Getting Your Lake House Ready For the Spring

So winter is almost behind us (we hope) and the days will soon be longer, sunnier – and muddier! Now is about the time to start thinking about getting your lake house ready for the Spring. We’ve got eight, handy dandy tips for you to start thinking about.

Our tips tackle small tasks (with big impact) and will give your lake house a mini face lift for spring.

1.  Clean all light fixtures, and replace burnt-out bulbs with energy-saving bulbs.

2.  Restore the luster of your door by polishing the hinges and knobs. Paint or stain the door with a color that stands out, yet also complements the trim and siding. Put out a clean, new welcome mat.

3.  Snow and cold can wreak havoc on your walkway. With warmer weather approaching, take this time to patch cracks and replace loose bricks and pavers. Rent a power washer or purchase a chemical treatment to clean up embedded stains in concrete, stone or asphalt.

4.  Strategically placed plants can conceal unattractive aspects of your house or yard. Place large pots or hanging baskets around the stoop or porch. Bushes or hedges can hide air-conditioning units or propane tanks, and flowerbeds and window boxes will stylize a stark facade.

5.  Prune dead branches trim back overgrown shrubbery and remove any obstructive plantings. Spread mulch or bark around trees, shrubs and flowers for a weed-free, well kept look.

6.  Spray a fresh coat of paint on furniture and replace the cushions. Fill an empty spot on the porch or stoop with a modern bench or porch swing.

7.  Sweep the sidewalk and stoop, clear away cobwebs, tighten wobbly railings, and repaint posts and supports.

8.  Inspect your downspouts and gutters just before the spring rains start to be sure they’re clear of leaves, tree limbs and other debris that might cause problems later on. Clogging usually occurs at the elbow in a drainage system, where the downspout connects to the gutter. Since this elbow is relatively easy to remove, take it off and inspect for clogging.

Getting Your Camp Ready For the Winter

Mice and rats are two of the most common invaders of residential homes and commercial businesses. The first step is a thorough inspection of the property to identify the areas of high activity as well as potential entry points that they are using. Remember, mice only need about a 1/4 inch gap to get in! Photo courtesy Upstate Wildlife Control.

By Stephanie Fereiro  

Summer days have come and gone, and for many, it’s almost time to close up the camp and say “goodbye” until next spring. Check these 10 steps off your list as you prepare to leave your home-away-from-home for the season:

1. Inspect your septic tank. If your cottage has a septic system, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s service recommendations and timelines. If your system is due for an inspection, call in a professional to make sure it’s functioning properly before you close up to avoid any surprises in the spring.

2. Keep the sump pump pumping. If your cottage has a sump pump, make sure it stays in good working order all winter long, or you could experience flooding when the snow starts to melt.

3. Drain your pipes. Turn off your water supply and drain your pipes and all water containers to prevent them from freezing (and possibly bursting).

4. Clean your gutters. Clogged gutters can cause water to back up under your shingles, leading to a leaky roof. Once all of the leaves have fallen off the nearby trees, clean out your gutters so rain and melting snow can flow free. 

5. Inspect your roof. Snow buildup over the winter can cause roofs to leak or even cave in, so replace broken or missing shingles before the winter weather sets in.

6. Keep pesky pests outdoors. Upstate Wildlife Control, a proud sponsor of Schroon Laker, is your go to for keeping every pest imaginable out of your cabin.  Check for any openings small animals may be able to squeeze through to make their way into your cottage. If you have a chimney, use a chimney cap or cover to stop unwanted visitors from getting in.

7. Unplug major appliances. While it might not be a good idea to turn off your entire power supply (this could cause your sump pump, exterior lighting, and alarm system to stop working), unplugging larger appliances or turning off the power to these appliances can help prevent electrical fires and other issues.

8. Turn the heating down (or off). If your cottage has a furnace, consider setting the thermostat to around 10°C to prevent frost build-up, or turn it off entirely to save energy — but only if you’ve properly prepared your pipes to prevent freezing. If you opt for the latter, be sure to turn the gas off, too. If you use space heaters, turn off their power supply on your electrical panel.

9. Get rid of fire hazards. Pack up and remove loose paper products (like books and newspapers), old rags, chemicals, and other items that could easily catch or spread fire.

10. Clean out the fridge and cupboards. Food can attract insects and animals. When you’re ready to call it a season, pack up all food (even dry and canned goods) and take it home with you.

Before you lock up and head home, make sure you check your seasonal property insurance policy or talk to your broker, as your insurance company may require you to take other precautions, such as checking in on your property at certain time intervals or installing a monitored alarm system.

Adirondack Mountains Antique Shows at Blue Mountain Lake and Indian Lake

There’s something special about antique shows in the fall. The air is crisp, there’s vendors selling apple cider, with the fall colors as a backdrop. And there are two big shows in September: At Blue Mountain Lake at the Adirondack Experience and at Indian Lake, where you can add to your collection for your cabin, camp or lake house. (Save the dates: September 12 - 16)

Dealers in quality antiques and art from across the U.S will feature camp, cottage, and Mission furniture; historical fine art; rare books; antique sporting goods; militaria; folk art; vintage boats; taxidermy; quilts; oriental rugs; Native American jewelry and crafts; and much more.

This show runs concurrently with the Adirondack Mountains Antiques Show in neighboring Indian Lake. Antique and vintage items are available for all levels, from beginning collectors to serious connoisseurs. For the Blue Mountain event, here are the details:

Gates open at 10 am. Entrance to the Antiques Show and Sale is included with general Adirondack Experience admission. All Adirondack Experience tickets are valid for a second visit within a one-week period. The Adirondack Experience’s Lake View Cafe will be open during the event. Several public programs will be available on the Adirondack Experience’s campus throughout the event, including staff-led tours, audio guides, and numerous children’s activities. All Adirondack Experience exhibitions will be open.

Shipping services are available from the event at the Lake Placid UPS Store.T here’s also an early bird special  Antiques Show Early Buying Event on Saturday, September 15
from 8 am – 10 am. This allows you to be the first through the doors. Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased by calling (518) 352-7311, ext. 119, or at the gate during the event. Refreshments will be available.  Doors will open to the  public at 10 am.

Here are the details for the Indian Lake Show: This event runs from September 12-16. Here you will find amazing rustic and camp furniture, hunting and fishing antiques, boats, taxidermy, antlers and more!  For more information on the Adirondack Mountains Antiques Show, contact us at:  adkantiquesshow@gmail.com or call 518-648-5112

Located on Route 28 , Indian Lake, NY, is two hours north of Albany, two hours north-east of Utica, three and one half hours south of Montreal, and two and a half hours south-west of Burlington, VT.

Esty Lake Life

Etsy, the home to extraordinary talented artists and crafters, has great ideas for Lake House decor and a whole lot more.

Need inspiration? Find it  by clicking here.

Schroon Lake: All 4,230 Gorgeous Acres

Old School Gore

Print it and frame it!

Fall 2017 Fall Furnishing Sale

Now is a terrific time to update you camp or cabin – especially when one of the finest home furnishing store’s is have a sale.  It's Pinecone Mercantile’s Annual Furniture Blowout, now to Christmas. And the savings are amazing.

All Upholstered Floor Samples marked down 40%

All Barnwood Floor Samples marked down 25%

Any new furniture "special orders" will be marked-down 20%.
 

Lake House Decor