Friday, December 8, 2017

Sometimes Help is Appreciated



Sometimes input from those smaller persons in ones life is a great help.  Recently we had two grandchildren and dog stay with us for ten days while parents went on a well earned escape to tropical climes. Lucky parents and lucky Grandparents!



Handy husband is encouragingly patient and has Grandchildren doing all kinds of work as assistants.
This five-year-old is a dab hand with the hot knife (cutting curtains for our canal boat), sewing (tabs for tying back same curtains), using the Dremel and vacuum cleaner are also only a few of her learned skills.

In the above she has shown Grandpa how to attach clamps and below she shows same Grandpa how to do a happy dance. Dancing is a skill that seems to be completely natural to her.



Grandpa needs a lot of practice. It's nice to teach Grandpa something new!

In the mean time the Swedish House is taking shape.

The walls and floors of the demolished house were in such rough shape that we decided to make cardboard templates of all floors and walls to enable us to apply coverings on those and apply those finished replicas to the interiors.



Ceiling beams stained and installed - bedroom and upper hallway. You can see an entry cut for French doors to the balcony. The door into the upper level hallway has been moved to allow a through view.  


Yes, we are still working in our living/dining room as my workroom is far too small for all this construction and it is too cold in handy husband's workshop.

Below the beams in the living room are larger than those in the bedroom.


This is the wall panelling in progress for the stairwell walls. I must acknowledge and give thanks to Liberty Liberty http://libertybiberty.blogspot.ca  for this effective and easy wall panelling method.


The medallions are a Dollar Store stick on gem. The detailing strips are cardboard - all painted with Gesso. Yes, we did make the stair less steep so that no one will bump their heads as they ascend/descend the stairs.







The doorway on the left is the access to the kitchen.



Upper hallway with new stairwell. French door to balcony.


The extension - beginning the shiplap siding.


Windows and edging being trimmed before painting.



The chimney.



Wood flooring for the living room cut from 1x6 cedar for the bedroom and fir for the living room.


Below:
I like this wallpaper as it is nicely distressed. However, when I clamped it into the room it appeared too heavy.  Plans for the other rooms are for pale finishes.  I will photocopy it and do an mock up with wainscotting on the lower half of the room to see if that helps quieten it.



 Front of house - French doors to balcony and proposed railings.



Just for fun - a light on the board and batten panel.


or maybe  at the front door?


 Stay tuned!

To my Scandinavian friends please remember this is my impression of a Scandinavian House only and perhaps as it develops it may morph into its imagined location .... or it may take on a life of its own and move location.

regards to all Janine

30 comments:

  1. I love the progress on your house. I like the red door, it looks very Scandinavian to me. Have a great time with your grandchildren, they are always moments to cherish. Lovely and sweet photos of your husband with your granddaughter.!
    Geneviève

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are fortunate that our sons all live within a forty-five minute radius and it is very easy to get together.
      Genevieve the progress seems slow - one step forward and two back most of the time.
      Are you preparing for Christmas?
      Janine




      Delete
  2. How wonderful to wake up to this fabulous post. 
    I loved seeing the pictures of "handy husband" dancing with helpful grand daughter. ;-) Grand dog seems to be enjoying him/herself too.
    The Swedish house is shaping up fast. I love the exterior light fixture. It will be wonderful no matter which door you it is next to. I look forward to seeing more of your progress. XXXXXXXXXXXX

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Catherine, The dog had a great visit here as well. We are right on a bay where she can run far and wide. However we seem to wear out before she does.
      The light looked very well on the unpainted board and batten. It is now painted as is the French door. More of that next post.
      Thank you for leaving a comment.
      Regards Janine

      Delete
  3. Wow! You are really coming along on this fast! This house must be so thrilled that it ended up belonging to you and Bruce - each creative detail is more lovely than the last!
    How wonderful to enjoy the process with your grandchildren. I bet these 10 days turn out to hold some of the fondest memories from their childhood. What a lucky and loving family to be a part of!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jodi, Cold, no doubt, where you are as well as here.
      It is very interesting to hear what children or grandchild remember about certain events. Surprising actually what captures their imaginations and what is important to them.
      We were very grateful that they were still young enough to not be too cool to have fun with the grandparents for that time.
      Still having fun here.
      Janine

      Delete
  4. Hi Janine. Great post! I love seeing photos of your husband and granddaughter doing a happy dance! I wonder if it is similar to mine? Anyway, they look very happy. Glad the time with the grandkids went well. And the house is looking fabulous! Love the board and batten feature on the exterior, and I like the idea of the doors being located so you can see right through the rooms. With regards the wallpaper, I think you could use the wallpaper with a panelled dado, and maybe even a white strip below the ceiling, and then bring in the wallpaper colours in other rooms with accessories. Also if you aimed to have pale furniture in this room, it would help lighten it up. I am sure you can make it work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Shannon, I do enjoy watching Bruce with his grandchildren. When our boys were young time was not as elastic for us. Now he is retired it is so nice to see how much time he spends with them.
      You are right about doing a panelled dado. I will experiment with it and as you suggest other decorations will help bring the colour into balance.
      I plan to go to Seattle next March with Elizabeth and Fatima and hope to be able to buy furniture and accessories to create the interior character.
      All the best Shannon,
      Regards Janine

