#sawdust

today's gregor samsa is: in the machine that turns you into one tonne of sawdust (a vision was had)

I like my villains how I like my sawdust:

I’m working on building a fireplace/curio cabinet thing for my entryway in my 120 year old house. It’s loosely based on the black and white photo here, only I want something scaled to my house, and more asymmetrical, more Addams Family. It’s my sanity project because it’s distracting me from Trump Stupidity for a few hours a day, and it’ll be a sort of personal memorial to self care, in time.

It’s still in early stages; I cobbled together a crude rendering of the top and bottom halves thus far.

I have been collecting all the elements for this for decades; antique spindles and railings, finials and random millwork, some old wallpaper. It’s very gratifying to see them finally put to use, rather than jumbled in boxes. I keep altering the design as I go, incorporating more elements, changing my mind as it develops. There’s a tall, narrow wall opposite my front door, adjacent to the staircase, where it will fit perfectly, and to the left are some full-sized matching columns that are original to the house, framing the entry to the parlor.

Many more hours of building ahead, then finishing and installing. There is a small electric fireplace that will go in the opening. I have a few more throughout the house; they’re nice for the flickering light without polluting the air. More photos to come, to show progress.