Spectacular Cottage Transformation: Raising the Roof on a 1938 Wisconsin Home

Before we dive into an incredible house transformation shared by Erin, our friend Sherry recently whipped up a charming Easter-related DIY project for Clara. You can find all the delightful details and a sneak peek over on Young House Life.

Now, let’s shift our focus to Erin’s truly remarkable home makeover. For years, with our own homes featuring standard eight-foot ceilings, Sherry and I have often fantasized about the audacious idea of literally chopping off the roof and reattaching it a couple of feet higher. It’s a dream renovation that seems almost too ambitious for reality. So, imagine our sheer captivation when we stumbled upon Erin’s story—a couple who not only lived out this very dream but also packed in some truly awe-inspiring room makeovers along the way. Their journey of transforming a charming, yet challenging, 1938 cottage near Lake Michigan in Wisconsin is nothing short of inspiring.

The Allure of a 1938 Cottage: Charm Meets Challenge

Erin vividly recalls the initial charm of their 1938 cottage, a home they fell in love with back in 2002. Nestled near the picturesque shores of Lake Michigan, the house exuded vintage appeal and a sense of history. However, as is often the case with older homes, it came with its fair share of practical deficiencies. Erin recounted the core issues:

“Hi John and Sherry! We loved the 1938 cottage we live in near Lake Michigan in Wisconsin from the moment we laid eyes on it in 2002 but it was lacking in just a few things, headroom in the bedrooms and a roof that didn’t leak to name two.”

Low ceilings in the bedrooms made the upstairs feel cramped and restrictive, a common design quirk of cottages from that era. More critically, the roof was a persistent problem, prone to leaks that seemed destined to plague them indefinitely. These challenges, while daunting, became the catalyst for an extraordinary renovation journey.

The Grand Transformation: Lifting the Roof to New Heights

What began as a straightforward roof repair quickly escalated into a monumental structural overhaul. The existing roof design was, as Erin described, “a bad design destined to leak for all eternity, it seemed.” This fundamental flaw necessitated a more radical approach than a simple patch-up. The couple embarked on a comprehensive redesign, which naturally led to contemplating a few additions.

However, the most ambitious part of their plan was yet to come. To truly address the lack of headroom and create functional living spaces upstairs, they made the bold decision to literally rip the top half of the house off and stick it back on higher. This was not just a renovation; it was an engineering feat that completely reshaped the cottage’s profile and expanded its interior volume. The visual impact alone, as seen in the transformation photos, is astounding.

This decision, while undoubtedly complex and costly, was pivotal. It wasn’t merely about adding square footage; it was about reimagining the entire spatial experience of their home. By elevating the roofline, they unlocked previously unattainable vertical space, paving the way for significantly more comfortable and functional rooms on the upper level. This daring move laid the foundation for every subsequent interior makeover, proving that sometimes, the most challenging solutions yield the most rewarding outcomes.

Crafting an Outdoor Oasis: DIY Landscaping and Nautical Touches

The interior transformation was paralleled by an equally impressive makeover of the backyard. The couple invested significant effort and personal touches into creating an inviting outdoor living space. A new deck provided the perfect spot for relaxation and entertaining, but it was the unique railing choice that truly stood out. Being avid sailors, Erin and her partner opted for cable railings—a design element that beautifully mirrors sailboat lifelines, adding a personal, nautical flair to their outdoor sanctuary.

Erin also took immense pride in her extensive landscaping efforts, a true testament to her DIY spirit:

“In the back yard, we had a deck built, but we did put in the cable railings (we’re sailors and it turns out that cable railings are nothing but sailboat lifelines). I laid the entire stone walkway to the detached garage and the mini retaining walls around the garden, not to mention designing and planting the gardens. It’s by far the DIY project that I’m most proud of to date.”

Her hands-on involvement included laying the entire stone walkway leading to the detached garage and meticulously building mini retaining walls that framed the garden beds. Beyond the hardscaping, she also took on the creative task of designing and planting the gardens, transforming the backyard into a lush, personalized haven. This comprehensive outdoor project, blending functionality with aesthetic beauty and a deeply personal connection, became one of Erin’s proudest achievements.

Reimagining the Upper Level: From Cramped to Capacious

Maximizing Space: New Bedrooms and Essential Amenities

The most dramatic internal impact of raising the roof was felt on the upper level. What were once two small bedrooms, severely limited by very low slanted ceilings, were completely reconfigured. The transformation resulted in two generously sized bedrooms, effectively doubling the usable space and significantly improving comfort. One of these new bedrooms also gained the coveted amenity of a walk-in closet, a luxury previously unimaginable in the cottage.

