This is the first week that the restoration is starting to really visually take shape and form.
 
Renato spent many hours with the buffer getting the door hardware to look like gold! He used a linseed oil solution on the hardware to make sure the brass did not get scratched – the pieces are like jewelry for the doors. After being cleaned – we are using a lacquer to ensure the brass stays shiny and bright for years to come. We found out the material is brass and not gold – oh well.
 
We made a new door opening from the master bedroom into the hallway that will lead directly into the laundry room – great idea to give the new owners easy access to the laundry area. Claudio spent two full days on getting the tar vinyl up from the laundry room floor and hall area. This is back backing work and takes great patience as not to damage the wood floors below.These guys have what it takes to bring our baby back to life.
 
A big challenge – the basement staircase was solved this week by Fernando, Marcelo and Isaias. After about 3 hours of measuring and brainstorming on how the basement stairs would work – we were able to make safe, comfortable (and to code) stairs into the basement. The stairs turn near the basement floor and we are able to get enough head room by cutting out a portion of the kitchen floor above. Our “hole in the kitchen floor” design solution for the kitchen is to create a seating area in the back right corner and a box/table in the area where the floor has been removed. The box/table will be hollow which will allow the headroom to go into the basement with comfort (6’ 6” clearance).
 
We also removed the back door that was originally put in place for exterior access to the one of the rental units in the carriage house portion of the house. The door was no longer needed and it was in the way of the new basement staircase. We covered the outside wall with Tyvek and cedar clapboard.
 
The front porch railing was fully restored, painted and installed this week. It’s an incredible testament to how much you can marry the old with the new – and not know the difference. I cannot tell which parts of the railing are original and what has been replaced. I’m amazed at the quality of craftsmanship involved in doing things properly.
 
Renato and Billy also finished the circular window frame for the round stained glass window. The original was beyond repair and a new one needed to be rebuilt. We should have the stained glass window ready for installation next month.
 
Lots more restoration work was done by Eric’s crew on the tower’s decorative elements. Fernando’s guys were able to help out by replicating some wood elements that had rotted out over the years.
 
More priming of body and trim took place – we started to put on the final trim coat on some areas. We are hoping to get the color consultant’s “Painted Lady/Man” drawing next week so the painters can start to plan out the 7 to 8 color combinations. The lift/boom has been a great tool for the painters to get relatively easy access to the top portions of the tower and dormers.
 
There was also an interesting coincidence this week. I am a Harry Houdini fan and I found out that Houdini escaped from a North Attleboro jail cell (#3) in the 1920s. I put this fun fact on the web site when we launched last week. When I was on eBay this week looking around for Houdini collectables – guess what I found? You guessed it – Houdini’s North Attleboro jail cell #3. The police station had been sold a few years back and the new owner wanted to sell the jail cell door, key and seat (unfortunately no Houdini initials). I couldn’t pass it up. I purchased the items and will display them in my home – another great connection for me to North Attleboro. If anyone has any information on the Houdini escape from the North Attleboro Jail Cell (i.e. date, articles, pictures) – please let me know. Thanks!