Carriage Barn Transformation

Cue stately carriages and teams of handsome horses, for Rosslyn’s carriage barn transformation is complete. Or, perhaps better put, the *current* carriage barn transformation is complete. For the common denominator across this property’s two century narrative — homestead to one Essex’s founding families, seasonal home and yacht dock, vacation rental, hotel-resort, and year-round home once again — is reimagination and transformation.

Let’s just say that the carriage barn de-lumbering, cleanout and cleanup, and refinishing that I introduced almost a month ago on August 6 has reached picture perfect conclusion as you’ll witness soon when I begin sharing photographs from Jen Cypress (dwellingphotography.com) and Susan’s final photoshoot.

Here is an abbreviated excerpt that I shared at the outside of the project.

With an eye to the delicate art of rehabilitating a patinaed place without diminishing the wabi-sabi virtue that distinguishes it… [the carriage barn interior] restaining begins.

[…]

[After] sanding off the graffiti while minimizing obvious transitions from sanded to unsanded wood… [it was time to refinish.]

By alternating stain colors, as well as alternating light buffing with sandpaper, progress is being made to blend new and old together again. (Source: Carriage Barn Restaining Begins)

In the weeks since Tony took charge of this ambitious project, gradually evolving a series of techniques for preserving the rich wabi-sabi textures while removing paint, repairing damage, and generally rehabilitating the character rich environment.

As of today, it’s been a little over a week since Tony completed the project, refinishing the carriage barn interior whenever rain stalled outdoor projects that took precedent on sunny days.

While Tony focused on refinishing, Glen focused on purging and transporting, downsizing and organizing. Tony’s wife, Renee, even came in over the weekend to help meet the ambitious deadline in time for Jen and Susan’s photography last Wednesday.

Accolades aplenty are due Tony Foster for painstakingly refinishing the 1st story interior of Rosslyn’s carriage barn. Superb results! Thank you, Tony.