What do you call a lovely single wide remodeled with cedar shake siding, a smooth stone foundation and a wrap around deck? “The Whim” of course! The Whim is a gorgeous single wide sitting on the edge of a Wisconsin lake that’s being transformed by a talented DIY couple.
We featured Marie and Richards vacation home in January. The couple was in the midst of re-siding the home in cedar shakes and adding a complete wrap around deck as well as a few other upgrades. Today, we get to share an update!
UPDATE: We also visited with Maria and took a look at Basements Under Mobile Homes, like the one under “The Whim”.
The Whim began with a plan to buy an investment property and then they saw an advertisement calling the home “a cute place on the lake.” Marie called and learned it was close to their home and they took a long weekend to view the property. They were sold on the unobstructed lake views and decided this home would be a perfect weekend getaway for the 2 outdoor enthusiasts that love to kayak. The home was purchased on a whim and immediately began planning the update. Although, they had never owned a manufactured home before that didn’t slow them down at all. They tackled the remodel and the home is worthy of any magazine cover!
Rustic Cabin Makeover
They were going for a rustic cabin look and they nailed it. The last time we spoke they had the home looking great with the cedar siding almost finished, it only lacked the one end facing the lake. They were also planning to replace the living room bay window on that side which is why that end was left (planning ahead is vital in any home project). Luckily for them and us, it’s all coming along beautifully!
Below is what the home looked like right after they purchased it.
Here is the home when we featured it in January. The siding was almost completely finished, only needing the end completed. However, since they knew they would be replacing the bay window they held off. The decking had been built around the home as well.
Removing the Window and the Wall
Marie was kind enough to send us photos of the work in progress. They focused on replacing the bay window overlooking the lake with new windows. There was a lot of thought put into the replacement, too. Marie initially thought patio doors would be suiting but thought against it because that side of the home faces west and would bear the brunt of the wind coming off the lake in the winters. A picture window wasn’t suitable for aesthetic reasons so the decision was made to add a long row of windows that would be set at an optimal height in order to take advantage of the views.
Studding the Wall and Installing the Window
Since the bay window was an optional attachment to the home’s construction, it was easy to remove and because they were adding such a massive row of windows that weighed in at around 400 pounds as well as adding heavy cedar shakes, to the exterior it made sense to re-stud the entire wall. They added new headers to accommodate the new windows as well as a new base to handle the weight. That also aided in the insulation and allowed a stronger wall to dissipate the wind and snow issues as well. Of course, any time you tear into a home, there’s going to be something that wasn’t planned for. In this case, it was large bees nests; both mud wasps and yellow jackets had decided to live there rent-free. Luckily they did this in early May while it was still cool, so the bees weren’t too much of a hindrance.
Below is the home after the bay window and the wall were removed. You can see the studding is being prepared for a set of windows that span 11 feet across!
Friends and neighbors with happy smiles helped set the 11 foot wide and 5 foot high windows into place. We should all be blessed to have such happy helpers!
The interior view of the new wall made to look like a shiplap and the windows. Love the wall!
The windows are one long span of 4 single-hung windows built as one. This allowed for better insulation and energy efficiency. It also made the installation easier so that each window wouldn’t have to be hung separately. Also, by having single-hung windows as opposed to a picture window, it takes advantage of any breezes from the west. Wisconsin does get brutal winters but they also have hot and humid days from July through August. On the exterior, the coach lights were installed along with the windows and the switch and socket were placed. The exterior was then wrapped in roofing paper and ready for it’s finishing touch: the cedar that makes this home an absolute visual treat!
Once the window was in its place the cedar siding was added.
I love everything about this home. It shows the unlimited potential that manufactured homes have. If you can dream it you can do it as long as you plan accordingly and have patience. Taking the project in steps and not getting ahead of yourself is key. This is a great example of how thinking ahead can make things a lot smoother in any remodel.
All they have left is the railing and the roof of the deck to install and the home will be completely finished on the outside.
The interior will be the next project but with such a gorgeous place to relax outside, there’s probably no hurry.
A huge thank you to Marie for sharing her beautiful vacation home with us!
As always, thank you for reading Mobile Home Living!
That is terrible. I am so sorry that happened to you. It sounds like it may be best for you to start fresh in a different home. You may be able to sell that one or even trade it in for a used mobile home (buying from a dealership may be best so that you can have the old mobile home removed or moved as part of the deal).
If you are going to keep it start by making sure the structure is sound (walls, floor, ceiling, doors, and windows) and then get the electrical, heating and cooling, and plumbing working. Add new insulation while you have the chance. You should be able to find some affordable appliances at a Goodwill or resale shop. After that, you can start with the cosmetics. If you can do most of the work yourself you will save a lot of money.
Anything is possible if you want or need it bad enough. I’ve seen some real dumps that were absolutely destroyed become nice homes. Best of luck!
Tina Fleisher
I am in north central Washington. I have a 1/3 acre lot with a renovated small home I live in and a 14′ x 70′, 1980 Homelite. The Homelite was taken from me by squatters after I had surgery. She then brought in her drug dealing, felony-paroled, drug cooking son. They were finally evicted, but the home is destroyed. My insurance does not cover “hard living” such as the gang graffiti, done with red spray paint on the front of the home.
All appliances were destroyed. The front fence was broken when hit by the movers. My State Farm contract does not cover any of that “hard living”. It also paid nothing for the dismantled power box inside. If it had caught on fire they would have covered that, I’m told. Repair persons shut everything off, including the electrical. I am disabled and they feared I could not move quickly enough to escape a fire.
WOW, Tina,
That is terrible. I am so sorry that happened to you. It sounds like it may be best for you to start fresh in a different home. You may be able to sell that one or even trade it in for a used mobile home (buying from a dealership may be best so that you can have the old mobile home removed or moved as part of the deal).
If you are going to keep it start by making sure the structure is sound (walls, floor, ceiling, doors, and windows) and then get the electrical, heating and cooling, and plumbing working. Add new insulation while you have the chance. You should be able to find some affordable appliances at a Goodwill or resale shop. After that, you can start with the cosmetics. If you can do most of the work yourself you will save a lot of money.
Anything is possible if you want or need it bad enough. I’ve seen some real dumps that were absolutely destroyed become nice homes. Best of luck!
I am in north central Washington. I have a 1/3 acre lot with a renovated small home I live in and a 14′ x 70′, 1980 Homelite. The Homelite was taken from me by squatters after I had surgery. She then brought in her drug dealing, felony-paroled, drug cooking son. They were finally evicted, but the home is destroyed. My insurance does not cover “hard living” such as the gang graffiti, done with red spray paint on the front of the home.
All appliances were destroyed. The front fence was broken when hit by the movers. My State Farm contract does not cover any of that “hard living”. It also paid nothing for the dismantled power box inside. If it had caught on fire they would have covered that, I’m told. Repair persons shut everything off, including the electrical. I am disabled and they feared I could not move quickly enough to escape a fire.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.