No computers in 1870? No problem.

Well then...sort of a milestone, the computer desk is now done. It took a little figuring but now the computer, the modem, and all the wiring are hidden from view. The shelf it rests on is supported by a rubber caster and though it may not have been strictly necessary I like the idea of the added support. All the wires are coiled up and contained in a pocket behind the door itself and the modems are velcroed to the top of the case so I can see the status lights should the internet start acting wonky like it does from time to time.

But what about the monitor you ask? There were no CRT's or LED,s or plasma displays in Victorian times. You are so right my suddenly astute history buff. Have no fear the monitor will be hidden as well perhaps as an objet d'art as Jules would have said. That's next.

Note the finished plans holder and oh yes and check out the cool magazine holders. Don't they look neat? They are great. If you watch the movie most of the books in Nemo's library are red leather bound so they fit in so nicely and all my modeling magazines will be handy. As another small project I will be hiding my PC speakers on the upper shelf of the storage area and have decided (at some point) to display a 16" inch scale version of the Disney Nautilus submarine on top to kind of sell the whole 20,000 Leagues thing a bit.

I know many many of you base your lives around my room updates so be warned I am going to be slacking off as warm weather approaches. Things like yard work, holidays, family events and vacations are going to be taking up more of my time but never fear I will continue posting--just at a slower pace.

A Desk Job on the Nautilus?

Well the actual desk portion of the desk project is done though "I had a little trouble with the nailgun" as Charlie Brown might say. I wanted to attach some trim to the front edge of the desk to make it look beefier but glue alone wasn't working so I brought up the big guns and decided to use my power nailer. Trouble was it wasn't putting any nails in but making holes that looked like it was and so off pops the trim when I let go . Trying again and making sure I was getting cold hard steel added about double or triple the nail holes to fill which though now kinda disguised may end up bugging me enough for some kind of redo later.

The top bookcase is going smashingly I must say. As you see it its about halfway to done and I will be adding some decorative trim to the unpainted edges you see to give it some interest. I have ordered some magazine holders that look like old books on their backs and they will be stored here holding my treasured collection of SubCommittee Reports and Fine Scale Modelers for quick, ready and disguised reference anytime.

Below will come a platform and false wall to hide all the cords and the computer box but still make it accessible to put media in it and whatnot. When that is done I have to come up with some kind of new look for the monitor itself since it can't be hid per se and it is a very modern contrivance indeed.

Lastly the plain wood box is the beginning of a chart box. Or in this case a ships plans holder. Its laid out to give you and idea of how I will eventually be drilling holes and pushing dowels through to make a grid pattern. The box is a foot deep or so and should hold a rolled up plan ready for access beside my magnetic wall map. It will eventually sport some adornments and the same lovely red mahogany stain as all of the other wood in here. Models courtesy "Lazy Dog Modeling Service" c/o Matilda and Buddy-Lee.

Then that chair...I'm scared to death of that chair. Seatophobia maybe?

Perhaps It won't be that hard to reupholster....later.

Continental Shelfs

This week some littler projects done and a bigger one started.

I have put up two four foot long shelves with the brackets screwed directly into the wall studs. Upon these two will rest my first R/C modeling effort, a Liberty Ship, and my latest an Ohio class submarine of the type I once rode for fun and profit. Neither will fit exactly but I want to get them on display and out of the garage eventually.

The wonderful looking green orb is a tea light I found at Target a couple weeks ago hanging upon a painted hanging plant hook. Eventually it will be wired up and casting a green glow upon demand. Why? I don't know, nothing like it in the movie but its still neat.

Thirdly I have begun installing the built in desk after staining it the same dark mahogany as the chair. Its a very early picture to show the idea and I think you get the drift. Underneath will be storage to hide the computer case and most of the wiring and on top will be a short bookshelf type structure for even more storage most likely SubCommittee Reports and FineScale Modeler magazines I imagine.

The desk will occupy most of the coming week and hopefully I will have some finished looking images for you next time.

Captains Chair

Progress was slow this week due to a busy birthday schedule which included a trip to Joes Crab Shack for a bucket O' crab and a dessert of frozen crepe bananas foster instead of Mr. Lands' "pudding" of sauté of unborn octopus. Delightful!

