Stairs Day 16

astragal – a beaded molding for edging or decorating furniture

Stairs Day 15

Starting to look like a Newel post…

Stairs Day 2

First photos of the Pedestal.

Quartersawn white oak….

Stairs Day 1

Well, not actually day 1.  A few months ago the carpet (builder’s grade crap) was removed to reveal stairs that should never have passed inspection code when the home was built (shout out to Phillips Builders for you attention to detail…NOT).  Risers were all different, and the treads were not level.  New treads and risers were installed and now it’s time for the newel post and balusters.

This is going to be interesting!

How many Mastercraftsmen do you know?

“One of the serious wants of this country and of our trade is good boys. Our boys are deteriorating, as are our men. The greatest difficulty that we experience in New York is that of getting boys who have brains and are willing to learn a trade thoroughly. The example of men who have made millions in a few years is held up before our boys in school, and the boys become inflamed with the notion that they must make their millions and be able to found new crossroads colleges before they die. So they eschew trades and become poor professionals.”

James Buckley 1885

Something to think about with our sons….and daughters

Acid Washed Floor

Another before and after photo.  For the past three days the focus has been the concrete floor on the porch.  Acid Washed with Kemiko stain (cola) and top coat with clear acrylic sealer.  Many thanks to the folks at Farrell-Calhoun paint on Royal Oaks Blvd for their advise with this project.

 

Bad Repairs

Over the years I’ve seen many really bad furniture repairs.  This one, is just unbelievable.

PVC pipe cut to fit a dowel stuffed with cotton?

For the record, it did not work.