Crestline Insider's Guide: Crestline Village and Homes in Crestline Village part 2

This is part two of Crestline Village: Crestline Village and Homes in Crestline Village.

In my last post about Crestline Village I spoke about some of the features of the houses here. There is so much more that part two is here! Because so many of our homes were built a long time ago, you need to make sure that before you do any remodeling you get a qualified contractor to look at the house, even above your initial home inspection. A lot of these cabins probably haven't had the electrical and plumbing updated in a while, so it's important that you find out exactly what's going on before you start messing with it! Many Village homes and other cabins here in the mountains didn't have proper electricity installed, depending of course on the age and generational history of the home and they used to use oil and gas lanterns for light. Always check and see if the plugs and lighting will work for you in the home you are intending to purchase, or the feasibility of adding in wiring for new lighting. Our breakers kept tripping when we had too many modern conveniences on: microwave and the washer and the computer with a light or two. It may be as simple as installing a slightly larger breaker, or even a new breaker. Again, ask an electrician!

Our Crestline Village home was built in 1925, with an addition in 1936. We haven't begun remodeling anything really serious enough to get a permit. We took down some of the original tongue and groove paneling to create some more open spaces between the two living rooms, and tore down a half wall so it seems like our home is bigger than it is! Our fireplace was built on top of a pile of rocks that goes underneath the house into the basement, and the main fireplace is a beautiful natural stone(that still needs to be seriously cleaned). I don't know what the original builders were thinking when they built this place(I'd love to find out, as well as get some old time photos of my house) but they built the fireplace in the center of the house, and the chimney goes through the middle of the master bedroom. Someone over the years covered the brick with wallpaper and then tongue and groove pine paneling so it looks neat, but in the middle of the room? Seriously? So our room is almost cut into two.

These older Crestline Villagehomes usually have narrow internal staircases that were built where they could fit them. I have been in many of these cabins and have to duck going up and down the stairs, and it almost becomes a game of limbo. I believe that people must have been shorter back in the early 20s, because this is a prevalent feature. Many homes in the Village and elsewhere on the mountain also do not have bedroom closets. They used to use armoires, but it is still a bedroom! There are also cabins that have a loft style bedroom also. Lofts=bedroom. Go to any downtown area in the world, and a loft is considered a space that is habitable and sleep-able(!), so don't discount a loft sleeping arrangement unless it truly won't fit your needs. You may be able to wall a loft off or put in a door, depending.

Working on your cabin here in Crestlineis fun and rewarding if you have a passion for shining up old pennies. Our home was all wood and gross old carpet when we bought it, and it was a true old cabin. We have removed the carpet and discovered the original hardwood flooring that is now a feature of our house. All of the walls are wood and the ceiling is wood, and it was kind of blah. Ok, really blah.

For those of you that know me you know that I am a creative, colorful personality(mess) and that had to change for sure! We did, after much debate, decide to paint some of our wood walls to create an updated yet vintage cottage/cabin feel. We've added some funky modern print curtains and rugs and have all antique furniture(found around Crestline Village at the antique shops and even refinished some things found by the side of the road) and it is nearer to being US. That is the most fun about having a home or a cabin, that you can create your own space(pay attention first time home-buyers: $8000 tax break from Uncle Sam goes only until November 30th and you're running out of time).

Ok, again, since this post is already long, I will have to do another part of Crestline Village, A Local's Guide. If you have any questions about purchasing a home here in Crestline, Crestline Village or elsewhere in the Lake Arrowhead area please email me at steeleofalifetime@gmail.com.

You can also visit my websites www.HomesForSaleInCrestline.com, www.CrestlineForeclosures.com and www.thelakearrowheadwoods.com .

Take care!

Amy

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ALL PICTURES COPYRIGHTED BY AMY STEELE AND MAY NOT BE USED IN ANY MANNER WHATSOEVER

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