Saturday, July 18, 2009

SLIP SLIDING AWAY

The rain this spring and summer has been depressing, and destructive.  Each time we get the hill terra-seeded, the rain starts and washes it down the hill and into the pond.   It has been a nightmare and the worst part of this whole build.
If we had to start over again, we would have started from the top and worked our way down, and out of the site.
Spending so much time digging out the pond last year  and lining it with blue clay really ate into our landscaping window of time.
I think we have  have finally conquered the hill, and it's starting to green up with beautiful grass!
The hill in back of the house has been terra-seeded with a type of grass that only grows eight inches tall, so no cutting required!      

The columns are now going up, and the house is starting to really take shape.
The louvered shutters have been ordered, and the front door is expected any day.

The clerestory window is in and it is being finished and painted so Oleg can install his decorative iron window.  It sits on the ledge below the access doors in the clerestory shaft.

The elevator is up and running, but still needs the interior finishes.  It seems so small, so I am finishing it in mirror,  either 1x1 mosaic, or antiqued; but certainly not bright.

The porcelain floors look fantastic, at night the tiny mirror particulate in the border, and inset "dots" sparkle like stars in the night sky.
I'm so glad I decided to spend the extra and use the Quarella for the border instead of marble.

Many photos to unload since it has been so long between posts.