The Last of the Amber Glass

Slowly but surely, we have been purging our house of the amber glass that once appeared in numerous spots. The lantern and the porch light were the first to go. Then, the transom was replaced when the front doors were done. Today, the garage doors were updated.

We picked up six pieces of reeded glass from Cline, where they cut it to size for us. It was ready in about 30 minutes, and cost less than $200. Back at home, C started removing the quarter round which held in the amber windows.



Turned out that we had the glass cut just a little too small. Perhaps we would have benefitted from removing one of the windows prior to ordering the glass? Our solution was to shim the bottom edge of the new window with foam weather strip. This worked like a charm, and I rather like that it offered a cushioned spot for the window to set on. We replaced the quarter round, and were done in no time.



We are very happy with the results, and with the increased daylight in the garage.

The Cherry on Top

When we started transforming our entry, I knew that finding the perfect light fixture would be a little tricky. It took a while, but I stumbled up the right item while shopping for our dining room fixture. Lumens.com, how I love you. After refinishing stairs, capping planters, updating tile, replacing doors, painting walls, and removing scrolled iron, it was time to order that fixture.

I was unsure how, exactly, C was going to install the light. Working around stairs and with the high ceiling, well, that just isn't my speciality. Fortunately, I married well. And, we have some tall ladders.



After a year and a half, our entry it complete. And the light fixture is the perfect topping.

Railing Modification

Our 1969 split entry has some of the best and the worst of the period. Perhaps my least favorite is the scroll pattern on the iron work.

We found some replacement styles that we just loved. We quickly determined that such an undertaking would be a budget buster. About then, a friend made an offer we couldn't refuse. He'd come over with his saws-all and metal grinder, and I'd make dinner for him and his wife. DEAL!!

E cut through the weld spots with little difficulty, and grinded them down to ensure no rough spots. I touched them up with a little paint. As a bonus, he also removed all the scroll work on our deck. You have just got to love the helping hand of a friend.

Front Door - Before & After

Before:

After:

Front Door, Revisited

Back in October, I posted about the prospect of getting a new front door and transom. We loved the idea of getting the door replaced prior to the cold winter months, but it was, shall we say, cost prohibited.

Somewhere along the way, we spoke to a friend of ours who happens to be a handy sort of fella. Well, this fella (Greg) has a small business doing construction and the like. He had some ideas of how to make the project reasonable.

Basic fiber glass doors were ordered from the Home Depot. Greg found a local glass guy who was able to make the re-lights and the transom. I went shopping for super cool hardware at the oh so lovely Chown Hardware.


We waited a few weeks for the doors to arrive, and then work began. Currently, the doors are in the garage, stain drying, and awaiting modification. Greg will cut the doors to install the relights in the same fashion as the Langston.

Installation is estimated for this weekend.

Bisque Cooking Hood

With the new cooktop in place, the range hood was next up. Besides being inaffective, the range hood was very low. I had to lean around it to see what was cooking on the back burners.

Back to Sears Outlet for the matching bisque micro/range hood. (The trim above the hood has been finished since this picture was taken)

In prerpation of our first turn hosting Thanksgiving, we did some work in the dining room and kitchen.

The first picture is of the orginial dining room fixture. Not only did the style no fit our personalities, it was missing some "crystals." The new fixture, which we found on Lumens.com, really helps bring the room in line with our style.

In the kitchen, we put in a new cooktop. The 4-burner, gas cooktop was fine, but 1 of the burners didn't work. We scored a 5-burner at the Sears Outlet for $300. While a full kitchen renovation is in our future, this will do the trick for the time being. And, while bisque isn't exaclty cutting edge, I think the color actually works with the counters.