A friend gave us an old stained glass window. The strips around the outside were missing some pieces but could be repaired. We will install in the wall between the water closet and the hall to allow more light into the hallway.
The head building inspector was not happy about the looks of the exterior of our house. So we decided to take time to do some improvements. We installed trim around the kitchen side window and the dormer window. We also added some siding under the kitchen window and a trim board along the side of the house. We will adjust the trim next year.
We had taken out the chimney that had been used for the boiler. It was in very bad condition. Luckily there is an external chimney that was used for a small wood burning stove in the basement. We have a new boiler and will install it in that chimney. It needed a class B chimney liner. We planned to heat the house so we could work during the winter so it needed to be installed before it got too cold. The liner is double layered and comes in 4′ section that need to be connected together. Steven was up on a tall ladder installing 4′ sections at a time.
One of our neighbors tore out all their maple hardwood flooring. We asked permission to take it home. It matches our own flooring. It is in beautiful condition – but needs nails removed. We are not sure how we will use it.
I taped the wall paper I planned to use in the tub room. I had painted the outside of the tub a burgundy color. The vanity and mirror were from the ReStore- only $50.
Steven glued all the pipes and we passed inspection with just two things to fix. The upstairs stool needs its own air vent and pipes in the basement need additional support.
Steven has continued to work on the plumbing. Our licensed plumber looked it over and gave him the go ahead to start gluing.
Stripping paint from windows and doors has kept me busy for several weeks. Then staining and sealing the bedroom and dining room windows. I used a blend of mineral spirits, linseed oil and polyurethane. The two doors have stubborn pink paint which I will need to use a stripper on.
The White Bear Center for the Arts and the Mahtomedi Garden Club held a contest. Choose a painting and create a flower arrangement to go with it. Steven won 1st place and many accolades with his arrangement that contained monarch eggs, caterpillars and chrysalis.
Two of the basement windows needed replacing. One was missing entirely and one had severe water damage. Before the new windows could be installed a cement ledge needed to be removed with chisel and sledge hammer. The new windows let in much more light.
Steven and I and another artist installed our art at White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church. It will be on display until September 4. At our Open House I sold five paintings! I sold 1/3 of my paintings in total.
