Remodeling House

                          The renown Sir John Soane, R.A., Architect, Professor. 1753 - 1837

Three homes were demolished to build this single home for his family and as a living studio for his students. Before and after a lecture the students would come and sit among the artifacts of their lessons.



NEO-CLASSICISM:  Is the name given to quite distinct movements in the decorative arts, literature, theatre, music and architecture that draws upon Western classics, usually that of ancient Greece or Rome.
Dominant in northern Europe during the mid-18th to the end of the 19th century.





Sir Sloane designed his home to ultimately become a museum upon his death and those wishes were immediately dispatched.
The majority of the artifacts within, remain in the same spot he chose originally.

A neo-classical home via House & Garden magazine. This image sends my heart through the stratosphere!



 Your thoughts? Can you live with this aesthetic?
I know I can but will start with devoting a wall in my city shop, SG Grand........photo's will be shared, stay tuned!

In the interim I am off to England with a group I will guide via 'Travel by Design' a new business I will share shortly.
After the group departs I am off to Paris to see the show 'Maison et Objet', a trade show for design professionals. If you are attending, let's meet!

Cheers
Debra

Hot homemade tea is a tasty and healthy pick-me-up over the fall and winter months. If you have herbs in the garden, now's the time to harvest and dry a few for your tea cabinet. Let's take a look at some herbs that make healthy -- and tasty -- tea.

Catnip tea (nepeta cataria) - Fresh catnip can smell a little reminiscent of skunk, but drying seems to bring out the minty aroma that gives away

For Sale: 2BR/2BA Single Family House in Ocean Shores, WA, $199,999

It has been a while since my last post. Life has been interesting the last few years and I've had very little time for woodworking or the money for that matter. It's an expensive hobby. However it is one that I love so I try and do little bits here and there. The latest project I completed was a set of Hand Planes. In a recent issue of
Wood Magazine they had an article on making your own hand plane. I have wanted to do one of these for a LONG time and really enjoy making my own tools and jigs etc. I'm finding the jig side of things is going to be very helpful in building guitars. Anyway. I thought I would share my hand planes with you. Hope you enjoy. Oh and you should see a new logo on the blog now. I like it much better.

We start by gluing up the blank for the hand plane. It's roughly 2"x8"

All the parts next to each other

Cut the bed out for the blade. That center triangle later becomes the wedge.

Gluing all the parts together.

Glued up and ready to cut the wedge.

Bottom of the plane with the throat opened

Test fitting everything

The Wedge is now cut out.

After everything was shaped and tuned

The woods are Spalted Maple, Sapele, Walnut and some oak veneer in between

Here is the two that I have built so far.  The one in Front is Curly Maple Sapele and Oak.

Both planes work beautifully and I couldn't be happier

--Grover

For Sale: 2BR/1BA Single Family House in Ocean Shores, WA, $165,000

For Sale: 4BR/2+1BA Single Family House in Ocean Shores, WA, $175,000

For Sale: 3BR/1BA Single Family House in Ocean Shores, WA, $75,000

It's time, time for a new addition to the family and i am thinking hard about breeds, care to weigh in here?

Currently in first place is this cute little guy, a rare ancient breed from Scotland called a 'Dandie Dinmont Terrier'
The bouffant, the small stature, baby seal like eyes and sweet disposition have me sold,
well maybe sold.  Oh I forgot to also mention NON-shedding!
We lost our Pembroke Corgi, "woofie" last winter and was grateful to have a spare, "Cooper" my much beloved Cardigan Corgi as seen in the drawing above. The much adored center of attention in this house
                                                                 really really bad haircut
Cooper may not want a companion, but at five he is young enough to still play with a pup and with high hopes that he will relax his standards and not feel every other dog is a threat to me. Very high hopes......

My love of old British Isles art first brought the Dandies to my attention. They kept appearing and I had to find out what breed I was looking at

                                                      To me..........irresistible!
Then again another Cardigan Corgi would be fun. Unlike the Pembroke the Cardi's have tails and enormous ears, brilliant i might add...........with a clown-like personality.
hmmmm, this is tough. But a litter of Dandies should be here any day. I am however not yet "vetted" by the breeders to determine if I would be a good owner. Currently I hold criminal status until I prove myself..........sigh.............

Or I could be responsible and go to the dog shelter. Friends are guilting me on this matter, I just like knowing what the pup will grow up to be and one never knows, and, I can draw bad luck!
 What do you think dear readers? Or are you going to throw me a curve with another breed I should consider?
Anyway you look at it, dogs are a gift from above and all deserve love and a good home. Oh yes, one more obstacle...........my husband knows nothing of this!

cheers!
Debra