Project Journal

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Cross that off your list!

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by the Artist

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I've had a super busy week. Who hasn't you say. I have done color consults for two of our projects. One a kitchen project (Deerhills Drive- http://www.applewoodremodelers.com/recent-projects/) we completed early fall. This was my second consult. The original gray we chose was just too blue. Sometimes you just have to live with a color for awhile. We offer design assistance as part of the project. And even if the project is long finished.. if the color doesn't work, we make it right. 

The second consult was for a current project- Floral Drive. We are helping to finish a number of interior renovation projects, that were never completed.

This was my first time at the project. I met one of the homeowners. She has been living with unfinished projects for quite some time. A number of factors have contributed to the situation. I felt her frustration. She just wants it to be done. It didn't start with us.. but we need to be sensitive to the situation and do our best to move quickly and as quietly as possible. The kitchen is completely unusable, the ceilings had to be scraped, the sheetrock work finished, walls painted, wood floors installed. With sheetrock taping and mud, the house is closed up and humid, and there of course is dust. 

Remodeling is stressful. Even if you know you are getting the kitchen of your dreams. Or the bath worthy of a King and Queen. If you live in the house during the remodel you will live with mess and stress. We want to be sensitive to that. Today made me aware of that again. We are working in a private home. 

Getting back to the consult.. the homeowner had great samples for me to look at. New chair material, a new area rug, a countertop sample, even a floor plan of the project! That was so helpful. The Carpenter brought the chosen flooring with two stain samples. We were able to choose wall colors, and even talked about window treatments. I hope that helped the homeowner. She was able to cross some more decisions off her list! And that brings her that much closer to living in a beautiful completed space!

 

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A weekend project.

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by the Artist

The Carpenter spent time in the cabinet shop this past weekend creating custom craftsman brackets for our Bridge St project. I took photos and videos. Will share photos here of the creation of one of the side bracket sections. When complete the bracket will finish the gable end of the garage peak. It will have a "post and beam" look which is the finish detail the homeowners picked from the ideas we submitted.

I asked the Carpenter why he had to spend his weekend working. I said... "well couldn't you have spent less time supervising on the job site and some time here in the shop during business hours?" He said "no." He is always on the job sites. It's his "MO". (I ended up hanging out with him for awhile... taking photos and cleaning the shop.. if you can't beat 'em.. join 'em!)

I know he enjoys getting into the shop and doing some custom work.. and so that is why I found him there. I asked if he could have "ordered" the bracket detail. He said..."yes.. custom woodworking shops could have created what he needed from his design". But this would be a good way to keep project costs down and have an opportunity to be creative.

I did pick out some smaller brackets from a catalog for another area of the house that I'm hoping the homeowners will order to complete the design elements of the renovation. That would make this designer happy! 

I won't be able to get final photos (we will show the unpainted bracket finished in position via our Facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.924098774343969.1073741922.342655239154995&type=3 which is being installed this week) till spring because the brackets and front door need to be painted to complete. Always hurry up then wait!

And last... I didn't get photos of the Carpenter creating the "pattern" for this side bracket. That in itself was quite the process. Including showing to scale how the final bracket would look to the homeowners.

This was the first time I have witnessed how a curved bracket is made. How do you "bend" wood? Now I know!

 

The little sketch in the gallery is mine which we submitted with other architectural detail ideas during the bid process. It shows my concept of the craftsman bracket on the garage gable peak. 


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Wrapping it up.

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by the Artist

It's a short week for our crew. Christmas. The Carpenter made plans last weekend to "wrap-up" the Bridge St project. All he needed was good weather and a healthy crew. It looked doable. It wasn't. Illness, rain and wet snow made a short week even shorter. But he knows how to be flexible. He and the crew pulled all the equipment not being used from the project and brought it over to the next project. Then he sent the guys home to start their Christmas celebrations.

We will finish up the garage gable craftsman architectural beam detail (which they are building custom) and a few odds and ends, between Christmas and New Year's. Despite the warm, wet fall this project is coming in on schedule. Very thankful for that. 

I've been busy keeping the "home fires" going and preparing to host Christmas Day for 23 family members coming to Applewood headquarters! We're having Italian fare (what else for a bunch of Swedes and Norwegians?) Yes... this New Jersey girl likes to shake it up a bit! 

We're looking forward to sharing our little home for Christmas. And these days I don't even mind that it isn't a big home. The more programs I watch about living in "Tiny houses" the more I appreciate my "small house". Why would I need more? It is enough. I don't even worry anymore about accomadating 25 of us in two days. It is what it is. It's more about spending time together and remembering why we are celebrating at all.

From our home to yours.... may you have a blessed Christmas with your family and friends.

See you in the new year!
 

a visit to the site.

by the Artist

I stopped at the Bridge St exterior reno today. I had mentioned that I might stop to the Carpenter and he always then looks forward to my visit. It is a miserable rainy snowy sleety day. I felt bad seeing the crew working under such wet conditions. They couldn't wear gloves because they would just get wet right away. Adam kept blowing on his hands to warm up. 

