A Room With A View
After purchasing the Cross House in 2014 one item which needed attention (out of 97,648 items) was the very large first-floor curved-glass center window of the tower. In its lower corner the curved glass was diagonally cracked about 6-inches. I was not too concerned about this and planned to have a sticker made (saying something like Cross House 1894) to cover the crack.
But the sill of the window was rotted, along with the top of the wood sash (which was, curiously, totally gone), so the sash had to be removed. I warned my guys: “Whatever you do, do not lay the sash down flat. The weight will crack the glass.”
Well, one guy did just that. And the small crack in the very corner was, in an instant, superseded by a HUGE crack splitting the very large curved window in two.
Well…fuck.
Dr. Doug made a new oak sill in 2014 but new glass was never ordered. Justin created a temporary infill for the large opening and that is how things have remained ever since. It scares me when “temporary” becomes seemingly permanent.
Justin infilled the opening with a piece of old, scratched Plexiglass, bordered by some black-painted boards. And this is how things have been for six long years. SIX YEARS! While the Plexiglass admitted light it was clouded over and one could not actually see through it.
For all this time I just tuned out this small horror as a thousand other pressing issues demanded brain space and time. But, replacing the broken glass is part of the 2017 Heritage Trust grant so it is finally time to un-horror the situation.
Dr. Doug has been holding the rotted sash in his shop for six years. In order to make a new oak sash he needs a height. For that, I needed to remove the Justin infill, install the new oak sill Dr. Doug made in 2014, and then measure what the height of the sash should be.
All the “temporary” infill removed.
Oh. Oh! Oh my!
For the first time in six years I could look out through the opening! And…what a view! That is the gorgeous Plumb House!
While the Cross House is blessed in many ways it is soooooooooo not blessed with views. To the north all the windows overlook a car wash. To the west all the windows overlook a parking lot. To the south all the windows overlook the decaying carriage house. To the east all the windows overlook an alley and Highway 50.
Sigh.
So, I forgot that ONE window in a house of 2,695 windows actually overlooks something attractive!
Anyway, I texted the height measurements to Dr. Doug and will soon have a remade oak sash. Then I can, at long last, order a $$$ sheet of curved glass. And with the new glass finally in place the Cross House will have one room with a view.
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Wow, so much to love in that photo: curved window sash, curved glass (soon) to be in it, curved stained glass above, and even a curved radiator! I have a thing for curved radiators…
AND…curved marble atop the radiator!
Your picture window is almost ready
Oooh..I forgot how beautiful that piece of stained-glass up top is!
I’m so happy to see this post, Ross. I have wondered for a long time about that window. Glad to see that it has finally made it to the top of the list. Glass in that window will make such a difference inside and out!
I am wondering when the bottom picture was taken. It’s is very interesting b/c although the house is painted, other projects like the railings aren’t done. It’s a great example of just how many of the other projects you have crossed off the list since then. I am made aware of what consistant, methodical work on a project can produce.
A few weeks ago, when it became obvious that I would have extended time at home, a friend advised me not to waste this time. She said write one thing down for every single day that I wanted to get done. And I have been going through that list, checking things off pretty consistently. And it’s amazing to me how much lighter I feel in my head, now that I don’t have to keep saying “Oh, I want to do that”, “Oh, that needs to be painted,” “Oh, I want to rearrange that.” All those “I gotta do that” projects are so much mental clutter.
I applaud you, Ross and your never-ending dedication to making the Cross House everything it was meant to be. Thank you for sharing this journey with us.
And what a VIEW! I love old houses. I love looking at old houses. I am sure I should know, but do not remember what is the small green roof building in lovely view with the grand lady?
That is the fireproof library, Tura.
This is an awesome window with the detail and craftsmanship that is almost impossible to find today. I do wonder though. As we are in isolation, craftsmanship is almost bound to come back? I think our society was moving so fast – we missed important things that God created our hands for. Creating things of beauty. One curious item, what in the world is the green roof addition across the street? A sauna? Bath? Just seems so out of place.
What a wonderful view! I am so happy the curved glass is finally getting replaced
Where do you get curved glass? Do you have to order it based on some geometric formula of curvage? If it involves math I’m sink. Can’t wait to see how this turns out! It will make a huge difference!!
Nancy, the new glass will be made by a company on Arkansas. I have the broken glass, and will use it to trace the curve.
It took six years, but what a sense of accomplishment this will make for you Ross. Another flavor of frosting on the Cross House….WHOOPEE!! I’m glad there is still a firm making custom curved glass. I’ve always wondered how so many have survived. They seem so vulnerable.
The view of the Plumb house is amazing. Well, everything about the Cross house is!
I’m so excited! It will be such a lovely nook when the glass is back in place.
One of these days every single window in the whole Cross House will have a beautiful view…from the outside looking in!
Interior of said fire proof library:
http://flyoverpeople.net/Plumb.htm
In person, the library is exquisite. One of my favorite-ever rooms. Thanks, Tony.
If I had that gorgeous library I wouldn’t have to sort through my books and deaccession.
Maybe it is good that I don’t have such a library. But it is a beautiful thing.
That IS a gorgeous view. And the frame for that view is equally gorgeous.