Allergies, allergies, allergies.
That’s all I’ll say about that.
The wood floor in the Beacon Hill living room is kicking my butt.
It’s almost done. I worked on it yesterday morning and later in the afternoon; in between, I had a final coaching session with Kate. I am pretty painstaking about this process, but boy, it seemed to take FOREVER. I got stain and glue all over my hands. At one point, I got glue in my hair. And, because I was snacking on some apple pie, I got some apple pie filling in my hair as well.
Someone send help!
I have to finish this today so I can move on to the baseboards. That involves mitre cuts and I have to look up how to do those again, because I haven’t done it since Dove Cottage.
This morning, I ran upstairs to take the photo of the floor and I grabbed some shots of what looks like an abandoned house:
Do you see that second opening on the left? There’s the doorway and then there’s this closet like area. How the heck am I going to to get my hands back there and create anything? I won’t be able to see what I’m doing!
I also want to show you a piece I won on eBay. I don’t know how old it is, but it’s lovely.
Isn’t it pretty?
I’m not sure where it will end up. It looks perfect in the living room, but I don’t want that room to be too matchy-matchy. Maybe the bedroom? Or in what will be the den/library? We’ll have to see.
I have to mow the front lawn today and my allergies are objecting. But the grass is very long and it’s going to rain tonight, which will just make it all worse. So, it must be done.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
I’ve never done work like that so I have no clue.
Would it help to wear a mask while you mow? Too bad about your allergies.
Hope you get to relax soon.
I’ve tried that, but it really doesn’t work very well! It becomes annoying because I can hear myself breathing as I mow.
Thanks so much, Ellen.
Stay safe.
pollen and other allergens aren’t fair or fun, but i have confidence in your creative abilities and willingness to work hard to make something beautiful. you can do this (beacon hill, etc.). you are doing it. and it’s looking good. glad you’re enjoying the process (did you have to cut some hair to get the glue out?). knitting is helping me to better enjoy the process, reminding me that all of life is a journey … best to learn from and enjoy it!
happy, safe days to everyone!
kathy
No, didn’t have to cut the hair. I immediately held it under the tap and the water helped loosen the glue.
I always enjoy the process, some days less than others!
Stay safe, Kathy.
Good morning Claudia! The flooring is looking wonderful! It will be the “puzzle” you don’t ever have to put away. I have long admired your wooden floors in MHC and the Dove Cottage. They are very inspiring! I have to admit, I am repeatedly shocked at the items I used to take for granted that are no longer being made. In the constant rush to make everything newer and better the older method becomes obsolete overnight. It is really unsettling! I hope you have a supply that is enough for the rooms you had planned to use that stain. I have not made many wooden floors (yet) mostly because my old dollhouse had painted floors and I left them as is. Then the kits I started were small and I was a Newbie. I stained the floors and sometimes painted them too (being used to old New England houses with painted floors). I also used a technique of marking the “boards” right onto the kit floor using ordinary black ballpoint pen , pushing down to make an indent, then staining over it. Most of the rooms the floor also has carpet covering most of it. I did glue down coffee stirrer sticks on the dining room and kitchen of my Cupboard House (still a long way from finished), and tried some elementary “marquetry”… but again it is under a carpet! I made a herringbone floor using stirrer sticks and glued it before staining…. being very careful about the glue and it worked really well. That makes the staining easier but is risky where the glue is concerned. I Love the pictures of the “abandoned” house! It might be a “fixer-upper” but it has good bones. Keep up the wonderful work. It is worth the effort for sure!
I don’t think I’d have the patience for a herringbone floor! Good for you, Betsy! Thanks for all your support. You’re the best cheering section ever!
Stay safe.
Well…your dollhouse escapades had me chuckling, especially the part with apple pie in your hair. Haven’t a clue how you are supposed to do that closet…maybe use one of those dental mirrors?
Outdoor work continues….we have two small evergreens to plant, and one to transplant. And two Little Limes to plant as well, plus some Autumn Joy sedum. Then we’ll be ready for mulch on Saturday. It is a daunting task, but the gardens need it. The kids are coming to help.
Good luck with the dollhouse…and your allergies. Enjoy your day! ;)
I think I’ll have to take a picture of it and sort of measure it. (It’s actually very shallow, less of a closet, more of an indent.) Then build some shelves that will fit inside the opening. That might be the way to go. I’d have to accessorize them before I inserted the ‘structure’ – then glue it in place. Of course, no one would see all of this but me.
Stay safe, Donnamae.
Looking forward to seeing how you creatively make the “dent” work, Claudia. The floor is coming along. I’ve been there…glue and stain everywhere and luckily where they’re supposed to be but apple pie? Never experienced that before!
Allergies rearing their ugly head here too! Both daughters are using eye drops, nose sprays, allergy pills. I think they’re ready to tear their sinuses out. Lucky for me, one allergy pill a day (I switch brands every 4 weeks or so) works for me. Hope you get a handle on the suffering!
Thanks so much, Wendy. I just mowed ALL of the front lawn and the secret garden. (I did too much!) Anyway, I’m taking it easy for the rest of the day.
The allergies will be nuts, but if I would never get anything done if I waited for my allergies to get better!
Stay safe.
dear Claudia and Don — sorry to hear re mishaps w/glue,etc — glad it is water soluable and comes out of your hair!! I really like the floor but can NOT imagine myself doing this project — far beyond my abilities HAHA!! Really like the new chair.chaise — looks like it belongs in a bedroom (at least to me) — we got one for our oldest girl for her 13th bday years ago. She loved it but duriing the divorce the jackass claimed it as his and she lost it to him — she was so distressed at the time, we told her we would replace it whenever she decided for us to get another one but not so far. why do divorces have to be so traumatic/hurtful/vindictive? fight it out and move on. Hers has been such a struggle altho better now that her youngest child is 19 and she does not have to argue with him re everything. keep working on this beautiful house. stay safe/healthy
Divorces are hard. My sister was recently divorced. Her oldest sons are grown up and out of the house, but she shares custody of Little Z. And her ex is a very troubled man. I feel for your daughter.
Stay safe.
Claudia, I am starting to think the Beacon Hill is hazing you. Glue, stain, apple pie-it as if it’s checking how committed you really are. And that mysterious little closet indent? That’s just the house whispering, “Let’s see what she does with THIS? You’re handling it like a champ.
My aunt had a similar floral classic fainting couch style chaise that lived in a little dressing room where she kept her vanity table and all her perfumes…….I remember sitting on it and watching her apply her lipstick and then dab her perfume “Fleure de Rocaille” behind her ears. I didn’t expect a dollhouse to trigger nostalgia, but here we are.
Rest, Refresh, you earned it.
maria
That fainting couch must have seemed so magical and grown up, Maria!
Thanks so very much.
Stay safe.
Almost done, Claudia! I hope you don’t have to do floors in the other rooms! Your new win is lovely. I don’t see it in the living room, but more bedroom or den. And I just LOVE the staircase. Makes it look like a “real” house! Good luck!
I have to do floors in every room!
Thanks so much, Jeanie.
Stay safe.