The Tree, the Snow and the Prairie

Finishing Touches, Part Deux

Kelvin and Pete have installed most of the cabinets and started on the appliances, so we're finally starting to see what the kitchen and bathrooms will look like.

Pretty sweet, eh?

Floored

The new builder, JR, has been spending time fixing leaks, code problems and other disappointments left by the previous builder (thanks Barry!), and has started installing the maple floor.

That's not JR, it's his business partner, Chris.

This is a huge — if much delayed — milestone, and cause for much rejoicing. As soon as the polyurethane cures, the cabinets and stair wall can be installed, and most of the finished plumbing and electrical can go in.

Ted the Architect has come up with an innovative shower wall treatment that I'm pretty confident you've never seen, but that Richard Serra will love. Stay tuned.

Thanks guys!

Ducted

The all-important duct for the air conditioning in the main living area was finally installed. It looks very industrial, which I like.

Now that the ductwork is in, the painter can put the finishing touches on the joists, and then the floor can be installed, then the kitchen cabinets, closets, finished plumbing, finished electrical, etc. can come in.

Colorful

"Buggs" (because he's got really long bug's legs, I'm told) applying the American Clay plaster finish to a wall in — I think — my bedroom.

The advantages of this product are several:

• Aesthetic -- it gives the walls more depth and earthiness than paint would
• Environmental -- natural, no VOCs
• Comfort -- soaks up humidity (it doesn't "set) and releases it over time.

Permanent Stairway to Work

The temporary staircase to the loft/office is now gone (there's a story there you'll have to ask me about), replaced by the permanent and very cool steel staircase fabricated by the fine local Monroe, WI craftsmen at — er, I forget. I'm sure someone will remind me.

The treads are made from leftover ceiling joist remnants. Like everything else in the house, it's "stout."

"The Meter Must Be Broken"

That's what the meter reader said, when he saw a negative 800 or so kilowatts for this month's consumption, and the panels pumping out 700 watts on a cloudy day. He wants to replace the meter.

Knock yourself out, buddy, it's not going to help. We're coming into peak solar production season, and since the house is still under construction, the electrical load is minimal — a table saw here and there, a compressor once in a while.

Bit by Bit

Barry the Builder has now trimmed out the loft area and the office very nicely, with maple.

Finishing Touches, Part One

Barry the Builder has been in fine woodworking mode, fabricating the wood trim that make the transition from wall to ceiling, in this case, in the office/loft.

As Ted the Architect said, "this thing is built like a watch."

Floor on the Ceiling

First look at the maple ceiling for the section under the loft, looking from the South toward the North closet (straight ahead), stairway up to the office and guest wing terrace, and the kitchen.

Sweetness!