Monday, June 9, 2014

Exceeding Expectations - Craftsman at Work in Our Craftsman Bungalow

There's something about this house.  I LOVE it.  It's not big.  It's not grand.  But it has a coziness that envelopes you when you come through the front door.  Maybe that's why I wanted to make it really beautiful, with high end finishes and details.  You know, the kind you would typically see in much more expensive, custom homes.

Now, I had high expectations on how it would come together.  After all, we have a big chunk of budget going towards custom woodwork.  I knew I'd be happy with the finished product.    But it's gone way over my expectations.   The guys have done such a fabulous job, I'm blown away with how it looks.

The piece de resistance is the new staircase, which is the first thing you see when you enter the house.  The Waterhouse Builders team did it again!  They framed it up months ago, but the finish work is what makes it look so great.  And it's a complicated staircase - 3 newel posts, a custom landing, a secret storage closet and Craftsman style balusters.
















First step - Brian put in the oak stair treads and risers.  He made oak plugs, to hide all the fasteners.  Then he started framing the closet that fits under the stairs.  There is a lot of space there, for storing big, bulky items.
Creating Oak Plugs
Second step - building the Craftsman baluster panels.  Owner Mike Backman went back to his shop and started cutting these to exacting dimensions.  We wanted them to fit together with minimal joinery - so they would look as close to one piece as possible.


Once they were cut, Kyle put them together and sanded them all to a fine finish.







Third Step - While that work was in process, Brian installed the newel posts.  I'd consulted with the folks at Atlantic Hardwoods (I've been there so much lately, we're all on first name basis!) and we decided to use a large chunky newel at the bottom of the steps and then slimmer ones on the landing and at the top of the stairs.

Kyle finished off the trim on the storage closet - with wainscot detail that matches the dining room.  When it's closed, you can't really tell it's there.

Fourth Step - This was the moment we'd been waiting for.  The baluster panels are what really make this staircase unique.  We had spent a lot of time planning the design and layout - it was exciting to see it all come together!.







The unveiling!
Fifth Step - Matt from Backman Painting came in to spray all the trim.  It took him 5 hours to tape off all the oak and then he started spraying multiple coats of white semi-gloss.  The result?  Amazing.  Everything is flawless, with no seams or marks.







Sixth Step - We have antique maple throughout most of the first floor, which will have a beautiful golden patina when it's refinished.  But we're installing all new hardwood on the 2nd floor - and knew that new maple would have been too pale a finish.  So we decided to install oak (which is traditional in a Craftsman Bungalow) stair treads and we'll do the 2nd floor with oak as well.  But how to make the transition between the two flooring types?  We decided to do this inset on the landing.  It has an oak 'frame' around the outside, with a walnut border and the antique maple at the center.  We can't wait to see how it looks when it's sanded and finished.

Next Step - Now I need to get to work.  Once all the dust settles, I've got a lot of sanding and sealing to do on the natural woodwork.  Hopefully I can get that done in the next week or so.

In the meantime, we're going to keep admiring all the hard work that went into it!  This was a huge project that took a couple of weeks.  But we're pretty thrilled with how it's coming along.  Do you think it will make a great first impression as folks come through the front door?

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18 comments:

  1. This is stunning! It makes a statement!

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  2. I'm always amazed at the attention to detail real craftsmen have in their work. This is one of the prettiest railings I've ever seen. So glad to see it was painted with the natural wood rather than staining the entire thing. Beautiful and yes, I would have a jaw-dropping expression when I walked in :-)

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    1. Ha ha - 'jaw dropping expression' - that's what we were going for Connie!!! The guys did such a fabulous job on it, I hope people appreciate it :-)

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  3. Beautiful!! I don't usually comment but I had to for this!

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  4. Wow! That is really beautiful workmanship. I like it all and the different size newel posts adds a nice touch. And the Harry Potter closet under the stairs is a great idea.

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    1. I hadn't even thought about the Harry Potter reference! It's also a great hiding place for a game of Hide 'n Seek!

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  5. So beautiful! I have been waiting to see this and it is just so beautifully done. Such craftsmanship! Well done!

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  6. Gorgeous!! Such awesome, inspiring work!

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  7. This is amazing! You don't see details in many homes like this anymore so it will be a real treat for the lucky new home owners! I always love the work you do on all your projects and wish I could buy one of your flips!

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    1. Thanks Katy. It's all about the details in this bungalow. I can't wait till it's all done so I can share the photos!

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  8. Just SO crazy gorgeous, this might be the best house yet in my opinion, we shall see!

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  9. Wow! Love the railing design. You are doing this bungalow proud.

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  10. Just gorgeous! How do you find such amazing craftsmen? I am so impressed by your vision and willingness to invest in it. This house and its future owners are lucky you were the ones doing the renovation.

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