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Here I would love to share with you our travels and adventures as international mushroom consultants. MEMOIRS about husband Pieter Vedder, who was a SCIENTIFIC PIONEER in Mushroom Cultivation Education. His practical handbook is in 9 languages and is called the MUSHROOM BIBLE: https://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2020/08/modern-mushroom-growing-2020-harvesting.html

Sunday, August 11, 2013

{Our Wooden Balusters Repurposed}

When renovating the home there comes a point where you look at certain things that become trash and others that we still can REPURPOSE. Such was the case with our Vintage Woodworks Balusters. Several were rotting away, while others were still in perfect condition. 
Let's have a look...
Husband Pieter created this very romantic bridge across our creek, using what was left from the Vintage Woodworks Balusters on our Balcony.
This photo is from August 1, after he had painted the balusters and treated the bridge with a wood preservative.
This was on May 11, the Interlock Aluminum Roof by Interlock Metal Roofing had already been installed.
Next project was to strip the balcony before the painters would start pressure washing the entire house.
Off came the partly rotten balusters with their top and bottom rails attached.
From a different angle... Those rails with balusters measure 12 ft each!
Husband Pieter on the ladder, taking that corner post down...
Our gas tank will also be moved, in winter time, when it is no longer that hot for working outside.
A new concrete platform in front of the chimney, will hold it and there its color also blends in better.
Our Jasmine pots will go onto the old concrete platform. We learned a lot about mud splashing up on all our flower pots. Having concrete for placing them on, will avoid most of the soiling with mud.
One baluster with rails attached is down...
Taking it apart for REPURPOSING...
On the rain side, it is really rot...
How many times Pieter did repair it with epoxy over the years, but we had to give up.
New polyurethane balusters and rails with posts got ordered in Texas from Vintage Woodworks, so we never again will face any rotten wood.
Now, let me walk you across the lawn towards the creek, into our wood garden...
Look what Pieter built from the remaining good balusters and posts!
That looks quite romantic doesn't it?
Vintage Woodworks balusters and all three corner posts repurposed!
Our creek looks messy still from all the drift wood that came floating with the many floodings of last month.
For weeks, Pieter could not finish this bridge, as it was with the lower parts sitting IN the water...
Below post you find a short 1:29 minute video, taken with my iPhone on July 13.
These photos are from August 1.
Don't be fooled by its size; the center section measures 3.66 m or 12 ft + the two slanted sections...
It really looks beautiful to me.
What do you say?
Aha, we crossed the bridge and looking now towards our newly painted home. Your very first view of it on the driveway side. More to follow soon!
How many leaves got knocked down by all those thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rains...
We got very murky water, due to a damaged water pipe, two streets down.
On Saturday we were without water for quite some time!
Looking down from the bridge.
An entire beach from white sand has been build up from all the flooding.
Pieter had this fine sand for free for redoing our washed concrete path towards the gazebo.
Just hauling it on the wheel barrow.
In the back you see the huge pipe that goes underneath the road.
Since that pipe for drinking water got damaged and all the mud run into the creek, we have not had enough rain to wash it out again.
A beach with sand, still wet and muddy...
Lots of weeds growing but we cannot even mow the lawn near the creek as it is way too soggy!
Hope you enjoyed our bridge from our wooden balusters being REPURPOSED.
Next post you will get to see our finished home...

Related link:
Rainy July Day in Georgia II - iPhone upload | short Youtube video showing you the bridge in high water
{Our New 3rd Bridge} | previous post by me


41 comments:

  1. really quaint bridge. i'm jealous of your rainfall. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Theresa,
      Thanks! Yeah, rainfall is great but all the muddy sections is less to applaud for. Wish we could share!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  2. I love what he did. Such a focal point in the backyard. What a great way to reusing what would have otherwise just be trashed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Daniela,
      Oh, this bridge would look stunning for bridal pictures...
      At least the good balusters got saved and the rotten ones will be decomposed in time in our garden as well.
      Ideas, time and little paint can do a lot!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  3. Liebe Mariette,

    du die Freude, die du Tag für Tag schenkst, danke ich ganz herzlich.
    Sonnige Grüße
    Elisabeth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liebe Elisabeth,
      Danke! Es ist gut um so gelesen zu werden...
      Lieber und sonniger Gruss,
      Mariette

      Delete
    2. Das war ein Tippfehler: für sollte es heißen, aber du hast es gut
      erfasst.

