In reply to questions asked elsewhere that will probably never be noticed here, “no, I’m not doing well at present”… However I’m in a safe place and I’ll get through it – since it’s just you and me, how about a few more pictures of the “caboose” project?
The last 5% of a project is always the hardest 95% but the last round of details: natural finishes, color palette, tile textures – as well as a few key safety arrangements and installation of some pieces which have been waiting for months to find their home, will be worth it in the end
I present to you:
1) The “kaidandansu” stairs/drawers-cupboard – which is generally movable however in this case, attached for earthquake safety and sits on top of a sturdy Gumwood base which will bring even with the bed height… This gives us a wonderful Taisho-era design element for displaying a few treasures as well as drawers for me to keep my medicines at hand
2) The Washlet loo with the hand cleaning sink built into the tank for eco + space saving handiness. Of course there’s a whole touch panel with many features for cleaning one’s self quite wonderfully. The water closet walls are finished in a sort of salmon/spring blossom plaster with elements of nature (leaves, twigs, charcoal) embedded within
3) Café corner counter, with backsplash part partially completed in tile – tactile, subtle and rugged all at same time – awaiting some pieces of ceramic from a master potter in Kumamoto from whom we purchased 3 lovely blue mugs (one on shelf) for use in this area along with the marine/boat-sized sink with a pull out gooseneck faucet on Gumwood countertop with a grounded-fault plug for a coffee maker (I’m leaning percolator for various reasons)
4) Blue window shades – one translucent and one mostly opaque covering the UV filtering window facing north for soft ambient lighting, looks out on Ryoko’s Permaculture land and family bamboo forest {Notice the brand new heat pump/air conditioner installed with the condenser tucked around the side of the wall out of view outside while not interrupting the beautiful vibes of the charcoal wall, and the washi paper globe light {All the light fixtures are different styles}
5) Tsuchikabe – the Earth wall which you may have caught in progress with charcoal cypress on the outside, then hemp insulation (imported from Germany), followed by a bamboo lattice (harvested from our land) then soil (from the foundation) mixed with straw and well water to put on the first coat, then a green coat with a line evoking shodo calligraphy and the year of the snake, made from charcoal, yes also made 2 m from the house
Next step: hang a few hooks, finish the backsplash, move the bed, sleep for a very long time
Oh what wait, I came here to show you a picture of the sewing corner where we just moved the work table – well, I made an effort
