Passage to Nowhere

I can now say with certainty that one small corner of the room is done. I have put the last touches on the closet and we can pull the curtain on that part of the project. Literally.

Everything needed pulled out of there, spackle dust wiped off, and stacked about in the corners. I painted the inside and the original trim molding I'd saved from earlier the darker green. It all just went back together fine. A simple enjoyable project with no hidden surprises.

The tassels are a Walmart find of all places as were the curtains. I like the look of them tied back but they don't HIDE anything that way. I'll probably add another curtain behind the two tied back ones. Oops..did I say done?

The other tiny little project was a replacement of one of the electrical outlets entirely and a fancy-pants faceplate treatment for all. The gold paint was too much so I washed them with a thinned black weathering solution which settled in the crevasses to bring out the details. Not too bad.

It's gotten too freekin' cold to paint my track lighting so I am moving onto the floor. I don't remember seeing much of the floor in the movie but I don't see any reason why Nemo wouldn't have put in a wood top over the metal structure to keep things a little warmer and quieter in a noisy damp sub.

Dark side of the Room Part 1

What we have here is the result of a series of compromises. The main problem was converting a 4 by 3 foot square window into something resembling one of the bulbous domes from the Nautilus. Since I had angeled this wall using a sloping false wall I had to create a piece to match that slope, evoke "roundness", and still allow for the main insert to be removable, in case of fire or whatnot.

Picture one shows the insert. It sets inside and upon a small frame inside the window sill area. It is also attached with two ring bolts that have been darkened to blend better. The unpainted circular area in the center will be cut away and an acrylic convex dome coming inside into the room with a diameter of about 2 feet will go in which will hopefully provide enough light for normal functions. The insert does not go all the way to the top you may notice. This is because this south facing wall gets very hot in summer and I wanted the air to be able to move freely. I can still see the top of the main window too so more hidey work needs done.

Picture two shows the hood installed. I just now figured out whats bothering me. The three inch strip needs replicated on both sides of the hood for continuity with the insert. That will make me happier about it.

Last picture is a treatment for the section below the window sill. It is a half-moon shape that will sport that fanciful scroll piece from Hobby Lobby hopefully breaking up the window area still further.

I am waiting to order the dome for a while so it will stay ugly for now. I am hoping to have the "eye" lighted using solar pathway lights.

In the meantime track lighting for the ceiling and closet flooring.

Plot me a course to the island of Crespo

Well now THAT map looks a lot better!

It went together quite well the 2nd time around. For scale I should tell you that the whole thing is five and a half feet by around four feet. This one is laminated and that process has made the colors a little richer than the first map plus it is easier for the magnets to slide over. Each of the magnets has a twin on the back side holding it in place. A decorative button adorns the top magnets which ride over the maps' surface and are attached using two-part epoxy.

The magnets are powerful enough to follow each other when the top one gets moved so they can be placed over a ships plan at will keeping things firmly in place for taking reference measurements or just general study. If I pull the top magnet too far away and the inner one drops there is a lip catching them on the inside and its just a matter of hovering over the right spot till you hear the "click" of magnet mating. It really does work slicker than I thought it would.

The skinny window has gotten its deep-sea frame attached and looks as nautical as a long skinny window is apt to look. To the right and in the other three corners I have put up the last of the riveted strips. I thought they needed to be a little smaller for some variety and they still need a little weathering yet. Next up is the big window where I will be going for the glowing "alligator" eyes look.

That should get the neighbors a little more nervous than they already are...