Finally a new post. We are about a month from completion of the new house. A majority of the trim, a good bit of cabinets and as of yesterday some of the box beams made from reclaimed heart pine are in. Most of the lighting is in and most of the surfaces have at least one coat of paint. So many details are still being tweaked and confirmed. It's a little like Christmas seeing everything unboxed and unwrapped, and voil'a there it is. No matter how many times I've sketched, measured and planned on things, you're never really sure how it's all going to turn out. Mostly though, it's all a delight to see unfold. Here are a few photos to date.
View to the front from the master study. It's interesting to finally see the quality of light in this space. I believe I'll look forward to going to work here!
Above- view of fireplace with Tabby using whole oyster shells.
I spent a few days on local Ossabaw Island a couple of years ago with some artist friends (45 minutes by boat from here), and I became really intrigued with the tabby structures still standing there. Here are a few pics below. The more commonly seen of this material in current times is the tabby with crushed shells. The original form though was a true structural almost modular form, not just a coating. On Ossabaw, I was taken with the more whole oyster shell version seen below. I'm sure it took years of exposure to the elements for the shells to be revealed like this. But it inspired me to look into finding someone who might could create a similar look in my new low country home. It's worth going to the the link above for Tabby's entire interesting history.
After finding the craftsman to build the tabby, and after he made 3 samples, I was hesitant that this would work out. I could easily have left the beautiful brick, painted white as seen on the adjacent walls. But Omar, our tabby craftsman, did the most meticulous job of constructing the tabby surface. I don't think one drop of water got on the heart pine floor below. Now, I can breath better (as well as my contractors) that it turned out so well and nice to show a nod to the local building history. Although it's not used as a structural element, it's become a work of art.
Old tabby structures on Ossabaw Island, GA.
This photo shows a little of the scaffolding for constructing the tabby wall.
Thank you Omar!!
This photo shows freshly painted shutters, arranged here to let dry. When these are in place, the house will take on a different look.
Terraced brick steps, the full length of the front porch allow a gradual, easy stride into the house.
Entry hall, new boxed beams in place, and view of the ancestral lumber in place in the ceiling. I wrote about the ancestral lumber being delivered here earlier this summer by way of a 27' Penske truck I drove myself. It's been very gratifying to see it actually in place. This was another material we all had our doubts about. But so glad and grateful it turned out beautifully. It had to be run through a plainer at least twice to sand most of the various colors of paint off.
View looking toward master bedroom with main entry door to left. Shown here are two of the
passageways aligned with boxed, reclaimed heart pine material. I decided to use just the outside of these beams, knowing that Harley Ashbaugh could assemble them maintaining their original authenticity. We used most of the inside meat of the beams for other uses in the house.
Here is one of the master bath vanities. It has liming wax as a finish with beautiful white marble counters. The house is still under construction so things are still a little messy, but it's getting there!
The famous tub from NYC showroom Waterworks, is in place finally.
Another view of the study, showing the beauty of these large, double hung windows.
Last but not least, here is a front view of our Carriage House. Although those doors are beautiful, they were made to be painted.
To be continued……..
