This is my journey recreating the R. Sanderson Cottage.  The cottage was originally completed in the summer of 1871. 

Repairing Stairs & Hip Wall

 

Stair landing The entry room is being transformed.  The narrow stairs are part of the look and feel of the cottage.  Having extremely steep stairs in this time period is pretty common. While I have no intention of "correcting" the stairs (they are correct for the style of the house and the time period.  I do need to make a few adjustments to make them traversable. 

Woven & Staggered Seam Floors

 

 

Weaving wood floors may seem like a job for the professionals and you would be right.

Woven floor patterns require a significant amount of patience to come out well.  

Why Pine? Because it is the material of choice for floors from this period.  Most cottages had wide pine plank floors.  My original floors were destroyed on the first floor - buried under the plywood.  The upstairs had very narrow boards that were in okay condition.  The main reason I decided to cover the existing floors in the bedroom was to add a little more rigidity to the span.  (see the article on Joist Sistering here)


 

Installing Beams

 

Installing Beams

One of the early projects was doubling up the existing beams. The span was over 12' with no supports in the center. 

This span made the second floor bedroom very bouncy. 

 

Flowers for the Future

As I consider paint colors I am hoping to get inspiration from the garden.  Although I "thought" I knew what colors I want to paint the house I am feeling unsure about the warm tones that my current scheme employs.  So I am looking to Purple Flowers to help me pick a perfect purple for the Fairy House. 

 

Repairing Holes

The Wee 'Ouse is 150 years old.  This means that how it has been used has changed over the years.   The area of Hamilton and Essex, especially around Chebacco Lake, were considered resort towns in the summer.