How Tranquil Escape Came About.
We have been traveling to the Smoky Mountain Area for the past 12 years, multiple times each year. We love this area, it is so very peaceful and beautiful, it is our ESCAPE from our hectic lives.
We decided a few years ago that we wanted to purchase a cabin of our own. SO the very long search began, 3 years long and countless cabins later...
It was an exciting and exhausting experience. Our dog Belle assisted with our search, some cabins she would not even go in, others she went in walked around and was ready to leave; but this one was the only one that she made herself at home in from the very 1st moment of entering... So let it be said that the dog has chosen.
We loved the location, lay out of the cabin and the lot; it was the only cabin that we kept returning to on our list.
BUT:
This cabin was especially exhausting, it was part of an estate with very difficult siblings. We attempted a purchase and for 2 months got no where with the owners. We retreated and began our search again, but this cabin simply checked the most off of our want list. SO, we returned to battle these impossible people again; 5 months later, the cabin was finally ours. (I have been in real estate a very long time and these were the most difficult sellers that I have ever dealt with. I felt sorry for our Realtor, them on one side and me on the other, poor guy.)
NOW, for the other details. As I mentioned earlier the location and the layout of the cabin is great, however it was built in 1996 and everything was original, down to the putt-putt green carpet (The urge to draw 9 circles and play putt-putt was overwhelming). This was very typical for most of the cabins in Pigeon Forge, very out-dated with either green or red carpet.
Remodeling:
We have been traveling to the Smoky Mountain Area for the past 12 years, multiple times each year. We love this area, it is so very peaceful and beautiful, it is our ESCAPE from our hectic lives.
We decided a few years ago that we wanted to purchase a cabin of our own. SO the very long search began, 3 years long and countless cabins later...
It was an exciting and exhausting experience. Our dog Belle assisted with our search, some cabins she would not even go in, others she went in walked around and was ready to leave; but this one was the only one that she made herself at home in from the very 1st moment of entering... So let it be said that the dog has chosen.
We loved the location, lay out of the cabin and the lot; it was the only cabin that we kept returning to on our list.
BUT:
This cabin was especially exhausting, it was part of an estate with very difficult siblings. We attempted a purchase and for 2 months got no where with the owners. We retreated and began our search again, but this cabin simply checked the most off of our want list. SO, we returned to battle these impossible people again; 5 months later, the cabin was finally ours. (I have been in real estate a very long time and these were the most difficult sellers that I have ever dealt with. I felt sorry for our Realtor, them on one side and me on the other, poor guy.)
NOW, for the other details. As I mentioned earlier the location and the layout of the cabin is great, however it was built in 1996 and everything was original, down to the putt-putt green carpet (The urge to draw 9 circles and play putt-putt was overwhelming). This was very typical for most of the cabins in Pigeon Forge, very out-dated with either green or red carpet.
Remodeling:
- Since purchasing the cabin in March of 2016; we have ripped out all of the carpets and replaced it with hand stained real hardwood floors.
- Installed all new lighting and ceiling fans.
- New kitchen appliances.
- Added white/grey washed real wood ceiling in the main living area.
- New furniture through-out the cabin. Some pieces are up-cycled re-purpose pieces.
- New Gas Grill
- Added a new sitting area in the screened back porch section.
- New back porch dining set.
- Various walls have been upgraded with T&G real wood for a more authentic look.
- All new Outdoor Cabin Themed Décor inside and outside of the Cabin.
- Added a new fresh look to the front landscaping.
- Sectioned the closets for a more organized approach.
- You will also notice that we have removed the hot tub. This is a huge expense for the owners and the guest. We determined that for something that is seldom used, poorly cleaned between guests (germs), and has high maintenance cost; that the space could serve better use.
- When we purchased the cabin it had a huge rock fireplace in it. This massive piece was consuming a quarter of the living room. We decided to temporarily remove it. We plan to replace it with a new appropriately sized fireplace in 2017/2018.
- We have put a lot of attention into detail, as we want the cabin to be simply amazing.
2017 & 2018 ADDITIONAL REMODELING PLANS:
As you keep coming back to our cabin over the next couple of years, you will find that the cabin will continue to improve. The cabin is 20 years old, and like any other home it needs love.
It is our plan to improve the cabin in the following ways:
I am sure that I will find more ways to improve the cabin as we go through this process. It will simply get better with each visit. As you can see, we have a long list of improvements that are complete and quite a list of improvements to come.
Come see how we bring renewed life back to an already incredible cabin.
As you keep coming back to our cabin over the next couple of years, you will find that the cabin will continue to improve. The cabin is 20 years old, and like any other home it needs love.
It is our plan to improve the cabin in the following ways:
- Add a New appropriately sized Fireplace.
- New Washer / Dryer
- Remodel the Kitchen - New Cabinets & Countertops
- Remodel both Bathrooms Completely.
- Stain the Exterior of the Cabin
- Repair Carpenter Bee & Woodpecker Damage
- Rework & Add-On to the Porches
- New Roof
I am sure that I will find more ways to improve the cabin as we go through this process. It will simply get better with each visit. As you can see, we have a long list of improvements that are complete and quite a list of improvements to come.
Come see how we bring renewed life back to an already incredible cabin.
