The antique windows in this farmhouse are now mostly painted and look wonderful. Those in front (Southern exposure) or on side areas of the house do not have storm windows because of the newer Roxul insulation we added. I love looking through the ripply glass. Recently, an original old barn window was stripped, repaired and had two panes replaced with antique glass from a salvage window.
Alex and Nina have post-phoned their wedding to next summer, but we have their pictures in Boston while the weather is lovely still. (photos by Alex Paul Photography)
The front porch now has new column trim and an apron. Old white primer on the columns was stripped to raw wood and newly primed. All (including a new step and skirt) will next be painted "White Dove" by Benjamin Moore, with the bead board ceiling a marine gloss in the same color. The house itself will be painted a creamy "Navaho White".
While the porch roof was jacked and supported, the new front porch floor of Meranti Mahogany was installed. Copper flashing was used against the building and clear pine boards will wrap around the lower apron.
We will wait until next Spring when the floor has weathered and wood grain opened up, to apply "Coronado Maxum 7300" translucent deck and siding stain. This is an oil based sealer by Benjamin Moore.
We are splitting the enormous Siberian Elm logs for next winter's wood, from two felled and fading trees here. Luckily the wood is quite easy to split with a log splitter except for it's size, and snaps apart quickly. Four of us split about a third the wood; will split a third more for our two houses and give away the rest. Meanwhile, Christian and Leif are hand splitting an enormous fallen pine tree in the upper field for fire pit burning.
All bark from larger logs has been peeled off and stacked by the stream to erode since burning it produces too much smoke. The fire pit wood is stored in the small animal barn now.
Carrara Marble in an old farmhouse seems a natural and timeless addition. The new backsplash of subway tiles match the counters and frame the old window of wavy glass. We used Jeffrey Court tiles spaced 1/16" apart with white "Versa Bond Professional Thin Set Mortar" from Home Depot, and "Avalanch" Mapei Grout with "Miracle" Tile, Stone and Grout Sealer from Lowes. "Home Art Tile" did the installation with two professionals in one day.