The only reason they were able to work is because they were on the front walk way under a roof. But their table saws had to sit out in the elements covered up with tarps between cuts. I know the Carpenter felt bad but it had to be with a number of lost days to due to rain this month. Plus they are on the home stretch of the project. So bags on!

When I walked up to greet the newest crew member I said... "it's days like this that no one would want your job... but it's on beautiful days that everyone wants your job". Jason gave me a big smile and said he didn't mind the weather... was just happy for the work!

I asked Adam what he prefers to work in.. rain or snow. He said hands down.. snow. Because unless it's a wet heavy snow... rain is wetter then snow! crazy.

As long as I was there I walked around and shot some pics. As I pulled away I wished I had thought to bring some warm coffee or cocoa. All in a days work for our crew!

 
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Bing and our first white!

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by the Artist

The Carpenter spent Thanksgiving under the weather. That's how he's rolled these past few years. Go Go Go. Stop! Well today the weather is over us! We had our first snowfall overnight and it has stopped work for today. (here we go!) We thought we could beat the white and get the Bridge St job site picked up this AM before things got buried. We lost the race. Now that means that if temps don't warm up before completion of the project.. we will have to go back and do clean-up as soon as the snow melts. 

We brought on a new crew member last week! We are excited to have Jason on board. We've waited a very long time to find him. We hope he enjoys working with our crew and Applewood. The Carpenter is excited to be able to put down his tools and concentrate more on project management. Maybe now he can Go Go Go. Relax!  

It is supposed to start snowing again today. Usually when they forecast that.. it doesn't happen. I'm hoping for that as we need to shovel out Applewood headquarters.

With our first snow it seemed just the right time to decorate the website home page for Christmas today. I added music for the first time! Of course it would be Bing singing "I'll be home for Christmas".

 

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Rain rain go away...

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by the Artist

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come again another day. I mean that. And you too "Mr White". Stay away at least until Christmas Eve. Then you are welcome here for one month. That's it. 

We've had sodden skies and mud all week. We've managed to keep busy between rain drops, finishing up a small bath remodel– doing a knockdown ceiling, building the vanity, finishing tile work.

I'm not sure where the crew is currently. They did head back to our Bridge Street exterior reno early this AM when the sun made a very brief appearance, but the rain has picked up again. Harder to work in rain then snow with power tools, let alone the misery factor. Our guys are tough though… used to working in all kinds of weather.

Tonight we head to the doggie chiropractor. Our "Snack Manager"s crazy habit of jumping off stairs and more recently falling down stairs has finally caught up with her. She now suffers with a bad back and has added to her misery by tearing her ACL. It is hard to see. She's been on a ton of meds and in an attempt to cut down on those… we are hoping the adjustments and massages will help. She is 12 years old. Our goal is quality of life for her as long as possible.

Last weekend the Carpenter continued his firewood project. Hauled two oak trees off a customer's property they no longer wanted. We also had a huge Box Elder tree (a trashy marsh tree) removed from behind our garage. It was massive. I ended up joining him where we cleared and hauled and swept mountains of saw dust and debris. I thought.. what a way to spend a Saturday night! Comes with the territory some days. I hate to see the Carpenter beat himself up with such physical work. I wish I were stronger to help carry his loads. I do what I can. 

The other night the Carpenter told me about a conversation he had with one of the White Bear Lake building inspectors. That inspector told him that if he could, he and the other inspectors would recommend Applewood to the homeowners in the community. The Carpenter has always maintained great relationships with inspectors and is well respected because of how he handles himself on the job. And … he has never failed an inspection either in 30+ years. He would not tell you this.. but I will! 

This post has ended up being a little of this and that. Well that's the kind of week it has been. Hope your week has been a good one!

 

 

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thunk.

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by the Artist

I'm in the middle of a painting frenzy. I'm surrounded by a cluster of old now colorful chairs. I'm painting 2-3 hours a day. I get the office work done in the AM then head out to the shop. I've had some help but mostly I paint in solitude. Yesterday I had felt overwhelmed. I have been unable to decide on a sale date. The work is much more intensive then even me (who sees a glass half empty) had considered. 

My hands are feeling it. I don't like to wear gloves so my hands take the brunt of the mixing and clean-up and the motion of painting. So I'm pacing myself. And lathering on tons of hand cream. My hands are starting to resemble Martha Stewart's hands. That isn't necessarily a bad thing.. I admire women who aren't afraid to get in there and work hard. No manicures for this artist.

