Fine details

 Just a few snapshots of the slow progress as of late. Jim has been busy working on the rooms upstairs. He does fine work, if I can say so. I have been balancing my time between the new project across the river http://www.rollingwithsisyphus.com/ and the octagon.Rain days bring light work at the octagon and the rest is heavy lifting. Hopefully the summer ahead brings more productivity. Sam

Bedrooms and Bathrooms

Just a few snapshots of the work since our last update. We have some paint on the bedroom walls. Sadly the blue is very muted in the light. The rose turned out much better than I anticipated. We had originally picked out a lighter tone, but I was nauseated by it. Luckily the paint store was able to tint it. I was able to lay, what we believe to be Arkansas Marble in the library. A couple weeks work which felt good to step back from and view. The upstairs bathroom is progressing. We have the sink top put together with what we had leftover from the floor. A friend had the window, which we transformed into a door for between the bathroom and greenhouse. A little outside gardening as well. Lots of transplanting. Seedum, daylillies, cannalillies, thyme, chive, rhubarb, hyacinth, forsythia, bridal wreath, and a few more plants. Now to keep the weeds down. We have been working on gutters, which will be nice to finish on the exterior. This summer will be very hectic trying to finish a few things on the octagon, while also turning my efforts to yet another house. Sam

We took a few more snapshots this morning with the light pouring in. The blue shows much better. The scaffolding is away in back and the staircases are in. I'm sure the cupola floor will get done sometime soon.

Dizzying floors, balusters, and a cupboard.

Red oak flooring in blue bedroom

The centerpiece and latest effort.

Fir flooring in second floor kitchenette

Butternut cupboard refinished-minus finish.

We have been working a lot on floors. All the floors on the second story are sanded and have two coats of polymerized tung oil, except for the hallway. The hallway has been a labor of love. Lots of cutting and fitting. I think I may only dream of making 45 degree cuts and nailing maple flooring. I cannot wait to see how it turns out when we sand this floor. Will require a lot of hand scraping. Also note that we have been fitting the balusters on the attic stairway. Jim has been running to and fro keeping me in line, while working on the spiral staircase. He has the oak balusters finished and is working fitting the handrail to the newel post. He has also been instrumental in putting the butternut cupboard together. Fixing the sins of the previous owner. More modern nails than can be imagined! He has appropriately used old square nails and it has turned out tremendously. In Jim's opinion we saved this cupboard from the dump and breathed new life into it. Hopefully soon we will be able breath warmer air soon. Spring is coming...sometime. Sam

Handrail coming together.

We may have saved the cupboard from the dump but I'm about
ready to head there myself! We are in a race to get the finished
inspection done. All that is required is to get all the handrails
in place and the smoke detectors in. Then we can take our time
with the painting and finish work.We are also rushing with
the floors as the sanding equipment is on loan and will soon
need to go back. Spring will finally give us a chance to take
a breather! Jim

Porch and floors

The last bedroom to lay flooring in.

Oak floor laid in blue bedroom. Cherry woodwork being mounted.

Herring bone border in green bedroom. Maple to be laid in center.

Stained and one coat varnished doors.

Cupola sub-floor being installed. Cupola all plastered.

Laying maple floor in attic.

Architrave on porch.

Greetings to Cornelia! Here's a bench for you to sit on.

Nothing has shifted this winter, thus far.

A few shots of the porch in the winter for those abroad. Things have been moving along. Hence no posts until now. The oak floor in the blue bedroom took five days from prep to last board laid. (In case anyone was wondering.) The oak and maple floor in the green bedroom is at this same time frame with a smaller dent. A few other things have been accomplished, but they can wait until another post. I hope all have been staying warm and working hard. Sam

Pre-Christmas

Inspiration: Hudson Octagon

Blueprint-Floorplan

Varnishing and Sealing

Back Stairway finish plaster

 Years ago we made the trek to see this delightful octagon and make measurements. The size was just about perfect for or site. We didn't follow the floor plan however as most early octagons have less that desirable arrangements of rooms.










Believe it or not, this simple drawing was the plan we worked off of. (sorry to those of you who want a blue print or framing plan) We adjusted the plan many times in the process and were pleased to have this flexibility Generally speaking, however, this is the first floor room arrangement. It includes a living room, dining room, central hallway, library, kitchen accessible easily to all rooms, pantry and bathroom.
























When plastered the 10 foot wide cupola will be a remarkable space, reached by a spiral stair.Window casings to the right in an upstairs bedroom feature recycled woodwork trim from an 1870's cottage. Jim

Large Bedroom with Trim

Cupola ceiling

I do not know if there was a fire lit under us, or that things just came together. Jim was insistent that we use up as much plasterboard as we could. And we did! First floor, minus entryway closet is all plastered. Just the greenhouse and one closet needs plastering in the second floor. And of course the cupola! I did finish laying the oak flooring in the rose bedroom closet. Lots of cuts and notches. After Christmas I imagine January will be filled with a little plastering and lots of floors. It will be nice to take a little break for a week and then go right back at things. Sam

A Few Stones

 Just a few stones are left to move. With the glorious fall much has been accomplished. I find the stonework mesmerizing. It adds a nice touch. Hopefully we will be able to get a few gutters up before it turns too terribly cold. Sam

With the laying of the last landscape stones, the exterior is finally complete...with the exception of the gutters.  The last two chimneys were punched through the roof in the last several weeks as well. Planting of the terraces will have to wait until spring. It has been a glorious fall with dry weather allowing all this to get accomplished. Now, we turn our attention inward and with any luck should have the major work there done by spring.

The conservatory at the rear of the house is particularly nice from this view. Sam has already filled it with rescued plants. Two of the three chimneys are also visible from this angle. Jim

Terraces

We have been taking advantage of the beautiful weather and poking around our stone piles. Jim has been deftly maneuvering the ancient loader while I have been commanding the pry bar and shovel. The first terrace was all manhandled into place. The next terraces are of an increased size. John from down the street stopped up and assisted us to work the second row of larger stones which we had placed on the walls. He figured that it was going to take us five years to get the landscaping done. Hopefully we can take advantage of the continued good weather, for the next few days to speed the pace up. Sam