Timberframe Journal - Update

As promised, I have some progress photos from Lawry's timber frame home. I am so excited by his home. I just can't wait to see the finished product.

See Lawry pictured right applying the finish coat to the sanded beams.

At some point last fall I had the idea that rustic timbers would be the perfect material for the window sills. Lawry ordered the material from Olde Wood and picked up the wood somewhere around November.

Well, it's deadline time now for the sills to go in before our faux painter arrives on Monday.

I would have had them installed as rustic and rough as they arrived from the supplier but...Lawry was concerned that the sills might be a tad too rough if folks brushed against them, or that they would be impossible to dust. I understand - function first.

So, Lawry spent all of last weekend sanding the sills and filling some of the super deep crevices with his special blend of black fill. I arrived on Monday to see his progress. I admit that I was concerned that he had made them too smooth or that they would look too finished.

Really, it's not possible to make these beam pieces too smooth, and after all the long hours that Lawry has put into the sills - they are simply wonderful!!!!

As of today - the sills are my favorite thing in Lawry's new home!!!

Not to worry, they are smooth with TONS of character. What we do have is a huge range of wood tones. Is there anything we can do about this?

I think not. I believe that we install them as they are and enjoy the unique character.

My next stop at Lawry's was to see the newly finished red and white reclaimed oak floor.

Again, the wood is gorgeous!! The red and white oak blend together to create a breathtaking floor with depth and character. I am not an oak lover - but these floors could convert me.

Today we spent a few hours looking at counter top material for Lawry's Master Bath. The tile we purchased last fall has been giving us a bit of trouble. We can't find a floor tile that seems right.

We agreed - let's start over. Trying to push for a solution that isn't coming means we should take a step back and review our options.

Our tile was purchased from the Seneca Tile Factory Outlet. Their tile is rustic and we love what we found but...it's a brown with a tad of a pinkish tint and it seems limiting.

We visited two granite showrooms here in town today. A polished granite is not my first choice for a timber frame home, but...you just never know what stone might speak to you.

Mont Granite carries a nice selection of "leathered" granites that I thought might might work for Lawry's Master counter top.

Leathered Granite - Cosmic Gold Leather

FYI - Some of the stone suppliers make up their own names for the stones. This can make it challenging to find the same stone from another supplier. Hum???

Can you see the texture in the photo above? It's wonderful to feel this surface.

Another option that I have rolling around in my mind is a soapstone. I LOVE the way soapstone feels. Smooth and somehow soft. It's an inviting material. Mont had three soap stones that were all a version of green.

Not sure about using a green - we'll have to mull over our choices.

Those of us who work with stone a lot know that the best way to really see the material is to wet the stone.

Shown above - Damp Soapstone - note the veins

I wouldn't normally think of a granite for a timber frame but this granite, Tuscon Persa, is really speaking to me. It looks like cracks in the earth and the dessert southwest. I think we can work with this material.

I'm fairly certain that we can find shower and floor tile that will just look wonderful with this stone.

Mont Granite has a slab on hold for us. Lawry and I will reconvene on Tuesday and visit a few other suppliers - just to see what's out there.

The Final Coat arrives on Monday to work on the faux finish. Jason will work his magic on the walls.

Until next week...enjoy the sunshine and think of spring.

WINTER MUSIC

Some music to help us enjoy winter.

Very pretty...







Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson - Winter Song










George Winston, February Sea

A New Dining Table - Vote at left for your favorite

Remember the short proverb "the shoemaker's children go barefoot?" The shoemaker is so busy with his craft that he does not have time to make shoes for his own children.

I can relate.

Of all the places in the world that one would think would be decorated impeccably, you would think that the home of an interior designer and an architect would be drop dead gorgeous.

Unfortunately, ours is not - and some days I feel it to my core.

As ridiculous and superficial as it is, I shy away from opening up our home and inviting folks over. It's so crazy and limiting. I love to cook and I love to entertain. I am never happier than when folks are gathered together sharing good food and drink.

Oh...but the house...it' s not "ready" for entertaining....

It is a challenging dilemma...decorating my own home. First and foremost, I am oh so picky and I only want the "good" stuff. You know, the really expensive, good stuff. Not that I intend to be drawn only to expensive pieces - it just is a natural evolution tied to our industry.

I remember hearing once that you can get things accomplished by having one of two things; time or money. If you have time you can search for just the "right" thing or you will have the time to make just the "right" thing. If you have money, most of the time, you can throw gobs of cash at something and get it done quickly.

Here is where I seem to run into my decorating predicament - little time and little money. I'm in a bit of a fix and I am determined to solve this.

It's just good Feng Shui and it's just good for the soul. I need to feel good in my own surroundings so that my base is strong and from there...energy expands out.

So what needs to happen in my little corner of the world??

Hubby asks me, "what will it take?" He's a "bottom line" kind of guy.

I already knew in my mind, I was just waiting for him to be interested and ask.

The quick list goes like this:

Paint
Area Rug
New Mirror
Floors finished or Carpet on the stairs

and last but not least...just the right dining table...what I think is the core of entertaining in our intimate little Craftsman style house.

I thought I would share with you a few of the tables that I have ear marked as ones to inspire me ones that are up for consideration.

First, I have my wonderful Baker chairs that I bought last year. They are so comfortable and they have to remain in the Dining Room. They are a neutral color - so we work from there.

Please vote for your favorite in the box - top left.

Amy Howard Capri Dining Table

I have visited Amy Howard in Memphis and just fell in love with her, her husband, and all the wonderful folks that work at her studio. The finishes are to die for. This table feels exquisite when you run your hand across the top. Fine craftsmanship!!

DessinFournir Kelly Dining Table

Michael Taylor Lyre Base Table

Michael Taylor Large Italian Base

Italian Base - another view. I have been enamored with this table for several years now.

Baker Lisbon Center Table

J. Robert Scott Tuscan Dining Table

Bernhardt Oval Dining Table

Bernhardt Round Dining Table

And now for some really fun, funky antique pieces from South of Market. South of Market has outstanding antique light fixtures too - the best!!

South of Market Dining Table - might be nice with my oatmeal colored upholstery on the dining chairs.

South of Market Dining Table - love the iron work and the rustic top

Another South of Market Table - great Asian feel to this table - yet modern

The snow has stopped here in Ohio and I am eager to get out and about. I would love to stop by a few antique shops on Larchmere and then visit the Cleveland Botanical Garden for their annual orchid show.

If it is time for the Orchid show - SPRING IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!!!!

...I wonder if by Spring I will have found my new dining table, area rug, and will have successfully painting my Living Room/Dining Room. I'm thinking soft, soft, soft light blue - out with the red - in with the pale blue.

Would you like progress pictures????