MY BIG BEAR LAKE COTTAGE RENOVATION – PART 3
Hi There!
Remember I told you we bought a real fixer-upper little cottage in nearby Big Bear Lake, California? I showed you the before photos of the cottage here.
And I showed you the demolition process here.
Well, today I thought I’d give you a progress report. Don’t misunderstand, the cottage is now fully completed and wonderful and beautiful. And in fact, it is available as a vacation rental at www.VRBO.com/452020. But, since I wasn’t blogging this time last year when we put in the new windows, I thought I’d take you along with me on a little sentimental journey. So, here’s an update on my Big Bear Lake Cottage Renovation.
After the demolition was complete, it was time to install all new windows. It was an exciting day when the truck pulled up with my lovely new Milgard windows.
This is, by no means, an advertisement for Milgard. I mention my product choices in this blog in an effort to give you suggested resources, and as suppliers to consider for your own renovations. I mention only the resources I have personally used satisfactorily. So, with that said, I chose Milgard windows because I thought they were the best value for the price and appearance. I also selected vinyl windows because they hold up really well in the cold, wet and snowy environment we have here on the mountain. I don’t think I’d use vinyl windows if my cottage were located in a dry climate. I think that natural wood looks considerably better.
The windows were stacked in the back bedroom and the installers set about replacing every window in the cottage.
The existing windows were wood, and they were considerably weather worn and corroded. Several of the glass window panes were broken. So we went from the ugly, broken window on the left to the nice new window on the right.
We got rid of the ugly, divided-light, aluminum slider……
and replaced it with a brand new sliding door without the ugly divided-lights.
On the other hand, I liked the way the original divided-lights looked on the two front windows, so I replaced them with new divided-lights.
There were ugly aluminum windows in the back bedroom.
They were replaced of course and this is what they look like today.
On the left is what the original front bedroom window looked like on the side of the house. On the right is what it looks like today.
Do you remember that a million years ago greenhouse windows were all the rage? We had one in the kitchen. Well, I got rid of that eyesore as well……
and our kitchen window now looks like this.
Well, my little cottage, affectionately known as “The Bird’s Nest” is all buttoned up with pretty, dual pane windows to keep all the little chickadees toasty warm in winter.
So, y’all come visit us real soon, ya hear!
NOTE: The folks at Milgard Windows & Doors don’t know me. I just like sharing.
All opinions expressed in this post are my own. All photos are the original property of Celia Becker @ www.AfterOrangeCounty.com and may not be reproduced without specific permission.
