You'll recall I wanted to make shutters and get them attached to the interior window frames. I had gotten them cut and glued last week.
So this weekend I worked on getting them stained and the hinges on them. The hinges were very fiddly work. The screws that come with the hinges don't have a flat or phillips head, they're just blank, so I couldn't use any of my little tools to screw them in.
While drilling holes two of my mini finger drills broke. So now I need to order a new set.
But after a lot of frustration I got the first one done.
I wanted them to fold back in half and then away from the window, to take up less wall space when they're open.
I wish I could say that after establishing a process for the first the other three were easy but that would be a lie. I did eventually get them done.
Since I was making myself crazy anyway I decided to put the handles on the windows while I was at it. Fewer holes to drill but putting the handles on the Houseworks casement windows and the bay window was not easy.
I did however triumph in the end.
I also sanded down, glued, reinforced with some strategic toothpicks and re-spackled my stairs. I painted them with a base coat of Folk Art's Thunder Grey.
Since I had more waiting (drying) time I stained the center post for the stairs. I used ebony and mahogany and then put dark walnut over it.
I'm still a bit undecided on this. Part of me wonders if I ought to wrap it in wide strips of egg carton so it looks like stacked stone cylinders. Suggestions?
And I put the stone floor to the tower in.
Then grouted it.
Lots more to do obviously. But this is as far as I got this weekend.
How are the rest of you doing?
keep the center piece pole as is - I like it that ways. unless you want a total stone look.. then you have to work with egg carton.
ReplyDeleteall well here - not so busy with my farmhouse room box because I need to wait for deliveries of coasters, siding, etc.
but lots of joy with the gardening and cycling this weekend! glorious 27°C :-)
Thanks! I wanted the look of a tree being cut down to support the stairs.
DeleteI got lucky and my hinges and handles arrived during the week so I could work on the shutters this weekend.
Just scrolling down to write my comment and see Marion touting 27°C weather... Marion I need to come and visit. ;)
DeleteLove your stone floor and I would agree with Marion that the pole looks good as it is.
ReplyDeleteYour shutters look like they were really fiddly yet you got them done, and now you can breathe easy, for a while Sheila.
Actually had a HOT DAY today so I have the laundry drying outside- such a nice surprise after months of so much bitter cold
Thanks! I like the pole, just wasn't sure how it would look with the stone stairs. The shutters were very fiddly but they're done for now. I need to add a bar across them to hold them shut but that's for later one.
DeleteLine dried laundry... love how that smells. We actually had a cooler day today, and tons of rain yesterday.
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DeleteHAHAHAHA
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ReplyDeleteThe double-fold shutters are a really nice touch, and the tower is coming along!
Check out this circular stone staircase at Fort Point, San Francisco http://www.artandarchitecture-sf.com/fort-point-vantage-point-view-golden-gate-bridge.html
Brick stairwell, too — I like the partial whitewash.
Thanks! I'm hoping my stairs turn out as well.
DeleteThe floor looks really good, and so do the shutters, great work!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm hoping things continue to go smoothly.
DeleteI'm glad you stuck to the shutters and hinges in spite of the fiddly challenge - they look great. I also like the log center support and the way it ties the wood and stain element into the tower stairs. I think too much stone would end up looking cold. Perfect base color for the stairs, too!
ReplyDeleteMe too. Though you wouldn't believe how blue the air got with the profanity around here.
DeleteThanks! That was kind of what I was hoping for. Now looking at the link Nancy sent me I'm wondering if I should do a bit of plaster over the bricks inside the tower?
Oh yes! Some PaperClay plaster would be fabulous!
DeleteHi Sheila. I could go either way with the stairs to be honest, which I know does not help you! If I was building, I would probably go with stone, but I like your wood too. And love the shutters! I think the effort was worth it, just for the cool factor!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm pleased with the shutters even though they took forever!
DeleteI think since I went through all the trouble with the column and staining I'll leave it wood but thanks!
Hi Sheila! The shutters look great despite of the fiddly work. I really loved to see the picture from the inside of the baywindow with the windows and the shutters: so realistic!
ReplyDeleteThe floor looks fantastic, and the pole is good as it is.......the final choice is yours ;).
Thank you! I need to finish out the bay window with some trim and plasterwork but I'm feeling good about it so far.
DeleteYou might feel that you didn´t do much but to me you accomplished a lot! I love your windows and shutters, everything about them looks original and authentic. Great job! I think I prefer the staircase to be all stone, but I am sure if you go for the wood pole it will look good too :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! Authentic is what I'm going for. Hopefully all the little details will build up to something fun.
DeleteI like the center pole as is, Sheila.
ReplyDeleteYour shutters are amazing! And those tiny handles really impressed me too.
Thanks! I'm very near sighted and I'm starting to think I need to invest in a big magnifying glass, I was leaning so close at one point that I got glue in my hair again.
DeleteHinges are the worst. At least you’re taking the time to put in the mini screws… I should have done that with my folding doors. I have to smile though, because I noticed each shutter takes TWO hinges for a total of FOUR hinges per window. Oh Shelia… :) You brave, brave woman. The end result is so successful! And I love the window pulls they look so good and to scale with the mesh on the glass. I think the stairwell post is beautiful in the wood finish. And was shocked to see that much texture on the brick sheet! The stone at the bottom balances everything out. Whew… what do you mean you barely did anything… my comment is so long because you did so much haha :D
ReplyDeleteLOL Thanks. Yeah I hate hinges. But I'll have to do more for the dormer window on the second floor and possibly on the little offshoot tower window as well. Like I said, lots of cussing.
ReplyDeleteI ordered the brick paper off of ebay and its on this textured stuff that reminds me of wallpaper a bit. Really thick stuff but it's great for the inside of the tower since most of the walls will have windows or stairs on them.
Oh your shutters look great! I love that they are working, such a great detail. I'm sure frustrating to construct but worth the effort. I've been wondering how to attach handles to these casement windows also.. I'm going to reference yours when I get around to doing mine. :) Love the stairs and the stone floor. I'd probably want a stone pole if it was me.. just because I'm not sure I've seen stone stairs supported by a wooden pole.. hmm.. must google out of curiosity.. lol.. Maybe if you added some wood support structure radiating out from the pole and under each tread that might make it seem more engineered. Love this build! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! Very frustrating but I wanted something that worked. The other option for the casement windows would be to put the handle on an angle over the corner.
DeleteI was actually thinking about that. Some wooden supports under the stairs so there's a connection.
The whole window system looks great, especially the shutters. I especially like the hardware. The stone and brick work are looking good too. I am excited to see more.
ReplyDeleteThanks! This is the third kit that I've spent tons of time on windows. It's amazing how different they can be from period to period and region to region.
DeleteHi Sheila! I think you have accomplished Tons of details!!! The shutters are wonderful! (I know how much work hinges are... I Love hinges, but they are a lot of work! LOL!) The tiny ones I use are from Houseworks and they come with tiny nails not screws... I just poke a starter hole with my awl to locate the hinge and press the nails in with the flat side of my pliers! (I also use a dab of glue with the nails.) I love the look of your windows and can't wait to see them in the building! As for your stairs, I think they are also looking great!I would make the post "stone" too... but it is really your choice. I think both versions are realistic! I think you have made great progress! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! Oh yes. Lots of work. I've been cheating with glue to make everything stick for certain.
DeleteI'm still debating the column/post for the stairs.