For the last three years we have been building
a little sanctuary on a remote island in Washington's
San Juan Island chain, on one of the outermost
of the "out islands" before Canadian waters.
It's a 2700 square-foot home, but because
of the vast 24-foot ceiling and bigger-than-life
windows, it feels much larger. In deciding to
place a fireplace smack in the middle of that 24-foot
vastness, it was a puzzle how to do that without it
looking ridiculously obnoxious.
Luckily, I have a very talented friend.
Establishing the base, fireboxes and foundation.
Sneak-peek at the chandelier that will eventually go up.
Choosing colors from sample boards for
the plaster treatment the chimney will get.
Stone, hearth, and lintel in place.
The living room side
The dining room side.
In comes my friend, ready to work her magic.
Artist Donna von Holdt and her assistant (husband)
Mark Waring build scaffolding and begin filling cracks.
Long first day.
Mark begins applying the burlap that will cover the entire chimney.
Donna is fast on Mark's heels applying her
ingenious plaster mix over the burlap.
Color check with the stone.
Plaster on, dry, sand, repeat.
Plaster all on.
Then the tedious job of applying the wax.
And buffing the wax.
Standing back to admire.
The last patch of wax goes on.
Detail.
Metal sample that will adorn the mantle,
picking up the deeper hues of the wax.
Day Seven, completion.
Bringing in nature...
...Madrona branch, Wild Currant and Ocean Spray.
Well-deserved meal off the land:
Dungeness crab, morel toasts, greens.
After Donna and Mark packed up and left,
the carpenters came back and finished the mantle,
made from Douglas fir from the property.
The living room side.
The dining room side with wood stove.
Metal artist Tom Brumm adds metal
detailing on the mantle, and behind wood stove.
Tom Brumm builds a stunningly beautiful screen.
It does get chilly in the islands when outside,
so up goes an outside fireplace.
Incredible piece of Montana Stone (found in Montana) for the hearth.
Hearth cut and placed just so.
The mantle is a piece of driftwood found on our beach...
...complete with bolts, iron bits, and beach pebbles.
This side looks like a whale to me.
It is fulfilling and deeply satisfying to create
beautiful things out of the land we inhabit,
especially when those things are made with
the skills and love of artists and craftsmen.
Architectural designs by Jeff Hope, Hopehaus Design.
Construction by Tom Nolan, Island Shelter Co.
Plaster treatment by Donna von Holdt, artist.
Metal work by Thomas Brumm, Blue Rock Studios.
