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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » The Amazing Renovation Of A 1938 Cottage Near Lake Michigan

| By John Petersik | March 27, 2013 | 91 Comments

The Amazing Renovation Of A 1938 Cottage Near Lake Michigan

Before we dive into an incredible house transformation from Erin, Sherry just shared a little Easter-related DIY project that she whipped up for Clara over on Young House Life, so feel free to pop over there for the details (there’s a sneak peek below):

Eggs8

But now back to Erin’s awesome makeover. Since both of our homes have had standard eight foot ceilings, Sherry and I have always fantasized about chopping off the roof and reattaching it just a couple of feet higher. So imagine how captivated we were by the story of a couple who pretty much lived out our dream – and crammed in some awesome room makeovers in the process. Here’s Erin’s letter:

Hi John and Sherry! We loved the 1938 cottage we live in near Lake Michigan in Wisconsin from the moment we laid eyes on it in 2002 but it was lacking in just a few things, headroom in the bedrooms and a roof that didn’t leak to name two.

Erin Before

We started with fixing the roof (a bad design destined to leak for all eternity, it seemed) which lead to redesigning the roof, which lead to a few additions, and ended with ripping the top half of the house off and sticking it back on higher.

Erin During

In the back yard, we had a deck built, but we did put in the cable railings (we’re sailors and it turns out that cable railings are nothing but sailboat lifelines). I laid the entire stone walkway to the detached garage and the mini retaining walls around the garden, not to mention designing and planting the gardens. It’s by far the DIY project that I’m most proud of to date.

Erin After

What we ended up doing was changing our upstairs from two small bedrooms with very low slanted ceilings to two pretty good-sized bedrooms, one with a walk-in closet, plus an extra bathroom (you don’t realize how much it stinks to not have a bathroom on the same floor as your bedroom until you live like that for eight years).

Erin Bedroom Before

In our bedroom, our best decision was the built-ins, which provide so much storage (along with the small walk-in closet) that we don’t need any other furniture (i.e. dressers) in the room. We laid the bamboo floors ourselves and did all of the painting throughout the house (other than the living room’s cathedral ceilings because I love my neck too much and we don’t have a chiropractor in the family).

Erin Bedroom After

 

The new bathroom is  only 8 x 8 feet, but we managed to squeeze in a 5 x 3 foot shower and more storage than we know what to do with. As with the bedroom built-ins, I designed them then had them built. You can get a glimpse into the upstairs hallway (open to the living room below) and my mini gallery wall, inspired, of course, by yours! One of the items on the wall is a piece of board that we found during demo that says “Put here July 11, 1938.” The door into the bathroom was salvaged from my grandparents house.

Erin Bathroom

We couldn’t imagine loving our house any more than we did before the renovation and now we’re sure we’ll only ever live in one house: this one! – Erin

Don’t you just want to take a vacation there? You can check out some of the other makeovers that Erin has documented here on her blog. And feel free to pick your favorite part of this redesign (mine’s the old board they found and kept from 1938 and Sherry’s is that “bed and breakfast-y backyard” as she dubbed it). Thanks for sharing Erin!

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Comments

  1. Amber @ Healthy, Wealthy & DIYs says

    March 27, 2013 at 2:59 pm

    Wow, gorgeous. Love the strip of colorful tile on the middle of the wall. So pretty!

    Reply
  2. emily says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:07 pm

    I am loving that house. The windows. The ceiling. The clean and freshness of it.

    Reply
  3. Laurie says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:08 pm

    Swoon. Sigh. I want to come over and take a nap and then have a glass of wine on that deck. (maybe I will need the nap AFTER the wine though). I love this house. I adore Lake Michigan and could not be more envious (in a nice way). Truly a lovely transformation and the built ins are incredible. Suffering from house envy at the moment. I love my ranch but still….

    Reply
  4. Crystal @ 29 Rue House says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:11 pm

    LOVE the changes to the outside of the house and the deck/yard/whole area is amazing. I’d definitely bed and breakfast there. Oh and the cable lines look awesome.

