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Down to the Details

Are we there yet?  Well not quite but there is a speck of light at the end of the tunnel.  As we all know, by the time you reach the home stretch on a remodel patience has dipped to the lowest level and just getting it done is top priority.  However, this is the best part.  It doesn't seem right to lose enthusiasm because we are worn down, or don't have any energy left after doing all the tedius stuff.  (sounds a little like retirement, doesn't it?)

So, let's talk about the details.

First off I have a little woodwork issue.











All three floors in my house have identical corner blocks on the trim around the doors.  Some painted and some not.


And a few have been butchered to anchor curtain rods and look like this.  Not by me and evidently not critical enough to have fixed them before this.  But now is the time.  Both sides of the pantry window look like this.


My sister-in-law had given me this product and I thought it might be the solution to my carved up corner blocks.  It mixes with water to form a pasty substance that you put into a container.  I used a plastic leftovers container.


I took this block I had saved from the removal of a doorway on the second floor.  I pressed it face down into the goop and let it set up.  It doesn't take long.


In no time at all it dries to a rubbery mold.  The directions say this mold will last for a week in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.  You can add a damp paper towel for insurance.

Next I added a Plaster of Paris solution.  Because I only wanted the upper corners, that is the part of the mold I used.  (sorry, forgot to get pictures)  That also dries quickly and is also easy to carve.  I trimmed off the edges until it fit my configuration and...

attached it with caulk.  Caulk also helps to fill in any gaps between the original trim and added pieces.  You can see the little "v" shape that needs filling in the top photo.  A little fine sanding and it is ready for the finish.

After priming and painting no one's the wiser.  The black paint is French Beret 1610 Benjamin Moore(same as the dining room windows and doors).  The trim color is Benjamin Moore OC 23 Classic Gray (also same as the dining room trim).  And the walls are Benjamin Moore 1468 called Winterwood.  I love this color!  It is in the Grey family and has a crisp cool look without being cold and forboding like some greys.  I think it is the perfect compliment for black and white.

I went in search of a before picture and this is the best I could do.  Just another example of not thinking far enough ahead to get the right before pictures.  The truth is, these little damaged blocks were not even on my radar until it came time to paint.  It is amazing what we live with day after day and it doesn't bother us...in fact we don't even see it.  Then one day, YIKES, this has to be fixed.

So, another day and one more thing crossed off the "to do" list.

More about details in a follow up post.
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