Got the wood floors installed, stained, and poly'ed last few days.

Beautiful! We got hickory from a local lumber company and love out floors. Tough to cut though.

Is that oak, pine, or something else? Looks very nice.

roadwarriorsvt...it is re-claimed pine.

we told them we wanted it to look like a floor in a
very old country schoolhouse...beat up, saw marks,
nail-holes, different sizes/widths.

Do you finish it with regular polyurathane or a special product for floors?

Beautiful!!

Looks good.. we went with select hickory.. Hard as hell but my kids have had no problem beating it up..

Bearbait...I'm not sure. I wasn't down there today when they were doing it, but I'll find out. Bluegillerkiller I think most hardwoods (around here at least} are Oak, but we felt like since it's a weekend place and my brother and I are bachelors they will be relatively low traffic floors so we could get away with this old re-claimed pine. Post of pic sometime of your hickory.

Here ya go.. Easy enough since I'm sitting my lazy butt on the couch lol

Very nice Mark. Are you getting close to finishing up?

That last floor pic looks like hickory or hard maple? Woops, I now see it was hickory. This looks like the prefinished stuff?

Mark, wow!!

That is sure turning out nice. What a place to go relax in!!

I hope it has a margarita machine hiding in there someplace

Old growth pine is very hard due to its slow growth and tight rings. My wife and I redid a 200 year old house with pine boards up to 3 feet wide. This wood was very very hard. It had already lasted since 1908.

Yes that is pre finished select hickory..

Very nice! We used hickory in our home for the floors and kitchen cabinets. It wears like iron, and looks great.

My family owns a very well known hard wood company in st louis.. They say the new kind of pre finish woods cannot be beat by anything available over the counter.

I bought mine unfinished from a saw mill in random widths (actually just 3 different widths. I used dry biscuits in the ends to prevent cupping when I installed it. It was a lot of work, but it looks great. We used marine varnish to protect it.

Sounds like you did it right..

The thing with new pre finished wood is the chemicals used are baked on to make an almost like powder coated cover..

That is a beautiful floor!

Zep, I've been looking into reclaimed wood also for the living room floor and kitchen cabinets. It ain't cheap, but I'll enjoy it for the rest of my life. What shade of stain is that? I'm really liking it.

Thanks everyone.

BlueGillKiller...that Hickory looks great.

Al...with my brother...it'll never be "done"...lol
but we should be real close in next couple of months.
Still lack kitchen/bathroom cabinets,
tile/stone in bathroom/showers, loft carpet,
plumbing fixtures, outside AC units,
lighting, ceiling fans, ect...

Brian...I need a margarita machine!

roadwarrior since it was re-claimed pine it wasn't that bad as far as price, the re-claimed Oak can be pricey.

The guy we used runs a demolition company and he was throwing all this stuff away for years. But he started getting lots of people wanting to buy parts of what he was tearing down. So he bought an old "out of business" lumber yard which already had all the shelving space for all the different sizes of reclaimed wood he runs across demolishing stuff. Now he has a thriving reclaimed wood company too. He's an old hippy...so if he likes you he will negotiate with ya.

Here is his re-claimed wood website: Old Texas Wood

We liked a color sample they had in the showroom and so when the installers were on-site they mixed up several sample boards of stain in different shades so we could see it in the cabin and then choose one.

The actual brand/name of the stain is DuraSeal "Chestnut" color.

Bearbait: The poly is DuraSeal Super Hardening Polyurethane for floors.
BTW DuraSeal is is the professional line manufactured by Minwax.

Thanks Zep, I may be doing something similar in the near future.

I actually think that old growth pine is a beautiful wood.

Zep, those floors look great... Very nice shine

BlueGillKiller's floors are nice too... Those are 2 of my favorite species of wood, pine and hickory

Thanks Beaux....I will post more pics after they do the final coat in a few weeks.

A close friend finally got our cabin screen doors built/installed.
I think they look nice.
The carpenter is a semi-retired guy that is good with wood.
He made these doors from scratch.
His pricing was crazy...
I told him "Al this isn't 1955"and paid him more.

