Architectural Redundancy

National health care is still under debate, the war in Afghanistan looms largely over the country’s conscience, and the national debt continues to grow at a historic rate…but the steel color dilemma at Brokeback Manor has been resolved. You may all rest easy now. It hath been decided that the steel in the windows and doors will be Benjamin Moore color 8229. The decision was helped by all the people commenting on the blog. Thank you everyone. To you Laura Bohn, I just hate it that you are right so much of the time. The red bookcases are a great idea. I might even paint the slider separating my room from the “grand salon” the same color. I sure hope that by the time I get around to doing this, I haven’t forgotten it was your idea.

I had expected last week to be a week of celebration up at Brokeback as the fireplace construction was to begin. Funny enough, the neighbors hadn’t gathered to celebrate, nor was the mayor in attendance. It was only Mitch the mason and his assistant when I arrived and when I left. Regardless, I did my own celebrating with Ms. Biggs, of course. (Note the excitement she’s demonstrating upon discovery). The reclaimed wood from Stone Source has not yet arrived, but the two steel I-beams are there waiting to be installed. Hopefully by my visit Thursday the fireplace stack will be completed, but I won’t go out and buy marshmallows just yet.

Another cause for celebration is the opening of the skylight in the entry/library. Until Mitch opened the skylight, I was a little skeptical about it. I mean, after all, just how much light does one need? Then there is the issue of heat loss and the hot-house effect. I guess they are both still issues, but the light coming in is dramatic. So much for practicality! When retired lighting designer Stephen McKay saw the house, he commented on the redundancy of the skylights and windows. One can imagine how architect Joan Chan loved that comment!