Why cover beauty?
When I started sanding the doors for the RUC I thought it would be a relatively easy job.
- Prep door
- Sand
- Varnish
Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Well it’s not. Why anyone would paint a cedar door is beyond me (as well as painting the glass). Most of my doors are oak and it’s not too difficult to get them ready for varnishing. But cedar? – it’s so soft it actually absorbs paint.
***Grumble, grumble, whinge, whinge***
Okay – whinge over. I feel better now.
Time for the ‘reveal’.
Can you the pic the ‘before’ door and ‘after’ door?
…if not – I’m heading back to the drawing board …
I also scored some free windows and guess what? They have the same glass as the RUC, but it’s green. They’re going in the kitchen.
I should be finished sanding in 2060. Wish me luck 😀
Dianne Gray author 
You are a woman of many talents!
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I’m hoping to make an appearance on the Grammy’s next year – just need to learn how to play the guitar first 😉
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Oh, Diane. Sanding is really hard to do. We cheat here and hire people to do it. They cost the earth and now you know why. I just love the after door. It is gorgeous. You are a brave and talented woman. And the glass is fascinating. Thanks for sharing. I just love watching your progress. Good luck. You’ll have Michelle Obama arms from all that sanding!
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LOL – Michelle Obama arms! I love it!
Hiring someone is very expensive and you’re right (I now know why!). Because there is beading around the windows it makes everything very intricate and getting that paint out of the cracks is a nightmare. But I’m sure (hopefully) it’ll all be worth it in the end 😉
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Beautiful! And yes, it’s a lot of work – remodeling anything always is because you never know what you’re going to find! And the green glass is lovely!!
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I was wrapped when I saw that green glass, Ruth – it’s very old and particularly hard to find. I guess this is the advantage of living in the country where people just put things away in their sheds and forget about them (until you ask them if they have anything they want to give away!) 😀 There are six of these windows (and another one with a broken frame but the glass is all good. 😉
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The glass is awesome!!
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That door looks absolutely beautiful – and I’m getting that it’s sooooo grateful to you for re-revealing its beauty! You reckon you’ll be done by 2060 you say? Well ok, so I’ll be…82 by then. Sure, I can hang on till then…but it had better be worth it!
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LOL! That’s what it feels like at the moment, Harula 😀 Strangely enough, the more doors I do, the faster I’m getting at doing them (practice makes perfect they say) 🙂
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OK . . . I’m going to take a stab in the dark that the DARKER door is the “after” since it is GORGEOUS!!!
And your green glass for the kitchen windows is FABULOUS!!!
OK . . . I’m going to use my in-DOOR voice henceforth.
No more shouting like a heathen in the woods.
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This is the country, Nancy – shouting is a must! Even the farmers here shout on the phone as if the person they’re talking to is in the next paddock LOL! I’m so relieved you picked the right door – I must be on the right track 😉
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Absolutely beautiful. I can appreciate all the hard work it took to get the door looking like this. Great work. 🙂
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Thank you, Suth! I’m glad you like it 😀
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what a beautiful door now–all your hard work was worth it!
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It certainly was – I love cedar! 😀
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Gorgeous door – you did a great job Dianne !
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Thanks, Annie! It makes me smile every time I look at it 😀
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Oooh, I’m so pleased for you. It’s going to be beautiful.
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Thank you! Now I just have to get the paint off the glass and put back in 😉
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I love that green glass, what fun! (great job on those doors, by the way, that must have taken forever!)
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It seemed like it took forever, Letizia 😀 Good grief – what a job! 😉
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Oh my God….it’s beautiful! What a worth while venture! Your hard work has definitely paid off. Is it me, or is it extra tall? Maybe I’m just extra short. ;0)
P.S. LOVE the GREEN windows!!!
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These doors are extra tall, Hazy, because they’re french doors and stand in sets of two 😉
The green windows will look sensational when they’re in 😀
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Dianne your effort has been well-rewarded. The after door is stunning. The RUC will thank you for uncovering its hidden beauty and one day you will sit on your verandah and be so glad you did all this work. The green glass windows are gorgeous and perfect for a kitchen. Do you own any green depression glass kitchenware? It would make a nice display with the green windows.
