Inching Closer

This weekend was a combination of working on the stairs and cleaning-up Blackbearry Ridge.  The girls drove over from UT (the Beetle) and now have less than three (3) weeks till graduation.

Brent worked on some details of the finishing work and JoLynn finished staining and applied the final coat of polyurethane on the stair treads.  Jennifer and Jessica cleaned out some closets and bag clothes for donations to the thrift store ( I hope we don't buy it back).

The bottom wrap around base stair tread has been cut and dry fitted.  After making a templet and numerous cuts, trims and sanding, Brent was satisfied with the results.  JoLynn is now staining the two (2) pieces and next trip to Blackbearry Ridge, it will be installed.  Yes, the next trip to Blackbearry Ridge, the installation of the long awaited stair treads will begin.

The base pieces were installed around the second floor on the perimeter of the stairwell.  Two (2) of the handrails were installed, so once we obtain the iron balusters, they can be installed immediately.  

We did receive one (1) of our sconce lights via internet on Friday, so it was installed.  Traveling back late Sunday night through the park, the temperature was in the 30's and we ran into snow.  The predictions are for a heavy snow in the Gatlinburg area for Monday.  I sure hope the tomato plants we planted last weekend survive.

The new sconce installed.

Hey it actually works.

If you look on the wall down and to the right of the light you can see where the second sconse is to be installed.

The base pieces around the stairwell are installed.

We decided to have the edges go around the columns.

The based will be drilled and the wrought iron balusters will be installed.

These two (2) handrails have been installed.  We should pick up the balusters this week, so the first weekend in May they should be installed (well that is the plan).

Back Out in Gatlinburg

With JoLynn staining the oak during the week, we were ahead by having some prep work completed.  Once, at Blackbearry Ridge, JoLynn only needed to polyurethane the stair treads and remaining stained oak.  We were not able to frame in the wrought iron Bear for the balusters but that is on the agenda next weekend.

We were able to install the handrail brackets for the balcony of the stairwell (using 1/4" dia x 3-1/2" long lag bolts), cut and fit the handrail and cut and fit the landing pieces at the base of the overlook.  The base of the iron balusters will fit into the landing pieces.  Brent did not like the 1-3/4 inch overhang and routered each piece such that the overhang is only 1-1/4".  Then each of the handrails were chiseled to have the brackets fit flush.

Then the final coat of green paint was applied to the stairwell wall and it looks great.  Then the trim pieces were installed over the columns and doorway and then Brent added some additional molding pieces.  The nail holes were filled using wood putty along with any gaps.  Then the sander was used time and time again until the finish passed inspection.  Several times the paint was applied and after inspection the sander was used again, painted, checked and some instances the process started all over.  When for the weekend, the sander was put away.

We did accomplished a lot this weekend but we were slowed somewhat as Brent had back problems this weekend.  Nothing serious, but enough to slow things down.   Hopefully we will obtain the iron balusters this week and installed the upcoming weekend.

The final coat of paint on the stairwell wall.

After installing the brackets the handrails were fitted.

All the handrails on the balcony overlook were fitted.

JoLynn touches up the stain and applies the polyurethane.

After application of two (2) coats of polyurethane.

The trim work of columns and passageway.

The header applied to the trimwork.

After sanding and applying the primer.  Our attempt to imitate the Parthenon.

After inspection, some areas needed to be sanded again.

The backside of the columns and passageway.

Gaining Momentum

Last night we headed over to Home Depot to pick-up the handrail, landing treads and some trim wood, all for the stair well.  JoLynn will stain this during the week so we will be ready to install on Friday.  The next few weekends we must bring all the building supplies with us to Gatlinburg, because the #@!*%  rod run will be in Pigeon Forge making any trip to Sevierville impossible.

Brent has to be at a meeting in Augusta on Thursday morning, so upon his return, we will head over to Gatlinburg on Thursday night, which will give us a three (3) day weekend at Blackbearry Ridge.

I know it is red oak, but this small amount of material was $180.00.

JoLynn has put two (2) coats of stain and now we will install this weekend in Gatlinburg.

