Progress on converting the barns to an art school is slow but happening. This motley crew installed "old growth" white oak flooring, which we got for a good price from Elmwood Reclaimed Timber in Smithville, MO. The boards came in three widths and have plenty of knots and blemishes that add interest and variety to a floor that would otherwise look too modern for an old barn. Virginia and Doug debated on whether to put down wide pine boards like most ancient buildings have; however, pine is much too soft for the traffic and abuse we expect the floor to have to take.
The installers were Tim Gothers and Jeb Wells of Gothers Woodworking, Wethersfield, and Gary Vivian, our architect, also from Wethersfield. Someone once said: "Work fascinates me, I can sit an watch it for hours." Watching these men work was truly fascinating! They were competent, quick, knew how to work through difficult problems and a pleasure to have on the job.
In addition to putting down oak boards in the classroom and studios, Doug laid tile in the bathrooms.