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I don’t own any green depression glass kitchenware – but having said that, I’ve seen some down at the op shop so I’ll be knocking on their door first thing Monday morning! 😀
I’m so glad you think the door is stunning, you’ve made my day 😉
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Okay, I’m starting to wonder what went on behind the painted glass……very odd. Wow Dianne, you did a fabulous job, it looks awesome! You found a treasure in the free glass ~ nice!
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I really don’t know why they painted glass in the old days, Jill. Maybe they couldn’t afford curtains 😯
I just love that green glass and now I need some greenish knickknacks for the kitchen 😉
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That will be the fun part, after all of the hard work is done, shopping for knickknacks. 🙂
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Your house is going to be absolutely gorgeous Dianne, well worth the awesome amount of time and energy (also creativity and ingenuity) you’re putting into your home! Way to go. 🙂
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Thank you, Penny! I’m looking forward to the day I can just sit back and relax and enjoy everything! 😀
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Hope it’s soonest for you! 🙂
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Oh man, that wood looks fabulous! As you said, why would someone paint over that!!!
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So true, John – it’s just magnificent wood (much nicer not painted) 😉
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Your efforts are well worth it. That after door is stunning! And your free glass – wow! If not a kitchen, it would make a neat addition to an entryway or bathroom too!
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I need to put a window above the front door – so you’ve given me an idea now, Suzan. Hmmm – I may just have enough to do it! 😀
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😀
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Stunning! You definitely have uncovered (no pun intended!) some new talent!
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LOL – thank you, Denise! 😀
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Wow! That door looks amazing! Top marks to you for your hard work. And free window glass – cool! Green matches the view outside. 🙂 The RUC is going to look fantastic when it’s finished.
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Thanks, Justin 😀 I actually got six windows with the glass as well, so I’ll need to fix them up and put them in the kitchen. I think they’ll look great (if I may say so!) LOL 😀
I’m glad you like the door – it was a lot of hard yakka 😉
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Funny that you asked if we could tell before from after… the latest trend around here is the vintage look where wood is made to look old, distressed! The “primitive vintage” lovers would probably flip flop your before and after pictures!
I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Love the look of both doors!
alas in 2060 I will be 110…. I will leave it to you.
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I’ve seen a lot of that vintage look around, Ruth, and my best friend just loves it. I’m more of a ‘classics’ person. When I was looking for dining chairs there were very expensive ones that had been hit a hammer a few times to make them look rough and old 😉
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Wow! That door is awesome, and I can’t even begin to imagine the work it took to make it look so fabulous! Have you discovered new muscles you didn’t realize you had?? 🙂 Impressive, and I love the green glass for the kitchen…the RUC will ROCK!!
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I’ve got muscles on muscles at the moment, Sheila! There’s now more of me to rock-on when the RUC is ready 😀
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BeeYouTeaFull !!!!
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Thank you!!! 😀
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The redone door and glass are beautiful. The RUC is going to be special. 🙂
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Thanks, Theo. I’ll be a ‘master tradesman’ by the end of it 😉
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I do not and will not EVER understand why beautiful wood should be painted _ E V E R _ I feel your pain but honestly the result is spectacular!
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I’m with you 100% Alisa. I just love wood so much. I’m so glad you like the ‘paint-off’ natural look on my door 😀
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I sure do! Please show the room when you are all done?
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Will do! 😉
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Good luck!
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Thanks!
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You have got your work cut out for you! But the After photo of the door is so beautiful!! And I love the green glass. You are creating a work of art, and you can collect all your notes and photos for a book…
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That’s a great idea, Joy 😀 I’m also going to have one of those electronic photo frames so I can have all the photos I’ve taken for the last few months running for people to look at. I think that would be very interesting! 😉
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I have a few pieces of old furniture that have been passed down to me… (painted) … when one finds an unseen area that can be striped, without being obvious, I’ve done some cleaning… only to find the most beautiful wood below 20 layers of paint…
I can only think in the olden days this type wood was so common that it was not seen in the light we see it today… and to fit the rest of the house, paint was easier than the old type varnishes and oils that were not easily usable as they are today…
Now you have done such a brilliant job on the doors.. and I see you say it gets easier with practice… can I send these bits of furniture over to you and you strip the paint for me.?? There is a lot of hand carving on them so lots of intricate work to keep you busy… might keep you away from the Grammy’s for a while, but that will give you more time to learn the guitar….