I have been thinking about how to put my creative stamp on the furniture. I decided being a lover of fonts and lettering.. I would paint some quotes. So yesterday I decided to hand letter my first piece. I had envisioned one of the tables with a circle of words that starts in the center and moves out concentrically. I headed to Pinterest and found an appropriate quote. I then with some fear picked up a slim brush and made the first stroke. (I used to do some hand lettering at one of my graphic design jobs, whenever anybody needed that look)

I am not like the Carpenter. I don't like to measure. I like to just go for it. I'm not risky but I am risky. The lettering was almost complete when I realized that I had repeated a word. The. The. I couldn't hit delete. Dah. You should have seen me streak to the house for a clean wet paper towel. Disaster averted. I now realized that a chalk painted surface is very forgiving. The extra "the" wiped right off! 

I finished this session with some sanding and distressing. I love to use the Carpenter's power hand sander. It works great on the chair seats and anything that you need to extreme distress. I knew the sand pad that I attached was getting old. As it spun around at mach speed it started looking just a wee bit off. It started making a very weird subtle sound. I just kept going.. I am rather risky I said. Well it came off. I should say.. it shot off. I don't know where it went. It was a blur. A thunk. I looked for a hole in the wall. I got a little scared.

I told the Carpenter what happened. He didn't seem too concerned. Said he would clean up the area the sand pad attaches to on the sander. He said I have to be careful with power tools. Hmmm. He is awfully used to me.

 


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Photo doldrums.

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by the Artist

We're in the photo doldrums here at Applewood. Currently we are on a small bath (we don't usually show small bath remodels. Their spaces are just too small to get good photos), and an extensive exterior remodel (some very unphotogenic work going on there right now- rot found under the old siding in places). We are waiting for one last cabinet to finish up the Deerhills Avenue kitchen remodel, so I can shoot final photos of that project. We finished the Arbor Drive deck a couple of weeks ago. I need to get over there. We have completed a beautiful custom entry built-in bench that needs a camera visit. 

I've been too busy to head out to the jobs lately… which means the Carpenter is responsible for photos. Hmmm. With anticipation I inserted a camera memory card into my computer today. It held exactly six photos– two of them are out of focus and the rest showed lovely house rot. So here I am writing a blog post instead. I know no one really cares that I don't have some great photos to display right now. But I do. 

I need to pick up my little camera. pronto.

 

Making of a carpenter.

by the Artist

I was at the library recently and this title caught my eye "Hammer Head: the making of a Carpenter" by Nina MacLaughlin. I brought it home. It's the story of a newspaper journalist who made a decision which changed the trajectory of her life.

"I used to be a journalist. Now I work as a carpenter. The transformation, like the renovation of a kitchen, happened first in big bashing crashes and now has slowed as it gets closer to complete. In college, I studied English and Classics and engaged in the abstractions of ancient history and literary theory. A journalism job followed, and with it, continued interactions with intangibles (the internet, ideas, telling stories with words.) The world around me, material reality— the floors and cabinets, the tables, decks and bookcases— all of it was real enough to knock or kick, but it was an afterthought, taken for granted, obscured by the computer's glow. After nearly a decade working at a desk in front of a screen, I longed to engage in the tangible, to do work that resulted in something I could touch, I grew more interested in making a desk then sitting at one".

I dare say there aren't many stories on this subject! Not only making the choice to change a career path from words to wood, but also being a woman choosing this. I don't know any female carpenters. I think Nicole Curtis of HGTV's Rehab Addict is the only female carpenter I am aware of. And I think for her.. it's more about saving older homes and rescue dogs!

I have often thought about getting more involved with the business. But not as a carpenter- I don't have the physical strength nor the mathematical abilities. No I think in terms of helping to manage the projects- like Jenni on Bravo's Flipping Out. She checks in at the projects and keeps track of details, she helps to maintain the best interests and vision of Jeff the owner. I can see myself doing that. It would help the Carpenter when we have multiple projects going (which we currently do). But… I realize I need to know the craft and the business. I need to at least have a solid working knowledge of what I'm checking. I do think popping in at a job site unexpectedly would be a good thing. At the very least I can get some nice pics!

I'm already gaining insight in the first chapters of this book as the budding carpenter learns the trade– all the ups and downs. She knew absolutely nothing. I'm seeing the craft anew through her eyes. She is making me appreciate the smallest of details. Her story is engaging because she IS good with words. I believe her creative abilities will be an asset to her job. On vacation this past summer I watched our lead Carpenter Adam paint a rock. He saw the rock as a turtle and painted the most beautiful exquisitely detailed shell. Subtle shades of ochre and sand. I had no idea he could paint like that. That is why he is good with details– he makes sure everything fits exactly. Yes being creative is an asset to being a carpenter.

We are currently looking for a new carpenter to join our team. It would be fun to meet a female carpenter. They must be out there. In the meantime we will keep looking and I will be seriously considering how to assist the Carpenter more. I did already suggest starting to do project check-ins.. the Carpenter was at least open to the idea.

I will end this post with one last passage from the book that symbolizes to me the joy in what we do.

"We'd built a way to get from the door down to the ground, a passage and a place to pause, to pile groceries, to stomp snow off boots on the way inside. What a thing!"

Yes what a thing!