Big storms yesterday, unbearable humidity, lots of rain. From the level of water in my galvanized bucket, I’d say we got 4 inches over two days. Today? No humidity, a gentle breeze, the sound of the wind chimes. Heaven.
I finished the three exterior walls of the house late yesterday afternoon. Dove Cottage made a little trip outside this morning for a photo shoot.
I am also going to cover the base of the porch in these stones, as well as the base in the rear of the house, so there’s more work to do. But the big job – the cottage – is finished.
After that I’m going to spray the stones with a matte sealer so the color doesn’t run. I’m also going to do a few test stones. I’m experimenting with grout (grout made from spackle with a tiny bit of color added) and I want to see if spraying them with a sealer will keep them safe from the spackle. I know it will be painstaking work, but if I could pull it off, I’d be very pleased. If it turns out otherwise, I leave them as is, but the perfectionist in me will not be happy.
So, a bit more work to do on the exterior then I’ll move on to the interior.
I’m very pleased with the look of the stones. I have to admit, when I first started I wasn’t at all sure this was the way to go. I had serious doubts. But now, I’m really in love with the look.
Just to review, I collected cardboard egg cartons for months. When it was time to start making stones, I cut the textured section of the egg carton, usually the top, into strips. I painted each strip with a base coat of Deco Art Americana acrylic paint in Buttermilk – two coats. Then I used another paint I had on hand in a shade of rusty brown and added touches of it here and there, sometimes rubbing some of it off if it was too much. Then I cut each stone individually, trimming it as necessary. Then I glued each one into place. It was painstaking work, but now – after most of it is done – well worth it.
I’m excited about decorating it. I’ll try to share some of my ideas about the interior this week. Just know that these two pieces will be a big part of the kitchen end of the open concept first floor –
And in the living room, this:
Wallpaper, floors, bedroom, bathroom and much of the downstairs are to be determined. That’s the fun of it.
Stay safe.
Happy Sunday.