Oh man.....those look great Zep!!!

Looks great! Sure remember Rainbo Bread!

The guys an artist

WOW Mark,

Still hitting out of the park!!

What a beautiful place. I don't know how you ever leave and head back to the big city....

They look great! What's the story behind the bread signs?

Thanks guys...as we approach the finish line this summer it gets to be more fun.



Bocomo...just trying to create the feel of an old vintage cabin.

I got lucky and found a lady on e-bay that had some original bread sign door-pulls and she was not asking market value.

These were still in the old wax paper and she said they had been in her attic for years.

Then I found this guy in Canada that is re-creating the door-push that goes on the inside of a screen-door. He does really nice work.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/awesomepushbars/...=p2047675.l2562

Beautiful......all of it!

Thanks sprk!

X2 on what Spark said. Beautiful!

Fully interlocking log corners. No butt and pass for you. Beautiful! I am jealous!

Mark, that's breathtaking.

Thanks AL...mnfish and RAH,

Our long time friend/carpenter also named Al is a true artist.

Al is never in a hurry and likes to work alone.

Here he is hard at work.
(just wish he'd give up smoking so he can stick around longer)

Just extraordinary! Put a plug in for me to encourage him to stick around.

Looks beautiful Zep!

Z for Zep.......

Ha Ha....never thought of that Tbar!

thanks wbuffetjr

Overton's Fish Delivery - Spring 2015. (yesterday)







About to get stuck in mud


Stuck in mud!


Neighbor helped pull Overton's truck out of mud:


Tilapia
Coppernose Bluegill
Fatheads
Golden Shiners
Hybrid Striped Bass
Northern Adult Bass

Zep, is this a new pond? Was wondering, were these fish listed all added this same day? And what size were the stocked fish? And you have done out outstanding job on the cabin

Tracy

Thanks Tracy....my late brother deserves a lot of the cabin credit,
but I am finishing them up trying to live up to his standards.

On the fish....
One newer 1/2 acre pond...
One 4 acre pond & one tank about 8 years old
One small tank 30+ years old.

Yes Overton's dropped them all yesterday.
Some different fish went in different ponds.
I try to get adult size when possible.
Hoping adult size have better chance at not getting eaten.
Of course the fatheads are just snacks.

Zep, if you like adults, you'd love the 1-2 pound HSB I get!!!

Nice Rainman.

I stocked a few adult HSB last year, but have yet to catch one.
But to be honest been busy on other stuff, haven't fished that much.

WOW, A great place and thanks for sharing the pic's, Ideas, and where to find unique items. I know you are proud and living many a persons dream. Add all the memories coming with family and friends and and maybe a family legacy will be born!!! Fun no matter what.
Overtons is great IMHO, and I bet you will be proud for the fish you grow and catch.

Glad you got your fish Mark. Did Walt say if they're still backed up? I bet this weather has made deliveries tough to schedule.

Thanks Al....yep Walt said the rain backed them up big-time. Now they are saying possible tropical storm residue may bring more rain next week!

Found a neat porch bench for the cabin.
Got it placed this past week. I think it looks pretty cool.
About broke our backs...that thing is heavy!

Zep, that's beautiful! What type of wood and how old is the wood?

Kool......!!!

Scott the guy I bought the bench from got it in Mexico. He goes to Mexico and brings back some unique stuff. He said that a lot of benches in Mexico sit really close to the ground...so he added the railroad tie looking boards to the bottom to make it sit higher. I am not sure about the wood, but it is really heavy and appears very old. I will ask Alberto because he will know. I am trying to purposely buy heavy as hell porch furniture because I hope it might discourage some thieves because of how much work it would be to steal. I may also use some iron anchors. These log chairs a local lady made are also very heavy...and not very expensive.

Here is Alberto!

Mark, when I lived in Oceanside, CA we'd regularly go to Mexico to shop. Especially for home renovations, some of the ceramics and other things were dirt cheap there compared to here in the states.

