Gates and More Cabinets

With a driveway nearly a mile long, controlling access is an issue. Another complication is maintaining a wildlife-proof barrier around the house without making it too inconvenient for drivers. Last week, our solution was completed. At the street, there is a gate with an intercom and keypad. When we drive up, we can open the gate via a remote. Guests can press a button on the intercom which rings the house phone. We can then open the gate remotely. Alternatively, the gate can be opened by punching in the appropriate numeric code.

Up at the house, there is another gate where the deer fence crosses the road. This one is completely automatic; a well-timed sensor has it open by the time a car reaches the gate and closes it after it goes through.

Gate control

Gate and the opener.

The garage door was also installed this week. Like the shop door, it moves remarkably easily in spite of its heavy weight.

Garage door

The cabinet installation continues in the kitchen and common areas. The cabinets with stainless or concrete counters (kitchen, project room, and pool) take precedence since the counter fabrication can't start until the cabinet installation is complete.

Some of the other cabinets (Susan's and my desk) have tops made out of Richlite, a composite material made out of paper and resin. Richlite was first used as the surface material in skateboard parks so it is quite durable.

Kitchen cabinets from dining area

Kitchen cabinets

Hall cabinets.

The floor in my shop may need one more coat of oil and then it is done. The wood is end grain douglas fir which is pretty much indestructible. I decided on oil since it will stand up to the rough treatment of a shop much better. The shop walls come next which are prefinished plywood.

Shop floor

The finish electrical work has also started with fixtures and switches being installed. We decided very early in the design process that we did not want air conditioning; although the days can be quite warm, a breeze comes up every day at about 3 pm and then disipates around 6 pm. The house is situated to take advantage of this but also has a large whole house fan and lots of ceiling fans.

Master bedroom.