The Garage Mahal

The development of the 100 year barn into a shiny new 3 car garage with custom acid stained floor.

Staircase

It only took two years but finally we have a staircase worth going up and down. The skylight now gracefully illumines an expensive carpet (paid by professionals); it paid for itself when I saw how much toxic dust and sharp pointy things were underneath that I didn't have to deal with.

Fairy Lights Beneath the Snow

Preston's snowy lantern and pixie highway as seen under the full moon on a chilly night taken with Philip's new camera

Solar Tube-licious

Preston's mum was persuaded to accede to Preston's demands to Santa, that a solar tube be installed in the otherwise dark stairwell; one of the last two uglinesses left in the house interior – more on the other soon). SO, Philip then painted the newly-illumined walls a corn tassel yellow, a dainty wavy effect on the ceiling, and a Lady Gaga/icicle-inspired ripped paper lantern that makes a snowy Narnia effect as you descend the stairs. Next we have to spring for an interesting carpet that isn't ripped 1950s ashtray themed.

Take a 3D tour of the Toilet Garden in fine weather

The Japanese Mushroom

The original 1900 living room had seen better days; cherry floor, stone walls, and south facing windows gave way to rot, mildew, warped floors and uneven walls. Between the spores and the CO from the nearby furnace it was a place to chill out but not in a good way.

Now, however, it is an elegant Japanesey zendo-flavored guest bedroom-cum-meditation spot fit for a blissful hermit. Shoji screens filter outdoor light to the interior (and boast hidden LED lights too for the evening, along with hidden loudspeakers), grey roundel floor tiles, willow paint, Korean door across the closet (thanks, Sylvia), my rice merchant's ledger from the Kyoto flea market, Zuiko-san's sumi-e, a cohune palm brush from Belize carved by Roy, two closet doors that are wall decorations but fold down to become work surfaces, assorted bamboo things, manila rope, futon, flower vase with zinc silicate designs, and a Buddha ("I don't like this. He's not my god," says Flo).

We made the paper

New York Times, October 1, 2009