      Delete
  5. Wow! What progress! And I think there are some junior miniaturists in the making. So lucky to have such a wonderful grandad and grandma.
    Can't wait to see this in 10 days time!! Whoo hoo!
    Hugs, Linda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Linda, I know your Canadian roots with serve you well as you come from hot weather to COLD! We are looking forward to seeing you.
      Janine

      Delete
  6. Hello, Janin! You have a good time. You have charming grandsons. Excellent assistants with work and dancing. I am very pleased to watch the repairs in your house. Hugs, Julia

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Julia, Handy husband likes to work with the stereo on shuffle so there is a lot of opportunity for dancing - one minute rock and roll, the next salsa or even the Sugar Plum Fairy!
    Regards Janine

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beau chantier de restauration!!! bonne continuation!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Isabelle, Thank you for dropping by. I have spent some time visiting you blog. Great to connect with you.
      Regards Janine

      Delete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hello Janine,
    What fun it must have been to have the grandchildren over! I am sure they will treasure this time always. The house is looking beautiful. The ceiling beams and the floors are fantastic. I also love the ideas you have for the exterior. I cannot wait to see more.
    Big hug
    Giac

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Giac, I have been wondering what you have been up to with your house. You have completed such an amazing renovation in your kitchen.
      I have noted so much more use of cardboard to create an impression of molding, fittings etc that I thought I would try it also.
      Thank you for your comment.
      Regards Janine

      Delete
  11. The house is coming along nicely. I like the wall paneling technique and the beams. I also like the light fixtures that you chose for the exterior. Looking forward to seeing more - keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Troy, Thank you for visiting my blog and taking time to leave a comment. I bought those lights in Australia several years ago. I am always teasing Elizabeth of StudioE about accumulating things that she has no idea what she will use them for.... but here I am finding a perfect place for them .
      The Liberty Biberty blog showed similar panels but not how she made them. It is so simple but effective.
      Regards Janine

      Delete
  12. Of course you know I adore ALL of your grandkids Janine, but the picture of your little Sweetie and Mr. B "cutting a rug" together is Super Cute! :D
    And regarding your Swedish house- WOW!!!!
    Everything looks Fantastic! :D
    Love the pale floors and the beamed ceilings and the quietly elegant paneling and wallpaper which is All So YOU!
    I also LOVE that light fixture,especially up against the bead-board panelling which is such a good idea-
    VERY Well Done you two! ♥

    elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Elizabeth, Looking forward to seeing you next with Linda here and hopefully Fatima as well. I NEED my Miniteers input on so many decisions to be made.
      Have a good week.
      Janine

      Delete
  13. It's wonderful to have a project that you and your husband can work on together. The transformation from a blue farmhouse to a white canal house is stunning so far. I particularly love the new layout and the wood floors.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Keli, I imagine you are enjoying the freedom that comes with completing your recent project.
      I am trying to do a Swedish House probably set on or near the coast.
      Have fun.
      Janine

      Delete
  14. Hi Janine! What a Joy to have your grandchildren there to help with the building! And your husband clearly enjoys the mini construction work! That is a huge help! LOL! I am intrigued by the Scandinavian house theme! I really look forward to seeing this develop! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Betsy,
      It is great to have the grandchildren with us. They are all interested in doing “stuff”. It does sometimes take longer to prepare than it does to actually do it.
      Regards Janine

      Delete
  15. Your happy dance pictures made my grin, so fun!... I'm sure this stay has made lovely memories for both you and your grandchildren. But wow! I love this house and what you are doing with it! That wall paneling is inspiring. I want to try that for one of my houses. :) I love Swedish design.. I can tell now that I'll be following along avidly and salivating over your picture. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, I know that it is warming up in your neck of the woods in Queensland. I am waiting to see what happens next in your build.
      I am having fun with the build. I do remember making lots of changes over the years on my French House so I do not think this will be finished in quick time.
      Regards Janine

      Delete
    2. Haha.. believe me I know all about slow builds.. I'm a year in and haven't even made it out of the basement. lol... I will be watching along anyway.. you look like you have made great progress already and how wonderful to have a handy hubby to help you along. I wish.. mine can't even change a lock. I take on all handywoman duties in this house.. :D OMG.. it's so hot here at the moment.. we are having a heatwave and I feel like I'm burning alive.. When did Queensland move to the surface of the sun??

      Delete
  16. Oh yeah!!!!
    I can't believe how much you and Bruce have done to make it so amazing already! Looks like you have gotten yourself quite the helpers. I'm not very familiar with the Scandinavian design but have no doubt that it will indeed take on wonderful design, life and style which you mastered in the French house.
    Keep up the great work and enthusiasm!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Fatima, So pleased that you found time to drop by. I know how busy it is for you at present. We will miss you on Monday.
    Hugs Janine

    ReplyDelete