A contractor buddy bought some hand painted bathroom ceramic sinks. He saved about 600% over the same thing here in the USA.

Nice Scott....how long did you live in Cali?

I was there for 10 years.

love it!!

Not nearly as cool as your bench, but I bet it cost me a lot less. It was in pieces and needed refinishing too. It is good for preaching to the kids too! It is screwed to the floor making it a little more secure.

Since the subject is benches, here are a couple of pics of a bench we have in our 4 seasons room that you guys might enjoy seeing. My wife's BIL made before he passed away. Except for the legs, it is carved from a single teak tree root. I see more critters in it everytime I look at it. The cobra and the owls stick out though. Talk about heavy! You can see a small table he also made in one photo.

WOW!!!

RAH and Bill....I love your benches.

Something about an old wood bench
that just says "slow down and relax".

Bill's bench puts mine to shame, but yep, slow down and relax. Thanks! The bench in Bill's post is spectacular!

Bill that guy had a special talent.
What a family treasure.
I love one of a kind stuff like that.
Thanks for sharing.

ps: I want that table!

Thanks for the feedback. I only had opportuniy to know him a short while before he died. He spoke no english but my understanding is he had no training and worked with the most rudimentary tools. With the high silica content of teak, that is no easy task. It amazes me what he could see in a piece of wood and bring to life. I wish I had that talent. What I really like about the bench is he shows owls eyeing a cobra. Dinner? He made many incredible pieces. I wish I had brought back more of his work from Thailand.

Incredible!

after several flake contractors kitchen back-splash finally done today...





faucets next..

Zep that looks like a Terry Redlin print on tile above the stove? Very sweet kitchen, love the cabinets

Thanks Ben. I was surprised how cheap the tile murals are.

TileMuralStore

I like Darrell Bush stuff as well:
Darrell Bush Americana Art

Good taste Zep, we have one of Darrell Bush's John Deere prints hanging in the family room.

Ben I'm jealous I don't have any of his stuff yet.
Which one do you have?

I like a lot of his cabin paintings and
always thought this one was kind of neat.



Darrell Bush Art - "Early Catch"

Zep, we have Morning Run. Would like a few more when we build our house but after the prints and a decent frame you can rack up quite a bill.

Back splash looks good!

Ben: I know...good quality framing is outrageous these days.
"Morning Run" is a great choice.

Thanks fishm_n.
Can't wait to maybe be able to move some furniture in soon.
It's been a long journey full of surprises.

Today was one of the special days at the property. Perfect temps (63) and the rye grass is now coming in. Looked for dying Tilapia but didn't see any. Hope the bass are gorging on them as metab slows down. I would think the Tilaps need to be meeting with the funeral home director in the next 2-3 weeks.

Mark,
What is your water temp? Mine was 71F just last week. The Tilapia in the barn are really loving it at 80F.

I think the Tilapia will be fine until the water gets a bit colder, and the forecast looks good for now.

Looks like the bass will have to work for their diner for now.

Brian I didn't check it...but it felt warmer to touch than I expected. I'm full...water still going thru drain pipe. Man I saw hog tracks galore!

Beautiful place Zep!

Really would love a cabin over looking a lake beautiful !

Beautiful! Very picturesque.

Hog tracks, HUM.....

We should talk.

NICE !! My surface water temp dropped from 71 to 64 in two days this week.

Tracy

Mark, you've made your brother proud.

ZEP -

Looks like a wonderful, relaxing spread.

Beautiful place Zep!

Yes, absolutely beautiful!

Well tonight is the first night I will spend on the property.

It is a special night...exciting, but also emotional.

My older brother and I started construction in Feb 2013 and he died unexpectedly in July 2014. He was the real brains/construction guy and I was left to finish the last 30% of the project on my own. I have tried as best as I could to carry on, fill his shoes, and make him proud.

So here I sit tonight with a glass of wine wishing he was here,
but knowing he is looking down with his blessings.

