5-29 Update

We've had a busy week here particularly on Monday and Tuesday when we focused almost exclusively on the new house.

You can hopefully see some changes if not in the perspective immediately below, then in the layout toward the bottom of the page.

The dormer is slightly smaller to make the truss building easier and the sunroom below has expanded to match the dormer's size.

Inside we have rearranged the master bedroom area including adding a glass block shower which we're quite jazzed about.

In addition, the staircase has opened up and seating at the counter is easier because of the sunroom.
We have a new kitchen designer, Ann's pool partner, Wendy, and we are very very excited that she has agreed to work with us and Charlie on the kitchen specifically, but she has also come through with great ideas for the rest of the house in just a brief sitdown on Tuesday.

As always your thoughts, reactions, comments, ideas, jokes, riddles are greatly appreciated.

Home Theater

We have sent the following message to our designer. What do you think?

The inclusion of a home theater is critical to the distinctiveness of our new home. To be able to enjoy movie classics such as Apocalyse Now, Platoon, Dr. Strangelove, and even some more subdued flics like Fantasia from the comfort of our pontoon boat would be priceless. We would love to have you and Denise over for such an event.

And think about what it might mean for passing motorists on Highway 47, to say nothing about the constant stream of boaters! The option of charging admission would certainly help the local economy. (Could a projector be run by solar power or would wind storage work better?)

And finally we are sensing that the wildlife on the marsh are becoming bored, with spring spawning near completion and child rearing setting in. A diversion, such as envisioned might make the cranes and herons settle down a little more comfortably.

For other architectural innovations, check these out.

OK, as promised here are depictions of the latest rendering.  I'm predicting 50 such iterations before the eagle lands (just kidding, Charlie!).

As always, we welcome feedback anytime, anyplace, any form.  (No farting noises over the phone, please.)

We moved the entrance, actually Charlie did.  We moved the guest room/office to the basement (that may end up being the coolest room in the house); we shrunk the house to accomodate the front deck;  we added a sun room off the bedroom; and the dormer and glass now appear over the living room.

Clicking on a picture ENLARGES it.

May 8 Meeting, etc.

We visited Charlie's house as a launching pad for ideas as well as visting some of the projects--completed, nearly so, and in progress.

We came away feeling very good about the quality of ideas along with the quality of workmanship.

First the ideas.

The proposed house is now a little smaller to accomodate a deck facing the river.  But for some strange reason (maybe it's the software), judging by the pictures, which I hope to share soon, it feels more liveable.  We left Charlie with a few more suggested improvements.  Here is a website to check out regarding a relatively new wall treatment.  As always, comments and/or reactions are most welcome.

Here it is.

Charlies showed us three of his projects, the first a remodel from a Wausau home.  This abode is located on Fishtrap Lake with a very steep incline (decline?) to the lake reminiscent of Spider Lake in Mercer.

The treatment this couple used to access the lake?  A tram.  I'm not kidding.  I would have loved to have taken a ride.

The second house was built on what everyone said was an impossible site--one sort of a smallish mound.  Charlie made it work and did so with distinction using existing material (barn posts) and created a spectacular screened in porch in the process.

And the last house looks like it came out of Architectural Digest, with a minimalilst exterior and a warm, radiant floor interior overlooking a path to their lake, whose name I have forgotten.

In other news Ann may have found us a place to live during construction.  And the real strange thing is that it's located two 'doors' down from us at 4734.  It's a cozy little place with two bedrooms, a greenhouse, and a good sized garage with a goodly amount of stuff in it.

We meet with the owner, who has had the house on the market for four years, on Monday.

Here 'tis.