Moving Right Along With Renovations

 

"Where have you been this summer? Haven't seen you around!" . . .Well. . . .I've been busy. . .John's been busy. . .and Maison Hubardeau is looking good. . .Thanks to several master craftsman. . .

We searched and search for someone to paint the rusty old roof. . .Most never showed up. . .A few that did told us to just put a new roof on. . .There was no need for that. . .and I was not tearing off the thick tin that could date back further than the 1900s. . .The rust was surface but didn't need to go any further. . .so I have to hand it to John, he didn't give up until he found an excellent choice. . .Claude Wells from Perryville is a third generation roof specialist. . .He brought a crew of five (or more). . .Let me tell you, John and I were both impressed. . .These guys knew what they were doing. . .They power washed and used a scrubber on the roof. . .In just a few days they had cleaned and painted the roof, soffits, trim and windows. . .and, ladies, they cleaned up after themselves!!!!

For a few days, traffic slowed and heads turned. . .

With the roof and upper part of the house freshly painted, the rest looked a little dingy. . .Lucky for us, one of our neighbors was having work done on his house at the same time. . .So across the street John went and spoke to the painter. . .We had watched his work for about a week and again, we were impressed. . .

The back porch, doors, and front door facade were scraped, prepped, and painted. 

The little bench in front was also scraped and sprayed a rust primer red. (Sorry no photo of it after the primer. And, for you passing by wondering if I'm leaving it rust color, no I will be painting it white--one day.)

I'm pretty particular about how things are done but Joaquin was even more than I. . .I was amazed when he took the knobs off the doors instead of painting in a circle around them. . .He even came back after the entire job was finished to touch up places HE wasn't happy with. . .Very professional. . .

I love the new gray wall we chose for accent. . .It is the same shade of the stone of the house. . .Before, the wall was white. . .everything was white. . .but now the white railings really stand out. . . and yes, ladies, he cleaned up after himself, too. . .(grin)

In the meantime. . .John took the broken shutters back to our farm and refurbished them. . .He can do anything with wood. . .just amazes me. . .

All they need is a little paint. . .

The basement doors were in horrible shape. . .John put temporary replacements on while he built the permanent ones, which will have hand-forged handles and hasp by the Farrier's Wife. . .All is completed except putting the doors on. . .One day soon. . .

One of the roofers mentioned to John that his uncle happened to be a stone mason, specializing in historic homes. . .Jason Bida from Perryville is his real name but I dubbed him Jason the Mason. . .His work was meticulous and accurate down to the sand that he traveled to the Meramec River to obtain. .-.He could look at three different mortar mixes on the house--the original and all the patches-and knew where the sands came from. 

First he cleaned out the old mortar. . .

Then did his magic. . .mixing his own formula to match the old. . .

Sometime in the 1900s, part of the stone wall cap was replaced with concrete pads. . .Where those joints met, there was a very noticeable hump. . .I wasn't sure it could be leveled out. . .but look at this. . .

And if you haven't noticed, the two box eyesores and wire are now gone. . .only the meter remains. . .still an eyesore but nothing we can do about that. . .at least for now. . .Such a small change has made a big difference on the 4th Street side. . .

While waiting for workers to finish, John and I tackled the backyard flower beds. . .dead trees. . .dead bushes. . .tons of poison oak. . .volunteer trees. . .Well. . .we hauled off about 8 loads in one day. . .Still have the Jefferson Street side to finish. . .Might be a fall project as hot as it is. . .

We also power sprayed the pavers. . .The settee and chair was bought on the Hundred Mile Yard Sale Memorial Day weekend. . .

Everyone has loved working on this house. . .They all took pride in their work and in setting it back to it's original as closely as possible. . .I have restored many older homes over the years but by far, these have been the best crews I have ever had. . .I have been totally amazed. . .Thanks to every one of them. . .

Indoors, the first phase of painting is done. . .Then John and I laid a new oak floor in the foyer and dining room. . .We really had no choice. . .There was three layers of plywood and linoleum. . .There was damage to the dining room floor. . .and the hall had been added onto three times in the past. . .and some water damage around the doors. . .

Now it is ready to sand and paint. . .(the tan spots are putty). . .Yes. . .Paint!!! . . .I could tell you how we will paint it. . .but I'll make you wait for a while. . .I love surprises. . .

So that's it for now. . .Next up. . .the kitchen floor. . .a brick one. . .Can't wait to see that myself. . .Followed by painting the upstairs guest room. . .I get anxious to see it all done, but I know it takes time. . .and patience. . .and. . .we have to rest every now and then! LOL

UNTIL NEXT TIME. . .

FLAG OF OUR FATHERS

 

MAY WE NEVER FORGET. . .