Staining the Treads

We had three (3) days at Blackbearry Ridge this weekend and the girls came over from UT on Friday to celebrate the Easter weekend.

The big news from working this weekend, is that JoLynn began staining the stair treads, which means we are getting close to finishing this project.  She was able to stain ten (10) of the thirteen (13) treads and should finish this next weekend along with applying the polyurethane.

The frame for the side step at the bottom of the stairs was also completed along with the riser.  This required anchoring a treated 2x4 into the concrete slab.  Our bottom step will now wrap around at a 90 degree angle.

We also sanded the spots where the mud was applied for touch up and the first coat of green paint was applied. No visible blemishes, (unless you know were to look) and the wall looks great.  We also put up the some trim for the doorway.

After a light sand and cleaning, JoLynn begins staining the oak stair treads.

Staining can be a workout.

JoLynn inspects the treads after drying.

During a renovation clear space is at a premium, so one of the down stairs bedroom is the location for staining.

The concrete slab is drilled for the make-shift anchor bolts to hold the treated 2x4 for the side step base.

Cutting back the carpet, the 2x4 is inserted.

The building of the step foundation.

The completed foundation.

The plywood is brought to the same level as the bottom step support height.

When the construction tread is removed, the oak tread will lay the supports and wrap around and lay on the plywood.

Work is still being performed that requires a span of the stairwell.

More trimwork/casing is added and just the top horizontal portion is remaining.

Looking up the stairwell to the left.

The green wall (in honor of Fenway Park)

No April Fool's Joke

We left around noon on Saturday to head on over to Blackbearry Ridge.  We decided not to eat before we left because the Jarrett House in Dillsboro, NC  was opening for the season on Friday for lunch.  So if we could hold out, we would celebrate Mom and Dad's anniversary for them at the Jarrett House.  We did arrive just before 2:00 pm and in honor of them, we ordered fried fish and fried chicken (white meat only).  Nothing has changed.  The food was great, the owners were the same and we got our usual waitress, Brenda.

Jennifer and Jessica arrived later on Friday and consumed the scrapes taken from the Jarrett House.  They drove over in Jessica's "bug" because her licence plate had come in the mail and Brent installed it on the Volkswagen for her. 

Saturday morning came with the usual early wake up bark from Cookie.  It has to be the mountain air, because during the week, she sleeps late.  The sanding of the final coat of mud began early and then we started to paint.  Before painting the risers, skirt-board and wall, Brent came up with a good idea.  He cut back the construction stair tread to allow us to paint the skirt-boards and risers and still utilize the stairs without having to remove the treads.  After all the prep work, which included caulking and cutting the treads, we were able to begin painting in the early afternoon.

The drywall primer was applied to the wall and two (2) coats of primer were applied to the skirt-board and risers.  Brent continued to work on the columns by installing the facing on them.  JoLynn was occupied by applying two (2) finish coats to the skirt-boards and risers.  The newel post was finished just before 7:00 pm, just in time for a late run to Home Depot.

The morning light revealed several spots on the wall that the drywall primer showed needed additional care, which turned out not to be an April Fool's joke.  Brent spent the majority of the morning sanding and re-mudding certain areas, so the painting the wall green will have to wait for next weekend.  We were able to complete the painting on the risers and skirt-boards and all the columns have been faced.  Now we have all the final measurements to purchase and install the iron balusters.  Next weekend, we will begin to stain the new oak stair treads as our goal to complete the project before graduation is within our grasp.

The family style meal at the Jarrett House.

After our eating, we take back the usual "doggie bag" which the dog never gets to ear.

A view from above that shows the construction treads cut and repositioned to allow them to be utilized while the risers and skirt-boards are being painted. 

The wall after sanding and prior to the application of the primer.

The risers and skirt-boards look great even with the construction treads.  The wall shows the primer coat and some additional mud that will need to be sanded next weekend.

Another view of the wall with primer applied.

The newel post at the top of the stairs.  We will install a cap and some additional decorative items.

Another angle of the newel post