Little Paw Paw Lake renovation sketch

For the next proposed renovation, we have a two story stick built home in need of some curb appeal.  To me the house looks a little one dimensional.  So lets start by tacking on a gable faced dormer with some cedar shakes.  Next we have to tackle the problem of the cantilevered 2nd story.  It looks a little out of place.  Lets make it look conforming, by adding a 5 foot deck.  By doing this, we will take advantage of the lake views, and give the house some outdoor living space which it currently doesn't have.  This will also make the cantilevering of the 2nd story look intentional.  The deck will be supported by 6x6 treated treated lumber.  It will be supported by a 45 degree exaggerated support system, fastened with anchor bolts into the beefed up interior walls.  This is a unique way of giving it a traditional New Orleans look.  In order to get the four supports spaced evenly, the window on the main floor is going to have to be replaced by 2 windows spaced accordingly to balance the support system.  On the second level, we are going to put in a 16 lite stain-able Douglas Fir french door.  The hand-rail system will be 6" x 1" teak (stained annualy with Australian Teak Oil), spaced evenly until 42" in height is achieved.  Find out what your house could look like with a simple make-over.  E-mail me today.  Ryan@GreenTowneBuilders.com


Before

"After"



Cozy Cottage Renovation

Here we go, it's renovation time again.  What to do with this neglected cottage in Coloma Michigan a couple blocks from all sports 1,000 acre Paw Paw Lake.  It is an average looking stick built home in need of a major face lift.  I decided that we were going to give it a "woodsy-cottage" look.  The cedar board and batten was in good shape, so lets just give that a coat of earth-tone paint.  However the trim around the exterior windows is too narrow, so lets put some 4" Mira-Tech trim around them.  To balance the roof-line out, we next put a 1 degree sloping dormer in the center of the house, with 3 16" square equally divided lite windows by Anderson.  We then decided that a pergola would give the house an inviting and aesthetically pleasing appeal.  So we anchored that with 3-24"x24" pillars finished in treated plywood, and trimmed out in Mira-Tech.  Finally, we put a small metal roof/overhang over the garage door to dress that up a little.  Throw in some dune grass, and cone flowers, and Ah Ha, you have a cozy "woodsy-cottage."  Check out the before and after:


Before





After

Office Renovation, St. Joseph MI

This is another renovation that we did on a non-conforming residential building in St. Joseph, MI.  The objective was to turn it into a functional real estate office.  By functional, I mean a unique eye grabbing, attention getting free standing building with a hip coastal theme.  What do all coastal buildings have?  A weathervane
of course.  But what would hold a weathervane?  Of course, a cupola.  So I incorporated a 36" x 36" cupola into the center of the drawing.  This would be a non functioning cupola, meaning that it is only has asthetic appeal.  There is no way to access it from the inside of the house, and no light on the inside of it.  It is just to look pretty.  Oh yeah, and to bring some balance to the roofline.  What else does every coastal building have?  Of course, a metal roof.  So I incorporated a galvanized aluminum roof into the facade to give it that southern coastal charm.  This also increases the energy savings of the home, by reflecting the rays of the sun.  Thus keeping the building from heating up like a green-house.  There is also a tax break for using reflective metal roofs.  We used tapored pillars again to give it that old world craftsman charm.  Now we had to figure out how to create a hand rail system for the front porch to stay with the coastal theme, and give some privacy to the front porch, while not making it closed off, and allowing a breeze to flow.  So we used 6 " x 1" Pau Lupe Brazilian Hardwood.  We had to reach 42" in height, so we did 6 rows, spacing them 1" apart each.  We capped it off with 3/4" armour board for a hand rail, and supported it in the middle with hand cut tapored armour board securred to the ipe, and hand-rail.  In the end, we achieved our look.  A stand alone, real estate office, with a coastal theme, and southern charm.  Check out the before and after...

Before

   




A Drawing of the proposed exterior renovation




"After"



Lakewood Renovation/Makeover

This is a complete renovation that we produced in 2009.  It was a small cottage in Coloma Michigan, in need of some TLC.  It had partial lake views, and a double lot.  I took it to the drawing board, and came up with a suitable look to maximize the "lake cottage" look.  We combined natural cedar Batt & Board Siding, Cedar Shakes, and a clear cedar garage door, to maximize the green effect.

Multiple dormers or all different shapes, sizes, and heights adds some great balance to the 1,600 square foot cottage.  To finish off the look, we added some decorative gable trim, tapored pillars with a river rock base, flower box for the kitchen window, and a screened in porch for relaxing on those hot summer days, when the pesty bugs are relentless.  Believe it or not, this is the same house, same foundation, We just added on to the existing Structure to greatly enhace the curb appeal.   

The After picture.  The renovation was a success.  Amazing what a little detail, and a lot of hard work can do...!

After. 

My first makeover Post

My name is Ryan Green.  I am a licensed builder/realtor based out of St. Joseph, MI.  St. Joseph is a great little beach community that is growing by leaps and bounds thanks to the new Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf course that has recently been semi-completed.  I am digressing.  Apologies.  The reason for this blog is to help you out with your home renovation.  Your home is your kingdom, your nest-egg, your place where you can be you.  Does your house reflect your personality?  Do you want it to, but just don't know how?  Let me give you a hand.  I take everyday houses, in need of a little personality, and overhaul the exterior to give it a little sparkle, and a lot of curb appeal.  I will be posting a few before and afters that I have done personally, and as many weekly make-overs as I can.  Stay tuned, and thanks for visiting.