Ready for my first guest

It's Sunday afternoon, the sun is shining, the mountains are covered with snow, there is plenty of wood brought in ready to burn, the fire is blazing away, I have a cold drink beside me at my desk. What more could a man want. Ok, Kristin Scott Thomas or Julia Roberts or …… the list could go on for quite a while couldn't it. But, back to reality and I have to count my blessings and it has been a good fortnight since my last posting.  At least the first part of the fantasy is true and if I am honest it is even better than that sounds. Eagles are in the air, there's a cougar on the prowl and despite all the snow, the temperature outside is very comfortable.

As I intimated at the end of my last posting there was quite a lot of finishing work to do before the second bedroom and corridor down to the North Wing can really be said to be 'done'. The New Year celebrations didn't really slow things up but, even when working indoors during the winter things take longer and there are more interruptions as I have to spend more time on administering myself with such things as keeping the fire going, clearing snow off the decks and steps, making sure the car is properly prepared before using it and even just getting dressed and undressed for going outside.

Despite all this I am pleased to inform you that the second bedroom is now ready for my first guest. Who will it be?

It still lacks a few refinements - curtains, rugs, pictures, light fittings etc but, all the basic essentials are there.

I'm not sure that the baseboard heaters (little white boxes on the walls close to the floor) will ever be used because the heat coming up from the wood burning stove in the Great Room is more than sufficient to keep the place warm. Actually, if you're not careful it can be too hot and I frequently have to keep the internal window and door to my bedroom closed to keep the heat out.

Comme ca.

You will have noticed that, despite saying in my last post that I was going to wait until I could gather some round wood posts and spindles in the Spring to make a bed, I decided to make one anyway. In the end I used fir timbers left over from the beam work for posts and some of the wall panels and shelf wood for the runners and slats. I was pleased with the result.

The bed is very solid, heavy, bold and fits well in the room. I have yet to decide how to finish it. Wax or stain and if so what colour? As I have so much of the beetle kill wood on the walls I don't think it would be too much of a shame to put a dark stain on the bed. It may bring a little more contrast and colour to the room, which would be a good thing - I think. I have my special advisors on the problem.

You will have noticed that I haven't made the bed yet either but, that hasn't stopped me trying it out. This is the view down the bed and …..

…. if you don't like that, there is always the window looking out, or, …..

…. looking into the Great Room, if you would prefer that. But, you have to get out of bed for this one ….

Notice that most of the wood that was sitting in the study/dining area has now been used - more on that later.

Coming out of the bedroom and on your right is the corridor down to the North Wing, which I have also now finished.

All the doors and shelves etc for the closets were time consuming to do but, it is better to get them done properly as I go along rather than plan to come back and finish them later. That way some things never get done.

I was very pleased with the way the flooring went down in this section of the house, which is continuous through the bedroom, corridor and closets.

This one will be a linen cupboard and .… 

…. when all the bathroom stuff is out of this one it will be spare hanging space and shelves for whoever.

As I was getting all this done I turned my thoughts towards the next task, which was going to be the main bathroom. However, I have decided instead to finish all the panelling throughout the cabin and made a start with this wall in the North Wing and .… 

…. the island in the kitchen, which is the last panelling to do on the main floor.

The main reason for getting the panelling done is to free up space both downstairs and in the North Wing, where all the panelling and shelving is presently sitting. I want to do this so I can make a start on the floor in the Great Room. Getting this done will make a huge difference to my quality of life. I can then put some furniture in the great room, get some shelving done in the study which will then allow me to set up my 'home office' and also get the kitchen in. The actual panelling normally goes up quite quickly, it's all the staining, trim and other finishing that is time consuming. Getting the flooring laid in the great room will also free up a lot of space in the garage, which at the moment is half full with all the floor boards.

I think I can finish the panelling in about a fortnight, which will set me up nicely for getting the floor laid in the Great Room. In February there is going to be a break in the work as I have to go back to the UK for family reasons. However, I should manage to post a couple of times before then and I will be away for only 10 days. So, until my next post …..