Pretty yellows and light blues. Add a few Adirondak chairs.

I think you answered your own question when you said that you can't extend out because of your narrow lot. If you're going to expand, I think you're only option is up.

When all else fails go up.

Since the footprint of the house is so small, I would think you would need to build either toward the lake or the street in addition to building up. What does everyone else think?

Are you restricted from adding to the front or the back?

Ooops sorry, I read the post wrong.

The lot is pretty long, so I could could expand either way quite a bit.

THIS WOULD GET YOU THIS.


LOTS OF GLASS FOR YOUR VIEW.

THEN INSTEAD OF JUST THE STEPS, BUILD A HUGE DECK.

Than I would go out both ways but make sure you match the roof lines so it doesn't look like an add on mess.

I suggest you consult a local architect or architectural designer.

judyg, I'm not quite sure what you're suggesting.

IF YOU TAKE OFF THE FRONT ENTRY AND COME OFF THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE A PUT ON A LARGE, WIDE ROOM WITH LOTS OF GLASS, THEN A DECK, YOU GET THE BEST OF THE LOT FACING THE LAKE.

Judyg, why are you yelling?

DESIGN155…

I AM NOT AN ARCHITECT, BUT I MEAN A ROOF SOMETHING LIKE THIS PIX. THE ROOM WOULD RUN ACROSS THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE.

Judyg, I have a headache please stop yelling. ;-)

Judyg, that is called a gambrel roof. Or in some cases called a Dutch Colonial.

I'M REFERRING TO THE PORCH ROOF…. oops she's gone…something part shed/hip that would follow the ridge line and provide one great room across the front to take advantage of the view.

Can you hear me now? :>)

Phew!

It's great that you have room to expand toward the front or back. The existing house and site seem uncomplicated enough that you can probably add on at the ground floor without too much trouble. Definitely consult an architect. Good luck with it!

Go toward the water AND up. All this providing you can satisfy local building restrictions, When it comes to building near bodies of water, you can run into a myriad of restrictions.

judyg, I love the mental image I have of you trying to type with a cat in your lap! Can we see your cat?

How much work can you do financely?. You might be able to extend that front section all the way across.. Putting the entry door in the center- French doors? You could replace the current windows to the left of the door and make them an opening to the new room. the new room could be a mostly large glass area. New more lush landscaping and/or a brick patio. Or get an architect...

CAROLYN, SHE IS HERE AGAIN. A RESCUE CAT, GRAY AND WHITE, WITH A LITTLE PUSHED IN NOSE. LOVE HER.

You are so fortunate, judyg, to have a sweet cat on your lap. And your sweet cat is lucky to have a mama who will sit still as long as she's on your lap.

I'm no engineer or architect, but I play one on TV... LOL. You have to be careful when going up on an old cape like this that the foundation and sidewalls are strong enough to support the second story. Usually, when a cape has a second story, it has balloon framing, meaning that the sidewall framing extends all the way up to the kneewalls of the second floor to support the roof, and the foundation is thicker to support all that extra weight. It looks to me from the photos that is not the case with your cottage. As others have said, consult an architect/engineer; you will have to anyway for the permitting process...

I took a closer look at your photos, and you might have the balloon framing already. To go up, you would have to go with a 12/12 roof pitch and possibly a full dormer across the back. Your neighbor's house has a 12/12 pitch, it loooks like. Anyway you go you will still need an architect.

What kind of space are you looking for? Bedroom? Kitchen? ???

Can you tell us your scope of work? It is difficult to say without know what you want to do.

Oh I love your cape cod house. I think you really must add a picket fence. Original cape cod houses at times used the attic space. Any way you can do that and add dormers. Love the house.