While Mr and Mrs Monday are feeling decision-overload in the Never Ending Renovation, us first-of-the-week visitors will notice some progress.

The three coats of plaster mud have been applied to all the walls joints and screws. Each coat was sanded after it dried. The final sanding left a gorgeously smooth wall.

Primer was then rolled on to the thirsty drywall. They used a lot of it:

I’m insanely jealous of Courtney’s ability to pour from such a big pail into a smaller hand held pail without spilling even a drop.

However, the first coat of paint is more reflective on the surface than was the finished drywall, and numerous imperfections in the plaster coat were visible upon close inspection. All these were then replastered and feathered by the crew. This is called the PrimeCheck.

When the last fix ups were repainted, it was truly a smooth wall:

The first coat of a finish colour is now going on:

It is best to paint the walls before applying the recycled baseboards and doorway trims, since the wood overlaps the drywall. There is thus less edge to “cut” and get straight. New exterior doors have also been ordered.

Readers with long memories may recall the discovery of a secret window in the back addition. Actually, a secret hole, as the window was missing, leaving the opening barely hidden behind v-groove panelling on the inside, and the metal siding on the exterior. No insulation … and sure to be drafty summer and winter.

A new vertical single-hung window was ordered and waited for a while …

And then, ta da, the hole was fully opened up and the new window is about to be inserted:

Meanwhile, down in the basement, the main ductwork has all been put into place, screwed tightly, and joints sealed with special foil tape (NOT “duct tape”).

The basement ceiling is low, even lower where there are beams and ductwork. And there is a forest of posts too. The basement will be useful for storing bikes and garden furniture in the winter, and for ageing wine. It will not be useful for storing paper goods, clothing, or anything that might go moldy or musty. The basement feels less damp than in the spring, but it is early to tell if it is really drying out with the improved air circulation or if the dampness will return. In the fall, the basement will be heated with the gas furnace, which will also aid in drying.