The original state, before it was purchased by the family in 2001. We took possession in 2005.
Massive stone fireplace in front room, with timber mantle.
Twenty-year old food in the refrigerator.
Opening up the living room.
Closet in one of the bedrooms.
Deteriorated wall that would not be addressed until the second renovation.
View from the dining room through the kitchen.
Utility room.
The house is on two levels, with the dining room and kitchen down a short flight of stairs.
The front wall has deteriorated and is protected by particle board.
New front and upper window installed.
The owls are not what they seem. Or are they?
Search for utilities. Most of the front yard (and its rich soil) was overturned trying to find the sewer line that the city said was there. In the end, a new line was laid.
New windows in the living room (center) and the beginnings of plantings.
A screened porch has been added to the back. Logs were cut away to make a double door into the back of the cabin.
The driveway was graded and laid with gravel.
The new facade is board and batten.
Rocks from the property help to shape the garden. A pump adds to the character.
Old and new boards and logs in the ceiling of the living room help to date the structure. The hexagonal roof is more easily seen in this photo. The lamp and fan have been added, powered by the exposed electrical conduit.
The new fan in the bedroom, again betraying different periods of construction.
The original condemnation sign is no longer needed on the outside.
Part of the new windows in the living room.
The fireplace has been converted to gas.
Elements of the rustic remain next to the modernized.
Downstairs, itw as easier to paint the floor and ceiling than it was to re-sand and stain everything.
The new French doors leading from the dining room to the screened porch.
Cabinets were painted and new appliances installed.
Bamboo was also used for irrigated planters.
New walkways were constructed from stone and pavers found on the property.
Bamboo is used to add privacy and define the borders.
Bamboo was incorporated into the sprinkler system.
A drip system made from bamboo.
Bamboo from the property is used to define the vegetable garden in the front yard.
