Building Gypsy Rose

“Site built” windows are a rarity in today’s building environment. Before taking on the framing of the gable windows, I searched for “how-to” information online. The search came up very thin. The best help I found was in the form of a single illustration in one of my Taunton Press books, labeled “traditional window.” From there, I set out to make it work on Gypsy’s gable windows. (My son, Jackson, calls them “house windows” because they’re shaped like the houses he drew at an early age.) I framed them in Meranti for weather resistance and contrast with the pine on the interior walls. Like a wooden puzzle, the pieces were all cut and fitted into an interlocking frame to support the glass. The upper triangle will eventually be fitted with stained glass artwork. The lower sash (yet to be built) will be a split window that opens outward on shutter hinges, but for this winter we’ll temporarily install fixed glass in both top and bottom.

With the loft paneled and the gable windows framed, it’s time to move the work downstairs.

En route from Vermont to Connecticut, we made another stop at W.R. Robinson Lumber in Massachusetts for some more tongue and groove pine. Marion took on the task of sealing the wood with polyurethane (one hundred and twenty one eight-footers).

Before installing the pine on the living/dining room walls, I ran the wiring for the d.c. lights through the studs and installed the insulation.

Next will come the electrical wiring and rough-in plumbing for the bathroom and kitchen. Things will get a bit more complicated in that space. The one thing that becomes abundantly clear when working in a small house is that forethought in the design phase is critical. With very little room to fit the various elements of the house it becomes a tightly fitted puzzle. Inches (and even fractions of inches) matter. Before cutting pipe and running wire I took some more time to sort out the specifics of how it will all coexist along the back walls. At the drawing board (aboard Raven), I wove together the water heater, the pressure pipe manifold and pipe runs, the drainage pipes, the 12-volt battery banks, battery charger, a.c. wiring, distribution panel, etc.

Through it all, Marion keeps me going with a smile.