      Delete
  4. Dearest Mariette ,your husband made such lovely work !It is bad to throw in the trash useful objects when you can use them and you gave a second life !
    Have a nice day !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Olympia,
      It is always considerate for salvaging things; no matter what! Going GREEN and repurposing is a must.
      Happy weekend to you.
      Mariette

      Delete
  5. Wat een werk Mariëtte. Fijn dat de goede delen nog weer gebruikt konden worden. Dat is een prachtig bruggetje geworden, beter dan een Gammabruggetje. Ik vond er nog een video van, maar weet niet of die bij jou werkt. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdxpU6C6GVs
    Fijn weekend, lieve groet

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lieve Willy,
      Het is altijd veel werk, met name als je iets 'ver-maakt' maar het resultaat geeft voldoening. Ja, dat Gammabruggetje is/was inderdaad een klein bruggetje. Wat een stunt!
      Fijne weekend en lieve groetjes,
      Mariette

      Delete
  6. Liebe Mariette,
    dein Mann und du ihr seid so kreativ und immer auf der Suche nach Verschönerungen eures traumhaft schönen Hause - mit der wundervollen Brücke und dem Pavillon habt ihr euch ein Paradies geschaffen - ich wünsche euch wundervolle Zeiten - genießt jeden Tag -

    liebe Grüße - Ruth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liebe Ruth,
      Danke für deine Komplimente! Ja, es lohnt sich und ab diesem Jahr werden wir auch mehr Zeit haben um zu geniessen. Soviel harte Arbeit wurde geschafft.
      Lieber Gruss,
      Mariette

      Delete
  7. This little bridge is so romantic!!! Really perfect!
    Fantasy Jewellery

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Serena,
      Thank you and indeed it is looking quite romantic amidst all the green.
      Happy weekend.
      Mariette

      Delete
  8. Dearest Mariette,

    So romantic your bridge, is it the creek is natural or only landscape, Your Husband Pieter the best for manual work.Happy for both of you.
    For me, I love so much the bridge.
    great job.

    have a nice weekend for both of you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Ayu,
      This is a natural creek and very wild at times as it rises till or even above the bridge levels. Indeed, husband Pieter is a great worker and handy man.
      The bridge is looking very romantic and adds to the landscape.
      Hugs and happy weekend to all of you.
      Mariette

      Delete
  9. Dearest Mariette ... what a fabulous and creative idea to re-purpose the rails. The bridge looks brilliant!!! You and Pieter have completed so much and it all is coming together beautifully. Paradise!! Hugs and blessings, C. (HHL)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Celia,
      It was Pieter's idea to salvage the good parts of the balusters and the top- and bottom rails for building this bridge. It indeed adds so much to the landscape. Paradise means hard work though...!
      Hugs and happy weekend to you,
      Mariette

      Delete
  10. Wow your husband Pieter is truly talented! I love the bridge very much, really romantic! And I especially love that it was created not by purchasing something new but by repurposing the existing baluster. Very smart and creative!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Tamago,
      Thank you and yes, my Pieter is very talented! This bridge makes such a romantic statement against the green trees of our wood-garden.
      It also makes us feel good for Going GREEN and repurposing material.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  11. Brillant! The bridge is charming and such a great use of these balusters. Your home and grounds are lovely!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Sarah,
      Thank you and yes, this baluster repurposing idea from Pieter was a brilliant one! We try to do our best for keeping our home and grounds looking its best. Not easy due to its size and the heat in July and August.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  12. Liebe Mariette,
    man muss aber auch deinem Pieter mal ein großes Lob aussprechen.
    Herrlich diese Brücke. Es ist schon atemberaubend, was er alles
    aus dem Alten macht! Dein Haus ist ein wahres Kleinod.
    Einen schönen Abend wünscht
    Irmi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liebe Irmi,
      Ja meinem Pieter verdient ein groẞes Lob!
      Wir sind auch sehr froh mit diese schöne Brücke und das ganze Balkon was er selber gemacht hat.
      Auch ein schöner Aben für Dich und schöner Sonntag. Hier ist es noch früh am Mittag... es fängt bald an zu regnen.
      Mariette

      Delete
  13. Wat zijn jullie de afgelopen maanden druk aan het werk geweest in en om het huis. Het resultaat mag er zijn. Een goed idee van Pieter om de oude balustraden als brugleuning te gebruiken. Het ziet er heel romantisch uit én past perfect bij het huis :-)

    Fijne zondag!

    Madelief x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beste Madelief,
      Ja, en nóg zijn we druk. Nu de tuin wat proberen bij te werken. Maar het is nog een en al modder dus je kunt niet veel doen. Die brugleuning is heel erg mooi in het landschap. We zijn er blij mee. Zou prachtig zijn voor bruidsfoto's; indien niet zo modderig...
      Fijne zaterdagavond en zondag!
      Mariette

      Delete
  14. Dear Mariette,i like your bridge very much!!And your husband made such good work!!Yes!!!He's very talented!!!Have a lovely weekend!!!Hugs!
    Dimi...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Dimi,
      Thank you dear friend. Wish you could cross it but the distance and the water between Georgia and Greece is too vast... I'm blessed having a husband like Pieter. Hope you still manage to have a relaxed weekend, even with your loss.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  15. Wow, habt Ihr das alles jetzt erst gemacht, liebe Mariette?
    Ich dachte auch immer, es gibt Hölzer, die wetter-resistent sind. Aber da draußen ist wohl Kunststoff dann doch die bessere Wahl? Ist ja ärgerlich, alle paar Jahre diese Arbeit!
    Schaut alles sehr schön aus!

