almost done

Finally, here's the sliding glass door threshold.  It has its first coat of poly on - just 2 or 3 more to go.

step - done

After several coats of poly, the threshold step is installed.  A piece of trim below completes the work at the entrance.  Now just a final coat of poly and a coat of paint will make it all look good.

step in place

Secured the step with screws and glue then filled the holes with black filler.  Then applied one more coat of polyurethane and we've got a solid step that is almost too pretty to step on.

Next up is the threshold which just got it's first coat of poly.  It will get at least three more and then will slide in under the door trim.  After that, one final piece of vertical trim and that will complete the entrance.  This piece of wood is not quite as old as the step (at least 250 years!) it is probably 100 years or so as this was salvaged from an upstairs bedroom and doesn't show the richness of the old sheathing boards.

threshold

after a long break ...

So we are finally getting the finishing touches with the porch.  First, the step.  You may remember that we saved some of the original sheathing for a future use.  We planed the boards and squared them then joined them to make a wide step.  We'll put several coats of poly on it then fasten it in place.

shimming the nailers 

original sheathing

planed and joined

filling old holes and cracks

first coat of polyurethane

Baseboard - almost complete

Well, the baseboard is installed - just have to fill the nail holes, caulk the gaps and give it one more coat of paint.  The last three items are the big step, a threshold for the slider and a false beam along the ceiling.  We're getting anxious to use the porch so we put an uncomfortable chair out to at least be able to read a book in the sunny corner.

more small steps

Baseboards are painted and ready for installation - tomorrow.

We added this little stop to the trim to keep the door from denting.  The top of the step is off in order to install the baseboard.  We'll be planing down some old sheathing to make the actual step.

small steps

It's those little details that lead to the end.  After painting the final coat on the trim and adding another coat of poly to the windows, I finally finished wiring the outlets and putting on coverplates.  That's done!  Now for the baseboard which will have to wait for a bigger vehicle to bring the lumber home.

The one on the right works, the one on the left is a dummy (we wired things so we could add  fans later)

first coat of paint

Nail holes are patched and the first coat of paint is on the new trim.  Once it was dry, all the gaps were caulked.  One more coat tomorrow, then onto baseboard!

trim is almost complete

So here's our decision on the trim over the windows and slider.  We've added a narrow shelf to allow for displays.  More filler, caulk, sanding and paint and this part of the project will be complete.

another weekend, more paint and trim

Began the day with the second coat of paint to the window jambs.  Also started applying poly to the windows themselves.  This will be a 3 or 4 day ordeal.  Lots of cutting, shimming, and nailing to things in place.  Once the first coat of paint is on, we'll caulk the joints to make those spaces disappear.

first coat of paint to the trim

Window trim starts

adding jambs to the slider

Some pretty flowers

Bright colors will be a great contrast to the white walls and trim.  Here's one daffadil from our garden surrounded by some pretty purples (I don't know what they are as they were imported from somewhere).

Also started painting the jambs.  We're working on some thoughts for the framing - thinking of a shelf that will go above the windows and slider for display.

starting the window trim

Finished extending the window jambs.  We're going to do things a little differently than normal.  The trim will sit on and beside the jambs rather than over them.  Next up will be to do the same with the sliding door then add the trim all around.

This corner will be a tight fit

Here's what the trim will look like above the windows

Here's how the top and side trim should line up

the wall is done

The wall is done and painted with a couple of coats of flat white.  Now we'll be able to return to completing the baseboard, window trim and step.

Meanwhile, over the last year an ant colony had formed under the patio.  Their activity resulted in several bricks dropping a half inch or so.  We treated it today and the activity has subsided (meaning, the ants are dead!)  We'll add some stone dust and reset the bricks so there will be a level surface once again.

slight change of plans

After living with the walls and trim for a couple of weeks, I've decided that a big bookcase would dominate the wall and detract from the rich tone of the shelf.  So back to the tape and joint compound to seal up the remaining gaps, a little sanding, and some more paint and it will be ready.  Right now we're thinking of some floating shelves so stay tuned.

first coat of polyurethane

After a thorough sanding and a wipe down with naphtha, the first coat of poly has been applied.  I intended to use a water-based product but having second thoughts went with an oil-based polyurethane that should give the desired results (but it will take several days).

the black filler putty sanded down well

need to start building the bookcase

view from the dining room is getting better

It's been a while since I've cleared out all the tools and taken up the drop cloths.  Sunny day in the 50's makes it feel like spring is here.

finishing up the window sills

Well, took some time this morning to finish up with the conversion from floor boards to window sills.  Nice and sunny for a change so I could set up outside to minimize the dust.  After some very careful cutting (there are no extra pieces so it has to be right the first time) everythings in place.

complex cuts to fit

a little more trimming and it's good

now to join the corner together

Those dark spots are the wood filler for the nail holes.  Those will get final sanding later and they should disappear to some degree.

this was the easy one

All that's left is more sanding and then the application of many coats of poly.  After that the window trim needs to be completed and the baseboard installed and this project will be ready for some enjoyment.

finally, chair rail

Not sure a martini glass will fit

Started installing the chair rail today.  Goal was to be able to hold a wine glass on the narrow sections - accomplished!  We will coat it with many layers of polyurethane to give a rich tone (and to resist the inevitable spills).  Tomorrow we'll tackle the window sections.

this side is almost done

door is done with 3 coats and rehung

may keep the windows natural to match?