Ryan McFarland

Home Improvement is probably my biggest paying hobby. The improvements we have made on the house in just a few years gave the home value enough of a boost that we could use the equity to buy Lux. I don’t really need the value of the house to go up any more though - it might actually get to the point where it is difficult to sell. But there are a few major projects that i would like to get done before selling the place.

Shed - We desperately need a workshop behind the house. Last fall i framed the walls and i should secure the building before we leave on our trip and get some significant snow. I want the space to be heated so i can keep my tools out there and not have them rust away.  We also need to wrap the deck around the back of the house - not too large - just 3 feet wide would be alright.

Downstairs bath and sauna - the current workshop and boiler room needs to be converted into a half bath for when we have visitors. We can squeeze and office area into there also. We want a sauna also. I’ve been squirreling away red cedar for over a year.

Enclose the carport - A heated garage in the winter? Pure luxury!

Vault the ceiling in the kitchen and living room - They face south and have great natural light but the ceiling feels low compared to our bedrooms upstairs. (It doesn’t just feel low - it is low!) By tearing out the sheet rock and adding structural beams to replace the rafters we could have a spacious living area and eliminate the wasted attic space currently in that area.

Spiral staircase and french doors out of the bedroom - Landing right next to the hot tub. Part of this project would be nice to add a deck over part of the house - we have a covered porch - but when it is nice a deck would be better. Especially with the view of the Wrangell Narrows from up there.

Outdoor cooking area - We grill a lot. Not just in the summertime. I’d like to put in a tile counter with a small sink and a grill mounted. Cabinets below with a kegerator and a breakfast bar to dine off to the side would become the outdoor focal point of the house.

Pond - we would like to have a pond and waterfall to the side of the front of the house.

I’m tired just thinking about all these projects. They will ALL have to wait until around this time next year though.