Goodbye wall, hello windows!
Paul was on vacation last week… a relaxing span of days spent dismantling and then rebuilding the back wall of the addition to put windows where we used to have a bathroom.
If you’re new, you might want to see the kitchen the day we moved in, or get the full story of the (horrible) half-bath and why we took it out.
I wasn’t here for all of it – I had work, a new stray cat to wrangle, and circuses to protest (there were three in the last two weeks!)
I already wrote about why the circus makes me sad, but I am compelled to repeat: in the wild, tigers can travel up to 20 miles a day… In the circus, they live in tiny travel cages. The only time they are allowed out is to perform.
The unmitigated despair of this existence is horrifying to me.
I know you come here for entertainment, but I cannot handle this on my own anymore without having some kind of nervous breakdown.
So. Windows… I missed some steps, but I think the process is self-explanatory; hopefully you can imagine/follow along.
Fortunately I captured the important part: Elvis supervising the process.
I won’t bore you with the boring parts, ex: the way I found choosing window size to be agonizing… surely, a wrong-half-inch in either direction would have have ruined the entire thing.
How do you like our security system? It looks very… secure, no?
The back doors are salvaged from an old storefront in Philadelphia; they are super tall and I love them. BUT the hardware that was on them was generic, unappealing, and mismatched.
Just like the piano hardware quest, I’ve been looking for hardware for the back door… and it would SEEM that what I am shopping for is something broken. Because, so far, those are the only things that appeal to me.
As Paul was ripping plywood off the back of the house, I thought it would be a good time to show him some hardware options.
I could see in his face this thought: must everything be “special?” So just to appease him, I did look at some reproduction hardware. FYI: you can get some truly GIANT and super fancy and also incredibly shiny door accessories. (Which would also make impressive earrings.)
But it’s too late because I’m already attached to some broken, old, non-working knobs that are not really knobs. And have no lock. And also is not a set, because there is only one. And I need at least two, preferably four.
Not that any of that matters, because once I decide that something is “mine,” I become irrationally attached to it.
Now this post is over. I am not at all satisfied with it, but this turns out to be one of the rare occasions I have nothing more to say.
THE END.
June 1, 2016 @ 10:32 am
Elvis did an extremely admirable job supervising on your behalf.
June 3, 2016 @ 1:19 am
I agree. His face says it all.
June 3, 2016 @ 1:19 am
wow, I mean her.
June 21, 2016 @ 3:58 pm
Yes, that kitty face is just perfect.
June 1, 2016 @ 10:35 am
Dear Paul,
Why, you ask, must everything be special? Simple: because YOU decided on this life. You married a special woman, whose whippy outlook and zest for details can only be contained in really large urns and giant closet-things that clearly open to magical lands but don’t actually fit anywhere. You, Paul, made this choice for yourself, with full knowledge of who she was.
Frankly, we’re all a little disappointed that it’s taking you so long to get with the program.
Sincerely,
Fans of Elvis
June 1, 2016 @ 10:40 am
Those windows are a decided improvement over the half bath!
June 1, 2016 @ 10:42 am
Spectacular! Now tell me that orange paint will be gone soon.
June 1, 2016 @ 10:46 am
Yes! We’re planning to paint walls this weekend. And hopefully get the trim up and painted.
June 1, 2016 @ 10:48 am
VEB – I didn’t think there was anymore reason to love you more, but your passion for animal welfare makes you that more special to me!
Keep up the good work!
June 1, 2016 @ 10:49 am
Those doors are beautiful! I now have door envy. Not that I have anywhere I could put such a thing. But hey, I read your blog religiously, so I’m obviously not rational.
Good luck in your quest to find hardware.
June 1, 2016 @ 10:57 am
OMG! That hardware is amazing!!!! I don’t even need hardware but I feel compelled to buy it.
June 1, 2016 @ 10:58 am
First, “Inspector Clouseau — I mean Elvis” is adorable! Love the new wall of windows and love even more the fact that the height of all the windows from wall to wall and even the french doors are the same height! So many times windows are installed lower which makes it hard to install window treatments. I also like that you used 2 over 2 for the new windows to match the old ones. A lot of people don’t pay attention to those details. Great job – but of course that’s what we would expect from Paul (and you)!
