From start to finish .... for right now I will at least upload the pics. As you will see I have been a very busy beaver and my time to keep up this page has been limited. I do apologize for that and I will try to do better in the future. Thank You.
First, the old wainscott woodwork was removed and the bricks are being removed to re-open the firebox that
was closed up somewhere along the way in time. When I find the pic before the removal of the wainscott I will add that.
Actually the starting point was taking down the old wainscott woodwork and opening up the firebox which was bricked up by one of the previous owners. I just added that pic so this text is redundant.
Setting up the saw is always important to assure a safe, secure and clean work area in somebody's house !!
Keep in mind ... The heavy marble needs to glide along as I cut it perfectly straight.
And of course my setup time pays off.
Here you see the finished cuts and the stone is ready to be placed.
Meanwhile ... back in the dining room ... things are taking shape as the surfaces are prepared ... flat level and square.
Here you get to see what a meticulous person I am. Looking closely you will see I use washers on my screws that secure the wire to the floor ... which has been leveled prior to applying the screet coat of thinset.
The screet coat is mixed with latex additive. I use Laticrete or Hydroment brand name products. The thinset is white due to the simple fact that I am setting a white stone and I do not want grey color to bleed up through the stone over the course of time.
The marble is set and as you can see ... exact cuts do pay off.
Absolutely nothing is left to chance. Every little detail is precisely calculated throughout every step of the installation. This extended framework is to secure the mantle assembly in place as you will soon understand.
Much clearer now as to the reasoning for the extended framework. Here the tile is set but not dry so props have been fitted in place to keep the tile from sliding. There are spacers in between the tile. The board accross the hearth stone is secured to the mantle unit keeping it square. Nothing is left to chance. :)
The mantle maintaining a square, level and flush posture to both the hearth stone and the wall is now apparent
because of the presence of the mirror.
Now the mantle is in place and stained prior to being fitted to the red toned wall which took multiple coats of painting. So it would not be good to have to touch up too much on the walls later. The wainscott is fitted in
and after being stained they will be secured in place.
The inside of the firebox is grouted black. Very messy work by the way.
Little touchups are in order but we are almost there after approximately 80 hours of labor in total.
And here it is.
Left finished view. Molding will wrap around the entire room soon and all final touch
ups will then be completed.
Here the only thing left to do is add molding around the room which is now done and can be seen in the next two pictures.
The molding gives a well defined edge and sets off the whole look nicely.
And here is the right sided view. Next is for the floor to be refinished. I will add a picture when that is completed.
The floor is refinished and the curtains are now being made so those pics will appear soon.
And here is the floor refinished.
Furniture is put back in the room. Curtains are almost done. Sheers need to be added.
One sheer curtain in place. Happy Easter !
Let me know if you have any further questions. Please feel free to e-mail me.
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This page was last modified on Wednesday, August 08, 2007 06:15:07 PM