Shutters, barn doors, stairs and electrics

7 March 2014

While Tom has been away, Gregg has been busy working on the shutters, which he is making from scratch in Douglas fir, and on the original barn doors, which he is renovating. Gregg will apply one coat of our chosen paint colour to the shutters, as an undercoat, and G and I will apply the second coat when we are in France next. We chose dove grey, as it is very traditional and complements the stone beautifully.

In his latest email, Gregg says the shutters will be ready this week, and by the end of the week, the guys should be under way with hanging them.  The barn doors are also almost finished and the plan is to hang them on either the 16th or 22nd March, depending on when he can get some help (they're very heavy). In a nice twist, Gregg has ended up using some reclaimed wood from his property (next door), which he is busy gutting, and which was built by the same man as the barn (uncle of the fellow who sold to us). We're rather pleased about this bit of continuity.

Next update, we'll have photos from Tom, who is back from holiday and raring to go on the final stages of the project.

Phil has been back to the barn to measure up for the stairs, which he planned to make a start on in Tom's absence.  The stairs will be 'floating', with open treads and only one lateral limon (stringer) on the wall.

We have had to make a decision on the upstairs flooring so as to give Phil final measurements, and we have decided to go with engineered oak boards, i.e. not solid oak, but a thick oak veneer. According to Tom, engineered boards are less susceptible to warping when moisture levels vary, and that is an important consideration if we are not going to be there year round.

After much to-ing and fro-ing of emails and discussions around energy-saving light bulbs, dimmer switches and uplighter options, Brian has started his second fix. He also reports that EDF (the electricity people de France) have done their bit and we now have 'a nice cabinet at the border of (the) property!!'

The Screed

9 February 2014

On Sunday night, a brief update on La Fromagerie.

Chas left on Thursday at noon, allowing Tom to get in and set up for the screed, which was scheduled for Friday. Tom had decided to use the plasterer's labourers ("getting the screed mix right is quite tricky, they have more experience at mixing traditional screeds (... and also...) that allows me to help level and float-finish the floor with the plasterer). 

"... all the heights worked out exactly how I wanted them to. Four of us screeded all day on Friday, it was hard work but all went according to plan. I’m looking forward to going onto the screed and sweeping it down and tidying up the edges."

Tom is now off on a two-week holiday. In the meantime, Phil will be in to measure up for the stairs and will begin their construction, Brian will return for second electrical fix, and Gregg will get on with making the shutters.

Perfect timing for my little holiday in Brisbane and Bribie Island!