I've been considering making quarry tiles but I'm not sure if that is really ever going to happen. I happened upon some tile that is a card, embossed, from Streets Ahead. I figured I'd give it a shot and see if it works. I'm pleasantly surprised. Who knows, maybe it will stay.
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The wallpaper on the left side had a repair, I replaced the last piece on the left. That was the last thing needed to then install the crown molding. And, then the J Getzan chandelier!
Finally got my fabulous J Getzan chandeliers installed and am admiring them! I had held off drilling the holes and am very glad I did. The location of the fireplaces determined that I not center the chandeliers in the room, but rather farther back so it centered on the fireplaces. This worked out really well, and the chandelier in the dining room is spot on and is centered on the table.
I had a small amount of tape to put on and that went well. I hit upon an idea for threading the wires through the ceiling rose and ceiling. I had a large needle hanging around and used that. Wish I'd thought of that when I did the sconces.
I'm considering Sue Cooks's doorcases for this house. The ceilings are not as high as the French Country so I'm taking that into consideration.
These would be on the first floor doorways, I would get 8 of them and most likely not use doors but leave them open like the French Country.
Which do you like better?
I got more work than I bargained for with these old Falcon crown moldings. They were a bear to cut and tried different saws. The regular miter saw didn't work, or would take me forever. I got my cuts started with it and then switched to the coping saw or the miniature hack saw that I bought. these 2 went through them like butter.
I got smart and decided to blue the 3 fireplace pieces together, and then I painted all pieces. The living room is now glued in. Will probably go back in with a paint touchup.
Last I left it, my fireplaces had just gotten gold paint applied on the raised portions. I was very pleased with the results and was now motivated to get sconces up, and then attach the fireplaces.
I showed a couple of types of sconces I had, but I ended up getting plain candlestick sconces by Clare Bell Brass. I didn't want the sconces to take center stage and I really felt like both rooms should have the same ones. So I bit the bullet and got 2 pairs of sconces.
I did some planning on my approach - marking where I would place them on the fireplace, and then drilling through the chimney breasts. Of course, I also had to ensure the tapewire on the room behind the living room and dining room was placed to accommodate the short wires. Got all that done, tested and then put glue on the back and attached it. Went back and re-drilled, through the chimney breast and the wall, so it all lined up. Once that was done, it was time to glue the sconces on, and hard wire. I am very happy with the results, and I of course then wanted the embers/logs to be wired, so moved on to those - they are so wonderful - they flicker!
You will also notice the new living room furniture I got!
On to crown molding in these 2 rooms, which should prove a challenge as they are large and I will be navigating the chimney breast and the corners. The picture is at the bottom.
It occurred to me I haven't shown anyone my workspace.
Years ago I took over one half of our finished basement and set up a hobby table and purchased a nice Effictiv Ikea cabinet. It has served me well over the years. The top is double doors and I have paints and stains on a shelf, tall spray paints, and glue bottles, sandpaper boxes in the top shelf.
The bottom space in this top cabinet is set up with 2 plastic drawer units. Those drawers include 2 with lighting and electrical supplies, one or two that have architectural embellishments in them, one drawer with stain pens.
The next section down is 3 drawers, with the top drawer being open divided boxes with clamps, one with tools, one with painting supplies- brushes, and spatulas. There is some open space for larger things. The middle drawer is wood strips and the bottom drawer is wallpaper. Yes, I have a stash of each and that has grown more than I will ever use, truth be told.
The very bottom section of this cabinet is 2 short doors, and its mostly junk odds and ends - wood parts, supplies that I didn't use from kits (stairs etc), and rags, as well as some plastic grocery bags that I use to line my garbage can.
Last year I had more things and needed another cabinet. I wanted the same series, but Ikea no longer makes it. I went with Havsta - a light grey unit that is really 2 units. The lower half is deeper and has 2 doors, and the upper is taller but less deep, also 2 doors. I wanted to find drawer units that fit it as well, but I've had some trouble finding ones that are not too deep for the top cabinet. See how I put it together and how I've filled it...notice it just fits, about touches the ceiling!
I was so tickled when Sherrill posted recently about her Havsta build!
I bought these Lawbre fireplaces years ago in anticipation of using them in the Chateau. They are not identical but I'm alright with that. They fit perfectly and have the chimney breast all there as one unit. So I've been thinking about applying gold accent to the designs, much like Jim Coates work. I know I will never be that steady but if I could apply just a bit of gold, it would be perfect.
I grabbed a photo of one of his so I could have an example. I then bought about 6 colors of acrylic gold and got started. I am pleased with the results - just enough accent. OK so I only opened and used a tiny portion of 1 bottle of paint...but hey, I may go back to other things and do this!
Jim Coates work:
I was also playing with sconces. I don't really like the ones I have for this, I think I will just get simple ones just the candlestick ones.
Conservatory Floor
Last I left it, the conservatory floor was barely satisfactory I had used Lawbre grey marble flooring that I had in my stash for years, and since this is the last house I will be doing, I was bound and determined to use them. The marble pattern was just to stark and the contrast was causing the overall look to be way too busy. I fiddled with it (worst possible thing I could do) and ended up doing lots of extra work to undo the fiddling. Then I washed a white/ivory over the tiles to tone down the contrast. That made it potentially worth keeping.
As these things go, it has been gnawing on me that it is just not going to work and cost and effort be damned. I bought enough old stock of Magic Mini Ivory marble tile to cover this size floor, and started with new cardstock. I butted them, leaving no spaces...like I did for the Foyer. I got as far as 3 or 4 rows and realized the sizes on each tile are just barely different. I left it for several days to stew. After seeing it and seeing another person's efforts with the same brand (different color) where they were butted, I decided to rip them off and start over, spacing them just a bit.
First, the cardstock wasn't sturdy enough...so I went back to my old standby - plastic For Sale signs. As I laid the tiles out, I realized I could lay out exact size tiles all the way across, with just barely spacing. This eliminated the need to cut them (though I've successfully cut these formica tiles before with my Mini Chopper). So I glued all tiles, and then applied some grout.
I'm very pleased with the results, and the plastic base gave it just the right amount of support. The ivory/cream colors go much better with the overall color scheme I have.
Old Floor:
Working on new floor:
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The wood floors have a first coat of General Finishes Cherry Oil Stain. Originally I expected I would need 2 coats, I seem to recall doing 2 coats in the French Country. I placed the flooring in the house and am thinking about leaving one coat, and just finishing with poly sealer. They are actually still drying and it gives me time to consider.
I rather like the lighter look.
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