The Egyptians

I don’t know how the Egyptians ever built the pyramids without the aid of a Toro Dingo. Rated to lift 700 pounds, we put it to the test with the mantle rock.

If it is still up there come morning, it will be a good thing indeed!

Steve

Miller Time

Zachary Miller spends a whole day fine tuning the two pillar rocks to support the mantle rock. Glad I am not paying ‘by the rock’!

Although the pictures are all of the fireplace, Jarred is busy framing in the nooks and crannies, Travis continues to line and level the walls in advance of the sheet rockers. Terry, when not in court, drills for cable runs. Joe helps me with cables grumbling out loud what the hell is the point of it all. Strode is finishing the central vac install. And the sheetrockers are ahead of schedule. Lee is nearly done with the inside Eldorado stone work.

And me, well I just write the checks and take credit when things go well.

Steve

Contemplating and hanging

The fireplace flue and block is done and now comes the creative part, as Michael and son Zachary contemplate our objective of a ‘spilled’ rock foundation for the Rumford.

Meanwhile, the sheet rockers are hanging the garage, which we hope to finish completely and then use as a shop for the rest of the house.

Steve

Evolution

Building a house is an evolutionary process. The bottom flight of stairs were originally intended to be open, with a metal rail. That evolved into a framed pony wall to save money. That evolved into a full height wall. The full height wall evolved into a surface for extending the Eldorado stone effect. Finally, the bottom was converted to a column to complete to stone effect.

Evolution can be a good thing.

The Rumford fireplace will reach the ceiling today. Like east and west building train tracks to meet in the middle, we will see if the chimney flue set on the roof (in concrete) matches the flue being built up from the floor.

Wiring for the distributed audio/video/intercom/headache is underway. Where there is not just four cables, there will eventually be 64 CAT5 cables, plus other assorted wires. Makes me reminisce for a couple of cans and a string.

Steve

Best things are in life are free

With the early snow melt, our fireplace masons strolled through the loose rocks up the hill. Eureka! The perfect rock for the mantel poked through the snow – just begging to be brought in from the cold.

Three guys, a couple of sacrificial sleds, and a helping hand from Sir Isaac's favorite topic and everybody is happy.

Steve

Rumford rises

Count Rumford perfected the open fireplace two hundred years ago, and we were glad to find a local mason to tackle the project. 48” tall and only 18” deep. Looks odd. But who am I to argue with history.

The radiant heat is coursing through all floors and works almost too good. Terry is stripping (his shirt and the wall) getting ready for the entryway waterfall.

Lee is nearing completion of the stairway rockery.

Travis is line leveling the walls getting ready for drywall.

First to be drywalled will be the garage – starting end of next week!

Steve

Behind door number?

The house itself is square and boxy in so many respects that we wanted to contrast with some circles.

The front door is magnificent. Only a single entry given the harsh weather. The other exterior doors carry forth the circle pattern.

Finally, we are weather tight.

I am also adding some arches before the sheet rockers show up.

Circles and squares. What could be better!

Steve