Installing A Floating Vanity

The Godmorgon 32" wide Ikea high gloss white floating vanity, Scottviken sink (has backsplash), and Dalskar faucet are designed to hide plumbing behind 2 deep drawers. The key is using Ikea plumbing that fits a 3 1/2" space against the back wall and faucet that fits it. This vanity makes the most of a 5' wide space with it's floating design, high gloss finish and light wood (soft close) drawers. Light & mirror are Pottery Barn.

We moved a mounting bracket to avoid plumbing and wiring here.

Great storage in two drawers and plumbing design. MCM artwork...

A Mid Century Modern Lithograph, signed & numbered; for the bathroom.

6" X 6", California created in 1986, limited edition titled "The Build".

TT At The MFA

This week we attended an opening & receptions held for the world class exhibition of Bill's mentor, Toshiko Takaezu at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Remarkable in that the work is mostly presented nonencased, with two rarely seen large weavings recently acquired by the museum, and accompanied by sounds & films of her work. Many of her past apprentices spoke of their experiences living with Toshiko, and the exhibit will be open for a year.

A "river platform" constructed to openly display most pieces.

One of her extraordinary "Moon Pots".

The exhibit is flanked with seating by George Nakashima (made for the MFA) and overseen by a large white Alexander Calder mobile; both good friend and colleague of Toshiko who shared work. It culminates in ceramics by her contemporaries in Japan whom she visited in the 1950's, which was exceptionally bold at the time.

Bowl by Shoji Hamada (named "A Living National Treasure" in Japan).

Shingling Solo

Bill has taken a half day off work to finish shingling Old Farm's garage South facing wall. It was a long weekend we also spent shutting down the house for winter. As a 306 yr. old Pilgrim son's house, Old Farm is well situated in it's landscape, defying elements while making the most of them. It's original size with plumbing all downstairs and a fireplace in every room, we are able to continue our visits year round easily.

Next year's blooms this warm Fall.

Installing A Large Tile Floor

Installing this Bianca Carrara floor took three days after laying out tiles for a good pattern, installing a new marble transom and painting the room. Day one I numbered tiles with blue tape as they were measured, cut and dry fit into place. We used a rented large wet saw due to 24" length cuts and started at the entrance. Full tiles were fit with 3/16" spacers - first against the marble transom while last tiles will have baseboard trim on their edges. 

Day 2 was using Versabond Thinset #2, & a 3/8" notched trowel to set a row of tiles with a laser leveler starting at the door and working toward the window wall. This creates critical grout lines for the room as we then worked from the windows and backed out. Back buttering tiles helped with adhesion to waterproofed cement board (which replaced a second layer of plywood). 

Day three was sand-grouting the floor with Polyblend's "Artic White", after cleaning cracks. Gorgeous!