The Year 2007

It was a busy year in Hochhausen ... perhaps the busiest to date since we've taken this house on as a project. A long time since our last post, but this should bring you up to date with a nice slide show.



Our projects this year include:
- A renovated exterior with structural repair to the historic fachwerk
- New eves and gutters
- A renovated kitchen
- Two new bathrooms with modern showers and hot water
- The old attic was turned into an occupiable loft space
- New tile in the front entry hall
- New paint throughout

The Fruit Orchard

Here are some pictures of the fruit orchard behind the house. There are cherry, apple, and walnut trees, as well as some blackberrys;)

Here you can see where we are trying to grow a new lawn.

 

Permit Drawings: Part II

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Permit Drawings: Part I

 

Window Shutters

Here is a sample of what the window shutters will look like.
Franz (our carpenter) holding one of the sample shutters at the Westhold workshop.
One of the shutters installed. Primed gray only. Colors have not yet been selected.
The shutter operation is shown here. These shutters are being tested for proper fit in the openings.

 

The Plan

Here you can see the existing condition. This plaster was applied over the wood beams (fachwerk) at some point during the history of the house. The goal is to restore the house back to its original condition.
With the plaster removed you can see the stone foundation and the historic fachwerk.
Here is a picture of what we envision the plaster to look like at completion. Of course our fachwerk will not look as straight, but that is what adds the character!
Here is a more realistic version of what the house could look like when completed. Note the fachwork character.

 

Some Before Pictures

Here are some before pictures of the house taken in January 2006.
From the Courtyard
From the Yard
Looking thru to the entrance to the courtyard

 

Opening the Family Room Ceiling

Michael and Oliver demolishing the ceiling.
The ceiling and attic floor boards removed (looking south towards the loft)
From loft looking down
The author inspecting the cool new double height space

Das Haus

From Across the Street
From the Yard (the Yellow Plaster addition will be demolished, pending permit approval)
The Barn

 

First Post!

Ok, so this is it. Hauptstrasse 38, Hassmersheim, Germany. Techinically in Hochhausen, the postal address shows up in Hassmersheim. In any case this blog aims to keep those interested in the the progress of the project. So the following posts will allow you to keep track of the project as things progress.

Cheers,

Andrew