    Reply
  5. Amy says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:16 pm

    Turned out gorgeous! I looove what they did with the master bedroom particularly – so airy, and the floors are amazing! I’ve always wanted bamboo flooring when we get a house :)

    Reply
  6. Emily says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:16 pm

    Love the ceiling, built-ins and windows in the bedroom!

    Reply
  7. Rene @thedomesticlady says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:18 pm

    I am in love with that blue tile!!! So cute.

    Reply
  8. Kristin says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:22 pm

    That is stunning!!

    Reply
  9. Sarah says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:25 pm

    WOW! Absolutely gorgeous- impossible to pick a favorite part. I adore the design of their shower – way to maximize space! And the windows and built-ins… Gorgeous! Congrats on a beautiful renovation! Headed to their blog now for more eye candy :-)

    Love this reader redesign- great pick YHL!

    Reply
  10. Anna Whiston-Donaldson says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:25 pm

    That’s gorgeous! What a lovely setting to wake up to every day!

    Reply
  11. Debbie says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:27 pm

    This is the most amazing reader redesign you have featured!

    Reply
  12. Mel says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:29 pm

    Wow! I am absolutely in awe. This is by far my favorite reader redesign I’ve ever seen on here! Inspirational.

    Reply
  13. Gordana says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:30 pm

    OMG, this is gorgeous.

    Reply
  14. Jenny says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:34 pm

    Ooh! The wood floor in the shower! How does that work, some kind of sailboat-intended finish, presumably? So cool!

    Reply
  15. Joanna Banana says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:35 pm

    WoW! This reno looks amazing and very overwhelming! After looking at this, I guess I shouldn’t be overwhelmed about painting my living/dining room, stairway and upstairs hallway!

    Reply
  16. katie says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:35 pm

    this is awesome! i have dreamed about ripping our roof off and adding a second story for years now – filing this one away as proof it can be done :)

    Reply
  17. Amy says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:36 pm

    I’m loving that floor in the shower. What is that – wood? what kind? how did you do it? looks so pretty!

    Reply
    • Chelsea says

      March 27, 2013 at 4:14 pm

      Yes, please tell! L-O-V-E it!

    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 27, 2013 at 4:17 pm

      I love it too! My guess would be teak maybe – I think that’s cool with water? Maybe?

      xo
      s

    • Jen E. says

      March 27, 2013 at 4:17 pm

      I’m gonna guess teak. On the home design tv shows, they are always putting teak benches and shelves and things in the showers. Holds up well to moisture. I think it eventually ages to a more gray color though.

    • Erin @ The Impatient Gardener says

      March 27, 2013 at 10:08 pm

      Hi everyone! Yep, Sherry’s right. The floor is teak. We had it made by someone who makes teak flooring and accessories for boats. There is regular tile underneath it so we can take it out at any time and the shower looks and functions just fine. The maintenance is pretty easy. We take it out of the shower about three or four times a year and give it a good scrub or powerwash and then just re-oil it with teak oil. I love the feel of it underfoot and I feel like it ties in the wood cabinets from the other side of the room.

    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 27, 2013 at 10:26 pm

      Love that Erin! So gorgeous!

      xo
      s

  18. Rachel says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:39 pm

    I love the windows. But my favorite things would be the sentimental parts like the door from their grandparents and the board from the 1930s.

    Reply
    • Erin @ The Impatient Gardener says

      March 28, 2013 at 12:28 pm

      Mine too, Rachel. I just love that door to pieces. As the years since my grandmother’s death pass it becomes even more special to me. Not to mention, I think it works perfectly in the room too.

  19. Kathy says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:42 pm

    love that master bedroom re-do!

    but… “ONLY 8×8” bathroom? I’d kill for a bathroom that size lol!

    Reply
  20. Kate says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:46 pm

    I love how light and airy it is in that room. The built-ins are incredible. I want to move in!

