Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />Gem Lake NewsPage 5 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Historic Bemis Home Gets a Facelift <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Top photo: the newly remodeled master bathroom, which <br />involved opening up a series of small spaces; bottom <br />photo: a new family room emerged from a dark, damp <br />recreation room. <br />"When we opened up the walls, we realized we <br />had to add insulation and take care of some <br />other issues. We also had to deal with some <br />water damage when we decided to redo the <br />bathroom that is on this end of the house." <br /> <br />The bedrooms in question are at the top of a <br />large, sweeping staircase in the old home. "The <br />rooms are kind of central. Even small changes <br />make a big difference." Some of these changes <br />included creating a hallway into the area where <br />none existed before, which used to make the <br />area feel very closed off. <br /> <br />Phase Two has also included putting new <br />dormers on the east side of the house in an area <br />that was once used for ironing clothes. "We <br />made the room into a cute little reading nook." <br />says Greg. Things are moving more slowly than <br />the couple originally projected, and that has <br />proved to be okay with both of them. They are <br />now working with one very talented contractor <br />who is getting things done a little at a time, <br />which suits their lifestyle "just fine." <br /> <br />Phase Three of the project, may begin next <br />summer depending on a number of factors, <br />including his wife's pregnancy. This phase would <br />include remodeling several of the small <br />bedrooms on the north side of the house into a <br />large porch, and possibly adding a garage <br />somewhere. <br /> <br />Greg Smith has long been familiar with the Gem <br />Lake area, and with the Bemis family. As is <br />turns out Sandra Bemis, (Judson's daughter) <br />was his high school teacher. He also went to <br />school with several local residents. Greg now <br />helps manage Gopher Sign Company, which his <br />family has owned for several generations. <br /> <br />Since 2005, four homes have been built by <br />McNulty Homes on the Hillary Farm <br />Development, where the Smith's home is now <br />located. The original Bemis home sits in the <br />center of the development. <br /> <br />Greg and Melissa say they feel a real <br />connection to the area and are enjoying the <br />charm of their older home. They project that <br />they may take several more years to slowly and <br />lovingly update it. <br />