more projects

Today I hung 1/2" threaded rods from the rafters that will eventually hold up an antique ladder that we will use for a pot rack over the kitchen island.. These rods will eventually have 1/2 " metal tubing slid over them for a better look. This had to be done prior to the spray foam insulation.

Here is the antique ladder we found. It is a vintage citrus picker ladder, used to pick fruit while leaning against a tree. We shortened it and now perfect for a Florida cottage. This will be hanging from the four metal rods 7'6" off of the floor for a pot rack.

Also prepared the area that will become the threshold separating the entry from the living room. Filled the voids with pressure treated wood and foam.

Then cut to size and reshaped an old salvaged piece of cypress to use for the threshold. Once stained it should look like it was always there.

Getting a new metal roof

One of our early decisions was to recreate an original look which would include a "tin roof". We chose a classic 5V pattern with the fasteners exposed. I had to take this photo at dusk because daylight photos had too much Sun refection to show the roof detail. Not finished, but looking good already. I feel the lady just got crowned :0)

Here are a few pictures to show that this is not all work and no play.

Here are some nice surfing waves  (boogie board for me).

I liked the early morning long shadows of this snowy egret  .

End of day sky colors are great.

More progress

We have worked several days preparing the new kitchen ceiling for insulation that will be sprayed directly to the ceiling with expandable foam.  We want to preserve and be able to seethe beams. This required us  to nail 1x2 firing strips half way up  the 2x10 rafters. The high part of the ceiling is about 15' high so it got a little challenging up high. Once completed, had to cover the underside with plastic wrap to the surface that will be seen and painted.  WE plan on adding bead board to the 1x2 firing strips in between the rafters to hide the foam insullation. This photo looks like a Halloween fun house but is the protective plastic going up.

We then took off all of the trim from the original windows and replaced the ropes that go from the window to a pair of steel weights. THese weights act as a counterbalance to help the window go up and down easily. Here is a picture of one of the weights with it's new rope. So many of these old windows have gotten a bad rap for not working because one or more of the previous owners have painted them shut. They actually work wonderful when properly set up.

Also finished building some more of the kitchen cabinets. Can't wait to hang them.

New front steps

After a bit of math and trial and error, we drew out a template on plywood and cut it out. This was used  as a guide to cut the three 2x12's that will hold the steps. The original steps were probably wood and had been replaced with two rows of cinder blocks. This will be a nice detail when painted.

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The flooring begins

Now that the electrical is finished, we are beginning work on the floors. The original part of the house has wonderful old heart pine floors. We had the concrete poured for the addition 1 1/2 inches lower than the original house. This will allow us to lay down 3/4 inch sheets of plywood over the concrete and then add 3/4 inch pine tongue and groove flooring.
I spent the last few days with my brother Mike. He  came over to help me cut and lay down 28 sheets of 3/4 inch plywood to cover the concrete. Tar paper was first laid down for a moisture barrier. The plywood was then nailed into the concrete with a nifty nail gun..

                                                                      BEFORE

                                                                           
                                                                             AFTER

We drove to Daytona Beach today to pick up a trailer load of 3/4 inch tongue and groove pine flooring from Lumber Liquidators. 

After a number of grunts and using the secretes of the Egyptians , got the lumber moved into the house.

This is a sample of how the new flooring will look