“When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece”

 John Ruskin

First, let me answer two questions that I suspect you are thinking about:

1. Yes I do realize that I am writing a lot and posting a lot about this Saint Patrick Street restoration/renovation project. But this blog is about what is front and center in my life, and if anything is logging a lot of “front and center” time then it’s the house.
2. Ditto the dog. But, no, Max is not deliberately maneuvered into my photographs; he just tends to be there.

So now we have that sorted, here is the latest. Very importantly – and this is something Rebekah has been lobbying for since maybe the middle of June – it appears that the spindle situation is resolved. The railing was dismantled when the front porch had to be rebuilt and of course several of the spindles were rotted and falling apart.

Between his carpentry skills and possibly a little magic, Eddie engineered a solution that does not involve ho-hum substitutions. Additionally, as you can see, the heavy support columns are back and they are more than solid.

What I really appreciate is the refusal to compromise and the attention to detail. And, as we have gotten to know these guys over the last few months, we sense the pride they take in the work they are doing. Rebekah and I get the impression they feel like they are offering their best not just for the job, but for us.

What I am writing about here is trust. We have owned houses in various conditions over the years and contracted all sorts of projects, with legalese and small print and t’s crossed and i’s dotted. There is nothing wrong with contracts, but the handshakes I have been offered around here seem not only more ironclad but heartfelt and personal.

In other words, I feel good about the people involved and I trust that things are going to be done right; not only right, but with pride, the best they can bring to the table.

It is going to be beautiful:

Here is what I believe. I believe this is going to be a seriously beautiful home that the guys working on are going to want to bring their family and friends by to see. “Look at this house; that’s my work; isn’t it something special?”

Believe me, the more special it is to the people putting in the work, the more special it is going to be to us.

Grateful, and excited about the possibilities – DEREK