    Liebe Grüße und noch einen schönen Sonntag!
    Sara

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liebe Sara,
      Danke für dein Kompliment, es ist auch schön geworden nach viel Arbeit.
      Nun ja, alle paar Jahre ist es auch nicht. Wir hatten gute 20 Jahren diese Baluster aus Holz und nur einmal erneut. Also so schlimm war's auch nicht. Gegen ein sub-tropisches Wetter mit viel Regen ist nichts bestendig auch nicht wenn es sogenannt vorbehandelt worden ist.
      Ja, ja nach vielen Wochen mit überschwämter Back konnte Pieter es entlich fertig basteln.
      Auch ihr einen schönen sommerlichen Sonntag!
      Lieber Gruss,
      Mariette

      Delete
  16. Dear Mariette,

    Your home is really looking fabulous and you much be so happy ticking off the too do list. Making use of the leftover balusters has made the little bridge gorgeous - would be a romantic place to have wedding photos taken.

    Hope you are enjoying the weekend
    hugs
    Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Carolyn,
      Thanks for your kind words and indeed it feels great for ticking off our to do list. All the big issues have been taken care of. And don't be mistaken; it's not a little bridge! The center part is 3.66 m or 12 ft and than you still have to add the two slanted sections.
      Yes, we enjoy at least our Sunday off after lots of hard work.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  17. Dearest Mariette,
    Your husband Pieter did repaeir with epoxy and ones give up? after was Pieter created lift from the Vintage Woodworks Balusters your Balcony.
    The interlock Aluminum Roof had already been intealled.
    Off came the party rotten batusters with this top and bottom rails atlached.
    Pieter on the ladder taking that corner post dowm.
    On the rain sido it is really rot. A feel times Pieter did repair it with expoxy over the years.
    Rauls with posts got ordered in Txas from Vintage woodworks your never again...
    After all there comer postos repurposed Pitter with you together beatifully wonderful idea creativel.
    Hugs and love to you both enjoying the weekend,
    Michiko

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Michiko,
      Thanks for your lengthy comment and you did make it into a personal brain-training for you. Good job! I admire you for what you have accomplished since your brain injury!!!
      Yes, never again we will have to repair balusters and rails on our balcony. This bridge will hopefully last us quite a while.
      Hugs and a happy new week.
      Mariette

      Delete
  18. Lieve Mariette,

    Dat mag nou met recht van ''niets'' ''iets'' maken.....genoemd worden!!!

    Schattig dat bruggetje over de kreek,ik zag al eerder het gedeelte van hergebruikte balustrade in het filmpje,toen leek de anders zo rustige kreek meer op een wild stromende rivier.
    Jullie hebben toch wel wat met water....hemelwater in dit geval wat de laatste tijd toch wel voor heel veel overlast zorgden,helaas.

    De natuur gaat zijn gang....waar in het ene continent een teveel aan water is en in het andere werelddeel snakt men naar water en is er al jaren geen druppel gevallen.

    Jullie gaan nog wel ''even'' verder met al die goede en uitgekiende verbeteringen aan en rondom het huis.Wel fantastisch dat Pieter veel zelf kan en wil doen,denk dat menige echtgenote jaloers op jou is met zo'n handige man.
    Geef hem uit mijn naam maar een GROOT compliment,ik heb maar 2 duimen.....had ik er meer stak ik die ook de hoogte in ☺!!!

    Lieve groet!!
    Ger



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lieve Ger,
      Dit is grappig zeg, zaten we op dezelfde tijd bij elkaar te lezen.
      Ja, ik ben gezegend met zo'n handige man! Hij kan het bijna allemaal zelf en dóet het ook.
      Wat dat 'hemelwater' betreft, Pieter's Papa zei altijd: 'Het is met regen net als met geld; er is genoeg alleen is het zo slecht verdeeld...'
      Ik zal hem je dikke pluim doorgeven; hij leest overigens elke morgen zelf alle commentaar; al of niet glunderend...
      Liefs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  19. Dearest Mariette,
    This foot bridge is indeed romantic... enchanting. I can just see you and Pieter strolling hand in hand to the wood garden.
    Enjoy sweet friend,
    Ginger

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Ginger,
      Thanks and yes we both find it very romantic. But strolling across the bridge hand in hand is not possible for walking abreast from each other. Only in the duck-pattern... following each other!
      Hugs to you dear lady.
      Mariette

      Delete
  20. Yes it is a cute bridge I like how it was constructed

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Jo-Anne,
      Thank you and we like that all the hard jobs have been completed.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete

Thanks for your visit and comment.

Mariette...

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MARIETTE'S BACK TO BASICS © 2009. All rights reserved - Text and images may not be copied for distribution or sale.

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