649 6th

back to the depot

It's been quite some time since we visited the Home Depot just down the hill from where we live. We went earlier this morning to get the remaining pieces of poplar we're milling into the remaining trim on the first floor. It was raining and about 9:00AM on a Sunday morning, we had the place to ourselves.

We had originally thought of using a hand truck to wheel it all back, but as it was pouring when we were ready to go we splurged and got the Jamaican van service (not really a service as much as a bunch of giys from Jamaica with vans). $20 to help you load, drive your home, and unload, the rain was all we needed to tip the balance.

Later in the day we realized that we were a couple of 1x6's short; so for the first time in MONTHS we went to the depot twice in one day. We must really be back in the reno business. We carried home four twelve foot pieces. Looking like a Laural and Hardy accident waiting to happen, we josseled our way home none the worse for wear.

doing the two step

forward, one step back. Sing it again.

You take one step forward. Detailed the design for chimney-side shelving on 1st and 2nd floor, so the metal fabrication can go to same guy that'll be doing the dining table frame. Will speak to several other elements in the house: vertical supports will be same guage, shape, material and finish as the dining table; shelves will be 5/4" oak just as the stair treads will be. Simple clean design.

You take another step forward: got the finished and unfinished cost estimate from wood cabinet manufacturer.

You take one step back: and we'll be seeking another estimate. Nearly double our target. Probably has to do with street front location and neighborhood shop. Toby remembered we had a different outfit make the kitchen cabinet drawers. Let's see what they have to say.

dining blue

Love the color. Really enjoy the pleasure of painting new construction. Absence of molding is such a relief. Remarklably clean experience.

Looking forward through the stairs at split view of 1st and 2nd floors is going to be so hot when we're done. Very exciting.

Toby found a metal manufacture and is discussing specs and cost estimate for the dining table frame.

Ideas are popping. Toby has a great design for shelving that integrates the chimney-sides both upstairs and downstairs: floor-to-ceiling poles that will likely be ordered from same shop that makes the table. Assuming that order goes well.

carcass

We drew out the dimension of the table pedestal today. We're going to have it fabricated out of square tubing, more than likely two inch, but we may go one inch if the fabricator thinks we'll get the rigidity necessary to support the longer of the two wooden table tops.

We still need to sketch out the wall mount bracket, we"ll have them made at the same time. The wall mount holds the table top that's not in use as hanging art. There will be two tops; one day-to-day at 38.5x48, the other "formal" table will be 42x96.

oh oh oh what a ceiling

A picture's worth how many words? Patient work applying dark stain right up against old unfinished boards so as not to bleed all over their golden selves. The beams only got a light sanding, and I'm considering a second sanding just to the undersides; see whether there's something archeological hiding in all that grain.

Question remains whether the molding runs contiguously beneath the beams or sits flush to a common line slightly above the height of the lowest beam. In other words, single trim board with a dental notch for each beam or individual sections of board installed between each beam?

Leaning towards the latter option, but contiguous board keeps calling my name. The out of town wedding guests we're hosting this weekend have DIY expertise. Maybe pick their brains to break the tie.

point of fact

Michael's earlier post did not give a *true* depiction of the dining room ceiling. This is what it looked like when I got done installing the patches.This is what it looked like until today (minus the dirt, grime and nails that were removed from the beams yesterday). I just wanted to take a moment to let the true contrast shine.

Can't wait to see how the beams are going to pop. Oh, did we mention we did that test too?

wood stain

Sorry for the snoozy title, but sometimes the all pith has been taken out of me.

Not a bad match for the stain I used on patch boards in the dining room ceiling. Settled on Minwax Golden Oak after testing several other stains (including Colonial Maple and Cherry, which in my opinion are rather hideous -- too much tint). Better than the zebra stripes that have been up there for, um, years.

Tomorrow, the beams get a dark stain. Drama.

beam me up

Cabinetry order has been submitted. Up to a week before we'll have an estimate. This is where we'll feel the pain of not doing it ourselves. Though I may have just set us on the course for saving $3000 on shelving in the dining room. Save here, spend there.

Tomorrow I start cleaning the ceiling. Hope my back is up for it. Time to bring on my yoga-awareness, move smart, take breaks, and stay fluid. Scheduled as a one day job -- though I'm expecting gritty, wet, hot working condition. Blegh. 

clean palette

We cleaned out the "dining" room today in preparation to get production going. In the process, we uncovered the color tests we did over a year ago. I'm leaning toward the one o the left, thinking any sort of duo-tone finish is going to be too much. But, let me chew on that one a couple o' more days.

Tomorrow we place the order for the cabinetry units, found out the good order taking guy prefers Sunday's, Park Slope, go figure.

design week

After a week of version and revision we're pretty close to having the designs for the cabinets (shelving) in the kitchen and on the second floor complete. We had always had a pretty good idea what they would be, but this week we spec'ed them in enough detail that we can have the "boxes" built and afterward we will finish and install them ourselves.

I know it's still many weeks off but it's amazing how having something as simple as bookshelves is making me very happy. We should be able to place the order on Monday. The project plan said that task should be done today, but you know how it goes; last thing Friday, first thing Monday, same diff.