January 30 -- Take It for Granite, Part Two

Last night the master closet island granite and the girls' bathroom counter granite were installed.

Junior Inspector approves:

January 27 -- Bath Cabinets In

Granite countertop is next.

January 27 -- Stained Spiral Stairs

The stairs have received multiple coats of stain and finish. The trim pieces on the rails have been taped up out of the way for the moment.

January 27 -- The Giving Tree

This 80+ year old cedar had to come down to make way for the new garage. Although a great loss, we intend to give it a second life as milled planks that will be part of the garage trim detail.

1pm:

3pm:

January 27 -- Master Bedroom Stained

January 26 -- Fireplace Test

After rebuilding this chimney and flue, we tested the 1788 fireplace tonight. It did not draw properly, and we had a lot of smoke in the room. But that could be due to operator error.....

January 26 -- Sanding the Sitting Room

January 25 -- Bathroom Tile Nearly Done

The girls' bathroom tile has been installed over the past two weekends. It would have been completed today, but they ran out of grout. 

The inspectors approve.

January 25 -- Mystery

I cannot figure out how to turn this newly-installed light out: no switches control it.

January 25 -- Resource

This book, although focused on New England farm house evolution, has been a valuable guide as we plan the garage to match stylistically with the smoke house and appear consistent with the organic evolution of the property.

January 24 -- Hinge Posts

These spikes were driven their entire 5" length into the 1788 room's door frame to act as posts for the door hinges. Now that the door has been converted to a barn door, there is no need to keep them in place.

January 23 -- Closets Completed

The "family coat" and comics closet:

And, the new master bedroom closet:

A granite slab still must be installed stop the island, but otherwise its construction is done!

And...."Before" photos taken from the closet area from the summer:

January 21 -- Shared Wall

On the right side of this photo the sharp vertical line shows where the carport wall was abutted to the 18th century smoke house, but not tied together. To the best of our knowledge, this carport was added in the 1950's. It had no historic or practical redeeming value, so the decision to demolish was an easy one.

Here is yesterday's progress removing that portion of wall, making the smoke house a free standing structure for the first time in 50+ years.

January 20 -- Keep This One, Too

Carport roof lumber will be kept on-hand for possible reuse in the new garage. Although not too historic (it dates from the 1960's), it is all in good shape and in large sizes. The main beam holding the roof up will also be saved, in case we can use it somehow.

January 20 -- Glad We Got the Permit First This Time!

January 20 -- Begin: Phase Two

Carport demolition began today. This too-short and too-low structure will be replaced by a three-bay garage able to accommodate our cars.

January 20 -- Stain on Steps

But in a good way:

January 18 -- Ready For Closet Shelving!

January 18 -- Refinished 1960's Floor Safe to Walk On

January 18 -- DryVit Progress

Not too cold to trowel on the stucco yesterday.

The second floor closet area:

And this is where that door was removed, and a recovered "interior" 18th century window was installed.

When all this is done, I guess the house needs a paint job....

January 15 -- Priorities

Wine rack is back in place!

Antique ice box holds the hard stuff, temporarily:

Below is the cardboard template/footprint for the bar, still 6-8 weeks from completion:

January 15 -- Spot the Difference

Today's progress in the fireplace room.

AM:

PM:

January 15 -- More Barn Door Progress

It's hanging now, but needs to be sanded and refinished.