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Hahaha! Oh, Bulldog you’re a classic 😀 I’ll be laughing about this comment all day!
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Hahaha 2060. That’s about the year I would get started! What a lot of work. You are so ambitious! My husband would love you to pieces. He’s got a wife who mostly likes to compliment him for HIS hard work! 🙂 Your door is beautiful!
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Thank you, Marsha! I must admit I do a lot of the work around the place and am often telling hubby to get up and do something! LOL …poor man…
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Quite a transformation – looks great!
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Thank you! I love working on things (luckily I’m very patient!) 😉
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You clearly are inspired and hold a strong resolve.What remains important to you, the thrill of doing the work or the finished element? What other ways could you think of for getting the work done faster?
Shakti
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The finished element is what is driving me, Shakti. I think just spending more time on the doors is the only way I can get them done faster 😉
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i LUV, LUV, LUV THE GREEN GLASS!
When I was 5, 6, & 7 my parents owned a small, mom & pop hardware store and they had a box of samples provided by a major glass company. The samples were of custom art glass designs and as a little guy I used to get those two boxes and play and dream about building projects with sump glass, and textured glass and glass with chicken wire in it and glass with rivulets in it. I loved the idea of light transmitted and modified. I really must have because I remember doing that almost 60 yrs later.
what fun and what fond memories.
GREAT job on the doors too!
Cheers,
Peter
A retired Photographer looks at life
Life Unscripted
peterpazucha dot come
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Thanks, Peter. I just love beautiful glass as well. Your childhood in that shop sounds fantastic. Kids now days wouldn’t dream of playing with pieces of glass over nintendos! Fantastic memories 😀
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OH WOW! 🙂
xx
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Nice! 😀
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WOW! That is absolutely gorgeous! Excellent job you, for the work and for the vision.
It would be interesting to imagine how the painting started…someone was lazy? and then it just continued until they were painting the glass too.
You actually have buried treasure you are unearthing. So great! Backbreaking, but wonderful. 🙂 Good luck on the rest!
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Thank you, Elisa! It is backbreaking work, but there will be an end to it once all those doors are done. The oak ones are much easier than the cedar ones (there are only 4 cedar) which is a relief! 😀
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You’ve done a really good job there. I love the colour and I appreciate how much work went into the project.
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Thank you, my dear! One day I’ll get back to knitting and then I’ll just be able to sit on a comfy chair and ‘look’ at the doors! That will be nice 😉
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Both gorgeous! Your work continues to pay off tenfold!
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I hope so! I’m learning every day from this (I’ll be a professional soon!) lol 😀
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I can’t imagine how much work went into that transformation. Did you plug your headphones in and go on auto-pilot? Did you watch TV, chat with your muse? Hours and hours…
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Sometimes I put the music on in the RUC while I’m sanding, but most times I just chat to my muse and try not to swear when I scrape the wood the wrong way 😉
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“A thing of beauty is a joy forever” – I can imagine you totally agree as you regard the outcome of your efforts. Beautiful!I suspect that once the RUC has been restored to its former glory (somewhat enhanced) you will have a home with a capital “H”. Lucky you! Most peope never find that special place…
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This is so true, Anna. I’ve been feeling a bit beaten lately, but your words have lifted me. I’m so incredibly lucky to have this place 😀
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Should be people not peope
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Hmmm. Don’t know whether to break this to you but we had a house full of old doors that had been painted. Got them down to bare wood and waxed in a few days. How? Took them to a firm that dips them into tanks of chemicals that strip off all the paint. Probably not as eco-friendly as sanding but much, much easier!
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I’ve been told that, Huw 😉 The problem I have is that it can depend on the wood as to how effective the dipping is. The silky oak tends to go ‘fluffy’ with dipping and this makes it hard to work with later. I guess I could do this with the cedar doors (there is a place in town) but then I would have to re-glue them all because the chemicals also strip the glue from the joints. I’ve got two doors that aren’t french doors (no glue) so I may go this way for them 😉
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Great job, and I love the glass – my parents have similar in their 18th century home in Ireland! Love pieces like this…… and projects like this! You have motivated me to start painting things again, and now that the fine spring weather is slowly coming to Europe it’s actually possible again! 🙂
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Woo hoo! It’s great to get into a project, Jennifer. Make sure you put picks up if get the chance 😉
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That natural look is so much better! The only time I would paint wood is if it’s really beat up and stained, such as from water and spills. I think your place is really going to look nice!
