Inching Along

Dare I say we are getting to the final layer? In some areas maybe. There is still some electrical and some plumbing to do. And there is also painting to finish. Progress on the facade is at a standstill until it makes it through approval by Cultural Resources. But, I can give a progress report of sorts.

I have been experimenting with a stencil that I purchased for the second floor. This was the first sample. I have never tried rolling a stencil with a sponge roller, but it would sure make this job go faster. There was some bleeding but I think I've come up with a method to alleviate that problem.

I also thought the first try had too much contrast. I kept the same background color but went over the ginkgo leaf with a lighter grayish/taupe. I also considered some metallic gold on the fringes, That could work, but it is labor intensive, and given the amount of wall I need to cover, I ruled it out.

The bar tile is in place but not grouted yet. There was a major detour on the bar top. After having the template made and making the down payment, I was informed the Silestone in Steel had been discontinued. That derailed the train for days until a replacement could be found.

Because I got really busy and didn't finish this post...the tile on the bar is now grouted.

The service counter also has most of the tile in place. This top had to be reworked and a second template had to be made before the work order could processed.

The doors finally arrived for the bathrooms. Once those are installed and trimmed out, the final tile can be installed.
Oops! Spoke too soon. Another setback.

Sink and faucet were installed....not to mention tile! AND THEN....another leak! Not the same bathroom. Just another failed snap ring taking the blame. I took this after the fix and after the drywall was patched back. Retiling and regrouting on the horizon. Searching for a new plumber, added to the list.

More work has been done on the banquette seating and some of it has been delivered. Next comes foam and upholstery. Are you getting the idea that we are not as close to the finish line as we should be?

I swear I took a picture of this beautious fixture BEFORE they hung that awful EXIT sign, but I cannot find it. Not to whine...too much....but this is the kind of thing that is repeated on a weekly basis. Just when my spirit soars, there seems to be a little tether that brings me down a notch. It is one of the pitfalls of commercial design.

Viewed from another angle, you can eliminate the exit sign and add in the HVAC vent.

On a positive note, the lift that carries the food from the kitchen to the second floor should be ready in a few days.

This baby was a tough, tough install. Everyday for weeks there was a redo or adjustment to be made. But it is in the shaft and has traveled to the top. Now it's just a matter of closing it up and making it look pretty.

Currently trying to figure a way to hang eight pendants over the bar. It looks like plenty of room but it's only 50 inches. Track rails have to go below the I-beam and somehow miss that monstrous mess of metal,

It runs smack in the middle of the bar top. That happens to be the one thing I asked them to avoid.

Imagine that?

We might have a bunch of drinkers bumping their heads on the way out.

In the meantime I'm working on the facade. This happens to be marble that is below the large windows on the front and west side of the building. I had plans to cover it over, very tastefully mind you, but Cultural Resources had another idea.