Modern Stone
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It is very much an onsite production line with quality and consistency built in.
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Picture This
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There is a story behind every piece of stone, cabinet, roof tile, or ceiling feature, much like a chapter in a very long novel.
Read MoreOn The Surface
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On the floors, limestone borders surround parquét wood floors. Finely finished arched casings limn the doorways and plaster walls. And outside, one person with a good eye shapes and levels the pool surfaces.
Read MoreCeilings are Looking Up
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We’ve been spending quite a lot of time on the classically inspired ceilings from the solid beam and stucco treatments on the balconies, the coffered style with intricate moulding of the grand rooms, to the intersecting half barrels of the groin ceilings spanning the portico.
Read MoreClose to the Work
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There is no one “finished phase” in construction, but many that happen along the way—with some tasks running concurrently, some starting, and some finishing. For now, we’re in the long phase of millwork and cabinet installations…
Read MorePuzzle Piecing
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While construction and build out of the the main house continues, the surrounding retaining walls are getting the stone veneer applied far ahead of any other landscape construction work.
Read MoreSpot On
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Some people say that windows make or break a house. Placement, symmetry and proportion are all paramount in the architects vision, certainly in classic Roman-Italian architecture, so we as builder-collaborator play an intricate role in helping to “get it right” from selection of core materials to executing the finished detail.
Read MoreUnmoveable
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There has definitely been a feeling of solidity and permanence to all of this work — building something of lasting quality has kept us focused and optimistic about the future, even if it seemed as if the world had been crumbling around us.
Read MoreUnderneath the Arches
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Some time ago we posted framing photos on Instagram with the rhetorical question, “Isn’t framing beautiful?” More broadly, the rhetorical question should be “Isn’t building beautiful?”.
Read MoreCan’t Touch This
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There’s every indication all around that we’re at the finish stage with installed cabinetry disguised behind plastic sheeting, hallway floors and counter surfaces covered with protective cardboard. The warning signs are everywhere: be careful, don’t touch, stay out, no exceptions.
Read MoreUpstairs Downstairs
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We’re seeing the installation of the last of the large steel beams that will support the roof and allow for an expansive central room on the upper floor. Once installed, framing will continue on the roof sections, as well as finishing the framing detail and components of the walls and openings.
Read MoreGoing Green
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Retaining walls, steps and other concrete forms that make up the terraced landscaping have been completed and the landscape crew have already started grading the surrounding terrain for large scale planting. While finishes and details are the focus on the interior, it’s going to be nice to soon see green trees and shrubs replace the bare dirt and construction debris.
Read MoreIt’s Hot Up Here
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Working on the steel structure during the hot summer months, the top floor is exposed to a lot of sun and the heavy reflection from the pan decking means wearing protective clothing and plenty of sunscreen.
Read MoreThis One’s for The Doers
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Here’s to your pride.
Your craftsmanship.
To making it happen.
Mostly, here’s to everyone whose everyday is Labor Day.
Have a good holiday weekend.
Olives Among Oak
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The landscape contractor sited the final locations for the twelve field grown olive trees, and with the help of a giant crane, these thirsty Olea europaea found their way to a new home.
Read MoreBeams and Columns: Part III
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As the steel structure rises, there’s a changing relationship with the surrounding landscape. Standing by three slender Italian Cypress trees, one was afforded expansive views of the valley and a good spot to assess progress some 30 feet below. Now, the construction is at eye-level—and soon we will be looking up at a fully formed structure.
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