A Mystery…Revealed
So, two days ago, this crate arrived. WHAT though is in it?
Your guesses:
- A piano from IKEA with instructions in Swedish
- Wild guess: a window
- Kitchen sink
- Curved glass for the tower window
- I will guess something that is really needed….a box of money
- It’s…it’s a man – I see him!
- How about the marble slabs for under the sink or toilet
- It’s your custom made mattress
- Mrs. Cross’ portrait? Returned to the house by one of her descendants
- A load of that extremely cool wallpaper
While I enjoyed reading all these answers (a box of money!), they all could not be correct.
Wanna see what was in the crate? Scroll down…
After 497 years, the new curved glass for the first-floor tower window IS IN THE HOUSE! And the glass fits the oak frame! Squee!!!!!!!! Hi, Justin!
The curved glass of the window was intact when I purchased the house, although one corner was cracked (lower left). I had planned to have a clear decal made with CROSS HOUSE 1894 and stick this on the glass, making the crack vanish. This scary image is from mid-2014.
At first, the plan was to reglaze the wood sash in place but it was then discovered that the sill was really damaged by rot. So…eek!…the sash needed to come out. I told the crew working there at the time: DO NOT REMOVE THE GLASS FROM THE SASH. IT’S TOO FRAGILE.
So, of course, the one “tough” guy thought he knew better and removed the glass after my departure. And the glass…cracked basically in half. The tough guy was soon, ahh, gone.
Sigh. And this is why dirty Plexiglas has been in place ever since. I had no idea that six years would pass before new glass was ordered. (The glass is part of the 2017 Heritage Grant and is one of the last line items.)
Justin and I made a 13 hour road trip to pick up the glass in Arkansas as I was worried about it arriving intact. Indeed, I have unduly worried about the glass for six years now. Where could I find a company to make the curved glass? Could I afford it? Would it arrive intact? Would it fit?
The glass company (Precision Glass Bending) is in the middle of nowhere, and it seems surreal that the company provides curved glass to projects around the world (you can only order through a contractor).
On the way back, Justin and I stopped by the astonishing home of Breanna and Aaron for a lighting-quick tour. I managed this one image. You can see more here. Upon departing, Aaron handed me a box of seven 1920s pan-style fixtures he had purchased, thinking I could do something with them. I can! I will! Thanks, Aaron!
The oak sash (made by Dr. Doug, after the original sash was also found to be rotted) will now get glazed and painted before it is ready to install, which should be this month (assuming the new glazing arrives soon).
And, you can imagine my reaction when Justin and I, ever so tenderly, lifted the glass and watched it…slip…perfectly…into…place. At that instant, I let go of six years of tension.
I! Am! Very! Excited!
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Yep that’s a pretty special delivery I’ll bet it feels amazing to have that beautiful piece of curved glass back in the house and ready to be installed.
But the real question is when is the piano and the big big box of money arriving (especially the box of money) 😁
On a serious note the house just keeps getting more amazing everyday. Sometimes in baby steps and sometimes in huge steps like today. I’m so glad Cross house found you.
My goodness, congratulations! It must feel so wonderful having that replaced. I’m sure that, if the home had feelings, he/she would be relieved and grateful for getting things ship shape.
Enjoy!
Oh, Ross, it is so beautiful! Just yummy.
Oh how wonderful!
Curved glass windows have always held a special place in my old house fantasies. I must admit my incredible curiosity as to what something like this would cost as it is definitely not something you can Just go out and buy. I know it must be cost that forces so many old house owners to replace curved windows with awkward flat ones.
That’s a hell of a newel post.
Thanks Glenn
Oh, man. Is the glass IN? I can’t wait to see it in person my next trip to town!
Awesome! The new oak sash looks wonderful, too. Must have been so satisfying when they mated together perfectly.
Now, the search begins to source a matching storm window.
Ross, it was our pleasure to give you and Justin the lightning tour of the Aylor house. We hope you stop by again sometime for lunch and a leisurely tour. Do be sure to come back when we are completely done with the house, I figure that should be about September of 2122🤔
I love curved glass windows! I see so many of them whenever I drive to San Francisco. How wonderful to have this one back in the house!
I get the satisfaction of having guessed correctly!! I too am letting go of 6 years of anxiety here – as I wondered JUST WHERE THE HELL IT WAS. lol, I can finally sleep now.
Hurrah! 2017 Heritage Grant items almost complete! Thank you: Kansas Heritage Grant, Precision Glass Bending, Justin, Aaron and Breanna! So much goodness…make up for happy holidays! ♡
Special mention to Dr. Doug too!
I am curious. Did you get stuck with the expense of replacing the glass or did the original contractor who cracked it provide a reimbursement? I can appreciate your pain and can imagine your anger at having someone ignore your direction and then ruin something special and hard to replace like that glass.
What a great gift for you and your house. Happy Holidays, and my wish for you is that you will be living happily in the Cross-MacTaggart House well in time for the holiday season next year.
Merry Christmas, Ross. Thank you for the pleasure your posts have given me for quite some time now! Here’s hoping 2021 is the year you move into the Cross house. Cheers!!!
What a wonderful surprise, and a well told story. You are such fun Ross.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and every happiness!