Raising the Roof, Rocks, and Fireplaces

Now that we are actually getting somewhere with the renovation, I haven't posted in a while!  After demo, the first two projects we are tackling are the 3rd floor space and the screened in porch.

At the outset of construction, the rear exterior facade had a Monterrey balcony.  Mrs. Nell (the original owner) purchased cots for her 5 children to sleep on the balcony during nice weather!  This was pre-central AC, and the now-grown children shared fond recollections!  The balcony was interesting and quirky, but it wasn't fitting into our renovation plans practically or aesthetically.  (A Dutch door off the master bath, anyone?!)  It was also presenting some hazards (a Dutch door off of my son's bedroom, complete with 30 foot drop?!)  We had the balcony removed.

Original facade looked like this:

New facade without Monterrey balcony:

And now, the roof is partially removed with the new dormers framed and going up!  The dormer style is called a Nantucket dormer.  (Fitting for my love of all things Nantucket!)  This is a combination between a shed dormer and more traditional Cape Cod pitched, gabled dormers.  Practically speaking, these larger (egress) windows were mandatory for the sleeping space, and the smaller windows in the shed portion let in additional light.  The shed allows for increased head height on the interior.  

There will be a generous screened porch on the right (from the street) side of the house.  After a long wait to have our power meters moved, the footings were dug this month!  The porch will feature an outdoor fireplace that I think we will really enjoy!  

Here is my inspiration photo for the outdoor fireplace.  

As you may have noticed, the existing chimneys are all historic brick.  I am a sucker for a stone fireplace, though, and this is my only chance!  I've been driving around town looking for houses I admire to see if any of them feature both brick and stone chimneys.  As soon as I found a house I love with both chimney materials, I was good with mixing it up!  

During my visit to Big Rock this week, I learned waaaaay too much about stone.  How it's cut (flagstone vs. veneer), how it's sold (by the ton vs. by the square foot), Ashler cut and mosaic cuts...I am gravitating to the grey toned stone.  More about fireplaces and fireplaces in a later post!

I am excited that we are finally building up instead of just tearing the house apart!