The end of September, I wrote, "The only thing left to do in the living room is to trim out the "windows" that look into the stairwell." (last sentence).
As of Thursday, it is complete. First picture is of some 2" wood strips that I stained and polyurethaned.
As viewed from the couch
As viewed from the top of the stairs.
Although I still wish that there were 3 "windows", just two took about 6 hours and a billion trips up and down the stairs (for custom cutting each piece - slowly shaving them down to just-tight length (12 pieces in each box, not counting the outside trim). Add all the trips up and down the ladder, and my calves were wicked sore yesterday. They are much recovered this morning, although still letting me know that I'm not used to all that stair stepping.
Still have to finish the stairwell by finishing off the mudding, painting over the new mudded areas, and putting up the crown moulding (of which I only have 2 original pieces - I think one piece broke when I removed it and I have no idea what happened to the other piece (I might have used it in the living room for all I know).
Ooh, the stained/polyurethaned trim pieces are gorgeous. The installed trim looks great, and just look at how much visual interest there is looking through the openings. (I can see the kitchen's crown molding, too.)
I do like the untrimmed door opening into your kitchen. I like "light and bright"!
Your poor calves! At least you are in good enough physical condition that you didn't absolutely cripple yourself. I do, however, question your "billion" count. I'm pretty sure that you were busy enough not to have worried about counting ; )
Posted by: Cop Car | November 27, 2021 at 10:21 AM
What is the fluorescent green tool in 2nd photo? Also, I don't understand the light blue (in the 3rd photo) in your bay window - I think it's the same color as your front door? I remember the navy drapes with electrically-driven open/closure; but, I don't recall only other window dressing. Is that a blind of some sort?
Posted by: Cop Car | November 27, 2021 at 10:31 AM
The green tool is my Ryobi 18v nailer.
The aqua in the bay window is light darkening curtain. It is pretty much the same color as the front door. I fot it this last summer to help control the solar gain (that window lets in a LOT of afternoon sun, being on the west side). I used to have pieces of rigid foam insulation sheets that I put up there, but hated that it looked so tacky and would take them down for the winter.
I like the look and the added privacy of the curtain as the drapes really struggle to cover where they meet together, so I left it up for this winter. I can also pull the drapes back for added light, without having my living room contents visible from the street.
Posted by: bogie | November 28, 2021 at 04:59 AM
Sounds like the darkening curtains are great. If you posted about them, I missed (unlikely) or forgot (more likely). I had noticed the drape's being pulled back on one side in the photo. With the two layers, you should have pretty good control of the light and heat. I think you had foil up (at least on the pane nearest your front door) when we were there a few years ago; but, you may have had the foam up - or maybe both.
Posted by: Cop Car | November 28, 2021 at 05:12 AM
P.S. With all the nailing you have needed/will need to do, the nail gun is surely a good investment. I would nail myself to the floor. Ouch - lol.
Posted by: Cop Car | November 28, 2021 at 05:14 AM
I don't think I posted about the curtains. I put one up in the big panes of each of the bay windows. I took those down for the winter for the kitchen and bedroom to allow for solar gain during the cold months (although how helpful that is, I don't know since November was probably 28 days of heavy overcast).
I got that nailer years ago and it is my go to tool. Much more convenient than the ones that hook to the air compressor. However, the air compressor units can fit in smaller places, so I still use those on occasion.
Posted by: bogie | December 05, 2021 at 04:43 AM