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billybastien .

houssaon I love the color of the siding and the roof. Great front porch. Wonderful setting. Are you going to add on?

apple_pie_order Gorgeous spot. You might consider painting the brown shed building the same red and white as the main cabin. Beautiful setting. For fire safety, review the local recommendations for how far away to keep the trees from the house.

billybastien Thank you for the quick answers! Any project is welcome including an add-on. I will re-start the discussion to get more answers just to advise you. Here are some more pics if you have any ideas please post them! We wanted to add windows to get a great lake view if that can help you give us inspiration!

fabia I like the outdoor art!! Bravo. The sky is the limit. Larger windows would be great. A covered screened in porch instead of the current gazebo. What is that big fireplace? do you smoke meats? I like the rustic qulaity of this cabin. The red is fun, and distinctive. How much are you willing to put this fine cabin through? Thats your answer.

billybastien Thank You! You have very good ideas that will make us look at it from a different standpoint. The big fire place is a franklin wood stove that people used to put in homes years back. We can do big renos as much as small renos we just want to renovate to make it better looking!

decoenthusiaste Wow! Great little vacation spot! Are you planning to live there full time? I ask, because I manage vacation rentals much like yours for owners who want their vacation property to pay its own way. You can see one of them at www.cavecreekcabin.com. Looks to be a great fishing spot and maybe winter sports on the lake. Does it freeze solid?

billybastien Hello, no we are not staying there full time. Yes, it is a fishing place and a great place to do winter sports (skating on the lake, sliding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing,etc.)

billybastien But we do not want to rent the place, sorry!

fabia In terms of renovations, adding on to the right side , a good place to add family style room, or great room. Add some height and allot of windows. Definatley a fireplace. But this is a nice cabin, as is.

Aesthetic Tile Imaging Fabia,
RE you comment on outdoor art - please see my Houzz profile page - Comments?

sealedesign Is this house in Canada? Just wondered because I've seen some places like that there.

billybastien Yes it is in canada, province of quebec!

kitasei I'd start first with an analysis of its energy efficiency and potential for saving. Nothing is more enjoyable than being warm while you look out huge windows on a snowy scene. You might also think about physically tying the house to the lake with a walkway onto a dock. If you have rights to use the water itself, you could have a charming boat house with portable heat right on the water.

billybastien Ohh I like that idea! Thanks!

ispeakwhale If this were my place (:D and I sure wish it was)...

In addition to some things already mentioned, I would paint the brown building the same color as the cottage, and match the window/s to the house. I would consider connecting the 2 buildings with a glass solarium! It would be amazing to sit in when it is snowing! As far as materials/framing and style, I would consult with an architect. Something to this effect -

http://www.nanawall.com/photolibrary/project_detail/Glass-Room-3/65702#.UP4QD6UTslI

I wouldn't mess with the house, except maybe replace the wood porch with stone, but keep the style the same, unless to coordinate with a solarium.

Lucky you to have to make such decisions!

John Seiffert I would replace the T-111 siding, which doesn't last (in the Mid Atlantic area at least) and put in clapboard siding. Apply consistent trim around doors and windows and paint or replace that awful aluminum storm door.

John Seiffert Apply boards to make round porch posts square.

John Seiffert I would apply trim boards to make round porch posts square.