Watching Paint Dry...

Brynwood Needleworks - Painting Railing Parts

 

There are a lot more parts painted and stacked against the wall outside the frame of this image. Don't worry though. I'm not going to ask you to watch me paint. That would be unspeakably boring.

 

I'm only showing one of these images to show you what I haven't been doing. Baking, laundry, oh, yes...and needlework. Only loading the rollers with paint, and waiting for it to dry for the next coat. And, I'm not finished either. sigh

 

#2 Son arrives today to begin assembly, so I guess I'll be painting some of this after it becomes actual built railing. I'm good with that, but I'll certainly be happier when it's finished. 

I think I'll be in the studio while he works today. I wouldn't want to be in his way, after all. (We won't actually speak about my ulterior motives, right?)

 

Farmhouse Renovation - Porch Project - And So, It Begins...

Brynwood Needleworks - Hickory Hill Farmhouse

 

This grand old lady turned 101 years old this year. Her porch is showing its age, so she's going to get a lovely new facelift. As in the year she was built, she's still planted in a field of clover. Once all this is finished, we'll be overseeding with new grass and clover seed.

Part of our crew dropped by yesterday to leave the supplies they'll need to shore up the roof over the current porch, while they demo and rebuild a new porch. Handsome's dad used to say, "And now the cat the hair off." I'm not sure exactly how to explain what it means, but feel it's appropriate to use in this instance. It's like, "Well, now the fun starts." (sometimes said in a facetious manner).

Our small yard tractor is out front because I was moving some of the plants away from the demo area. I was able to relocate a beautiful, old honeysuckle vine, and hope it settles in and thrives in its new spot. I tried to move some of the flowering bushes, but that didn't work, and we're definitely losing the evergreens across the front. I was told by a landscaper that old, established evergreen bushes never live after transplant. (insert sad face)

I just hope the builders will be gentle when they get around to the north side, where the hydrangeas are located. They've been there a long time and are quite happy up until now. I'd hate to lose those.

Handsome and I removed everything we had on the porch, and I relocated the hummingbird feeders so they're next to the big lilac bush across the yard. The little birds are already happily chirping and slurping at their new feeding station. One less thing to worry about. Likewise for the few orioles that are still hanging around their feeder. I'm not refilling it everyday now, so I suspect they'll be on their way soon.

I'm going to have a quick cup of coffee, and then I'll be ready to begin photographing the start of this process. It's pretty exciting, and I don't want to miss a thing. (Gosh, I hope nothing is living under the porch and/or bushes right now. They'll be in for a real surprise, but we'll make sure they're unharmed.)

Come back tomorrow. I have a feeling things are quickly going to look different around the place!

PS. You can tell I was quite concerned about Handsome yesterday, as Tag never got his post up for the week. Good news is that Handsome is going to be fine. We feared a total knee replacement, but after an MRI and x-rays, the surgeon said he's actually not a surgical candidate, and just needs some serious PT. We're over the moon with the news! We apologize that Tag didn't stop by, but he'll be back again next week. I'm sure he'll be extra feisty, having been...ahem...forgotten (Sorry, Tag) this week.

Farmhouse Renovation - This Is What's Next...

Brynwood Needleworks - Liljegren's Hickory Hill Farmhouse

 

I've been getting a few private messages and emails, guessing what our next renovation project might be. Most have been thinking it's the kitchen, but truthfully, I can't make up my mind what I might want for the kitchen and pantry spaces, and they're completely functional, as is. There's another project that really can't wait any longer. This beautiful, big, wraparound porch.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Original 100 Year Old Porch - Newer Rails

The basic structure for the porch has been falling down over time. When it was originally built with the house, frost footings weren't a consideration. Usually logs and large stones were called into service. 

As you can see in the first image, there is a relatively new retaining wall. It replaced one that was coming down, and with it, the earth that supported those logs and stones...and the porch. Thankfully, the porch isn't pulling down the house, or the roof over it, as it's deteriorated. However, the southern section of the porch has quite the pitch to it, and the boards are pulling apart as the whole thing heads south.

Brynwood Needleworks - Porch Roof Pillars and Supports

It's a good thing small children don't live here, as the newer rails are wobbly, and unreliable. The concrete tops on the pillars are cracked from years of water expanding and contracting with the seasons. The stucco is damaged from water, wear, woodpeckers (yes, woodpeckers) and mousies.

Brynwood Needleworks - Original Porch Decking

If you look under my galvanized sinks, you can see that the porch has been this way for a while. When the siding was replaced, that bottom piece was cut to mimic the pitch of the porch at that time.

So, the plans have come in, we've got our budget, and we've chosen materials. This will be our major project for 2019...a new porch. It will include all new materials; new pillars and posts; a slight modification (removing the front staircase, to put a railing across the entire front) - but otherwise, the same footprint; removal of the sidewalk from the side staircase around to the front staircase; a new pad at the "friends and family" entrance, with a sidewalk to connect to the new side staircase; and (possibly) retainers for the planting area around the base of the porch (as that area will now have grass growing right up to it.

 

Our project will begin right after the 4th of July, and is expected to take about three weeks. Between now and then, I'll be slowly moving the hummingbird feeders away from the porch (they hang from the beam on the driveway side of the porch), so the hummers will be used to a new feeding area before the demolition begins. I'll also pull some of my kitchen garden plantings closest to the porch so they're not harmed during the project. 

We're really looking forward to this, and while the materials won't be the same (I'll reveal those at a later date), we always aim to honor the original house. We've traveled around our area, looking at the porches on many other farmhouses, and are confident that our project will achieve our goals, and still look like it belongs. It's going to be fabulous!

So, now you know, even if you're not getting all the details right away. Once the project is underway, you'll get regular photo updates. We'd love for you to share our excitement. 

I've got early appointments today, so I'm off and running. There won't be much studio time for me, but I'm hoping to get back to my Dresden plate table runner. 

 

I can't believe another month is almost over! It seems that just yesterday May began. sigh Thanks for stopping by. You know how much I appreciate it, right?