“Polka Dot” is an enchanting 3-bedroom “doll-house” cottage, built in the 1930’s and newly remodeled in 2006 to retain its nostalgic appeal while enhancing its modern amenities. Nestled in a neighborhood of vintage summer camps, “Polka Dot” is just a block from the beach on one of the most charming lanes in the village of Caroga Lake.

From its screened front porch illuminated with Chinese lanterns, to its back yard lawn with picnic table and Adirondack chairs circling a fire pit, “Polka Dot” is the perfect choice for a casual, relaxed family vacation.

Up to 6 guests can be accommodated in three cozy bedrooms. The lofty, pyramid-shaped cathedral ceiling that is shared by the living room and two of the bedrooms is topped with a 60” ceiling fan and a glittering disco ball. These two bedrooms have original beadboard walls that stop short of the vaulted ceiling – a design that allows cooling breezes from the ceiling fan to circulate. Cross-ventilation in these bedrooms has been enhanced by the addition of charming interior windows built into the walls they share with the living room. These casement windows are glazed with mirror instead of glass, affording privacy and a “doubled” sense of space when the windows are closed, and a view of the living room fireplace (as well as a filtered peak at the lake through trees) when they’re open.

One of these bedrooms has an antique iron queen bed; the other has an antique iron full bed. The third bedroom has twin-size bunk-beds, custom-built with architectural-salvage porch posts.

All of the bedrooms have reading lights and bedside shelves or tables. Antique Audubon prints hang on the walls. As is customary with camps of this vintage, the bedrooms are quite small and storage space is miminal, with no closets ––clothes are hung on wall hooks or store in baskets under the beds. The beds have new, firm mattresses, feather pillows, fleece blankets, down duvets and vintage coverlets. You provide sheets, pillowcases and towels or may rent ours for an additional fee.

In the living room, two large, comfortable sofas, custom upholstered in a soft floral pattern, offer generous seating along with vintage wicker. A cream enameled Jotul gas fireplace provides ambiance and warms the cottage for the pleasant, quiet, cooler spring & autumn seasons. Oil paintings of water scenes and a colorful abstract “polka dot” poster from the nearby Saratoga Performing Arts Center decorate the creamy wood-paneled walls. Entertainment includes TV with basic cable, VCR and DVD, CD player, and a selection of CD’s, videos and classic board games.

The peaked ceiling of the glass & screen-windowed porch is a gala of brightly colored brocade lanterns, inspired by the luminous spectacle of “Illumination Night” at the Oak Bluffs “Campground” on Martha’s Vineyard. The lanterns glow against the peach exterior wall of the cottage and add their luster to the living room’s disco ball, sweetly lighting the entire cottage. The porch is furnished with vintage wicker, including a painted chaise comfortably upholstered with thick cushions, and a diminutive twig table for placing a drink or book. Four red tulip chairs surround a tole-painted table perfect for playing cards and games.

The fully remodeled eat-in kitchen has cream-colored cabinetry with vintage green bakelite handles, topped with rosy-red brushed formica counters banded in silver for a retro diner look. The matching 42” round pedestal dining table is surrounded by classic aluminum “mess hall” chairs and stools with bright floral cushions, beneath a picture window looking out beyond the back porch to a level lawn and woods. Open shelving flanks a window above the kitchen cabinets, displaying cheery vintage dinnerware. A dresser topped with a maple chopping block provides extra counter space and storage.

All new appliances include a recessed full-size refrigerator, stainless steel double sink, gas range, microwave, and small appliances including toaster oven, blender, mixer, coffee maker and coffee grinder. A water cooler provides delicious local spring water for drinking. The kitchen is fully equipped with new stainless and vintage enameled pots and pans, cast iron skillets, sharp knives, reproduction “bakelite” cutlery, serving platters, baking pans and handy gadgets. A spectacular retro “starburst” chandelier hangs over the dining table; custom pendant lights with antique shades light the kitchen counter. The ceiling fan sports a vintage red-striped milk-glass “schoolhouse” light.

The remodeled bathroom has a full tub with shower. The sink is amusingly skirted with a “tutu” from the New York City Ballet’s summer season at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center; the shower curtain is an ornamental retro print of water-skiing “bathing beauties.”

The wood-paneled walls and ceilings throughout the cottage are painted creamy white; the wooden floors are glossy sage green. Lighting is on dimmer switches; all new electrical includes Wi-Fi high speed internet access for your laptop computer.

The cottage is surrounded by a perennial flower border. The rear of the cottage opens onto a back porch with a generous yard and a wooded view beyond. There’s a picnic table for enjoying meals cooked on the stainless steel gas grill. Adirondack chairs surround a natural stone ring fire circle for stories and s’mores. There’s a croquet set for playing on the level lawn. A driveway separating “Polka Dot” from its nearest neighbor offers parking for a maximum of 3 vehicles.

Our private neighborhood association beach is steps away. It’s shallow with a sandy bottom, great for kids. It’s an easy place to launch our kayaks (available for an additional fee), and the lake is stocked for fishing enthusiasts. It’s the perfect spot for watching the gorgeous sunsets on West Caroga Lake. The beach is next to Sherman’s, a former amusement park built in the 1920’s that boasts a landmark carousel and Ferris wheel and now offers food, drinks & live music on summer weekends, 4^th of July fireworks and an ice cream stand.

“Polka Dot” is located in a friendly neighborhood within strolling distance of restaurants, pubs, and just about everything else you’d need. Within minutes walk there’s a post office, laundromat, general store, coffee shop, gas, ATM, video rentals and two chapels. The Caroga Lake Museum and Nick Stoner Golf Course are a short drive. All the conveniences of a small city are available within 15 minutes in the historic cities of Gloversville and Johnstown.

Nature trails to hidden lakes and mountaintop vistas, antiques malls, motocross rallies, golf, thoroughbred horse-racing, world-class ballet, classical & pop music venues, caverns and spas, historical sites and art museums, the Baseball Hall of Fame, the Adirondack Museum, the National Museums of Racing and of Dance, and Great Escape Theme Park, are all within easy distance. It’s about an hour to Saratoga Springs, Lake George, Cooperstown and Albany; about 4 hours to New York, Boston, Montreal and Niagara Falls.

RENTAL RATES

July & August: $1600 per week.

May, June, September, October: $1300 per week; $225 per night with 2 night minimum.

Inquire about special fall foliage or spring season “getaway” rates.

Additional fee for kayak and canoe rentals.