Camp Dularge Updates
Even though my “real” home is not yet livable, post Hurricane Rita, my goal of finishing this old house project and getting the house elevated looms in the near future.
While waiting my turn on the elevation list, a last few necessary things are being done.
like a little carpentry work to replace some bad boards . . .
and changing out the old posts with bigger, new ones
on the front porch! They really do look good!
Replacing cracked window panes–four of which were broken during Gustav.
Re-glazing of all the windows. That way, I can keep the original windows intact for a little while longer. Of course, new double-paned, insulated, super-dee-duper (too many years of Barney) efficient windows would be better, right?
But they just don’t reflect the hand-made charm that these windows reflect . . .
And scraping of old paint, lots and lots of scraping . . .
And then there is . . .
wait for it . . . .
here it comes . . .
THE NEW PAINT JOB !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Featuring Sherwin Williams paints in the colors of Sandy Ridge and Lotus Pod.
Many thanks to William Walker, owner and operator of WW Custom Paint out of Slidel, LA. He and his crew, Mike, Tucker, and Bill did a great job giving the old gal a makeover.
While I am of the opinion that these old houses look great with lots of color splashed all over them, I opted for conservative this time. I hope you like it, too.
Now, she just needs a little work on her plumbing, a sewage treatment plant, and to be jacked up on 8×8’s above the base flood elevation. That is scheduled to begin taking place around December 15th–we shall see!
Until then, I think I might spring for a couple of beautiful hanging pots and a new porch swing. My old cypress swing (which my second-born son had made for me for Mother’s Day when he was a boy) floated away with the flood waters; and even though Termite rode around the neighborhood in a borrowed golf cart and found it across the highway, then across the bayou, and then across two more yards, a street, and one more canal, it was “ship wrecked” and not up to the task of holding my big . . . .well you know what I’m saying!
Keeping you posted on Life in the Louisiana Wetlands brings me more pleasure than you will know! I hope I can somehow bring a little light to your day!
BW
Awesome! Looks great………exactly what are we suppose to be looking at in the re-glazing of the windows….I can’t seem to get past the TATTOO!….LOL
Glad you are getting a new swing, I had the same worries as you. Too much junk in the trunk here!
DS – Do you really want me to explain the re-glazing process? Or are you just joking about that teeny tiny tattoo?!
These old window panes are held in little wooden frames by little metal points. And then to sort of “frame” the pane in the wood casing, a glazing compound, similar to caulk, is run along edge of each piece of glass and wood. Then it is angled off with a putty knife. After it dries, they go back and trim it and scrape it until it’s neat and even. A task I did not relish tackling. I was so excited when WW Paint said they could do it!
I’ll take a close-up photo later and post it for all to see.
Oh, and thanks for the compliments! I think she looks 50 years younger!
BW
Your cottage is adorable! I love the colors you went with. You can hardly tell it’s the same building.
BW…you don’t I don’t care anything about the re-glazing…..LOL…just looking at that little TATTOO! It does look FABULOUS..(the cottage)
The Cottage looks great! Hope to see it next week. We were coming down today, but cancelled when the roofers called and said they’d come today. AMEN!
The cottage looks great Wendy! I like the colors you choose. It is probably good to stay conservative. I’m happy to hear you’re up and running again.
Got some in-law in that glass biz. When the glazing was popping off windows at Mom’s house due to humidity (sound familiar?) he said I should use silicone caulk to replace the glazing. Worked great.
I think in the new economy golf (I hate that four letter word) carts are going to take over.
Looks great, Wendy. And let me just say that the window glazer was the friendliest guy. He took a real liking to Ishi when I was there.
Thanks, everyone! I’m glad y’all like it. I got me a couple plants last night to help spruce up the porch.
Oh, I just realized I left out a picture of Mike, the paint scraper. How did I forget that? I’m not at my computer with my photo files, so I can’t fix it right now. Maybe tomorrow!
Ok, I posted a pic of Mike. He was more than a paint scraper, though. He pressure washed, scraped, glazed, and painted!
These three guys could have been my kids, so I’m glad I hired them and gave them a chance. At one time, I would have been put off by tats and piercings, but I have learned not to judge by the outside. Since one of my sons indulges in the same forms of self expression, I would hate for someone to judge his heart based on the number of holes in his head or the tat on his back.
Ok, I’m stepping off now!!! I know y’all are not as judgmental as I tend to be!
At least Mike’s got sensible shoes…..
I used a killer pressure washer to take paint off my rental 15 years ago.
Had to go apologize to neighbors and hose paint chips off their houses garages and cars. Oops….
Yep, Blu, the chips do seem to be a bio hazard as well as eye sore. I wish had had the forethought to have those guys sweep all that into the trash or do it myself. As is, they swept it under the house and the puppies were chewing on chips–full of lead paint I’m sure. Ishi got very sick while she was here and had serious reactions to something which almost blocked her breath. It was a close call, but LilSis pumped liquid anti-histamine into her and saved her life!
The cottage looks wonderful! So cozy and welcoming! I like the colours very much! They look clean and comforting, especially in a place where so much devastation has been the recent norm. I think you and Sherwin made a good selection. I definitely like the idea of the hanging baskets with some flowing green plants . It’s a lovely, lovely cottage, BW…well done!!!