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Thank, JM. I’m hoping it’ll look nice. I’m just not sure what to do with the floor at the moment. I’m thinking of getting someone to replace the broken bits and sand it back. Big job though…
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This must be such a rewarding process for you, Dianne, all this hard work you’re doing on the house. What a labour of love … kind of like writing a novel. 🙂 I love that green glass, btw.
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I’m not sure what’s harder – writing a novel or sanding a door! But at least with sanding a door I don’t have to think too much 😀 But it certainly is a rewarding process.
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You did a really good job with the doors, Dianne! It’s hardly recognizable. =D Good luck with the rest; I know you can do it. 😉
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Thank you, Zen. You’re my cheer leader at the moment! 😀
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Beautiful!! And that glass–wow.
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It’ll look fantastic in the kitchen, Ly 😀
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You are a Master Craftswoman. What an awesome job on those doors 🙂 And, you seem so calm. I would have been muttering nonstop curses on whoever painted those doors… even the glass WTF. Thank you for sharing these snippets of progress and triumph. I love the green glass. I have wonderful visions in my head of how the RUC is coming together – the energy will be amazing.
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I love the thought of being a Master Craftswoman 😀 I haven’t varnished the doors yet, so I’m pretty happy with how they look ‘raw’ 😉 I have wonderful visions in my head as well of how it should look. It should be finished for me to move in soon (and then more work) 😉 Today they are cementing the stumps in (yes – it’s happening far too slowly) and we have another cyclone looming 😯
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Wow, Dianne. No wonder why you are such a good writer–you turn the mundane into the magnificent.
What are the chances that you would find that same glass as the RUC. You are blessed and so is the RUC. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
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The house the green glass came from was built over 100 years ago. The house is long gone but for some reason they put the windows in their shed when they built the new house. I’m SO glad they didn’t throw them away years ago. You should have seen my eyes bulge when I spotted them! LOL 😀
{{{Hugs}}}
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They really did paint the glass. Go figure.
And how in the blazes did you find more of that textured or patterned glass? That stuff must be priceless.
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Hubby spotted the green glass windows at the back of an old shed when he was doing electrical work there last week. The windows are still in good form (even though the house they came from has long since been demolished). That’s the beauty of living in the country, people put things away and then forget about them. When hubby asked about the windows the farmer said he could have them because they were just taking up room 😀
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The change in the door is stunning!! Brilliant hard work!!
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Thank you, Lisa! A lot of hard work indeed 😯
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OMG! The doors are beautiful! And there are no words for the glass. You’re not only an artists with your words — you have the practical skills that make your “nest” spectacular! Thanks so much for taking us on your journey. I am really enjoying it. = Barb
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Thank you, Barb! My “nest” is looking pretty spectacular at the moment and I’m hoping we can move in soon. Unfortunately another cyclone is looming and the cement foundations are supposed to be being poured today 😯
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Wow – what a huge difference! I don’t understand why anyone would want to cover that up. Your door looks much happier now.
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They actually look like they’re smiling, Sheila! 😀
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I love it, Dianne! Wow, such wonderful work. 🙂
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Thanks, Rick! I have blisters on my fingertips (but I hear guitarists get this as well) 😉
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Beautiful result. And very motivating. 🙂
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Thank you! It was a lot of work, but I’m getting used to it now (and I’m getting faster at doing it) 😉
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Wowee! The door looks beautiful. Man whoever covered the door and glass in that ugly white should be ashamed lol!
Well justice has been done 🙂
Thanks for sharing, keep well Dianne!
Rohan.