June 1, 2016 @ 11:02 am
getting the window size “right” was NOT the fun part!! I do best when I can actually SEE what I’m working with, and trying to visualize based on taped-out shapes was hard to feel confident.
I’m really pleased with the end ratio though! (I guess I should have put this in the post… feeling very dull today.)
June 1, 2016 @ 3:05 pm
I’m a visual person too so I understand. For feeling very dull, you are still very sharp! Hope you get back to your full strength soon – maybe you just need a day at the spa.
June 1, 2016 @ 11:24 am
“The Hardware Quest”, a novel of the bildungsroman genre wherein we see the protagonist travel from hopeful youth to desolate yet patinated later youth. I just installed knobs I’d been hoarding for almost ten years in my semi-finished semi-dream kitchen here in Berlin, so I feel you.
June 1, 2016 @ 11:28 am
The new windows and doors look FABULOUS! I love all the natural light in the room now!!
June 1, 2016 @ 11:30 am
The room is looking great. I love the ceiling! My favorite picture is of Elvis, looking truly superiorly on the operation. Thank goodness he’s supervising!
Can’t wait to see which hardware you decide on.
Karen
June 1, 2016 @ 11:36 am
Have you looked at this site for hardware? http://www.leevalley.com/en/home/OnlineCatalog.aspx?id=e192d838
I thought it was pretty amazing when I was looking for something.
Those windows totally change the space…..wonderful addition. Thanks for the update!
June 1, 2016 @ 11:39 am
Wowzer!!!!!! Love those windows and the whole affect is lovely. I can just see the flower gardens that will enhance that view. Keep searching for the right hardware because the handles you tracked down for the piano island are sublime. You and “the right GFT” have a magical Karma that align on a mysterious path that brings these pretties to you and only you. And that’s as it should be. So sayeth we all…………Picture Gilda Radner in a large rocking chair opining…And that’s the truth!
June 1, 2016 @ 12:13 pm
Loved the reference – but Lily Tomlin – link includes pic! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lily_Tomlin
June 1, 2016 @ 11:45 am
I’m envious of the husband who seems to be capable of anything! Also, I am happy to see that Elvis is doing well.
June 1, 2016 @ 11:45 am
I wasn’t convinced you should have gotten rid of the half bath but now I am. The windows make the room entirely different and you did a great job getting the size “right” (your comment above) can’t wait to see it painted!
I wish you would post more, even if it’s just photos of Elvis!
June 1, 2016 @ 11:47 am
Elvis as supervisor–priceless. I hesitate to share my secret place of all things amazing and previously not found. However, in the interest of making your life even more fabulous (not to mention safe and secure) do not pass go, do not collect $100 and go directly to Finkel’s in Lamberville if you have never been. Never on a weekend. Prepare a list of every single crazy little thing you can never find and they will have it. It is a magical place–and you are all about the discovery. Tout de suite. This post will self destruct in 4 hours so people won’t find my covert clandestine crazy corner of awesomeness.
June 1, 2016 @ 11:49 am
This company in Cullman, Alabama works all over the country and might be able to help you with hardware. It’s a big place and not everything is on their web site. Maybe call them & describe what you need. Good luck!
http://www.antiques-architectural.com/
June 1, 2016 @ 12:15 pm
Hi Victoria,
I love reading your emails. With regards to your quest for period hardware have you looked on the Lee Valley website? Just Google “Lee Valley”. I live in Toronto and shop at my local store in Vaughan, Ontario. I think it is worth a look! Happy posting!
June 1, 2016 @ 12:29 pm
The broken hardware is a placeholder. Like the piano pulls, it takes time to find the perfect solution. I have faith. The window sizes an placement are perfection. Elvis is a rock star. Post her on IG and you’ll get lots of love. ’nuff said. Sometimes there’s just nothing more to say!
June 1, 2016 @ 12:35 pm
Buy the old, broken one that you LOVE and frame in with a gorgeous ornate frame……and just keep looking for knobs to replace the functional but ugly $12.99 ones at the big box store that you have to buy to look up your house with.