The skyline here at the Hazelnut Inn has definitely seen some changes over the last year. Winter will soon be upon us and we will be moving indoors, but while the weather holds we will continue to work on the inn’s exterior.

Peter has been more than a little anxious to install the caryatid on the East wall of the North Star suite since she was sculpted some months ago but had to wait until the construction, sculpted concrete and painting were totally finished. With each long step Peter’s urge to install the figurehead became stronger. The painters insisted that they be allowed to finish detailing their work before they would let him have the man-lift. Detail work of this quality simply cannot be rushed and it took what it needed to take before the wall was declared done. Today, at long last it was time to lift the heavy figure and bolt it permanently in place. The caryatid fit like a glove and in a few short minutes it was in place to stay. One exterior wall of the North Star suite is now complete.

The North Star suite’s garden wall is coming along nicely these days. The stonework still needs a few more glazes but it is looking great so far!

The North Star suite’s Door is now in place. Next we will build the stone-work around the frame.

We have begun to sculpt the North Star suite’s concrete facade! We have mudded and carved this little detail piece (a set of faux attic vents) near the peak of the roof. Working at any height always slows things down and this piece was no exception, but it felt great to be working on the building itself!

The North Star’s details are really starting to add up. There is still a very long way to go but we are definitely making progress!