Friends of ours have an A-frame home on the water, but their roof is a bit different, as it extends to a point on top. A good portion of the sides and the entire waterfront of the house is a combination of large windows and sliders. The windows and doors are all trimmed the same and are the same size. It's difficult to tell the difference between the two - and the effect is stunning. Wrap around water views make it seem much larger than the small 2br home it really is. The master is lofted so light just pours into the entire house. Congrats on your vacation home - enjoy it!

Your charming lake-front is really a 'gambrel' style roof instead of a-frame. What a gorgeous location and stunning property. Sorry I can't help with the curb appeal re-do you're asking for but did want to address the style. We've lived in the mountains among cabins, a-frames, and gambrels. Great purchase!

This so reminds me of my parent's get-away home that I just had to put my two cents worth in.

Theirs was much the same as yours but I think somewhat larger, at least from what I can see from the picture. They loved the view from both levels so both had floor to ceiling glass, with a large slider in the middle of the ground level and a smaller slider on the upper deck.

They had vinyl siding installed that we all gagged on when we heard the color. It was a rose color and must to our surprise, it was beautiful. The color seemed to changed with the change in the daylight. Sometimes a light rose, sometimes a grey, sometimes a tan.

The old railing was the kind that slanted away from the deck and they completely tore it out and installed wrought iron on top, as well as put a spiral staircase leading to the small top deck (which I don't think anyone but the kids used). They also ripped out the whole lower level decking and extended the new deck quite a ways out. It also ran down the sides of the house about 1/3rd of the house each side. From the decking they had steps built all around the new decking. There was no railings at all on the deck, just wide steps down. I hope that makes sense.

They (and everyone else who was there) spent most of their time outside and didn't want any railings/banisters in the way. My dad took out all the old shrubbery and my mom, who was an avid gardener, planted alot of perennials, as well as large potted plants.

I wish I had pictures to show you what I mean because the total overall look was stunning and the people they had bought the home from had thought they had torn down the old one and rebuilt. When they sold it to retire to another state they got back well over 5 times what they originally paid for it, including all the upgrades.

Looking at your first picture sure brought back alot of good memories. What a fun project you have ahead of you.

Jenna

Thank you so much for the comment. I really like the idea of steps all around the deck, so no railing is needed. And I am changing my thinking from using casement windows to floor to ceiling glass. Love the ideas.