Saturday, July 30, 2011

Tight Places With Lots of Room

I don't think that's a seat but it will do!

Some of the finished piece, grouted.
The closeup is almost unrecognizable as the same thing.

Especially before we've finished!



The doors were tricky because people were installing the granite in there. We worked late, when they were done, or on the weekend.


End of day twenty-three






End of day twenty-four


Thumbs up from Mortar Mike


Ferruccio has been doing all the peeling, fixes and grouting!

End of day twenty-five!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Let There Be Light

The first of many fancy lights gets intsalled
Mike has to cut some of the pieces to fit. He does this with a grinder.
(Valentina poses in the background for the other cameras)


There was a little accident with a runaway forklift whose hand break didn't work...
(it has since been replaced)

Luckily the driver got to it in time and turned the wheel because, though there is significant damage...

It was heading straight for us!

End of day (hmmmm, let's see...) eighteen!


A few views from scaffolding/scissor lifts...


End of day nineteen!

Sometimes, the pieces don't fit perfectly (for various reasons) so while installing, we pull out pieces that aren't going in.

And then put them back in later.


Cutting around the door seemed a bit tricky but Mike did a great job!

End of day twenty-one!






End of day twenty-two!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

The Hottest Week In Toronto

The two things that take us up

I like this one the best

Today (Monday) Ferrucio started grouting


Monday night we had the privilege of having dinner with Stephen at his house and got a tour of his studio. The oil paintings in the back (a set of three, one hidden) are the original inspiration for the Trump Towers project.  They have been sold to a museum in Ontario


While there, we took a look at the other paintings he's working on.  He described in detail his methods and how he achieves certain results, which was really interesting. Again, we were very privileged to have a private tour!

And get up close

Here Stephen shows us some prints

His studio from outside.

What the piece would look like grouted in white...

but luckily is just see through!

More installing today. Did we mention how hot it is? About 32 degrees, EVERDAY
(except tomorrow, which will be 48 with humidity, awwwwesome.)


End of day sixteen!