(took these pictures today)



sundown


This video in some way sums up how I feel tonight...
we all lose special people along our journey...
but certain one's leave us with a "hell of a vision".



Goodnight guys...

Zep, many a man has a vision, but few pursue the vision. Thumbs up to you and yours. I would expect your brother is there in Spirit. I believe in such things.

Tracy

Quite the journey Mark.

Well done Mark! You did your brother proud! Yourself too!

+1 Turned out perfect!

Almost daily I get clues reminding me that I am totally without artistic ability. I can only envy and salute the talents of the mind that conceived and constructed the head and footboards of that bed. You, Sir or Madam, are truly a talented and gifted artist.

+1 and the snip it from Lonesome Dove...... Wow!!!

That is just way too cool! That's like A 1 perfect! Well done!!!

The palce looks amazing! I am sure he is happy!

Thanks guys...it was amazing to wake up at the property this morning.


Dudley the lady that makes the log furniture
just south of Dallas is very talented and has
relatively reasonable prices.

Check out this coffee table she made:



http://finewoodcarvings.org/about_us.htm

Postcard perfect, Zep!

What a special place for you!

Beautiful place, Zep! Sorry, to hear about your brother's untimely death. You've done him proud! Most serene place I've seen in some time...
Charlie

Beautiful cabin, Zep. Nice appointments and attention to detail. Congrats on its completion.

I have sort of a hobby of designing and sketching small dwellings, and I've built a couple of small cabins. I always try to make reasonable use of every last square inch of floor space, yet maintain roominess throughout. I really like the kitchen layout in your cabin, for it exemplifies efficient use of space. You have a fully functional and sufficiently spacious kitchen, yet it only consumes what appears to be about 30sq ft. of floor space............... Well done!

Mark,
The first night will always be special.

My guess is that George and your brother hoisted one while looking down with smiles on their faces.

If I ever try to finish my book, I would like to borrow the guest cabin and soak in some of the inspiration.

You have not just finished, you did in fact knock it out of the park. What a gift. What a great place.

Life is not always easy but is worth the effort. Zep the two of you started a journey that will go on for generations. Well done , very well done indeed !! Thanks for sharing the journey with all of us.

Zep thanks for sharing, too amazing for words - beautiful place and I'm happy for you. Hoping for many years of enjoyment.

Zep, that is nothing short of amazing! Maybe someday my place will get remotely close to that, that would be plenty good for me. Your brother has a big smile on his face!!

Thanks guys...I feel very blessed.

Cisco come for a visit next time you are in this neck of the woods.

Hard to believe a year ago this week was Pond Conference 2015.



Thanks gully washer...that's my brother's design work. The only credit I can take is the counter-top, back-splash, and small mural.

I have since added some antique glass and a light to the cabinet above the microwave for a nice back-lit liquor cabinet. LiquorCabinetAddedAboveMicrowave

ps: Btw...here is another cabin my brother built in Colorado years ago. He just had log cabin building in his blood.
http://lakecitycoloradorealestate.com/photos.php?property_ID=153865

Zep, amazing work by you and your brother! Wish that I had met your brother. Just love seeing a craftsman at work. Suspect that you may be underrating your work as well. Thank you for sharing with your vision with all of us.

Dang, your brother's Colorado cabin is off the hook! What a challenge it must have been to build, especially in that location. The suspension bridge alone is a tremendous accomplishment, let alone that masterpiece of a cabin.

What a beautiful setting! I think that I would actually be afraid to stay there...... because I would never want to leave. lol

+1 ^^^^^

Can you imagine the look on the roofers face when he pulls up to replace those shingles??? And the owner says "be sure and catch all the waste"

Looked like Spring yesterday at the cabin:



Smokey the Bear



Been having a bee problem inside cabin (actually wasps & mud daubers)
Rented this Genie Lift yesterday...worked great.
Best $85 I ever spent.
Bees, wasps, mud daubers are now sealed outside where they should "be"



Hunting bee illegal entry points on the Lift



the lift ruined the bees day

Very nice!