Thanks to Joe – Mushroom Project

         Under “normal” circumstances I’d be wildly writing trying to keep up with November Journaling Month. Open Diary is so uncertain now, plus I don’t have the motivation. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!

Speaking of motivation, the latest project is all Joe’s fault! We had a great talk the other day. He was refinishing a pair of corner cabinets and wanted some input about lightening the wood which had really darkened from a poor staining job when the cabinets were made. That conversation ignited the spark that had been smoldering for quite a while.

The weather is really cooling off now. It was 34° when I awoke this morning. The temperatures will warm up as the day progresses. This weather is perfect to work in my 2nd story. This part of the house was finished off by the “kids” who owned this house prior to me.

I have not done extensive research into the previous history of my house. However, I do know that the previous long time tenant worked for the County Extension Bureau.  He was responsible for the varied plantings done in the back. Through the grapevine I learned my backyard was host to a lot of entertaining back in the day to demonstrate the different plantings that could be used in this climate zone..

The house was sold out of the family in 1993 to a Doctor who bought it as a residence for his kids to live in while attending the University. This is a common practice in a college town.

Here is where things get kind of crazy. This house was supposed to revert to his daughter. Not long after the purchase “daddy” gave the kids living here some $10,000. to fix the house up. Instead of investing in needed things like a new furnace, daughter decides to finish off the ½ story attic area into an apartment, rent the space out and live in luxury.

Because this house is in the historic district, the original plans for an outside stairway, deck over the front porch and refiguring the roof were turned down. I can just imagine how this poor house would have been destroyed under such conditions.

The side driveway entrance into the kitchen was turned into an inside stairway and that ½ story was finished off as a type of studio apartment complete with a whirlpool tub! The apartment in the highest peak is 7 feet. I’m about 5’10” and can only go about 3ft from this center and be able to stand straight. I automatically crook my neck when up here!

The money that was spent to do this blows my mind. Even with all that was spent, it was executed so poorly. The hot water supply run for this addition is ½” copper. The hot water tank had been replaced so I’m thinking it was the same plumber who did this upstairs work. You could not fill up the tub with hot water as the tank would always empty out. I’ll stop my rant here!

Water tank installation:

 

Upstairs 1996:

 

The house ended up being sold out from under this daughter by “daddy’ in what turned out to be an ugly transaction. I turned this upstairs into a workshop for my watch and clock work and spare bedroom for company. This space is hot in the summer and cold in the winter. The only heating and cooling is from a heavy duty wall unit the likes of which you would find in a motel room. Whether you heat or cool this area, the spinning electric meter gives my heart palpitations!

As far as decorating; the entire space was painted in a contractor’s p

aint of white for the walls, ceiling, and woodwork. After all these years I was inspired to finally do some work up here.

The first thing to go was the old rug that originally belonged to my Aunt Fran. This was in her bedroom in her Queens apartment on 42nd St just of Queens Blvd. I love the deco design of this, but the rug warp is so dry rotted it is just breaking apart. I have used it for over 20 years. I can remember it from this picture.

 

The curtains were taken down and the filthy woodwork and wall was washed.  Down. I’m always in awe of people who can have a vision how things will look before tearing into a project. I can’t do that, my visions happen as I work. Having windows that go nearly to the floor is problematic. I had the same problem at my old house. I solved that problem by making up “shutter panels” which gave privacy and could be easily removed.

 

DUH!!!! Why not do the same thing here? I’m ahead of the game in I have more shutters than I’ll ever use that came from a yard sale which can be easily built up and turned into similar panels.

 

This is a typical “mushroom project” which I revel in. A mushroom project is one that “mushrooms” as you get into it!

Losing my Dagney has affected me more than I like to admit. This kind of project is just what I need to move ahead. Digging up pictures to scan I found these shots of my “little girl” from when I redid the study back in 2002. She looks so tiny and agile. She was still climbing ladders!!!

 

Thank you for the inspiration Joe… I owe this all to you!!!