Two box bays are located on the North wall which are being covered with cedar siding.  There are several cedar elements on the exterior including this siding, the cornice with exposed rafter tails and the pergola which will cover the additional parking space.  All of the cedar will be covered with a solid stain to add color and protection from the elements.

The hand-made cedar brackets attached to the wall will support a covered balcony off the 2^nd floor hallway.  This balcony will have a view of the side courtyard and pool below.  A second balcony will be located off the master suite with a view of the rear courtyard and the exterior fireplace.  Note:  Romeo not included.

The scaffold has been taken down and the concrete block walls are now revealed.  Soon the plasterers will arrive and begin their work.

At first glance this looks like a covered porch, but it is actually the home’s foyer.   This open-air foyer has been styled after a typical Charleston entry breezeway which leads from the street to inside the house and into the outdoor living area.  Wood doors will be hung at the street side as well as the courtyard side maintaining the courtyard privacy when desired.  Or the doors can be left open to welcome visitors in when entertaining.

This mason is protecting himself from the sun with an umbrella hat.  This is a novel sun protection tactic as well as a unique fashion statement.  We found umbrella hats on line if you are interested in beefing up the fight against skin cancer, http://umbrellahat.net/

The masons continue to lay the concrete block walls even though this is turning out to be the hottest summer on record.  Heavy equipment is used to help move the materials. 

Follow this link to read more about St. Mary’s and Scott Crumley.

http://www.newhomeviews.com:80/2010/07/06/wearing-the-white-hat/

The masons are staging the block into piles around the perimeter of the house.  This will help them to lay the block efficiently.  Once complete, plaster will be applied to the block walls.

Allied Concrete Products has contributed to the Charity House by discounting their block materials…thank you very much Allied!  This is the first of many block deliveries that will be required to cover the entire house, garage and the courtyard walls.

The windows and doors have been installed and trimmed on the main house.  The masons are now ready to begin installing the exterior concrete block walls.  The detached garage is progressing nicely and will have gable ends matching the main house.  A pergola will soon be installed on the left wall of the garage providing a decorative architectural feature as well as an additional parking space.