Whenever people work with me at our new headquarters, I give them this warning: This is a glitter zone. You will find glitter in your hair, clothes and (shudder) feces after you work here.
The good news is that our efforts at glitter containment – it’s worse than asbestos – are succeeding. It has been about a week since I deposited a “Sparkle Pony” in the pool, if you catch my drift. And today we began to cover over the dark blue/purple ceiling of the first floor with white primer.
Tomorrow the floor goes in – solid white oak with a vapor/glitter barrier.
Then we start the framing.
After plying local architect Eric Puryear with tacos and margaritas, he and Megan Fitzpatrick visited the building. All three of us agree that the archway at the back of the front room is awkward and not original to the structure.
Eric put it this way: It was probably put in during the 1930s, 1950s or one of the other periods where exposed brick became fashionable.
We’re keeping the arch, but we’re going to build a wall obscuring it from the front room. Based on my archaeological pokings, I think the back wall of the bar was co-planar to the stairs. So that’s what we’re putting in – along with some vintage doors.
The little nook between the arch and this new wall will be a sharpening area or an office. Still working that out.
OK, kids are hungry. Got to take off the shop apron and put on my cooking one.
— Christopher Schwarz
P.S. The mantle has the last of the glitter.
Planning on coming down when you do open. Which brings the old saying ,sorry if I am not original, “All that glitter is not Gold” 😊
“Sparkle pony”. Snort!
With three daughters of my own, I feel your glitter pain. Those unholy sparkles haunt my dreams.
The transformation of that place is incredible. Can’t wait to see it when it’s done!
You are running out of glitter? I guess its time to send you the glitter cannon I bought for you as a housewarming present. (It comes with 25 lbs of glitter and a refillable CO2 cylinder. You can thank e later.)
Perhaps you could have used a shop vac on the glitter instead of a straw?
Awkward or not that arch looks awesome. Glad your keeping it !
Have you thought about mirroring the arch in the new co-planer wall section and make that entire area between the arches a hallway with an arched ceiling. Kind of tunnel like. I saw it done once in a similar situation in a house where they did it to the hallway between the front entry an the kitchen and it looked great. A lot more labor but very nice.
I suspect I know the answer, but will ask anyway. Are you going to restore the fireplace? I know it is a tough sell in a commercial space.
Yes. I am doing everything possible to get the front two rooms back to an 1890 interior. The front room will have a wood-burning stove, as per the original layout. I’ve sourced one from Mike Siemsen (thanks Mike). The rear most likely had a klinker stove based on site evidence. The hunt is on.
For when you have the hearth cleared, I read that an old way to clear out the chimney was to drop a live chicken down it. Or you could just hire a modern chimney sweep, and eat the chicken.
The only thing worse than kids with glitter is glitter glue. I think it may have been created by King’s Flagg.
Lots of progress! That ceiling looks like it’ll need a lot of painting.
We estimate five gallons of primer.
Dang. Double dang if you are rolling it. Good luck!
So… Chris, does this mean you will no longer be one of the glitterati ? = )
Today I realized the the floor in the utility room is painted with glitter.
Sparkle Ponies ahoy!
The ‘Sparkle Pony’ comment made me immediately order The Anarchist’s Design Book. I support everything you are doing, especially the highly developed sense of humor.