What I DID acomplish was to take apart that old chair which was full of hundred year old dust, horsehair for cushions and something that looked like dried lawn clippings. Made quite a mess. Fortunately I kept all the fabric to use as templates for cutting new ones and will be substituting modern day cushy foam cut to size for the packing.

It took a couple tries to strip off all the old varnish and another couple coats of stain to get it looking good again. I will give it a further couple coats of glossy polyurethane shortly. When that dries I'll cut the foam and fabric and tack it all back together into what I hope will be a serviceable computer chair.

(NOTE) Everything I have said previously about the computer desk portion of this project please disregard. While I had measured everything correctly and laid it out just so in my mind, I just didn't like the looks of the modified store bought desk next to my storage units so I decided to go for a built-in type thing based loosely on a table I spied in one of the movie stills I refer to as I go through this project. It will be stained to match the wood of the chair and shelves and should look sweet. The computer case and all the cords will be hidden as well.

I'm also excited to have ordered the round skylight to serve as my "salon" window which should look totally awesome when I'm done with it.

Stay tuned sports fans...

Davey Jones' lockers

Its still Sunday, so I made it. Barely. But look what I got done this week.

The top pieces are now mounted on both these storage units. The thing on the wall is apparently called a "cleat" in the design business. It will serve as an anchor point for the back of the storage unit tops tying them to the wall and shoring up those cool looking shelfs which I made from poplar planks and lengths of galley rail. I REALLY like how they look. The far sides of the surface tops will also sport some of that railing later in the week to kind of tie it all together.

Remember those scrolls from way back? I originally painted them a gold color but Marsha correctly labeled them too "kingly" a color for this room so I went with an aged copper treatment instead which really goes well with the mahogany stain. The posts and scrolly things across the front are removable too so I won't have to work around them when I need a lot of counter space. Just pop 'em out and go.

I'll have to figure it out exactly but I bet I will have twice the counter space in here when I'm done as we have in our kitchen and I think I will actually have an excess of storage for a while too but as I start building models again alot of that will get eaten up.

Next up I have an old school Victorian looking chair I am going to attempt to reupholster. I know...Good Luck! Hopefully it will look good AND be useful and comfortable as the computer chair but I will have an eye to a backup plan should it not work out. Beanbags.

No, not really.

Stowing for sea...Topless style

Quick update as this project is going to take another week to complete fully. I have (with Buddy-Lees's help) constructed two more storage units. Riveted them all around, painted them in a used looking two tone scheme similar to the first and added some cool looking pulls and some uh..decorative thingys. At this point the bottoms are complete but these two units will eventually also be sporting a backboard and a shelf with brackets on the top. Hence they are currently "topless". Hyuk hyuk. --Anyhow, these are mostly in parts form currently but I hope to have the whole package on display for you next post. You'll make sure to come by and take a gander at my magnificent package next Sunday won't you?

Also I have added some more tassels and another pair of curtains to the closet which really look kinda neat doncha think? And note the cool lamp I got on sale. It will be going on my map table later. Neato.

Like a dolt from the blue...

One of my many failings is a lack of methodology when I approach a task or project. I frontally attack it hoping to channel zeal into some kind of aesthetic artistic impulse. SOMETIMES it works.

Well, remember I said I was done with the painting? Not quite accurate. You see I began work on the computer desk and had a brilliant idea to make the top look like a slab of slightly corroding metal as its shape and original color were quite modern, (Black and chrome). Its the curvy piece pictured. It turned out very good. Too good.

I loved it so much I went back to Lowes bought 4 more cans and spent a week taping and masking and plugging gaps in all the beams across the ceiling. Now they are "done" again as well but sporting the same corroded rusty metal look.

You see..If I'd done some proper research up front on metallic patina paints and various textured sprays before jumping up screaming and charging the pill-box so to speak, I'd have saved a lot of both time and money. Lesson to all you kids out there planning is stoopid and boring but it will save you in the end.

Note the fancy pants heating register there. This was purchased from the fine folks down at Exquisite Brass and Tile http://www.brassandtile.com. It is absolutely perfect thanks Paul! See Exquisite Brass and Tile for all your Nautilus (and every other) rooms' needs. Tell 'em Ned Land sent ya!

Finally you think you have it rough? Look at what the ol' ball and chain gave me for Valentines day. A completely functional iron ball and chain, and yes it fits. Course I hardly noticed after all these years...Ba-dump dump! I'm here all week folks.