Last Stages of Painting the DV - Summer 2016 - Completed

The Dusty Victorian, June 2016

The Dusty Victorian has a fresh new lace ribbon around her hat.

Painter Eric Voermans started two and a half weeks ago on the front of the tower part and ended yesterday on the side of the tower, seen above and below.

The moment after Eric applied his last stroke of paint to The Dusty Victorian.

We are very pleased with our decision in hiring Eric Voermans for this paint job. He was professional,  punctual, clean and courteous. He proceeded with caution for himself and for the surrounding gardens. He gave us an excellent, fair and honest estimate cost. Very quiet, we only heard the clangs of his ladders once in a while. No ghetto blaster playing awful commercial hits or country/western tunes, too often heard when hiring contractors. 

Once on his ladder, Eric is focussed and efficient like The Terminator, he even has a similar accent. 

But unlike The Terminator, he has a nice and warm personality.

Eric Voermans

E.V Painting and Decorating

Last Stages of Painting the DV - Summer 2016 - Part IV

The Dusty Victorian Corner Details

Monday morning, Eric was punctual as usual, starting his day at 8:00 am. It had rained heavily the night before, but with a deep overhang, dampness was not an issue. Things dry pretty quickly when on a hill as there's often a breeze.

Here he is on the south side of what use to be the servants' section.

Having passed the corner, here he is above the library window. The end of the veranda was painted by moi a few years ago.

Finishing off the South side right at the front corner. Loads of nooks and crannies. 

The corner is done and Eric has made it to the front of the house.

 This is pretty much where Eric left off today. He will come back tomorrow for the last stretch and the completion of the project.

I'm sure he will never forget The Dusty Victorian - she is memorable for so many reasons.

Last Stages of Painting the DV - Summer 2016 - Part III

Another hot and sunny day here in Southern Ontario, perfect for exterior painting jobs. We've been very lucky that the weather was cooperating for our project.

Yesterday, Eric finished painting the highest and most diffucult part of the house.

The shutters will soon be added to complete the look. But our shutters are not just there for easthetical perpuses, they are still functional and help in keeping the house cooler in summer and warmer in winter. The top shutters will be kept closed, the bottom ones will remain open.

 Here he is around the corner to the north side of the house.

Detail

 Here he is towards the back amongst the trees, almost finished with that section.

Still on the north side, but in the recessed part, with the kitchen door below. One can see by the difference in brick colouration that there was once a mud room attached to this section.

 Finishing today on the Eastern side of the house. 

 We will see Eric on Monday after a well deserved restful weekend.

Last Stages of Painting the DV - Summer 2016 - Part II

Day 6: After a restful weekend away from the DV, Eric was back at it early Monday morning.
E.V. Painting and Decorating

Here he is on the south side near the front corner.

Around the corner working on the front of the house. The DV is built on a hill so setting up his ladder requires extra precaution.

Day 7: Eric started on the tower part which includes the upper window.

Finishing day 7 on a high note with the sanding and priming mostly done.

And now for the top coat colours!

Last Stages of Painting the DV - Summer 2016

The last stages of painting our house is underway, but this responsibility has been entrusted to experienced professional St Marys' painter Eric Voermans. I can handle many repairs, but I know my limits; vertigo is one of them. Facia, soffit, brackets, sawn scroll work, bargeboard, finials, are all outside my comfort zone because they are 20 to 26 feet above terra firma. 

Eric's process is to first go all around the house, scraping, sanding and priming. 

Then, go around again to paint. 

Four colours will be used.

Day 1: Eric started with the front corner of the north face and made his way to the back.

Day 2: Here he is ending the northern face on the narrower portion of the house (aka the servants' quarters).

Day 3: He started on  the eastern face of the servants' quarters.

Day 4: He made his way around to the south side of the servants quarters.

Stay tuned for Eric's progress on the DV.