Inching Along
Yesterday, I removed all the scaffolding on the Great North Wall. Today, I built a petite scaffolding so I could easily reach the sills of the windows.
I could have just used a short stepladder but this would have meant a lot of up/down up/down and a lot of moving the ladder. And experience has shown me that this is really exhausting. With petite scaffolding now in place I can easily walk back/forth to finish the window sills. SO much better!
I will be finished with the above this week!!!!!!!!
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She sure is looking lovely! I can’t tell you how happy I am to see that hideous burgandy go away! ????
I find calling the burgundy hideous is uncalled for and disrespectful to Bob Rodak and his wife just because you don’t share their taste. Owners gets the deciding vote, and they took a big risk and literally saved the house before selling it to Ross, even if there choices don’t fit with Ross’s color scheme. I think that I shall reread the early blog entries to remind myself of the contribution that they made. If I was a resident of Emporia, I would have been so glad to see the old paint being stripped and fresh applied when the Rodak’s bought the house and did all of that work, that I wouldn’t have considered being critical of their taste, even if I didn’t share it. I am also aware that when the average person paints their own house, they don’t have the luxury that Ross does of having had a career in design as well as the time to try out different choices, asking for and getting feedback from others through a blog, and all of the positive energy that such interaction brings.
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If you are reading this Bob, I thank you and your wife for your amazing vision, which saved the house. I am sorry that you were not able to fulfill your dream of finishing it yourself. I am sure that it is bittersweet seeing what Ross is in a position to do, when life didn’t give you the option to complete it yourself. If it makes you feel any better, the dream house of my youth, in which I invested more of myself than I can say, was just gut rehabbed, including removal of two fireplaces and the stairs, and turned it into a college rental. They even bulldozed my perennial beds to create more parking. At least you have the pleasure of knowing that Ross is doing the Cross house justice. I don’t even have the ability to drive by and relive memories.
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I am in the process of stripping shingle off of my current 1888 house, returning it to the original wood siding beneath, and painting it a modest yellow, with white trim and green shutters. BORING! I do not have the ability to fund a different choice if I don’t like it, so I am playing it safe. I don’t expect it to be a tour de force like the Cross House either. I am neither asking for advice, nor apologizing, I just envy Ross’s ability to take the risks he is taking with the Cross House.
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It is a pleasure to see Ross’s vision coming to fruition and I am glad that he is sharing it with me (and everybody else who cares to look in).
Stewart to read the note about your childhood home & ensuing desecration made me physically ill. How wrenching!!!! You are right in that Bob can relive memories when riding past the beautiful Cross House & be happy knowing his legacy & that of Debbie is being cared for & is in loving hands. Good luck to you & your restoration efforts. I love reading your thoughtful posts & restoration educational posts as well. Such a pleasure.
Sandra, It was my second home as a young adult and it no longer bothers me. It was just a shock this spring when I saw that what I had tried so hard to preserve was no longer recognizable. On the other hand it allows me to look forward and not back to something that I might yearn for. There isn’t anything left to regret leaving.
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In reference to my note above, I was trying to help others to see how coming up with such comments might be painful for Bob. I meant no disrespect to Shelley and apologize if it came out that way. I am not sure how many people who are following have read the early blog entries so don’t know that such a comment might be hurtful.
Stewart it’s ok. I did not mean to sound harsh. You are so kind to explain but it seemed like you were very frustrated. No harm no foul.
Debbie Rodak of blessed memory is smiling down on Ross’ beautiful transformation since 2014. Bob Rodak was thrilled Ross purchased Cross House & also is delighted with the wonderful restoration. The Rodak’s were wonderful owners & caretakers. I would think Bob could care less what anyone said about what “was.” Ross has this wonderful blog to voice opinions. I don’t believe it our call to express displeasure about anyone’s comments except Ross. I don’t care what was & don’t care about anything but Ross’ transformation & exquisite restoration!!! Yay Ross!!
Good tip Ross! I love seeing all your progress and all the pictures. I think I speak for all of us when i say that we really appreciate you.
Ditto Kerry!!! Love & appreciate Ross immensely!!!
Oopsy! Sorry to post your name wrong Kerri! Apple spellcheck is the bane of my existence????
Ross,
First thank you. I love your blog. I saw the YouTube video about three weeks ago and binge read every one of your posts. I have learned several things about myself thanks to you. I love old houses and have all my life. When we moved about 16 years ago my husband won the new house versus old house battle. Now that we are thinking of retiring we are only looking at old houses that need some restoration/renovation work within limits. I now know that I do not have the dedication to complete a restoration such as yours. But seeing your work on the Cross House is pure joy. I should also admit to have a slight fixation on glass so the stained glass windows are heavenly and I’m envious.
I thought the house looked wonderful before, now it’s fabulous. The fifth color was just what you needed, the tin scroll work pops. I also believe taking the time to restore architectural history is important since so much of it is lost in favor of “new”.
Love what you’re doing. I don’t know if you’ve tried this or not, but on the scroll panels, you might find it easier to paint the entire panel the background color and then using artist brushes of the appropriate size paint the scrolls.