Archives

After looking through the offerings of a country store, Norm finds the inspiration to build a small lock-and-key-style writing desk.

Using common building materials and hardware, Norm Abram builds all the elements needed to make a workshop functional cabinetry, storage units, and a portable chop station

Norm builds this patio trolley of long-lasting mahogany.

The sandstone wall is being built in the front yard. Steve learns about the oil spill of 1969 and gets a tour of an off shore oil drilling platform.

Asbestos has been removed and an actual foundation poured. Steve gets a detailed history of Santa Barbara’s post earthquake architecture. Richard Trethewey explains the plumbing system.

Norm builds a sharpening station that features enough space for a grind wheel and water baths, and plenty of drawers to store blades and other tools.

Norm designs and builds a complex of clever spaces for the home office that will accomodate the family computer and all its peripherals.

Norm builds his own special croquet mallet and a bench in which to store all the equipment.

Norm builds a hanging porch swing from plantation-grown teak.

Final day on the job. The special linoleum is installed and rugs are laid out. Paul Somerson sets up the computer system. Security system and entertainment system are explained while the kitchen is reviewed by Sandra. Interior designer Donna Sapolin walks Steve through the home.

Norm crafts modular outdoor planters and a bench out of river-recovered antique cypress wood.

Finishing touches are being made on the subject house. The gutters are installed as are the lighting fixtures and cabinets. Tom Silva is finishing the casing for the stairway and has made a mantle for the fireplace that conceals the TV. Rich Trethewey shows Steve the bathtub and fixtures.

The wood flooring is being laid down. Steve visits the oriental rug store to see what rugs the HO chose and how the rugs are woven. Tom installs the front door and Steve tours the TOH magazine project house.

Roger Cook and Don Sloan show Steve the different types of paving they can put down. In the Kitchen Tom Silva shows Steve the island that they built. Steve goes to Scotland to see how linoleum is made. Rich Trethewey has installed the HVAC.

The custom made garage doors are installed as is an emergency backup generator. Tom and Dick Silva are arranging the cabinets in the kitchen while Norm visits a cabinet maker. Wall paneling is going to be installed.

Roger Cook is laying out a stone walkway in the yard while Norm continues making cabinets for the kitchen. Richard Trethewey reviews the HVAC system with Steve.

Roger Cook begins the landscaping with some impromptu masonry. The exterior painting of the house begins and Tom shows Steve the new high condensed foam doors.

Insulation of the house begins. Norm and Tom are building cabinets while Roger Cook and Roger Hopkins put in the granite steps. The garage is almost done and metl roofing is installed above the bay windows.

Tom explains to Steve what needs to be done inside the walls before they are insulated and sealed up. Paul Somerson is wiring the house for a networking system and Jack Viola is installing a sprinkler system.

Tom shows Steve how he flashes a window, panels the house, and builds a deck with less nails. Norm visits a router bit factory and shows Steve the progress of the cabinets.

HO Sandra Silva begins planning the layout and design of the kitchen. Steve tours a test facility where they test the durability and flammability of just about everything. Norm is making cabinets for the kitchen.

A work area is being assembled for cabinet making in the backyard. James Crowe shows Steve the faux slate roofing. Richard Trethewey begins the plumbing in the basement.

Norm reviews some of the materials and tools being used on the exterior of the house. He and Tom seal a corner of the framing. Steve tours the factory where they make composite material window frames.

Dick Silva gives Steve a tour of the second floor. Steve goes to a training camp for firefighters. The roofing is started and a mason is laying brick over the foundation.

The framing of the house has started. The steel structuring in the basement is welded into place. Norm tours an I-beam factory and plans for the garage are being drawn up.