Before and After

Some of the many changes occurring here at the castle. Tin, paint, un-shellacing and de-flowering... if the Lilac is considered a flower that is.

Kitchen before new paint

Kitchen after new paint, the color is actually a bit darker than in the photo.

I stripped the kitchen closet door since it was looking shabby after installing the tin ceiling and then painting the kitchen walls and molding.

 

Then I had to strip the kitchen door since it was right next to the closet door and next it will be the hall door followed by the hall molding. Not too difficult, just time consuming and since I have a few spare cycles I figured I would get it out of the way. I scrape off the bulk of the finish and use denatured alcohol to dissolve the remainder.

Kitchen door before

Kitchen door after

I also pulled out ye old lilac bush. We had moved some younger shoots from it to the other side of the yard and waited till they bloomed before digging up the parent. I potted up a bunch of 1 year, 2 year and some 3+ year plants. I can't see just throwing the whole plant away. I have managed to give away the bulk and only have one large specimen left.

South East corner before

 

Southeast corner after

Thoughts for the new space ranged from Japanese garden, water garden, cottage garden, shade garden to big green egg home. That is the Big Green Egg in the last photo, to the right of my dog's torso. I would like a heather garden, but that spot is too shady. I think we will put down the slate from a used pool table we which never put together, move the bench there and plant behind it and put some of the potted alpines and troughs around the bench.