The Long Awaited Hole in the Wall

I met a cabinet maker this morning at 8.

He thought the sink was in good condition, but to use it I would either have the front of the sink base flush with the front of the sink or it would have to set on top of a cabinet with a Formica top. I foresee problems with both choices.

The last home we lived in there wasn't a lip on the edge of the counter. Water drops were a constant problem - eventually ruining the front of the sink base. No thank you!

The second option is just as problematic. To set the sink on top of the counter, there must be a way to seal the edge of the sink. I can't think of anyway of doing that without eventually having water seep under the sink onto the underlying wood.

Basically, if I want to build my entire kitchen around this sink we could make it work. But he said what if I decided I didn't want it in the future. It might be difficult to make adjustments.

So good-bye to the sink. I'm thinking a farm sink might be good. A sink that will fit in a standard sink base. The cabinet maker will work up an estimate on doing a few base cabinets to match my existing Amish oak free-standing pieces.

I still haven't given up on finding someone to do the electrostatic painting on the metal cabinets either.

Growth rings on the walnut tree I had cut down.

I had the tree trimmers save some logs and branches in case we get the time and energy to make end tables similar to this style or this style. The branches I might use to make coasters like these. I wanted them to leave some thinner branches to make magnets like these, but he misunderstood my request and they were sent through the shredder by the time I got there.


Here are some of the larger logs they left. They may be a bit too big right now. They were too heavy to move.

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I've been anticipating this moment for a long time. Well, at least since September 23 when I closed on the house. But seriously, I have been so impatient to see this window expanded into three windows. I crave light in a house. It wasn't necessarily dark inside the house since it is so small, but I knew I would feel more peaceful with more light and more of a view of the outdoors.

Today they fulfilled my dream.

Here they are in the middle of the process. The old window has been removed and they are beginning to widen and lengthen the opening. They removed the siding so that it can be used again.

They are taking a much needed rest for lunch and a phone consultation.

It's confirmed. Busia always said the house was made from oak. Here you can see the oak studs. The wall sheathing is oak too.

From the inside of the house, you can see the oak wood sheathing and the oak 2 x 4 stud. Next coming towards the interior are strips of lathe. Originally, they were probably covered with wet plaster. Next is either plaster or drywall. Then a final drywall. There wasn't any insulation in the walls, but with all those layers of material, maybe I won't need insulation. The house seems to heat up quickly.

It's all open. The three connected, double-hung windows are on the ground to the right. The three window unit was only $150.

This will really open up the view of the horse stables across the street and the side yard.

This is a section that they were able to remove in one piece. I asked them to save all the wood. I would like to use some of it for craft projects.

Ideally, I would like to make something from the wood and from the trees that were cut down for family members. It would be a nice reminder of all the good times we had together at Busia's house. To do that will require learning some new skills. Here's hoping!

Here's a side view. You can see the 1 inch oak wood sheathing, some kind of paper, then the clapboard siding. I'm not sure what type of wood the siding is. I may leave this section in one piece and try to find a use for it.

If you remember from a previous posting, the people who purchased the house from my relatives, had it remodeled in 1993. When I spoke to them recently, they claimed they had their builder remove all the plaster/drywall, roof, and siding. They said it was taken down to the studs. Hmm! Seems someone had their facts wrong.

Everything is still there - except the roof, of course. In a real estate listing from 2003, it also states that it was "completely rebuilt from the foundation up". So was their builder not honest with them? We will never know because he is no longer living.

I was glad to see it all intact still. It is a piece of history.

But if I had known it was all still there, I might not have cut into it to put in new windows. A part of me would like to have the vinyl siding and blue board insulation taken off-restoring it to its original clapboard siding.

But then what would I do with the second floor that was added on in 1993? It doesn't have clapboard siding. It would look odd to have part clapboard and part siding. Since I've already cut into it and altered the original, the decision has been made. Or has it?

There are still two front windows sitting there to be replaced. Do I put them in and alter the house more or do I return them?

I ordered Eternity Marmoleum Click planks (12" x 36") for the half-bath. I wanted to try it in a small area before committing to having it in the rest of the house.

I keep thinking about the wood sub-floor though. Is it oak too?