    Reply
  21. Dawn says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:49 pm

    That shower floor is incredible!

    Reply
  22. heather says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:53 pm

    Normally with the redesigns I’m like “that’s nice!” but this one gave me heart palpitations. Wood ceiling? Gasp. Wood floor in shower? Swoon. Gardens outside? Hubbah Hubbah.

    Awwooooooogah.

    Just beautiful.

    Reply
  23. Heather P. at Fancy Alter Ego says

    March 27, 2013 at 3:58 pm

    Wow! I can’t imagine owning a home yet, let alone ripping a roof off one! This turned out really well, and I love that they worked in so much storage!

    Reply
  24. amyks says

    March 27, 2013 at 4:01 pm

    Yowza! That is a pretty incredible redo…the built ins in the bedroom and the shower floor are very shiplike too!! Love it.

    Reply
  25. Jen E. says

    March 27, 2013 at 4:03 pm

    Wow! Beautiful reno, absolutely fantastic job inside and out.

    I wonder if their shower is as cold as mine, though. I’m also in the Midwest, and I hate having an open-top shower stall in a bathroom with a vaulted ceiling. Pretty but SO SO drafty. Brrr. (My roof might be a steeper pitch than theirs, though.)

    Reply
  26. Stacey says

    March 27, 2013 at 4:05 pm

    Erin and her husband have done a great job. My favorite would be the built ins around window in the master. Great idea!

    Reply
  27. Christina @ Homemade Ocean says

    March 27, 2013 at 4:07 pm

    So far beyond impressed it is not even funny. Now THAT is a project…raise the roof y’all. I’m definitely dancing in my office chair. This is happening.

    Reply
  28. Ashley says

    March 27, 2013 at 4:11 pm

    I love that board they found, but my number one favorite are the bedroom built-ins! I have a very large soft spot in my heart for built ins :)

    Reply
  29. decoratica says

    March 27, 2013 at 4:20 pm

    I love the outsides and the insides peaks look incredible!

    I’m already over at her blog to find out more ;)

    Reply
  30. Jayme @ Keeping Up With Myself says

    March 27, 2013 at 4:21 pm

    Oh mah gah. So awesome. I never knew you could do that! And those built-ins! Can I move in?

    Reply
  31. Heidi says

    March 27, 2013 at 4:22 pm

    Wowie-wow-wow!! I can’t believe the difference in the bedroom! Obviously you can tell there was a change from the outside but who knew it would be so wonderfully drastic on the inside!

    Reply
  32. Courtney Veca says

    March 27, 2013 at 4:32 pm

    Sherri,

    My husband and I need your help, we chose a backsplash that ended up being way too light in color, we did an almond colored subway tile but the deco in the middle does not work with the kitchen, do you have any tips for painting over deco, spray paint etc.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 27, 2013 at 4:33 pm

      Hmm, there are some tutorials for refinishing/painting tile on Pinterst I think! Anyone have links for Courtney?

      xo
      s

  33. Stephanie M. says

    March 27, 2013 at 4:33 pm

    Fave reader redesign ever. Seriously I want to move there.

    Reply
  34. Margaret says

    March 27, 2013 at 4:40 pm

    That backyard is pretty amazing but I LOVE the shower!! That floor!!! :)

    Reply
  35. Rebecca says

    March 27, 2013 at 4:52 pm

    So weird, we are currently in the process of making an offer on a house they we want to ‘raise the roof’ of to add a 3rd story master suite (right now it is a small 2-story with a non-functional attic). We are trying to set up a walk through with a 2nd builder (the first one gave us a renovation estimate of 2x the current home value).

