Another tree grows

As we build the house we are re-thinking everything about the property. I had fabricated a (fake) puzzle lock on the driveway gate years ago when we built the studio/shop. It matched the one on our giant shop doors.

Now with the building of the house with a different but complimentary theme it was time for a change. One obvoious theme of the house is the trees. This same theme is echoed elsewhere on the property. The studio door is built of welded steel and features a similar tree. We decided to remove the puzzle lock and build a small bonsai style tree in it's place. 

With the house looking cooler and more intreguing every day it is getting to be time to put the gates back up soon. Peter began work on the gates yesterday. By welding row after row cose together on the tree trunks the welding beads look a lot like bark. Like the shop doors it will be allowed to aquire a rust patina over time.

I'll post some more pictures when the gate goes back up.

-grampa dan

More details

This morning the skies were grey and dark. The crews stararted work but the skies opened up and it quickly became wet. The roofers came off the roof for safety's sake. After an hour of waiting they decided to return tomorrow and try again. One carpenter team could work under the eaves on the soffits and made great progress. The soffits look fabulous, especially on the curved eyebrows. The guys are doing a great job!

The other carpenter team worked on laying out the inside walls. It is looking a whole lot more like a house. The entry, pantry, kitchen, and back mud room are now defined with stud walls. We are loving the space that will soon be our home.

Peter began welding up the framework for the large tree that will flank one side of the patio. It is to house a playhouse for our grand daughter Phoebe. On the inside of the house the large, hollow tree will surround the staircase to the upstairs bonus rooms. She toured the framework and declared it perfect.

The poor weather does not stop progress but rather changes the focus of our efforts. Next week the weatherman is promising more sunshine.

-grampa dan

Roofers at last!

Today the roofers started in on the underlay for the shingles. Pretty soon there will be no more chance of water coming into the house when it rains. That will be a good thing!

With the roof being installed it was time to have the permanent electrical panels to be installed. With the panels there were some permanent plugs as well. Long extension cords and too few piugs will at last be history for the construction crews.

Some of the carpenters continued work on the soffits which are looking pretty spectacular. I'll post some pictures tomorrow. Our crew continues to apply the diamond lath to the exterior walls and are making great progress.

-grampa dan