Off the charts

[Sawicki Builders]

Hey guys and gals!
Gotta tell you about the job I'm just about finished with (well, not just me.at one time there were 12 finishers). It is a rich mans western lodge/all inclusive resort here in Montana. Complete with bowling alley, "tent city", indoor game and karaoke room, old west theme bar etc. I could go on for hours describing all the facets of the project but for now I just want to mention the trick finishes applied. Two faux finish experts from New Mexico flew up to teach then help apply this unique recreation.
All the drywall is painted, glazed, speckled and watermarked to simulate old plaster. Most walls and ceilings are knotty pine variously stained, shellaced, whitewashed and cheeseclothed off. Some trim is stained, gilped, schwartzed and polyed. Some trim is stained, waxed, painted, scraped and then glazed. New tin ceilings are washed with vinegar then thinner and gilped in the corners and edges to simulate aging. Interior handrails (rough sawn) are danish oiled, sanded and waxed. Interior cabinets are stained, waxed, scraped, glazed and dull varnished. Some beadboard is conditioned, stained, gilped and polyed. Beadboard ceilings are stained, waxed, painted, scraped, then dirty glazed. Wormy chestnut cabinet tops are briwaxed natural then Tudor Oak. Stain mixes vary from 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, splashed (Mixol), tinted poly, dirty glazes and made on the spot gel stain concoctions. All this finish work had to be done in place then the designer oked or made changes. Sound labor intensive? This whole project is roughly the size of 5 football stadiums spread across several hundred acres. We finished 4 semi trucks full of cabinets alone. Exterior new work is Lifetimed or sprayed with ferrous sulphate to age the new wood. The schedule was so tight that I was painting exterior door jambs while the drapes were being installed (custom made in Mexico of course). Glad to be almost done. At least we'll have a month break while the media tours the place.
I've plied the trades for almost thirty years and have never done anything like this nor on this scale. Absolutely cutting edge craft!!
Namaste'
Sawick

[topcoatfinishes]

Sawick

That sounds really cool. Whereabouts in Montana? My inlaws live there, and we travel out there from time to time.

[m beezo]

We don't want no descriptions-we want pictures!

Just what is dirty glaze/varnish?

You gonna tell us any of the secrets or keep them all to yourself?

[always-learning]

We don't want no descriptions-we want pictures!

Just what is dirty glaze/varnish?

You gonna tell us any of the secrets or keep them all to yourself?

Yeah ! What Beezo Said!

[Dick Seibert]

Sawick;

In addition to pictures, could you tell us how it was built? Were you the general, or was it run by the architect without a general? Was there a construction manager involved? Does it have it's own runway to get into?

A customer of mine took a vacation to Montana and when she came back said that they saw some homes built there for $1,000 a foot that were stunning in their quality. Is that what happened to all the good old-time carpenters, did they go to Montana? Figures, John Galt's valley was in Montana, I think.

[dgbldr]

Is that what happened to all the good old-time carpenters, did they go to Montana? Figures, John Galt's valley was in Montana, I think.

No, Richie's got dibs on that:

Rand's description of Galt's Gulch was inspired by a visit she and her husband Frank O'Connor took to Ouray, Colorado while researching Colorado for the novel.

[Sawicki Builders]

We don't want no descriptions-we want pictures!

Just what is dirty glaze/varnish?

You gonna tell us any of the secrets or keep them all to yourself?

Beez,
Working on the pictures. Was going to try for photos Friday but all the furniture was being installed. Also not used to my wife's camera I dropped my hammer on my digital camera> Dirty glaze is made from off the shelf glaze tinted with whatever colors you want. Tinted poly (Polyurethane varnish) is made the same way. You can use various tints to build the finish into the look you want. Think about scenery painting like for a theatre set.
Namaste'
Sawick

[Sawicki Builders]

Sawick;

In addition to pictures, could you tell us how it was built? Were you the general, or was it run by the architect without a general? Was there a construction manager involved? Does it have it's own runway to get into?

A customer of mine took a vacation to Montana and when she came back said that they saw some homes built there for $1,000 a foot that were stunning in their quality. Is that what happened to all the good old-time carpenters, did they go to Montana? Figures, John Galt's valley was in Montana, I think.

Dick,
The location was called the Rockin K Ranch prior to this new owner. I looked at the Rocking K website a while back, the old website did show the basic gourmet theme similar to the current remodel. Now it is called the Ranch at Rock Creek. Construction was managed by ranch personnel thus I guess in essence the owner was the general. Lots of architects and designers. I heard a rumor that custom built stagecoaches are due for delivery soon. Oh, did I mention the herd of Texas Longhorns?
Lots of amazing multi-million projects around the Big Sky state. Check online for the Yellowstone Club, the Meriwether Ranch, the Rockin R Ranch, Georgetown Lake and Budweiser Lodge (I think Oprah bought it) and several others up around Flathead Lake. Check online for Locati Architects to get the drift of general building styles. Tyvo architects may also have a site. Most were built by local crafts people. Kind of a disparity- the trades stay in their chintzy little trailers while the owners visit their $20 mil vacation homes driving Hummers, BMW's and so on.
Namaste'
Sawick

[Alex_Saloutos]

I think this is it:

www.rockcreekcattlecompany.com

There are good photos on the site.

[betterdrywall]

sounds like they just needed to go and buy all there stuff at a junk shop , and used lumber from a bunch of old homes they could have tore down . I've never heard of any drywaller coming out on the good side of any projects like this . most time they wind up losing there tails. I know one guy that actually made 8 bucks an hour after he was done with a nightmare 100,000 sq ft + job of sheetrock. That doctor sure is living GOOD!!!!!!!

[Mike from NH]

Drywall jobs are best if treated like women, in and out quick.

[Kgphoto]

Sorry to hear that Mike. I work by the hour so I try to make it last.

[Mike from NH]

Well how long does it take Viagra to kick in anyways? An hour or so...you on the clock then?

[Kgphoto]

I don't know, you have more experience in that than me. Check with you wife if you are having trouble keeping track. (lol)

[Mike from NH]

Considering I'm 31 and your in your late 40's, when it comes to Viagra you are (or soon will be) the expert on male enhancment pharmaceuticals. :0