Flower Show Construction Party! March 15, 2013
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With the birth of our second son this year, we decided to opt out of any winter flower shows. Instead, we thought we would reminisce about what it took to put past shows together. Wow, it's been a ton of work. Notice how much older Samantha and Neil look each year! These shows certainly added to their gray hair count. Join us for our trip down memory lane!
Some Real Progress February 9, 2011
Click Above For a GalleryAfter what we hope is the final "dig out," we've managed to start going vertical. Our lumber has arrived and it's time to start seeing some results from all the "underground preparation." We are using rough sawn lumber for most of the woodwork. This will give the cottage a rustic look, especially since some of that lumber will be exposed. With the lower posts up, the sub-floor installed, and the upper corner posts attached, we'll be able to make good progress with the rest of the framing. Once the framing is complete, the stonework on the facade of the building can begin. Now that's exciting!
More Snow, REALLY??? January 28, 2011
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Another 15" of snow. Enough is enough! Here's a lovely picture of our "cottage" job site at the moment. Don't get me wrong, if we were hiking outside with snow shoes or cross country skiing, this site would be lovely. But, we're not. What we are trying to do is build a project that we've had our hearts set on for a year. Add to that digging out stone and materials for the flower show, and you've got yourself a couple of frustrated people. Ah, well, it can't last forever, right???
A Solid Foundation Is Key January 8, 2011
Click Above For a GalleryAfter removing many buried boulders, the foundation for the upper part of the cottage has been excavated and poured. In order to preserve an existing stone wall, the structure is being built over the wall, similiar to a deck. It will sit on posts, thereby giving the homeowner a place for storage beneath the structure. Thankfully, we've also beaten the weather in order to get the concrete poured for these posts. These are two of the most important steps. A proper foundation ensures the structure is stable and accurate placement of the sonotubes for the posts is critical. Once these steps were completed, we were ready to build a wythe of concrete blocks which was attached with steel into the the upper concrete foundation. Eventually a wooden sill plate will sit on top of these. With these tasks completed, we can start to go vertical!
An Exciting New Project December 1, 2010
Elevation Drawing Of The Cottage Facade
While we were building the focal point of last year's Rhode Island Flower show display, the stone cottage, we kept our fingers crossed that someone would want us to build a real one. Miraculously, at the end of the show, a new client approached us to build a small stone cottage on their property, similiar to our garden display (click HERE to see that display). So, you could say, this project is a "dream come true."
Click Above For a GalleryAfter a year of planning and obtaining the proper permits, we are ready to begin construction. The cottage will be approximatly 17' x 17' and will include a stone facade and pine clapboard on the other three exterior sides. Large picture windows will give our client beautiful views to the surrounding woodland. The addition of a pellet stove will keep the cottage cozy in the fall and winter, a perfect place for relaxing with a good book and a glass of wine. It's late in the season now, so the weather may slow us down, but we have high hopes of finishing this project before the beginning of next spring. Check back often to see our progress.