The Trim Work

About two weeks ago the trim carpenter Jim Kilgo and his assistant Chad began working on our house.  We have heard from numerous people around the area who know him that Jim does excellent work.  I can now add my name to that long list.  Each day as they work, they move systematically through the house - measuring, marking, cutting, and installing each piece of trim wood.   They begin with an empty, white drywall room which is their canvas and construct their work of art from pieces of wood.

I was surprised to learn that they install the casing around one face of the door jamb before placing it in the opening.  Jim explained that the frame comes from the factory square and it proves to be an excellent guide for the casing.  Also, having the casing in place helps lift the door off the floor as he ensures it is plumb and centered while he secures it.

The crown moulding we selected has clean, simple curves and lines to compliment our Arts and Crafts style house.  Each of the outside corners is mitered with a short 45 degree segment which follows the radius of the drywall and adds to the beauty of the ceiling and walls.  It will eventually all be painted white.

The ceiling above the front door and in the master bathroom is lined with narrow (3 inch) boards with tongue and groove joints.  The effect is intended to continue the v-grooves found on the doors and wainscot walls onto the ceiling also.

The walls in much of the main living area of the house will be lined with wooden wainscoting and painted white.  We began under the kitchen bar and continued down both sides of the hallway.  It will line the wall going up the stairs, as well as the foyer and dining room.  Upstairs we decided to cover the alcove area and the opposing wall where a built-in bed will be constructed.

Dining Room

Hallway and Kitchen entry

In addition to the trim work some of the cabinets have arrived.  They are being built by Chuck Allen of Accutech Wood Products in Ennis.  They have v-grooved panels in many of the doors and impressive soft-closing door hinges and drawer rails.  We decided to paint most of the vanities and utility cabinets throughout the house.  We felt there was already plenty of stained wood in the house, with the floors, windows, some of the doors, and the mantles all being stained.  The cabinets in the Kitchen and Family Room will also be stained.

Utility Room cabinets

Guest Bath vanity

Our front door arrived recently and we honestly could not remember what we had chosen so long ago.  We had to select it back in February.  The frame was shipped soon after so that the framers could install it as the walls were being built, but the door, sidelights, and arched transom were kept away, out of an abundance of precaution against damage and breakage.  Jim and Chad installed the front door in place and added trim around and above it.  Like the windows, the door will be stained and the trim will be painted white.

And finally, outside the house the brick and stone work is almost finished.  Bobby and his crew have been diligently working their way around the house.  They should complete the master bath stone wall and the garage door arched openings within a week or two.  After that several small areas around the house will be the only remaining work.  They include the stone bases for the columns, barbecue pit, steps from the Lanai into the back yard, and some retaining walls between our house and the pecan trees.