Excitement in the Wind
Things are afoot.
Quietly.
But things are afoot.
# 3
The Cross House has been blessed with two $90K Heritage Trust Grants. The grants did wonders in improving and restoring the exterior, and restored all 43 stained-glass windows windows. You can see all the work, here.
But the titanic-sized exterior of the Cross House is still incomplete, and I am not the man I was. So, I contacted the Kansas Historical Society:
“Is getting a third grant even possible?”
“Yes. We are currently supporting a project on its third Heritage Grant, so, yes, please apply again if you want but just remember how competitive it is.”
“I remember.”
So, this fall I plan to apply to a third Heritage Grant to finish the exterior of the Cross House. The winners will be announced in February.
A Solid Sink
Way back in 2021 I detailed my slow awakening to the idea of ordering a period-correct soapstone sink for the kitchen, and to be installed in the likely original location. With COVID raging though, it seemed imprudent to go ahead with such an $$$ purchase during uncertain times.
Silly me. I have rarely ever been prudent and, oh boy, has this cost me.
Yesterday, I bit the bullet and ordered a custom soapstone sink. It cost way more than quoted in 2021. To save some money I decided to forgo the shipping ($600) and drive the 8 hours to Denver to pick the sink up. Then 8 hours back home the next day. Ugh.
You can see what I am talking about, here.
In 2021 I had planned to order this faucet:
It is still available and was about $360. But….squee!…I found one on eBay, never used and in its original box for $120. I snapped it up.
Dr. Doug will finish the center island this year, and Justin is on alert to help me install the kitchen ceiling.
The new stove and fridge were delivered a few months ago.
What will still be needed is a single great period leg for the outside corner of the sink:
A single leg maybe like this.
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How exciting to have the possibility of a third grant! Good luck on the application process, I hope your project is chosen!
I’m so happy for you to have gotten the sink – the faucet is gorgeous.
Thanks for the updates.
BTW, Oregon has a heritage program as well
Let me know when you are coming to Denver to pick up the sink. Maybe I can take you to dinner!
Hi Ross,
I’ve been perusing the interwebs and came across a few possibilities that might suit your needs.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/186984753301?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=xdrbRDUXRxm&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=ha3x8NJ_Sci&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
https://www.ebay.com/itm/204421790578?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=Hf1UM6QiQFe&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=ha3x8NJ_Sci&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
https://www.ebay.com/itm/197150818592?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=kLz13lIOQIa&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=ha3x8NJ_Sci&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
This is my fave but ooof. That price tag!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/293779020992?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=ddAnblM-RTu&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=ha3x8NJ_Sci&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
https://www.ebay.com/itm/293782176917?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=ddAnblM-RTu&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=ha3x8NJ_Sci&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Ooh, lots of progress on many fronts! So exciting to see all this work happening on the kitchen. Love it.
And I think you might have a typo in that last photo caption: “I single leg maybe like this.”
Is that I supposed to be an A?
Feel free to delete this comment after investigating . . . .
Here you go Ross,
https://www.ebay.com/itm/293782176917?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=ddAnblM-RTu&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=ha3x8NJ_Sci&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
https://www.ebay.com/itm/293779020992?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=ddAnblM-RTu&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=ha3x8NJ_Sci&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
https://www.ebay.com/itm/204421790578?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=Hf1UM6QiQFe&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=ha3x8NJ_Sci&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
https://www.ebay.com/itm/197150818592?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=kLz13lIOQIa&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=ha3x8NJ_Sci&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Ross, if you could wait till the second half of June or first half of July, my husband Paul and I would be happy to drive the fabricated sink out to you. We live in Denver and could make a little road trip out of it, as a contribution to your Cross House cause. Will it be made by Dorado or LaCour, perhaps?
Linda, that would be a Godsend. I was told by LaCour that the sink would be ready in two weeks, so that would be early May. I suspect they could hold it a bit.
I assume you have a truck or minivan?
The sink is 46-wide.
Please advise!!!!!!!!!
I would be happy to attach pictures of the space and vehicle to an email address.
Interior length
80 inches
Width of back door
46 inches
Height of back door 32 inches
Interior cab width and height a bit roomier or once you get past the door
Linda,
The sink is 46 wide, 24 deep, and 25 high.
So you will have room to spare!
If the sink is completed by May 5 I can pick it up and store it in my car in my garage while I am out of town. otherwise I will pick it up just after June 14 and deliver it following week. Thoughts?
Linda, on Monday I will contact LaCour and see what they prefer.
Oh, I so hear you about the sink. So been there. I’ve tried to learn to try to find a way to “buy it now” because I know, no matter what, it will always be more expensive when I finally try to buy it again. Or it’s discontinued and cannot be found any more. Still mourning the perfect birdbath for my front yard I never managed to buy.
Congrats on the faucet. Been there too.
I’d say since you’ve been successful twice on getting that grant for the Cross House the odds are in your favor for getting a third. Meanwhile I know you will keep pushing forward. A working kitchen is huge. Sorts the last piece for moving in as you have a working bathroom now and one finished bedroom.
How goes the koi pond and the cat fence?
That’s fantastic news about the grant, I’ll be crossing my fingers and hoping that your application is approved. And how wonderful you’ve got people like Linda who can help get the fabulous sink to you!
You are very fortunate to live in a state where such grants are actually available. In Illinois, even the tax credits and/or property tax freezes are geared towards commercial structures. I would think that, having already invested so much money, and seeing what an amazing job that you have done so far, they would want to award another grant to you so that they can ensure your success. Best of luck!