It nearly is, until we start repairing damage - but that's a whole other story.
This story, about our restoration of Coutts Sailors House really is almost complete.
While originally the surface of the verandah (at ground level) was probably concrete, and that is what we had after having to replace the verandah slab; we had to admit it looked just a little unfinished, a little rough and ready, and not up to the stature of the house.
So there was much deliberation...At one time we had thought we might replace the tesselated tiles that were there when we purchased the place, but research and consultation led us to believe that they were not original - more likely added when the Home became Sister Kenny's Polio Hospital (as part of NSW Health).
So we rescued the few uncrazed tiles for use in the project as a hearth in the dining room around the 'coal' fire, and as a back doorstep, and went back to research and investigation mode.
Our learned colleagues suggested that the original surface would most likely have been sandstone pavers, so in concurrence, that is what we selected; though not in nice even squares! Instead the solid sandstone pavers come in bullnose (for the edge) and then in three sizes for the inner portion...a bit of a jigsaw puzzle.
We had to wait for the stone, so in the meantime we got to work on the (postage stamp size) garden...the pictures show a tidied area - and with scoria driveway! More on the garden in later posts.
The jigsaw puzzle was expertly done by the stonemason Selwyn Robinson. The effect, we think, is stunning, and most people seem to agree.
The beginnings looked like this:
from the truck onto the block -
the first of several pallets of sandstonestone.
...note the scoria driveway!
...and apologies for the garbage bin!
(around the edge...where else?)
and then the jigsaw puzzle began in earnest!
UNTIL......
still a way to go.
but you get the idea.
The idea was that the paving would look as if it was meant to be there as part of this (as new)
heritage property.
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