifully done. I just wonder what the architects were thinking.
-- Working on my home for 2 years and counting.
Craftsman on the Lake
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70 posts in 5149 days
posted 06-16-2013 09:20 PM
The L shaped room was two rooms that had a closet/wall between them. We removed the wall and made one room. The result is a larger albeit L shape.
-- Tryin'
MarkTheFiddler
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447 posts in 3939 days
posted 06-16-2013 10:11 PM
I get the picture. Two small rooms designed for twin beds. Now you have the flexibility to have a sitting area/ bedroom. Great for guests. I can’t wait to see how the cottage progresses.
-- Working on my home for 2 years and counting.
Craftsman on the Lake
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70 posts in 5149 days
posted 06-17-2013 11:52 AM
Actually Mark, that’s the only bedroom. The place was a cottage on a large lake owned by my family. My wife and I moved in a few years ago. The bedroom is that shape after combining two bedrooms because the bathroom is on the other side of that right hand wall. Not much choice about reshaping it. It’s the place we’ve retired to. It’s just for us. The bedroom is good enough and that’s an older picture. I’ve since added a few items. The rest of the house is being made bigger to be better livable. When the kids visit now it’s inflatable beds. In the future I plan on having a murphy bed on one of the living room walls.
BTW… fiddler? My brother was an old time Canadian style fiddler here in Maine. he was very good. I grew up accompanying him and others to wee hours of the mornings on guitar.
-- Tryin'
Karson
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97 posts in 5457 days
posted 07-09-2013 01:56 AM
Nice looking job there mate.
It’s making a big difference.
-- Retired in Delaware