A Continuing Niche Arch
Y’all are probably wondering: What the hell happened to the new faux bois finish on the stairhall niche arch?
Was Suzi kidnapped by aliens and unable to finish?
Well…no.
Suzi was…OK about the new finish. Then she said: “I think you can actually do better.”
I gulped.
She made up two jars of paint, and left me with a variety of tools and curious brushes.
I gulped.
First, I had to sand down what Suzi did. This proved not easy, but then I discovered that the whole new finish easily pulled off. Thus, I was back to a primed surface.
Then…I gulped. And forged ahead.
Before. The faux bois finish on the entire left side of the arch was damaged beyond repair, from a leaking bathroom above (long gone). And today?
SQUEE!!!!!!!!
SQUEE!!!!!!!!
SQUEE!!!!!!!!
SQUEE!!!!!!!!
Tomorrow, I will paint the thin trim atop the faux bois finish. This will make a huge difference. Then I will infill the cracks to the right, and carefully touch up this. Then, I will varnish over the faux bois with an eggshell finish to even the tone.
And, as I did to the north wall directly above, I am now greatly inspired to restore the adjacent walls of the niche.
Ross happy. Quite deliriously so. Thanks, Suzi!
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WOW, ROSS!!!
Agreed, Kirstin! Agreed!
Didn’t I tell you you were eventually going to have to learn Faux Bois yourself because of all of the restoration that was going to be needed?
Just like the plaster, no need to fear and procrastinate any longer. You got this.
Now, have you talked anyone in to taking on the castle in Altoona yet?
This is a fantastic development, Ross! Now you can do anything that the Cross House needs you to do. The faux finishes have weighed on your mind for so long.
My 5 year old came by while I was looking at the last picture and her unsolicited response was, “Ohhh that’s beauuutiful!”
This is exactly what I was about to write! She said it well! 🙂
I think this is my favorite spot in the house.
Wow! What a difference. Now that you can faux bois and plaster there’ll be no stopping you
Suzi did the most amazing job! Awesome!
So happy for you Ross!
I think that niche would be a fabulous place for a little band or string trio to set up and play music for a party. The music would travel all over the house. Sigh… 🙂
Wow, impressive work! Add another page to your “jack of all trades” resume!
Oh so gorgeous! I’m so jealous! Great job! 🙂
Whoah, you sure that is not wood, Ross? Well done!
Suzi endowed you with a new super power. What a true friend to show you the way with a very useful skill! Instead of simply “giving a man a fish and feeding him for a day… she taught a man to fish…uh, faux bois. Fine work, Ross! Strike up the string trio!
The only critique I have for you at this stage is that it looks great!
However,
The remaining original finish on the right end of the arch has a lot more “tight” graining, whereas there’s quite a bit of canvas yet to be utilized on your restored, left side, between the wide grain you’ve already painted in.
Just my two cents.
Wowza!!!!😯😲😳🙂😄😃😀
The Faux bois is pretty impressive! There is so much to enjoy in this area, but I swoon for the curved wall.
When I visited the Cross House in the late 1970s, that hallway was an absolute cave. Dark and oppressive. Now that you’ve made all the changes in this area, I can see what it would have looked like when the house was built — a glorious area filled with light from the many windows, peppered with color from the stained glass. It is looking better and better. Beautiful!
Oh, it is gorgeous! Great job Ross and Susie. I never noticed before, but do the capitals of the niche match the ones on your porch?
They do not, Cindy.
Faux bois, oh boy! Very impressive!! Your work is awesome, it really looks like oak; I have seen this finish in old houses where it was obviously not realistic, but yours looks very authentic! Once you get the trim painted and the varnish on, it will rival the stained glass as the focal point of the hall. Well done!!
Ross!!! This looks amazing!