From Fishing Camp to Dream Home: Our Cayuga Lake Journey
When we first set foot on our new property on Cayuga Lake, it felt like we had stumbled upon a dream. With over 100 feet of pristine water frontage, a neighboring vineyard, and breathtaking views, it was everything we had hoped for—and more. Coming from our cozy 750-square-foot cottage on Honeoye Lake, this home felt like a palace. We were captivated by its rustic quirky charm and imagined endless summers on the dock, evenings by the firepit, and a forever home where our family and friends could gather.
This place needed help. The first Winter our retaining wall collapsed and the roof needed shingles. Addition after addition made made for mixed up roof angles. One of the quirkiest features of the old camp was the massive pressure-treated, blue deck tacked onto the back of the house. At first glance it seemed like a wonderful gathering space overlooking the lake, but the more time we spent on it, the more unhappy we felt. The boards sagged and rippled in a way that mimicked the water below. It became yet another reminder that while the property had undeniable charm, it wasn’t built for long-term safety or comfort.
Love what you have
We knew the house needed work. What we didn’t anticipate was how much. Decades of piecemeal additions left the interior choppy and awkward. The steep, narrow stairs to the second floor were immovable. The old enclosed porch—once turned into a primary bedroom—was cold, drafty and narrow. We tried to love the layout but the more we uncovered, the more we realized the challenges ahead. Our favorite spot was the kitchen that was the most updated space in the cottage. This would be the same spot for our new kitchen!
A Change of Plans
The real turning point came just as we were about to renovate. While opening walls, we discovered evidence of a fire from the 1970s hidden behind layers of remodeling. We wondered why the wrap around deck had a gap and that is why! Structural issues compounded our plans, and renovation costs quickly climbed to equal—or even exceed—the cost of starting fresh. In that moment, we had to make a difficult decision: preserve the quirky, charm of a vintage fishing camp or let go and create the home we truly wanted. The struggle was REAL!
Demo Day
Demolition day was bittersweet. Years of history came down in just a few hours. As the walls disappeared, so did our original vision of a simple renovation. Yet, in its place rose something new—a blank canvas where every detail could be reimagined. I sat the whole time while the pay loaders crumbled each wall like matchsticks. It was over so fast. With my passion for reusing and recycling I put the whole house on Facebook marketplace and a grateful family from Ithaca came and took out just about everything include the light fixtures, vanities, flooring, the entire kitchen and appliances.
Remarkably the demo crew kept our grill station with smoker. That will eventually take on a new look in the future but in the meantime that is exactly how it is today. The grill master needs his space.
Once the demo was done and plans were finalized, the framing process was a whirlwind. Our Rochester-based contractor—who happened to grow up in Seneca Falls—had an incredible network of local subcontractors who knew the area and the lakefront building codes. Their teamwork meant the structure took shape at lightning speed working weekends and long days.
Friends on the lake would drive by boat and send us images of the progress and what it looked like from the water. During this time we decided not to put our boat in the water. Our framers would come and dock in our hoist on Fridays and fish after a long week’s work. A Verdi container held our furniture and belongings.
Using the same footprint
Every few days, we made the drive out to the property, eager to see what had changed. What began as bare footings and outlines quickly became walls, beams, and trusses. Each visit brought a new sense of excitement and anticipation.
From blueprint to LIFE
As the second floor was added, our perspective shifted. Rooms that once felt small on paper suddenly felt expansive and bright. We could finally stand in the spaces we had only imagined—our future kitchen, the soaring two-story great room, and our first ever laundry room that was not in the basement! Seeing the height and volume come together gave us a whole new appreciation for the design. The home began to feel less like a construction site and more like the dream we had been envisioning for so long. I was finally able to use the copper fish weathervane that we received as a wedding gift 26 years earlier!
Now you might find this hard to believe but I hate bugs, especially spiders. Not a great fear when you live by the water, and certainly no fun when eating out. The screened in porch was our answer for bug free living. The deck square footage would become smaller but we still have the same outdoor experience.
Building on a slope
Building on a slope also turned out to be a hidden blessing. Not only did it allow for a walk-out lower level, but it also gave us improved sightlines over the lake. Each day, as the framing rose higher, so did our views. Crazy how ceiling heights can change the perceived square footage of a space. Although we plan to finish the basement in a later phase, for now we’re taking time to breathe, settle in, and enjoy the fruits of our labor so far.
Our new home basically retains the same footprint but transforms every inch of it. We designed a first-floor primary suite for aging in place, a state-of-the-art entertaining kitchen that feels like the heart of the home, and an open floor plan that flows effortlessly from room to room. My favorite feature? The two-story great room with its dramatic round window—a bold design choice that fills the space with light and lake views. We feel like we are on a house boat. It’s hard to believe this soaring room now sits where the old family room once stood.
This journey has been about more than just construction. It’s been about letting go of something beloved to make way for something extraordinary. We lost the nostalgic fishing-camp charm, but we gained a home that reflects who we are today and how we want to live for decades to come. We have no regrets with our Cayuga Lake new build!
We’re excited to share our progress as we finish each phase, from interiors to landscaping. This is more than a renovation—it’s a transformation born from vision, experience, and a little bit of “crazy design” from my mind. We are so happy that you have followed along as we bring our Cayuga Lake dream to life!
