Re-Building.com
March, 2006
| March 3 |
Step by step, Marie's small 1920s Chicago style bungalow is revealing the strong Arts and Crafts influences on this type of architecture, which really has become a vernacular in this area.
I feel kind of what I think Michelangelo felt, not really creating, but only revealing what was in the "marble" all along.
This project has kind of evolved from just a kitchen and bath remodeling into a complete interior restoration, something I'm pretty sure Marie didn't anticipate when she hired me. Neither did I. I hope that when it's all done she finds many times the satisfaction that I'm finding in doing the project.
I mentioned the header trim and mouldings last time.
Yesterday I spent most of the AM chasing around for materials and supplies again. Then I came back and re-assembled the fireplace mantel,
including an electrical outlet which will be on the surface of the mantel instead of on the wall behind it (which will be removed). I'll do that electrical hookup in the basement when I work on the lighting down there. I had to mill and add a piece of moulding just under the top to replace one that was missing.
Both mouldings - the top of the header casing, and this - I did in a Roman ogee - each in a profile of a different size to be in proportion with their use. They will compliment the the same ogee detail on the door panels and glass muntins.
Today I stripped both sides of the front door, removed the old clear glass and installed some art glass. Boy, this door will bring the living room over the top! I think the door looks great! And just wait 'til it's varnished. Sorry I forgot to take a "before" picture of it. It was painted white. What else?!
I picked up the art glass this morning over at "Two Fish" in Forest Park. Spectum still makes this glass, exactly like it was made in the period when this house was built.
BTW, the blue tape "X's" on the living room walls are where the sconces will go - pending Marie's approval.
| March 6 |
Today is a busy day - which is only half over for me.
This morning I finally finished stripping the last two doors at Marie's. All the woodwork is now stripped - except for the window sashes, that is. So I quit about 1:30 today so that I could get home to practice on my fiddle a while.
| March 7 |
Pretty much the same routine today. I worked at Marie's house and got the rest of the woodwork milled, stained and installed in the living room, dining room and hall. I also stained the bathroom door and cleaned the place up a bit.
| March 10 |
Well I've gotten three windows stripped this week and ready to rehang. Each window (two double hung sashes) takes about 4 hours to remove the paint from the sashes and jambs.
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