Everyone needs love from time to time, even doors. These were way overdue for some attention. Two months of stripping, scraping, filling, sanding, priming, painting, oiling, polishing, and varnishing should hold them for a few years.

Motivated by desire for natural light and better connection to the back garden, the old weird solid back door was replaced. No before shots. New full-lite door worked out well. But like all improvements, adjacent deficiencies became more apparent. Hence the new landing and stair with steel and hardwood railing (all scrap material except new treads.) Then the other stair looked bad. Remi agreed. Treads too short, risers too tall. Demo revealed dire need for brick masonry repointing and floor leveling. Drawer cabinet under the stair got new a paint finish and new hardware in the bargain.

My friend Bonnie Jo moved to Paris. I got a funky beautiful 1950’s Singer sewing machine and the table. Early attempts at veneer repair failed; stain ruined by sanding, staining in place no better, nearly perfect sand-and-stain marred by finger-jointed veneer tape invisible until stained, wrong color veneer, etc. Finally got it right with cherry veneer purchased for the job. Leftover black walnut veneer made a nice little caster table with rotating top.

Bonnie Jo’s pre-move purge included a walnut slab; perfect for an outdoor bench.

FYI, FLX is Finger LakeX. Easy drive from Baltimore through Pennsylvania and western New York State, avoiding 95, Del Mem Br, Geo Wash Bridge, etc. Hallelujah exhale starts in your own garage, no need to white knuckle the drive until arrival. When hosts invite you to a gorgeous spot with great cycling, clear water, ancient whiskey and the local Pageant of Steam, the least you can do is help document their plans for future improvements. Thank you for a really nice weekend.