Opportunities #4 & #5: Windows and Ceiling

We actually have a working kitchen -- refrigerator, stove, sink and even a dishwasher (which is the odd black and white thing straight ahead in the central photo -- the front panel fell off a couple of years ago).  Only about 1 square foot of counter space however, so no Cordon Bleu meals will be happening soon.  

This photo collage shows the state of the ceiling. From left to right: looking west towards the front hall (e.g., the pantry/hallway), looking north towards the kitchen proper and the little half-bath, and looking up at the ceiling overhead (all photos taken standing just in front of the doorway to the dining room).  I've talked about the black serpent in the upper right corner of the middle photo -- the heating vent to the bathroom upstairs.  The cock-eyed photo on the right shows the one light fixture jerry-rigged in right now, and all three photos show the state of the original ceiling -- a mix of broken lathe and plaster, bare plaster (with water stains) and partially painted plaster.  (The wood-toned division between tan walls and green upper walls is the structural remains of the dropped ceiling -- 2x4s nailed to the wall -- It is hard, but you need to imagine that gone.) 

The wide blue tape (at the corners and along the top) on the window over the sink is roughly outlining dimensions for a new window in the north wall.  (Sorry it's not clearer, I ran out of tape and wasn't thinking of photos when I put it up.)  The existing window was installed in the 1950's remuddle of the house -- as with other windows they replaced then, it is too big for the space, and doesn't match the style of the house (although to be fair, the woodwork matched the "new" kitchen woodwork). Clearly, they were trying to add as much light as possible to the room (to the extent that the 2" frame has been cut into to make it fit the wall). But the light that comes in that window is from the north: it is cold and dim in the winter, and in the summer, it is overly bright and harsh, reflected off the neighbor's light-colored house (that blank wall you see through it in the photo). (Not to mention -- although at this angle you can't see it -- the window looks directly into the neighbor's kitchen window.)

So, we are looking for a replacement window. HomoDommi points out that the window will be one focus of attention in the room -- as you enter from the dining room it is straight ahead, and it will be the only thing on that wall (the sink will be moved -- more about that below).  So we want it to be worthy.  We are searching the antique and rebuilding supply stores for an original. Windows are pretty commonly available here, though -- not necessarily worthy ones, but they do exist -- so I have faith that we will be able to find one (less faith that we will be able to find one in a timely manner -- we may have to consider having one custom-made).

Moving the sink, and possibly adding another window

In the central photo you can also see, to the far left, the red door to the side yard.  There used to be a wall blocking that view, and there will be again (I can't find the words to describe the plane of the wall here, so you'll have to just trust me, and study the photo, if you care -- there is part of a wall still there.)  The sink/dishwasher combination (replaced with new of each) will be turned perpendicular to where it is now, backed up against that to-be-constructed wall.  We are considering installing an opaque window (non-opening) above the sink, in that still-hypothetical wall.  It would let in needed light from the side yard, and give a feeling of openness to the sink.

(A sample "tin ceiling", in white.)

The Ceiling

The default fix for this sort of situation is to throw sheetrock up, covering over any flaws in what remains of the lathe and plaster.  This is, in a way, what the 1950's remuddle did, by lowering the ceiling. And we could do that, too (at a higher elevation) although sheetrock is heavy, and smooth, and kind of boring.  What we're more interested in doing is applying an old-fashioned tin ceiling.  These are 24" lightweight metal squares that you just nail into the lathe and plaster (sort of) -- a lot easier than the sheetrock application, and frankly, it just looks cool. The ceiling tiles can be metallic, or painted.

This house was built at the tag end of the tin ceiling style, but it's not unheard of in period restorations, and -- applied with some restraint -- it can look quite splendid.  Here is a link to some sample tin ceilings. You will note that restraints have not always been applied, making (in my view) some of these rooms look oppressively top heavy.  

No decisions have been made on that, yet.  I expect, when we've got the pipes and venting out of the way, we'll buy a couple of squares and tack them up and see how it looks before committing further.