    I may have to try to strike up a conversation with Erin!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 27, 2013 at 5:05 pm

      Sounds so exciting!

      xo
      s

    • Erin @ The Impatient Gardener says

      March 27, 2013 at 10:13 pm

      If you’d like to know more, just drop me a line Rebecca. I’d be happy to give you any info I can, including some of the nitty gritty details. The No. 1 thing I’d say to keep in mind is that like any renovation, you never know what you’re going to find when you open up the walls so you really have to be prepared financially and mentally for that. And find a contractor who has a good grasp of how to deal with complicated structural issues in case any of those pop up. Swing by the blog or drop me an email at impatientgardener (at) gmail.com if you want to chat more.
      –Erin

  36. Wendy @ New Moms Talk says

    March 27, 2013 at 5:00 pm

    Everything is amazing, but I love the built ins the most. Not having to have a dresser is genius!

    Oh and the gardens are super gorgeous!!

    Reply
  37. Erin says

    March 27, 2013 at 5:09 pm

    I’m not the same Erin that did this redesign, but I wish I were! That is an amazing transformation. I think it’s my favorite of all the redesigns you’ve posted! I adore that bedroom–the windows, the built-ins, the ceilings, the window seat… This is my dream bedroom. I’m going to have to remember to pin this one!

    Reply
  38. Annie R. says

    March 27, 2013 at 5:21 pm

    Amazing!! So beautiful- inside and out! I don’t know that I can pick a favorite part!

    I’m pumped about this reader redesign- I hadn’t heard of her blog before but she lives very close to me! I am looking at her outside picture and dreaming of there being NO MORE SNOW!! :) it’s cold by the lake here ;)

    Reply
  39. Mary | lemongroveblog says

    March 27, 2013 at 5:46 pm

    What a seriously a-mazing home! Talk about curb appeal. That is stunning!

    Reply
  40. MG says

    March 27, 2013 at 5:54 pm

    That is TOTALLY my neck of the woods! I live maybe a mile from Lake Michigan just a bit south of Milwaukee. What a great transformation!

    Reply
  41. Lauren says

    March 27, 2013 at 5:58 pm

    This is definitely one of my favorite reader redesigns- ever! It’s so beautiful outside (the porch, the house, the yard) and in. I am blown away.

    Reply
  42. Peg says

    March 27, 2013 at 7:20 pm

    Holy cow, this is jaw-dropping gorgeous! What an inspiration.

    Along these same lines-kinda-what is the best way to ask you a question about a potential renovation?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 27, 2013 at 8:48 pm

      I would post a picture on our Facebook page! Everyone can chime in with help!

      xo
      s

  43. Jill Stigs says

    March 27, 2013 at 7:28 pm

    Beautiful! I live in SE Wisconsin but not near the lake. Boo.

    They did a fantastic job!

    Reply
  44. Anissa Carlisle says

    March 27, 2013 at 8:22 pm

    Wow! That took nerve!it is gorgeous! I especially love the windows and built ins.

    Reply
  45. nancy @ owen's olivia says

    March 27, 2013 at 8:28 pm

    Holy cow! That’s freaking awesome!

    Reply
  46. Lindsay says

    March 27, 2013 at 8:33 pm

    I feel that if I lived in this house, it would be hard to have a bad day. Just the deck alone…sigh. Next time I am peering into my neighbors house while sitting on my deck, I’ll close my eyes and imagine myself there. :)

    Reply
  47. Diana says

    March 27, 2013 at 8:45 pm

    I agree with her on the no bathroom thing on the same floor thing. Our bedroom is upstairs and only bathroom is down. Not fun getting up in the middle of the night when nature calls! Especially when I was on crutches!!

    Reply
  48. Jamie says

    March 27, 2013 at 9:27 pm

    Wow that bedroom doesn’t even look like the same space! It’s so open and bright. Great work Erin! And that wood floor in the shower? Giving me all kinds of ideas :)

    Reply
  49. Vicki says

    March 27, 2013 at 9:48 pm

    Oh my word. I LOVE the built-ins. Actually, I love it all.

    Reply
  50. Whitney says

    March 27, 2013 at 10:22 pm

    OMG, can I move in?! I love the outside, the bedroom with all the built ins and don’t even get me started on that shower- especially the floor! Wonderful job!

    Reply
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John and Sherry Sitting On Woven ChairHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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