Crucially, the renovation also addressed a long-standing inconvenience: the absence of an upstairs bathroom. Erin highlighted the daily struggle this posed:

“What we ended up doing was changing our upstairs from two small bedrooms with very low slanted ceilings to two pretty good-sized bedrooms, one with a walk-in closet, plus an extra bathroom (you don’t realize how much it stinks to not have a bathroom on the same floor as your bedroom until you live like that for eight years).”

Adding a much-needed extra bathroom on the same floor as the bedrooms drastically enhanced the home’s functionality and daily liveability. After eight years of living without this essential convenience, the impact on their daily routine and overall quality of life was profound, transforming a charming but impractical upper floor into a truly comfortable and efficient living area.

The Master Bedroom Sanctuary: Smart Storage and DIY Flair

The master bedroom, now a true sanctuary, exemplifies thoughtful design and clever space utilization. One of the couple’s “best decisions” was the incorporation of custom built-ins. These seamlessly integrated storage solutions, combined with the new walk-in closet, eliminated the need for bulky dressers or wardrobes, creating a remarkably uncluttered and serene environment. This minimalist approach allows the room to feel more expansive and peaceful.

The personal touches continued with the flooring: the couple proudly laid the bamboo floors themselves. Their DIY efforts extended to painting nearly the entire house, though Erin humorously noted an exception:

“In our bedroom, our best decision was the built-ins, which provide so much storage (along with the small walk-in closet) that we don’t need any other furniture (i.e. dressers) in the room. We laid the bamboo floors ourselves and did all of the painting throughout the house (other than the living room’s cathedral ceilings because I love my neck too much and we don’t have a chiropractor in the family).”

Their dedication to doing much of the work themselves not only saved costs but also infused the home with a deep sense of personal accomplishment and character, making every corner feel truly their own.

A Remarkably Efficient and Sentimental Bathroom

The new upstairs bathroom, despite its modest footprint of only 8 x 8 feet, is a marvel of efficiency and smart design. The couple masterfully squeezed in a spacious 5 x 3 foot shower and integrated more storage than they could have imagined needing. As with the bedroom built-ins, Erin took the lead in designing these custom elements, which were then expertly constructed to her specifications. This thoughtful approach ensures every inch of the compact space is utilized to its full potential.

“The new bathroom is only 8 x 8 feet, but we managed to squeeze in a 5 x 3 foot shower and more storage than we know what to do with. As with the bedroom built-ins, I designed them then had them built. You can get a glimpse into the upstairs hallway (open to the living room below) and my mini gallery wall, inspired, of course, by yours!”

Beyond its functionality, the bathroom and adjacent hallway are imbued with personal touches and history. The hallway opens gracefully to the living room below, creating a sense of spaciousness and connection within the home. A “mini gallery wall,” openly inspired by the designs popularized by Young House Love, adds visual interest and personality. Among the art pieces, one holds particular sentimental value: a piece of salvaged board found during demolition, bearing the inscription “Put here July 11, 1938.” This poignant artifact connects the present renovation to the home’s original construction. Further enhancing this blend of old and new, the door leading into the bathroom was lovingly salvaged from Erin’s grandparents’ house, adding another layer of family history and personal resonance to their transformed space.

A Forever Home: The Enduring Legacy of Renovation

The comprehensive renovation has left Erin and her family with a profound sense of satisfaction and a deep connection to their home. What began as a series of necessary repairs and ambitious structural changes culminated in a dwelling that perfectly meets their needs and aspirations. Erin’s final thoughts on their journey perfectly encapsulate this sentiment:

“We couldn’t imagine loving our house any more than we did before the renovation and now we’re sure we’ll only ever live in one house: this one! – Erin”

Her words resonate deeply, illustrating that the renovation was not just about fixing problems, but about crafting a “forever home.” This extraordinary transformation proves that with vision, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace ambitious projects, even a charming but challenging older house can be reimagined into a modern, highly functional, and deeply loved sanctuary. It’s a testament to the power of DIY and thoughtful design in creating a space that truly reflects its inhabitants.

Doesn’t Erin’s renovated cottage just make you want to pack your bags for a vacation? Her meticulous documentation of this and other incredible makeovers can be explored further on her blog, The Impatient Gardener. We encourage you to visit and discover more of her inspiring projects.

As for our favorite parts of this redesign, mine (John) has to be that poignant old board found and carefully preserved from 1938—a beautiful nod to the home’s history. Sherry, on the other hand, is completely smitten with that “bed and breakfast-y backyard,” as she perfectly dubbed it, envisioning serene mornings amidst Erin’s magnificent landscaping. Thank you so much for sharing your incredible journey, Erin; your story is a true inspiration to all home renovation enthusiasts!