January 16, 2008
The tortoise catching up with the hare
The original floors are 4-inch-wide boards (photo by Katherine Slingluff)
So much has happened since my last blog―interior painting, exterior painting, drywall, flooring, cabinets―so I need my blog to catch up with the house, since things are moving so fast! It is amazing how drywall can make a room seem so complete.
It all happened so fast: The sheetrock went up, covering up the studs and foam insulation, then primed, then a coat of paint. And then, voila! The rooms just popped out. The structure of the house is now in my memory―covered up. Then the flooring was installed―the icing on the cake!
I'm going to refinish my historic pine floors. The floors in the parlor/dining room of the circa 1892 part of the house are 4-inch planks and the flooring in the 1930's addition is 2-inch strips. I wanted to retain those distinct features of the house.
In the new addition part of the house, we installed engineered flooring, made of reclaimed heart-pine wood floors, which was previously installed in other houses and structures. This amazing material eliminates the need for sanding and refinishing, saving time and money. Real heart pine flooring is recycled into new flooring and added as a thin top layer on a wood base. Nail holes from the old floor are a part of this reclaimed engineered flooring, giving it character to fit with the old house. I'm very happy with the floors; they bring class and character to the house. They are yet another beautiful accent to the house.</p>
(8) Comments
Comment on this BlogThe new floors sound really pretty, but I can't wait to see the finished product of the old floors being done. The fireplace is nice too! What a fun house you must have.
After watching a couple rainstorms at your house on the webcams, I was wondering about the drainage. Obviously, the general area cannot withstand a lot of water, but I was wondering whether it actually drains around your house at all. The water tends to pool quite a lot around the back porch during rain. Will you put in a boardwalk as opposed to a sidewalk back there?
Also, what kind of vapor barrier did you use under the house- or can you even use a barrier with the humidity. I suspect it could get quite moist under there and lead to more mold unless you maintain adequate ventilation.
Nice house project. Can't wait until it's on the television.
Having been on 4 week-long volunteer projects in New Orleans to help homeowners rebuild, I applaud your courage and resiliency to reclaim your home. I have always loved each and every visit to NOLA, and have enjoyed every minute of the volunteer work to help residents of a unique city come back.
Best wishes,
Kent Lee
Wow! The house is really coming along at a quick pace. There's been a flurry of activity in the last few weeks. It looks like it's going to turn out to be quite a gem.
Have spent 3 weeks volunteering in the area over the past 18 months. Worked on a new construction project in central city N.O. this summer. Floor joists were set on piers at least 4 feet above ground level, and then construction went up from there. Any reason TOH did not raise your structure? Or was it not necessary per code?
Thoroughly enjoyed the premier episode Thursday night. I knew beyond all doubt that you were in New Orleans when the mosquito hitched a ride on the camera lens during the introduction! Somethings, such as mosquitoes in New Orleans, will never change, even after a hurricane. I am glad you kept the tape and did not reshoot or edit; New Orleans is all about "food and flavors," and the bug was an appropriate video seasoning!
Pleased to hear the quick mention of the previous TOH project in New Orleans. Did I hear 1991? Yikes! And I do believe I caught a glimpse of the duplex(?) during the show, so I look forward to seeing and hearing more about the house in a subsequent episode.
It is so appropriate for TOH to play an active role in, as you put it so well, Rebuilding New Orleans. Bravo to the TOH crew. Brava to homeowner Rashida.
After watching the first episode, I'm thinking Emmy. After Norm finished his piece with the contractor, we panned left across the back of the house. Through the window we briefly saw the silhouette of somebody 'dancing in the end zone'. I suspect it was a justifiably thrilled production team member celebrating another brilliant take.
Can't wait to see the rest of the project. Hope you continue to go above and beyond.
This sounds awesome! Can you show more pictures??