Steady progress

Nancy returned from Gaulejac on Friday with complete photo coverage, and a positive report about progress on the house. There are a few challenges, to be sure, but they are generally well in hand and on the way to being solved.

For instance, there was much anxiety for a while over the exact, desirable colour for the exterior pointing (mortar). The building contractor kindly applied a number of samples on walls all around the house, but the right shade continued to elude us. Until the architect, M. Coq, suggested matching the colour of the pointing on the house next door. A simple and logical solution, and elegant as well, since the two buildings form an ensemble anyway: close together, similar in size, built in the same period, using the same stone and in the same style.

Here are some of the many photos that Nancy brought back (click on any photo to enlarge it):

Above: this wall, between the landing and our bedroom,
is one of the interior surfaces where the stone will

remain apparent. The pointing was being done while
Nancy was there, and here it is now, in its finished state. 

Right: The right end of the same wall, showing

the entrance to our bedroom.

The master bedroom, where the flooring will soon be in place.

Here are a few of those "before-and-after" shots that you all like:

The kitchen fireplace - 2009

The kitchen fireplace - 2011

The "évier" - 2009

... and now.

In the two shots above, note that the old cupboard has been moved over to the other side of the fireplace, to make room for the new doorway to the dining room, visible in the "now" picture.

The "buanderie" (little room off
the kitchen) in 2009

... and now.

I will post more photos soon.