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So glad you like it, Rohan (and agree with me about the painted glass – yuck!) 😉
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The door looks FABULOUS!! I can’t even imagine the time you had to put into those!! Great glass score too…my kindred spirit…(:
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I think we are kindred spirits! I’ll be heading back today to finish off more of the doors (couldn’t go in there for the last two days because they’ve laying the cement and I think I’m having withdrawals!) 😉
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Are you started with number 2? You must feel totally scattered not being able to get inside for two days. I understand and empathize, but there’s no envy here in this part of the world! I started Wolf Pear, I’m about 1/6 through with it. So far I’m totally in the dark as to who she murdered, or where the detective comes in. I’m not good at figuring them out ahead of time, but I always try! 🙂
BTW, awards are still out there. When you next visit my site check out http://wp.me/p2jC53-1ot for your blog. This is my way of saying that you are a special blogging friend. Feel free to do with it what you will – no rush – no pressure. The world won’t collapse if you do nothing, nor will I. I just wanted to say, “Thanks for being a good friend.” 🙂 Marsha 🙂 Enjoy the doors when you get back to them! 🙂
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I’ve nearly finished the second door (but a bit behind because I can’t get up there to work on it) 😦
I’m glad you started reading Wolf Pear! I really hope you enjoy it 😀
Thank you so much for passing on the award to me – I’m chuffed!!! 😀
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I’m glad you’re chuffed! New word for me, but I like it! 😃
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okay, serious question… is whomever the person responsible for painting that door on crack? I mean really? I’ve never heard of anyone painting over windows, let alone a door that beautiful.
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LOL! I think they must have been on something! You’re right about painting over windows WTF???!! 😉 I guess they had more paint than brains…
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What a big difference a little varnish and a lot of elbow grease makes!
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It makes thing look brand new! 😀
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long doors = long work …
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Absolutely! 😉
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OMG! That door is stunning!! It’s so beautiful. Why oh why would anyone paint over it AND the windows too? Well, you sure are restoring them to their former beauty even if it does take you until 2060! HA! And those windows are sooo cool! 😀 Oh it’s going to be fun to see the final reveal of your house! You really should call a house magazine or HGTV maybe they would do a story on it! 😀
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They might, Linda! What a great idea. As long as I don’t run out of funds before it’s finished I should be okay 😉
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I’ll keep my fingers crossed! 😀
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Wow, nice job Dianne!! Que bonita! It really looks lovely. I like the glass, too. What a bonus. I just can’t wait to see what the final results will be and I know it will be well before 2060. Yes!
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I’ve started on some windows now because they’re laying the cement and I can’t get into the house (I’m just a sucker for punishment) and the windows are in the shed. My mother-in-law keeps commenting on how much weight I’ve lost with all this work 😯
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OMG! What a wonderful transformation, and so much hard work has gone into this beautiful result. I’d take my hat off to you if I was wearing one. 🙂 Love that green glass too. You sound really driven, and why not indeed? The end result is going to be a home that is to die for…..well let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. 😆 I hope you have a rest and a glass of wine occasionally.
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Thank you, Sylvia – I’m so glad you like the door and I’m hoping to get back to it soon 😉 I’ve had a few days off because they’re laying the cement foundations for the posts and I haven’t been able to get back up there to do any work (I feel like a lady of leisure!) 😀
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love that retro glass!!
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It’s very cool indeed, Dawn! 😉
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I am very impressed! But what does “whinge” mean?
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Whinge? Complain and carry on like a child 😉
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Thanks! New word to put into my crossword puzzle treasure box.
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Glad to help 😉
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When I read the title of this post I thought it was going to be about Muslims & how they dress, but how wrong I am!! 🙂
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LOL! I love it! 😀
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That is beautiful! I love the sight of real wood over paint.
For some reason my ‘reader’ had stopped following you, which explains why I hadn’t seen any updates for a while. I’m going to catch up on how the transformation is coming now. 🙂
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This happens to me as well, Piper. Sometimes someone doesn’t post for a while and then I go check on them and realise I’m not getting their feed and have missed all their posts! oops 😦
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What an absolutely beautiful change! The real wood looks stunning!
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Thank you so much, Rebecca! It feels really good to complete these 😀
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I feel your pain! BUT, beautiful!
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Thanks, Billy Ray! The more I finish – the less the pain! LOL 😀
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Dianne, the pic at the bottom is so fit for the Weekly Photo Challenge (patterns)! Loved it!
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What a great idea – thank you! 😀
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