Shingling is moving along

 The front and dormers are now shingled. I have a sense of accomplishment and have a rhythm down now. I am also using "The Chopper" for rows where I need shorter shingles. This is by far the best way to do that, I'm not great at cutting straight with scissors.  

I also got wise to staining the cut edges with a Guardsman furniture touch-up marker before I apply the angle sections. Then on the very peak of the dormer I run the marker over that and the cut edges now are no longer visible. 

Here's the Chopper, note that the 2 wing nuts are adjustable. Easy to shift one so I can cut the short row for the bottom edge of the dormers, and another shift to cut them for the row at the top of the dormer. Just have to remember to replace the razor blade and keep your fingers away from it. 

Last time I used it was on the Foyer tile - with Tid-Bits that were formica and extremely hard to cut. 

French Country Decorating

Once the tapewiring was done, the decorating has begun. I decided I'd try ceilings - get a textured ceiling done. I used Lomax fine texture additive in my paint, and rolled on at least 2 coats. While the second coat was better, I wasn't liking it. The sanding commenced, as I was going to apply ceiling papers instead. Funny thing, once they were sanded, they were nice! So that is what I'm going to stick with.

The first floor (Living, dining and foyer) has 12" ceilings, and most wallpapers are not that tall, So now I had to make a decision - find and use 12" papers or do chair rails. I've had a challenging time deciding what papers to use, between the ceiling heights and the desire to be somewhat cohesive in the colorways.

I love Itsy Bitsy Mini paper, but hers aren't 12". Brodnax is the perfect height, but not always the perfect pattern/color. Itsy Bitsy Mini won out for the kitchen - a yellow plaster finish. The study got her plaid - I love this plaid!

Living room and dining room are getting Brodnax, and I found a fabulous wainscoting for the Living room as well. Its a World Model white embossed one - my local mini shop owner brought it to my attention.

Foyer was a bit of a challenge, found a creamy swirl pattern that I think will work. Here's how 4 first floor papers look from a side view, as I was contemplating them.

Kitchen in process...

Study is looking nice!

Living room paper and wainscoting set up, with chimney breast I made. Note the marble hearth I plan to use. Paper will go over chimney breast. 

So here (yes, after I have the wallpaper on, I decide to take the picture, doh!) is how I made the chimney breast. My first but it gets the job done.

Turned out really nice! Can't wait to get the sconces and wainscoting up:

I have wanted to use these formica tiles for years, and bit the bullet. I bought a Chopper II so I could cut the larger tiles, and then used my Easy Cutter for the small black inserts as needed. These are Tid-Bits that I have had since 2007 - they are no longer available.